Coffee is personal – the customer is always right.
I rarely write negative reviews, particularly for small businesses. But this case was so beyond the pale, I had to make my experience known. On the morning of my first full day in Pinedale, I went to this shop to enjoy a cup of coffee before my first hike. I asked the barista for a cup of brewed coffee. Based on the response to this review that he originally posted, but then removed, I know now that he was the proprietor. He asked me if I was going to want cream and I told him yes. He put a tiny splash of cream in the cup before pouring my coffee and I told him I was going to need more cream than that. He then took it upon himself to educate me on the quality of his brews, stated that there was no bitterness, and that, therefore, I did not need more cream. Apparently, in the span of one minute, he knew how I preferred to drink my coffee better than I did. He reluctantly put a little more cream in the cup before handing it to me. Then he asked me if I would tell a Michelin star Chef how to prepare food. I didn’t reply to this inane question because I never told him how to make his coffee; I only told him how I would like to enjoy my coffee— that is, with more cream than he was willing to put in it. The last statement he berated me with was to tell me that next time I should just go buy my coffee at the gas station down the street. I closed the conversation by telling him that I had enjoyed coffee all over the world, including the 6 1/2 years I lived in Naples, Italy, while serving in the Navy— incredible coffee culture, and some of the best coffee in the world. I told him I knew very well how I liked my coffee.
The only positive thing I can say about this person is that he obviously took great pride in his craft of coffee making. I respect that because there is too much bad coffee in the world. But, no matter how good the coffee, you can’t presume to know better than your customer how your customer prefers to drink his or her own coffee. Everyone has their own taste when it comes to the amount of sugar, cream, or whatever else they want to add to their coffee. Ironically, after all of his arrogance and ridicule, the coffee was a little bitter! This, even after I added the amount of sugar I prefer, which, unlike the cream, was not secreted behind the counter.
Unless your customer is asking you for something that is illegal, immoral, or that will harm others, your customer is right. I have never experienced such disrespect in the simple act of buying a cup of coffee. Thankfully, every other interaction I’ve had with the people of Pinedale has been fine. This experience was truly UNBELIEVABLE!
The response he posted to my valid observations was exactly what I would expect. It reeked with even more arrogance, proving my point. The only reason I stayed and drank my coffee for a while was that I was completely taken aback by the experience I had just had, and couldn’t believe it had actually happened—surreal. It felt like I had been dropped into the middle of the coffee equivalent of the Soup Nazi episode of Seinfeld. I was sure that upon further reflection, he might say something else or more appropriately, offer an apology for his absolutely unjustifiable behavior. He didn’t. It was truly outrageous. I stand by everything I said. There was no intimidation on my part, contrary to what he said in his response. If anything, he was trying to intimidate me.
I was just trying to get a cup of coffee the way I like to drink it before a beautiful hike near Pinedale (which it was). Sad that this coffee autocrat had to send me off on the wrong foot.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
N.R. Jenzen-Jones
Excellent beverages served by friendly proprietors. A family operation driven by a passion for good coffee. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Corrado Colombo
Stopped here and found a real good Espresso.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Olivia Grev
A gem of a place! Really friendly staff. Try a waffle!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Conor Ryan
Leaving a review just because of how good the glazed strawberry waffle was. Try one.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Caroline Jenkins
This is the place to be- great tasting coffee and an owner who really cares about the shop and its customers
Shannon
The best latte I've ever had - honestly, nothing has compared since!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Hill
Must stop coffee shop if passing through! Great atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Gayle C
Lots of coffee shops have the equipment to make lattes, but Pine knows how to make a delicious latte! Big difference. And you must try a waffle. So yummy. Thank you for a great start to my day.
We just ran out of beans and discovered this shop on our way through Wyoming. Absolutely delicious espresso and a family-friendly atmosphere. The owner of the shop was kind to talk us through each of the varieties of beans he sales so we could make an informed decision. My toddler thoroughly enjoyed playing with all the toys including the dump trucks on the patio. It was also a nice chill work space, perfect if you work remotely. We’ll definitely be back!
Dietary restrictions: They have Oatmilk!
Kid-friendliness: Great selection of toys, games, and books and well as comfortable seating for working or relaxing and enjoying a cup of coffee.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J
Fantastic coffee, like best I’ve ever had. I’m now a monthly subscriber.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maria Marangoni
we’ve been on a roadtrip from north carolina to wyoming and back, and this was the best coffee i had in all of the towns and states we’ve passed. not the best coffee i’ve ever had but pretty good, cute latte art and cute place!
Next level coffee (espresso & caldo)!!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Coffee is personal – the customer is always right.
I rarely write negative reviews, particularly for small businesses. But this case was so beyond the pale, I had to make my experience known. On the morning of my first full day in Pinedale, I went to this shop to enjoy a cup of coffee before my first hike. I asked the barista for a cup of brewed coffee. Based on the response to this review that he originally posted, but then removed, I know now that he was the proprietor. He asked me if I was going to want cream and I told him yes. He put a tiny splash of cream in the cup before pouring my coffee and I told him I was going to need more cream than that. He then took it upon himself to educate me on the quality of his brews, stated that there was no bitterness, and that, therefore, I did not need more cream. Apparently, in the span of one minute, he knew how I preferred to drink my coffee better than I did. He reluctantly put a little more cream in the cup before handing it to me. Then he asked me if I would tell a Michelin star Chef how to prepare food. I didn’t reply to this inane question because I never told him how to make his coffee; I only told him how I would like to enjoy my coffee— that is, with more cream than he was willing to put in it. The last statement he berated me with was to tell me that next time I should just go buy my coffee at the gas station down the street. I closed the conversation by telling him that I had enjoyed coffee all over the world, including the 6 1/2 years I lived in Naples, Italy, while serving in the Navy— incredible coffee culture, and some of the best coffee in the world. I told him I knew very well how I liked my coffee.
The only positive thing I can say about this person is that he obviously took great pride in his craft of coffee making. I respect that because there is too much bad coffee in the world. But, no matter how good the coffee, you can’t presume to know better than your customer how your customer prefers to drink his or her own coffee. Everyone has their own taste when it comes to the amount of sugar, cream, or whatever else they want to add to their coffee. Ironically, after all of his arrogance and ridicule, the coffee was a little bitter! This, even after I added the amount of sugar I prefer, which, unlike the cream, was not secreted behind the counter.
Unless your customer is asking you for something that is illegal, immoral, or that will harm others, your customer is right. I have never experienced such disrespect in the simple act of buying a cup of coffee. Thankfully, every other interaction I’ve had with the people of Pinedale has been fine. This experience was truly UNBELIEVABLE!
The response he posted to my valid observations was exactly what I would expect. It reeked with even more arrogance, proving my point. The only reason I stayed and drank my coffee for a while was that I was completely taken aback by the experience I had just had, and couldn’t believe it had actually happened—surreal. It felt like I had been dropped into the middle of the coffee equivalent of the Soup Nazi episode of Seinfeld. I was sure that upon further reflection, he might say something else or more appropriately, offer an apology for his absolutely unjustifiable behavior. He didn’t. It was truly outrageous. I stand by everything I said. There was no intimidation on my part, contrary to what he said in his response. If anything, he was trying to intimidate me.
I was just trying to get a cup of coffee the way I like to drink it before a beautiful hike near Pinedale (which it was). Sad that this coffee autocrat had to send me off on the wrong foot.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Excellent beverages served by friendly proprietors. A family operation driven by a passion for good coffee. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped here and found a real good Espresso.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A gem of a place! Really friendly staff. Try a waffle!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leaving a review just because of how good the glazed strawberry waffle was. Try one.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the place to be- great tasting coffee and an owner who really cares about the shop and its customers
The best latte I've ever had - honestly, nothing has compared since!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Must stop coffee shop if passing through! Great atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Lots of coffee shops have the equipment to make lattes, but Pine knows how to make a delicious latte! Big difference. And you must try a waffle. So yummy. Thank you for a great start to my day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Drinks: excellent choices. Chai latte and the Cocteau are very good.
Service: Excellent. Kind. Courteous.
Venue: Clean. Comfortable. Inviting. Comfortable vibe
Parking: plenty.
Overall a great experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We just ran out of beans and discovered this shop on our way through Wyoming. Absolutely delicious espresso and a family-friendly atmosphere. The owner of the shop was kind to talk us through each of the varieties of beans he sales so we could make an informed decision. My toddler thoroughly enjoyed playing with all the toys including the dump trucks on the patio. It was also a nice chill work space, perfect if you work remotely. We’ll definitely be back!
Dietary restrictions: They have Oatmilk!
Kid-friendliness: Great selection of toys, games, and books and well as comfortable seating for working or relaxing and enjoying a cup of coffee.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic coffee, like best I’ve ever had. I’m now a monthly subscriber.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
we’ve been on a roadtrip from north carolina to wyoming and back, and this was the best coffee i had in all of the towns and states we’ve passed. not the best coffee i’ve ever had but pretty good, cute latte art and cute place!
Very friendly! Fast service! Yummy coffee!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
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