Cartel Coffee Lab
| Address: | 2516 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA |
| Phone: | +1 480-621-6381 |
| Site: | cartelcoffeelab.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM 7AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
LA
Laura Diamond Wise
I have been going to the Campbell location for coffee and a pastry several times a week for a year, and I have had very little problem or complaints to offer...The coffee is always very good and the baristas are over the top friendly...Recently, I had a situation where a barista missed part of my order, and it wasnt discovered until after he had swiped my card...Instead of doing two transactions, he cancelled the first and did a completely new transaction....When I got home I noticed that both transactions had hit my account....I was none too happy about this, and I became even more incensed when the only phone number I could find for the entire Cartel chain in AZ was in the Phoenix area...I left a terse and very angry message, and an equally angry e-mail....However, after 24-hours April, the office manager, returned my call...While we could not agree on the subject of the phone number, she was very kind, and she checked her records and could not see the first transaction, but she did see the second one....This made me feel much better; however, because I was obviously upset, she kindly refunded me all my money for my troubles...The only complaint I can give, is that of the phone number, and, it is my opinion, that they should have one for each store....Otherwise, this once angry customer is now eating crow...Thank you, April....
MA
Manuel Gerardo
My favorite coffee shop in Tucson! Im more of a light blend coffee kind of guy, and, with that being said, their coffee is very good! I love how they rotate flavors, because you really get to try a little of everything and youll probably never get bored of their selection. Not a coffee person? Theres also some pretty good tea (black and green). They also some damn good pastries, with my favorite being the chocolate zucchini brownies. They often play a variety of music (mostly indie, but they alternate between genres), hang up art pieces from local artists (which are for sale), and the employees are very friendly. I usually tend to chat them up whenever I go get something. Its not the quietest of places, but its still very chill and an awesome place to get some work done or just hang out with friends. One more thing... I notice that some people are making negative remarks about the baristas. If youve actually tried having a conversation with them, you would realize theyre anything but snobby or pretentious, like some people make them out to be. Ive actually initiated some small talk with many of the employees there and they have been nothing but warm and friendly towards me.
EV
everett buron
Great coffee roasted weekly in Arizona is available her for sale in 12oz whole bean bags. A good variety of beans from Ethiopia to El Salvador are on offer here to buy and bring home or enjoy at the cafe. This spot on Campbell is open till 10 every night and is usually busy with U of A students. They have all manner of coffee brewing methods available from Hario v60 to AeroPress for one to enjoy with all of the beans on offer. In addition to the traditional coffee/espresso selections they have beer, wine and liquor available along with pastries, muffins and cookies. The only real negative is the parkinglot at the Campbell Ave location is small and becomes full around happy hour when the boxing gym in the plaza gets busy. This means getting creative in finding a parking spot and potentially having to walk a bit from a side street to the cafe.
BR
Brad Southard
I find this place delicious. Delicious coffee, scrumptious pastrys, and some tasty brews. If you love, reclaimed wood, Edison bulbs, and refurbished industrial lighting and faux Scandinavian minimalism . Your also gonna love the decor. I suspect you will also feel quite comfortable with the hipster aesthetic that tends to dawn the customers and students studying. I happen to have no problem what so ever with the decor or customers, as I often one of them. My one problem, they are incredibly slow at making the coffee you have come in to enjoy. Slow, because they treat each cup as a work of art perhaps, but slow none the less. Even after the long wait youll be too busy marveling at the coffees beauty to worry about the decor.
C
C Miller
Got ride of the food. Big mistake. They also have yet to replace their crappy extension chords hanging over the long wooden table. Ive told their employees MANY times over the last couple YEARS that the connection they provide is horrible. If youre plugged in and someone else plugs in, you lose your connection. Hard enough to get one working n the first place (non-apple chords especially). You dread someone sitting down and messing with your connection, and everyone constantly apologizes to one another once they realized they messed things up for others. So awkward and ridiculous. Some of the employees are nice, others dont have a clue what customer service is.
TH
The Nickell Tour
This place has gone WAY down hill. I used to visit Cartel quite often but havent back since last fall. They have made several key changes that will prevent me from coming back. They got rid of all their hot food items and no longer offer a menu. They also close at 10 pm ON FRIDAY NIGHT! The place was full and they kicked everyone out. The seating is terribly uncomfortable and while my friends and I were there they were hammering and putting up art fixtures for several hours (this couldnt be done during closing hours?) You just lost three customers. I will also be telling all my Tucson friends to avoid Cartel.
CH
chrisiv1000
Really good coffee and nice atmosphere, and the staff is typically friendly. Sometimes they say weird things, though. Once I saw someone with an obviously pink smoothie, and it looked good so I asked the barista what drink they had. He said it was a latte even though this obviously wasnt true. My friend was there too and was just as baffled as I was. I dont think he was joking. Anyway, this is definitely worth a visit and I think its better than Raging Sage next door. Only downside is that the huge glass doors create a horrible glare and cause the sun to get in your eyes when youre trying to work.
SC
Scott Hildebrand
The coffee was quite delicious! I would, however, have to question the name behind this coffee shop. I arrived at 8 a.m. At 9 a.m. while sitting at the bar the pungent aroma of onion hit my nostrils. A few minutes later, garlic followed up with a gentle punch in the face. Im sure their food is quite delicious, but most people wanting to enjoy the sophistication an artistic ability of coffee dont want to be inundated with other conflicting smells. Im just slightly confused by the marriage of a "coffee lab" and fresh potent food ingredients. Maybe its just me. Respectfully, Scott
DE
DesertSingerAZ
I think this is the best coffee, hands down, in Tucson. Im not a student. I dont go to study. I dont eat here, I just adore their coffee. When it was smaller (theyve moved into a larger space), the guy who was behind the counter most of the time was always extremely nice, friendly and totally cool. Im giving 4 Stars for Coffee, and for 80% of the time when I go the service is fine. I havent seen my favorite guy in awhile, and the service without him is lacking :(.
GA
Gabriel Lewis
Good, simple iced latte. Ive been to Cartel a few times and tried something new each time. Have had a blueberry coffee that lived up to the description. Sometimes the music is too loud for conversation, but otherwise its a very chill hipster-y spot. Not too pretentious despite first impressions. Love the wood benches and couch, nice mix of furniture to choose from. Id give it five stars if the music didnt hurt my ears as much, but it could just be me.
