Riverside Coffee
| Address: | 8865 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD 21045, USA |
| Phone: | +1 410-312-0004 |
| Site: | facebook.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 6:30AM–6PM 6:30AM–6PM 6:30AM–6PM 6:30AM–6PM 6:30AM–6PM 8AM–6PM Closed |
Location
Photos 79
Reviews 8
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Ryan Pena
Id like to be a little more constructive here, since the service was fine and friendly, and the place was clean and welcoming. This could be a new employee, or just lack of general training, but I had a "latte" from here which was basically coffee with hot milk. At minimum you need SOME microfoam for a latte where mine didnt have any. It had zero. So this is not reflective of your place as a whole, but more so that you need a little work if you want to serve anything beyond drip and have people like it. Specifically there are a few things I noticed wrong during the process. First was that the barista did not pack the grounds in the portafilter enough. I saw her use minimal effort which was reflected by the absence of crema while the shot was being pulled (Could also be stale beans or not the proper grind size, but I can only report on what I saw). Second she did not watch during the frothing. This is the most important part where you can see and hear when good froth is being made. I witnessed neither, which is why I had zero microfoam. Third is pouring the frothed milk. You cant just dump it in, which is what was done. Even if you had microfoam it likely would have fallen flat because of this. Overall you have the equipment and the atmosphere, you just need to learn how to use it all properly, because what I had is not what I purchased. P.S. the scone was like a brick. I threw it away after I could salvage the edible center. Edit: this is based from one visit. Not all employees may produce the same product I received.
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A Private User
Wish I could rate lower! This place looked promising, but it took me almost ten minutes to be served on a morning that was dead with two baristas and only two customers, including myself. When I ordered I wasnt asked if I was dining in and my food was unceremoniously shoved into a brown bag, then given to me. No cutlery. I asked for a decaf carmel latte. I received what tasted like a Café au lait. This means my milk was burned and I was given brewed coffee rather than espresso. There were also grounds in my drink, which is impossible had it been made with espresso. The service of both baristas was poor. They didnt even seem to enjoy each others company and they gave me a dirty look when I didnt tip on my credit receipt. I intended to give a cash tip, but after the barista adressed me rudely to tell me my drink was ready and I felt the obviously too-hot temperature of my cup, my pennies stayed in my pocket. I suggest you keep your money in your pockets and avoid this shop. I tried this shop as an alternative to starshmucks burnt beans and was sorely disappointed.
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Michael Willoughby
Not sure why theres so many low reviews on this place. Glad I decided to check it out despite the reviews. Awesome things about it: Free, reliable, and fast wi-fi. (Sites loaded very quickly, even through my VPN.) Plenty of seating area with a few different choices of seats. (Bar, tables, loungers) Reasonable prices. (Note:$3 minimum on credit card purchases) The coffee was out when I first ordered, she immediately put a new dispenser out. (Read:Good customer service) The breakfast bagel I ordered was good. The spicy chai latte was good. Yes, the music is eclectic, but it was the same that youd hear at any store with a PG-rated oldies playlist. I loved it. I hate going to overcrowded coffee houses where youre forced to sit in the least desirable seat and cant concentrate because everybody is so loud - then you get on the wi-fi and youre getting half a meg down. This place is not like that at all. This will be my go-to coffee shop here.
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A Private User
We used to go to Riverside often. Over the last couple years, not so much. But We had cards punched that amounted to 2 free cups of coffee. You know, buy lots of cups of coffee and eventually get thanked with a free cup. Life schedules have brought us back into the neighborhood so we thought wed renew our old habit of coming by. But the new owner, the girl said firmly and repeatedly, refuses to honor any of these cards. Now I ask you, if you wanted my business to return to the shop, you would not turn me off and away, right? I know customer relations is more costly to lose than two cups of coffee on the house. I refused to buy coffee at that point and walked out. Two customers wont be returning.
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Anon Reviews
I ordered a plain strawberry bagel. The bagel tasted as if it was stored with onion bagels. I thought I ordered the wrong bagel on accident but, NOPE! Then I had what I thought was hair, but saw more tiny strands around the bagel. It was LINT! as if it was in the bottom of a book bag. Lastly, the heart bar was Best By 22 Jul 17. Im only mad because my total was below the card maximum amount and I had that stupid bar. I would give the exact date and time and total I spent, but I know he will look me up and some people do witchcraft so I rather be anon. Anyway, Im not here to slander anyone or defame the company but, that was my first time there and Im sad it was horrible.
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Kirk Cieszkiewicz Jr.
Very cozy cafe with a large selection of beans and espresso style drinks available, although nothing more than you would expect from a decent cafe. It was a pleasant surprise to see that an americano was the same price as just shots (this should be expected, but seems uncommon in more popular places) Unfortunately it seemed like the barista was not very informed about what non-dairy milks were available. After they figured out that they had Silk almond milk, I ordered a latte. Normally I am not a fan of Silk, but was pleased with the resulting drink. Needless to say, I would still say this is a great afternoon pick-me-up, but not a particularly high end cafe.
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A Private User
Quality of food and service and cleanliness of the overall place have gone downhill steadily over the past year. We used go almost every weekend but no more after our last experience where we spotted the counter girl cutting her nails behind the counter! Gross!!! Updated March 18,2012: decided to see if going in during the week would be better. I live the Chipotle Chicken Panini but when placed my order I was told they didnt have any chicken! Totally unacceptable that they cant keep in stock or be bothered to go to the store for some chix!! I have found another coffee shop to take my business to!!
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ANDREW SMITH
I didnt hate this place, I got a cup of coffee....but it wasnt good. The man that waited on me acted as if I was bothering him to get the coffee, plus he never smiled...at all. He actually frowned. I did go in an hour before closing so I am sure the coffee wasnt just brewed so I give it a pass. And the place does smell of great coffees. But if a smile was given and it didnt take so long to pour my one cup..I was the only one there I would have given 2 stars. I am going to go back at another earlier time to see if it was just a bad time and will amend this if things are better.
