Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits, LLC

Reviews 8

BE

Benjamin Neel

Dichotomy is a really cool place with a nice atmosphere. It really brings something special to Waco. However, the service here is the absolute worst service Ive ever suffered through in my life. I thought it was one of those restaurants that the waiters are rude to you as a joke. Two different baristas have insulted me. The first got mad at me for reading the magazines they had out on the table, asked if I was going to buy something, and then stormed off. I thought that was a one time thing, so I went back one night to get coffee. A different barista was nice to start, but was unhelpful when I asked about their menu and then later wouldnt get me a cup of water. Really unimpressive for a supposedly 4 star coffee shop. Considering the poor service and high prices, Id say Starbucks or common grounds both offer a better experience. Update: just got asked to leave the upstairs patio because my group (the 5 of us) are appear entry taking up too many chairs. The other 10 available chairs are appears you not enough to meet the demand... Oh, I think its important to add that there isnt anyone else up here. Really just a let down.

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Arnulfo Garza

I am giving Dichotomy 1 star because of its BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE. I am writing this review in the dark because they have just turned off the lights. Instead of asking customers for suggestions as to how to please them while trying to make a profit they seem to try to manipulate the ambience by abruptly turning off the lights! I have a suggestion, If you were to have more moderately priced beer or drinks, I would love to buy some and not feel I am being kicked out every time an employee passes to the back.Knowing myself, I would probably have more than one since I seldomely buy just one beer. I think at least for now I will stop coming. Its a shame since I tend to be a loyal customer and have spent way too much money here to feel uncomfortable but this light thing is too much! Listening to customers might serve you all well. From now on, if people ask for a place to get coffee/drinks I will make sure I will leave dichotomy as a last option! Sorry, Dichotomy but the biggest shareholders in your company are not the owners or even the employees but the customers, it may serve you all well to remember that.

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LE

Levi Spears

Stopped on the way back from the 2015 Austin 10/20 run, needed caffeine and possibly a beverage for recovery. Liked the wide-open feel of the store and the sparse aesthetic coupled with the drugstore soda fountain vibe of the coffee and drink bars. Expected blend of college students and other coffee shop denizens, all busily buried in their respective electronic devices. The open upper patio was appealing, although there were a few tobacco burners wafting their exhaust around. Tried the house old fashioned, very well done, great presentation with a solid block of ice nestled in a decent pour of bourbon. Attention to detail in the coffee bean balanced on the seared orange peel garnish was nice to see. Followed up with a double espresso and a to-go coffee. Espresso has a deep, syrupy body, sweet and roasty flavor, and was coupled with a shot of soda water to finish. Coffee done pour-over style, as is the case with a lot of shops these days it had good flavor but needed a finer grind to produce more body in the cup. Will definitely come back to sample more of the bar fare, and for coffee after dinner.

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Trent Futral

After already having heard the reputation for snotty baristas, I have been to Dichotomy for coffee three times now. Until this last time, I just thought the coffee was overpriced and mediocre, and the baristas didnt seem to like anyone who came to the counter, but after the last visit, I will not be back. I walked in with about 1/3 cup of coffee that I had brewed at home. It was even in a see-through cup that showed it was almost empty. Planning on hunkering down for a couple of hours of homework, I asked for the wifi code. The barista told me it is only for customers. After answering that I planning on buying coffee once this one was empty, he still refused. He told me that by bringing in my own coffee, I am not a customer. I told him Id buy my coffee somewhere else and left. My one experience buying drinks in the evening was a good experience, but do not go here for coffee. There are 3 coffee shops in the downtown area that are much more friendly. Please go there.

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RO

Rob Bradfield

Ive been to a lot of coffee shops— very good coffee shops— and this one could easily hold its own among any of them. Be forewarned, this is not a Starbucks, and they do not have typical sugary Starbucks milkshake drinks. What they do have is incredible espresso at lower prices than comparable establishments. If you go during the day be sure to get your drink from Mike, he is easily one of the best baristas in the state. The cocktail side is even more impressive— to even be able to serve drinks the bartenders have to go through an extensive six month training program. Suffice to say they know what theyre doing. These people take pride in their craft and stand by their product. If you have any problems with either, I would encourage you to talk to them about the amount of work they put into every drink. When you do that, you will gain a new level of respect for these people. Also, tip your f------ bartenders.

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KE

Kenny Blair

I drink coffee or Americano & like a little cream and little artificial sweetener as Im diabetic. Not into foo foo coffee drinks. Got an Americano here with an extra shot as I like it strong. It was strong but tasted terrible. I guess I have an acquired taste to Starbucks Dark roast or espresso roast. This was bitter, tasted weird, cream curdled and they pulled it out of fridge for me. Choice of sweetener was sugar, more sugar and agave. IMO agave sucks in coffee. Staff appears to be type that believe those artificials probably cause cancer so too bad, we dont carry anything but natural. Maybe Im wrong but have to agree with others on staff here. However, Cool vintage building with the reno done right & Owner or maybe it was manager was friendly. Advise: coffee is your main theme....have some options that just dont appeal to you.

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KA

Katherine Coffman

Honestly this place is the biggest joke. Youve got a barista & a cashier who are acting like coffee snobs and making customers feel stupid, meanwhile they dont know theyre talking to a New Yorker who lives in Australia which is the Mecca of coffee. They tried to laugh and make me feel stupid for asking if the size was a single or double but they didnt even know what a ristretto shot is and clearly they dont know a thing about microfoam. So go there if you want some chubby, sloppy college kid with a dirty beard and no real coffee knowledge to roll his eyes at you while making a bitter, nasty coffee. This place is trying so hard and failing epically. I guess theyre banking on the fact that its Waco so you dont have many options.

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MI

Michael Hannon

These guys are industry experts and their baristas receive standardized training. They strive to get their hands on the best possible everything and they are patient to explain third wave coffee to those that havent been introduced to that level of craft. Several of the negative reviewers seem to think that if theyve had coffee in one part of the world or a segment of the industry theyve had it all and they couldnt be more wrong. Dont make the mistake of walking in and ordering from a Starbucks frame of mind and be polite to your local barista. The coffee is phenomenal and the nearest comparable establishment is many cities away.

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