Mad City Coffee - River Hill

The egg and cheese bagel is always a hit. It’s one of the best that I’ve had.I’m a huge latte drinker and always like my coffee to be “milk with a splash of coffee” taste, but Mad City might convince me otherwise. The iced coffee tastes so good by itself that I’ve been trying different beans without milk!

I'm a specialty coffee roaster and I've also been a cafe manager for years. This coffee was beyond the pale... so much is sitting out in non vacuumed containers for months and months. I asked for a cortado and a drip coffee (one of their flavored ones). The older lady had no clue what I was asking for when I asked for drip coffee....I had to explain the process before they finally figured out what I was talking about. Both drinks were disgusting....I handed them back and left.I have traveled all over the world and I have never seen so much incompetence. They weren't busy and there were 4 people there on staff.

The latte tasted burnt and the egg was a microwave egg. Some people may be okay with that but it seems like the food here is very cheap and little effort is put in.

The first time I went, I was expecting at least decent coffee. The place bills itself as a coffeehouse which roasts its own beans (it does), so one expects they know how to brew. They don't. The espresso is bland and rather tasteless. The second time I visited it, I told myself to order a small double espresso with some water. They messed up and gave me a medium double americano. The staff is friendly and alert, but I just don't think they know how to make coffee. I ordered an egg and cheese sandwich on a toasted English muffin. Should be simple. The sandwich had a cold slice of cheddar on top of the egg (tasteless) and the bread was only warmed, not toasted.I won't be coming back.

I came here a lot during my Ph.D. years. The food, cleanliness, and service have degraded. A person asked me for $2 while I was sitting and drinking my tea. Sad to see it in this state.