Cartel Roasting Co

I got the espresso mojito. It sounded good in theory but I couldn’t taste anything besides the extremely bitter espresso. The tonic was also pretty flat, so the drink just tasted like bad watered down espresso. Unlike many other local places, tax is not included in the menu price so it was almost $8. I don’t mind paying for a creative quality drink but this wasn’t it. Left a star because I have been once before and that drink was good. I may have just gotten them on an off day, but at the price I likely won’t be back to find out.

I’ve lived in Tucson for nearly 3 years and just discovered this coffee shop today. I’m so glad I decided to visit. I went on an early Thursday morning. Parking was easy. The atmosphere upon first walking in was very cozy and welcoming. The baristas were friendly. I ordered a drip coffee and two turnovers. Service was fast and efficient. Everything tasted great. I found a shop that I’ll be visiting anytime I want coffee. No more Starbucks for me.

great coffee. but can be super busy

Howdy! Tucson local with 20 years of work and study experience around our local awesome sauce coffee-shops!

Keeping it real >>> 5-stars for service, vegan poblano & potato (fresh, scrumptious, great proportion, unique and that salsa), and feng shui, guests, power outlets, ambience! BAM.

Also, really honest >>> Reason for 3-stars is music. Music in a public coffee-shop makes or breaks an experience. It can overpower thinking, talking, relaxing and being in that "one" neutral element we create for ourselves when here. Music can break that feel-good. Post-PUNK music is delicious, colorful, and phono-powerful. At subtle background volume, it can be an enjoyable muse and work motivator. However, if loud (in your ears), central to the experience with continuous hours of that only genre playing, it becomes the "entire" experience. Maybe I'm getting old and like neutral and subtle background music for my coffee-shop experience but when it becomes the entire concert, I'd rather buy a ticket to the Rialto and skip my visits at Cartel Roasting downtown.

My humble, subjective 2-cents. Love you guys and the culture you bring to down-town.

Perfect place for a blistering hot Tucson day🌞😀 Cold brew black market hit the spot. Nice place to work on projects, brainstorm get creative 😀 👍🏾 excellent WiFi👍🏾

Great coffee. Great baristas. Nice place to hang out.

Great coffee (not over-roasted), nice scones, and chill atmosphere! I'll be back!

Great coffee and great place to meet people and talk.

Awesome coffee and service, plentiful seating, and almost if not all pastry options are vegan. What?!? ❤️ The interior of this location is darker, lower ceilings so space wise I prefer the spot on Broadway, but did I say vegan pastries?? We tried three different ones and all excellent.

Great coffee. Relaxed, quiet, yet charming place. Banana bread awesome.