QC Fuel

After visiting the QC Fuel on Maplecrest, I saw another location closer to downtown Bettendorf. Having enjoyed my prior visit (and having dinner plans for later in the evening close by to this location) I decided to stop in to relax and sip another hot chocolate.

Many of the same features and decorations fill the space in this QC Fuel that are also present at Maplecrest. The walls are a similar combination of red, white, and dark grey, with similar corrugated steel along the bottom of one wall. There's a merch rack in one corner, an elevated bar with a row of stools, and two tables with seating that make up the furniture and fixtures. The floors are a simple concrete slab adorned only with functional dark grey area rugs. The drop ceiling contains many of the same fluorescent lighting and diffuser tiles one might see in any office building. The whole aesthetic still comes together to give the space the appearance of a waiting area in a bare bones auto mechanic shop. All of that description I give to say, again as before, I like it.

I opted again for a hot cocoa, this time chocolate flavored with almond milk and whipped cream. Not much to say in comparison to the hot cocoa at Maplecrest, other than I loved this hot cocoa too. It was rich and chocolatey, but this particular drink had a slightly nutty flavor. I'd definitely get this again.

The music was similarly done right at this location as it was at Maplecrest. That is to say it was at an appropriate volume to be noticed without inhibiting quiet conversation or other contemplative activities like school or regular work. The music playing at the time of my visit was pop country, which is not my first preference for coffee shop music, but I'm not complaining further than this mention. It was at the appropriate volume, which is the most important thing here.

This is out of the way of anything I'd normally do in Bettendorf, so I probably wouldn't regularly return. I'd still heartily recommend this space for a nice hot beverage and/or a relaxing conversation with a friend. Good job QC Fuel.

My protein shake was super good! Great prices too!

First I will say that if I was rating based on staff friendliness, they would get 5 stars. That is why this is a 2 star review. However, the guy who waited on me was severely undertrained about coffee. I was a barista for 7 years, and I have no idea what happened here.

I asked for a 12 oz half caf quad shot americano, which is my usual drink and is a fairly standard, simple thing - two shots of regular espresso, two shots of decaf espresso, poured over hot water. He cheerily took the order, but I am not sure what he made. While he was making it, and on asking, he said they don’t have decaf espresso. He also did not use the espresso machine, except for the steam wand, which he inexplicably used on the drink as a whole. He pulled something out of the fridge which I can only guess was some sort of iced or cold brewed coffee? I decided that it would not be worth the effort to inquire further as to what he was doing, and when I gamely tried to drink it, I found it had milk in it. What kind? I have no idea. It could not have been farther from what I ordered, though.

Coffee in general isn’t good. The lattes are straight sugar and milk. It’s so sweet I had to throw mine out, it was thick and mostly syrup, and room temp. The 2 girls were rude and not helpful at all. Disappointed unfortunately.

I really love this business. I've come MANY times and always have a great experience! I love their oat milk lattes and my daughter loves their smoothies.
I don't mind the price, as it costs more at Starbucks for much smaller portion sizes. I would rather support local, especially a place that goes the extra mile for their customers (ex. Splitting our smoothie into two cups, cutting the straw down for my daughter, etc.)
Highly recommend you check this place out :)

The selection and quality is amazing, but don’t bother going here if you have somewhere to be. Showed up at 3:45 and by 4:05 I was still waiting in line. Had to leave before I could even get to the window.

12/19 visited today around 11:30, staff was amazing, friendly and helpful. The drink was made perfectly! Super clean, super nice staff. Highly recommend

Today was my first time going to qc fuel. My daughter swears by it. The lady was working by herself and did a wonderful job. My daughter ordered me a Toffee Mocha blended coffee. It's absolutely delicious. The reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the price. Too pricey

Ayo, listen up, fam! They got them protein shakes and smoothies locked down, straight fire! Ain't sampled much else off their menu, but bet it's lit too! So, don't sleep on 'em. Roll through and taste the hype. They on their game, no cap!

Definitely wont be coming back here, it’s not good coffee at all, more like a glass of milk with no flavor 😖 waste of money and ordering from a screen is ridiculous what happened to talking to the person “in person”