Boro Bean

Drove by for months and made my first yesterday visit. Coffee was excellent and the blueberry muffin was the best I've ever had and I've eaten a lot of muffins. It was packed with blueberries, but not soggy. Great crunch on muffin top. Unlike other small coffee shops, they bake their own muffins and scones. I will make it a regular stop on the back-to-work commute.

My roommate was intrigued by this place, since she passes it often on her way to and from work. We decided to try it this past Monday. She and I both ordered the dish that was recommended to us - the only difference was that mine had provolone cheese and my roommate's came without the cheese. The visual of the dish (the toasted bread, the avocado, the tomato, and egg) were nice, but we hoped that the niceness would translate into great flavor.

The downfall for me was that the egg dominated the dish. It still tasted of grease (as if the excess wasn't taken off of the egg prior to service). I could barely taste the tomato (and I love tomato). The flavors weren't in balance; I wanted the avocado to steal the show. My roommate said that the egg didn't smell fresh and that hers too tasted greasy.

Since my teeth are slightly sensitive, the toasted bread was over-toasted for me. In the end, neither one of us finished our dish.

I like the quaintness of the place, but I'm not sure if it is enough for me to go again.

Great location in downtown Hopewell, and since my parents live close by I have stopped in many times over the years. I’d be in more if they offered any vegan options. A few vegetarian options but after removing all dairy, the dishes are pretty bland. Plus staff has never seemed very accommodating. I’ve only ever gotten drip coffee, which has been burnt more often than not. Pretty noisy, but quieter spots in back and side porch. Free street parking. Nice spot to meet up, but hoping they broaden the menu with vegan options.

You have got to stop in and see owners, Johnny and Ellen Abernathy. This is a small town, everyone knows everyone and they have some of the most delicious food you might have ever had. Their special wood fired bagels aren’t available every day, but when they post that they are you need to run down and get them. They offer Wi-Fi and front porch and yard seating. Open early for a great latte. Their paninis are scrumptious. Definitely not a place to miss.

Very nice staff and owner. I had a great salad with a homemade dressing and excellent hummus. My son loved his oatmeal.

A really cute place to go for coffee or breakfast in downtown Hopewell. It’s right next to the Hopewell Public Library and often girl scouts sell their cookies on the porch. They have a selection of wraps, pastries, and coffees/tea. A bit on the pricier side but overall pretty good.

The wood-fired bagels that they used to burn across the street in Nomad Pizza's oven has been a tradition for many years. This was the reason I used to make a special trip to the Bean on Sundays. The new woman owner was extremely rude when I asked her about it, saying: "That was BEFORE." She also said that I'm not allowed to have my bagel brought to my table, and that I had to stand and wait for it at the counter because it was "busy." It was not busy whatsoever - in fact, the porch was empty, and only 2 tables were occupied inside.

I asked the woman clerk if I could buy Small World coffee beans and have them ground. She was very kind and said "of course." I asked the clerk which ones were the darker roasts, and the new owner then interrupted us, and pointed to a stack of cards on the counter saying "you have to read it," with a condescending smile. There were about 12 cards that did not have any descriptive words on them about the roasts, so I had to pick one out blindly.

It's important for me to point out that I did nothing to incite any hostility from this new owner. This attitude was not targeted at just me, since she was dismissive to the other employees behind the counter as well. She kept jumping into everyone's conversations and correcting all of the employees publicly.

I noticed later that the sticker on the bag of ground coffee said "thanks for supporting MY business," which completely discredits the previous family who owned & rooted the café down in Hopewell Boro.

After I sat down at my table on the porch, the new owner came up to me to make sure that I had understood her rule regarding customers waiting for bagels at the counter. She said that this rule ONLY applies to bagels, and that the previous owner Johnny was the one who made up this rule - I sincerely doubt this. I've been coming here for over a decade and have never been expected by the Abernathy family to serve myself my own bagel, especially after having tipped 20%.

Hopewell Boro has been known to be a small quaint historic walking town for eons, and it's highly disconcerting to encounter a rude new owner of an old Hopewell Boro staple with long-standing traditions. It used to be packed, especially on Sundays. I have not seen any of the regular customers lately.

Also, the hours don't make sense for a café. 8am to 3pm every single day is quite limiting. There used to be a group of 3 or 4 lively & happy retirees that would meet every weekday morning at 6am. They certainly made my morning whenever I'd see them and they were very much a part of the small town feel. I imagine that they've had to find someplace else.

I doubt I'll come back even though I live only a block away. I'll take the longer walk to Brick Farm.

P.S. The mock gemstone bracelets that are now being sold for $25 each at the counter cheapen the already tacky overall vibe. I'm not certain about how they are related to coffee.

Nice place with good food and great coffee (they use small world coffee). Home fries are the best I've had in the area!

Great coffee! Muffins are delicious. Breakfast/lunch both done really well. Service is great and personal. Bagels are yummy as well. Best of all? Apple Pay!! When I’m out without my wallet I can use my Apple pay and that just makes me happy. Most don’t know how it works... but just tell them it will work and don’t give up. Ha! Enjoy.

The food is great there! There's good service and I always like whatever food and drink I get from there. Good prices too!