La Barba Coffee - The Gateway

I was there at 8am on 12/15/2021 and the cafe was shut. Not happy, especially after driving in and out of being stuck in the snow with the stupid rental Kia (soul) car. Who on their straight mind would rent out a front wheel drive with all season tyres in a city that has snow storms in early December?!
Never renting from enterprise again!

I’m disappointed in this coffee shop. Twice I’ve tried to have coffee there in the morning based on the times they posted and they weren’t open. Most recently, I went the day before Thanksgiving at 7 AM, the time they posted they would be open, and no one was there. When I went back by an hour later the person told me they opened late “because of the holiday.” There was no signage indicating that. I’m at the point I don’t trust what they advertise about their hours.

I came to La Barba because it seems like it is the local roaster for the majority of cafes I have been so far... unfortunately I was underwhelmed with my experience in the Gateways cafe.

When you walk in the aesthetic was pleasing but not very welcoming. I wasn't greeted when I walked in.. seems like the baristas were not enjoying their jobs... and seemed overwhelmed with the little they had to do, due to the fact I was the 3rd person to sit down...

The beverage it self was decent it wasn't spectacular latte art was good the barista at the bar seemed dialed but my espresso was sour and not in a positive fruity notes, which I enjoy in coffees! The latte was sub par but couldn't get past the sour notes coming through the espresso which the milk couldn't cover. I didn't order any pastries they didn't seem appetizing...

The only reason I gave it 2 stars was lack of feeling welcome in the shop when I enter a cafe I want to be welcomed and treated like I'm wanted in the cafe.

This place has everything! Groovy vampire baristas! Rad artists! Good company! Plants! Big windows to people watch from! Beautiful clean interior design! Friendly and humble genuine conversations! Employees that are chill and keep to themselves (which is not a flaw in their service but a sign of space and focus)! Low key vibes! GOOD COFFEE!

Walked in with a friend not one employee greeted us to start with. It was pretty dead inside despite the crowd of people down by the fountains. No menus posted and when we asked got handed dirty and stained menus on a clipboard. Very very limited selection for cold coffee drinks. They seem to have more food options than drinks options. When we asked questions about how they prepare their coffee we got pretty snooty attitudes back like they were above answering simple questions. Coffee was okay I guess. Pretty acidic and weirdly nutty for a vanilla coffee which was not what I was looking for. I don't think they make their iced coffee fresh which is probably the issue. It came in a pre-made jug, so who knows how old it was, and iced coffee starts to turn after a week and slowly gets worse. There are plenty of other coffee houses in the city that make iced coffee in the mornings so they can guaranty the best quality and taste so I'd just rather go there. Both of us were pretty on the meh side about our drinks. Probably won't go back.

My visit here was about 3 months ago. The one word I would use to describe my visit would probably be "underwhelming". The inside is cute and fun, but the service wasn't great. I was literally the only customer in there, and I was walking the mall with my kids, one in the stroller. There was a man and a woman working, and they didn't seem eager to leave their conversation to serve me.

I made my order, which the guy taking it was a man of few words and it was kind of an awkward order. He did get my order done fast to his credit, but even though I got the order to go I wasn't given or pointed to any lids. I kinda puzzled about it for a second but just shrugged it off. As I tried to carefully balance my kids hot chocolate and my coffee in the stroller cup holders, the other barista asked me if I wanted a lid. I got a traditional macchiato but the espresso was quite sour tasting, definitely more acidic than I prefer. I really wanted to like the place but I didn't leave impressed.

Great setup. Very clean and inviting. The employees were a bunch of cute pale Lost Boys looking vampires. I got the Frozen Latte and it was delicious. Service was great and fast!

The ambiance is awesome. The coffee is inconsistent. Depending on the barista and how stressed they are, will dictate the quality of the shot pulled and drink made. That being said, their Finca/Bar George location a few blocks away is always spot on.

First time here. The coffee was average, which would have been fine, except for the terrible attitude of the employee. When we walked in, rather than politely reminding us to don our masks, in a very rude tone said, "Masks!" Everything that came out of his mouth thereafter was with a condescending and rude tone--he obviously did not want to be there, much less help us. Not likely to return.

super cute spot! So well designed, very bright and has some cute nooks by the window to get work done. DOWNSIDE: no bathrooms! You have to walk to another building to use the restroom and if you're working on school work or something and have to pee, it kinda forces you to leave. Other than that, great spot. Great coffee