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Ethical Bean Xpress
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Commercial Drive SkyTrain Station1725 E Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5N 1W2
Neighbourhoods: Grandview-Woodlands, The Drive, Kensington-Cedar Cottage
- Price Range:
-
$
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
5 reviews for Ethical Bean Xpress
5 reviews in English
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Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
9/25/2008 1 photo
The lattes here are not only delicious, they're triple smug:
1. Fair trade and organic, so coffee workers get a living wage and don't get sick.
2. Biodegradeable cups. Back to the land, mateys.
3. Locally roasted in a carbon neutral facility. I'm not entirely clear on how this carbon-offsetting deal works, but taking steps to reduce one's impact is always a good thing.
Apparently, the teas are also fair-trade and organic. My previous research tells me that tea is less commonly fair trade and organic than coffee, so good on Ethical Bean for making that extra effort.
Did I mention the staff at this crazy-busy location are also very friendly and enthusiastic about the product? Well, they're pretty awesome. My takeaway coffee run on the way to the SkyTrain was a great experience. -
Review from Rebecca C.
Coquitlam, BC
11/5/2010
Having passed this kiosk numerous times on my apres work trek home, I decided that today was the day to try this place.
I went with my safety net beverage of choice when going to a new place - small americano.
The girl working there was pleasant enough, nothing outstanding.
The coffee was decent. Not the best I've had. To be honest, it had a bizarre taste - watery combined with a slightly bitter taste. I think it had something to do with the pod system they seemed to have installed. This didn't really work for me for two reasons. First, the espresso isn't as fresh, second, the crema didn't look as it should. (Yes, I am a bit of a coffee snob and some time barista.)
Props for the organic, fair trade coffee and a good atmosphere despite the kiosk setting. It's a decent enough place to stop by for a quick coffee before or after work, but nothing outstanding. -
Review from Simon R.
BC
12/7/2008 1 photo
By serving only fair trade coffee and paying decent wages to it's staff, Ethical Bean truly manages to astonish the buyer by maintaining its posh and distinctly corporate ambiance despite foolishly incorporating a moral ideal into it's business plan.
The coffee is very good and sells at standard prices, and is available by the bean too. They also sell locally made sandwiches by El Grotta Del Fromaggio, and pastries by Uprising Breads, two independent and very well respected local businesses on Commercial Drive. The baristas are all local students who smile and play danceable kitsch pop on their ipods through the speakers, and overall the feel is very friendly, lacking the smugness one would expect from such a "positive role model" type coffee shop.
This location is small and without seating, targeting people on the way to and from the Millennium Skytrain via Broadway Station. It is located on the other side of the "fare paid zone" though, so if you don't have a transit ticket you're at risk of getting harassed by transit police, the equivalent of mall cops but with guns. -
Review from Lacey E.
1/24/2010
I don't take transit very often so I was pleased to find a place that serves organic coffee and gluten free snacks! I had walked by 2 starbucks and they were both lined up? I don't get it... The organic coffee tastes better, it's not cookie cutter lattes, the prices are close and the girl working today was super friendly! They have a brand new location at Granville station I will have to check out. I just wish they were not a 'kiosk' type place- I would have loved to bring my laptop here.
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Review from Joe N.
8/26/2009
Love Ethical Bean Coffee! It's my absolute favourite. Try their Caffe Americano - that's my favourite of the moment. The London Fog drink is also good. Peeps are super friendly!
