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JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
3010 Main StVancouver, BC V5T 3G5
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
(604) 879-2326
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6 am - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 7 am - 11 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
48 reviews for JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
Review Highlights
"Free Wi Fi helps and the snacks."
(in 5 reviews)
"Best mocha's and chocolate chip zuchinni muffins in town."
(in 3 reviews)
"Absolute best Americano in the city."
(in 7 reviews)
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48 reviews in English
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Review from Vincci L.
Updated - 12/20/2011 7 Check-ins Here
Get the homemade butter tart.
Flaky soft crust, sweet, buttery goodness inside.
You won't regret it.
Add a hazelnut latte to the order too.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/23/2011
Super friendly service, a delicious chai slush, and fresh baked muffins.
Love the cozy interior. A… Read more »
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Review from Joshua Y.
Vancouver, BC
9/29/2011
Don't judge a book by its cover.
Okay. There are some basics a coffee shop should have:
1. Wifi
2. Muffins that taste great and are the price or cheaper than Starbucks.
3. Friendly Staff.
4. Clean environment.
5. Enough plugs for laptops.
6. Good heating control.
JJ Bean has a few of these (3, 4 & 6). But what place doesn't have WIFI? I get that sometimes coffee shops don't want people on their laptops hanging around for hours but haven't they realized that we'll come regardless? There are at least 20 laptops here at all time trying to steal the wifi connection of the Starbucks next door. But it'd be better if JJ Bean had their own.
The Muffins are bland and don't offer much taste. I get the whole healthy thing. I run 5km six times a week. But if I'm eating a muffin, I'm not going to fool myself. Its not going to be healthy no matter what you put or don't put into it. Its still a muffin. So make it tasty. i can take it.
The tea's, coffees and everything else are pretty good. Comparable to other coffee shops.
Staff are very friendly. In fact better than most which is why they get their own star.
Conclusion:
This place just doesn't cut it. The services offered by Starbucks should be the minimal requirement to have in any coffee shop. So I'm shocked some basics like wifi don't exist. And their muffins are huge, but the bigger the muffin, the more ingredients should be in it to maintain quality of taste. So its fine in a pinch but don't expect to find a plug for your laptop, wifi or good tasting food. You WILL find great service, a beautiful environment and....okay that's it actually. But the staff are nice. -
Review from Justina F.
Richmond, BC
9/29/2011
Had a Chai latte. It's incredible compared to the big coffee shops like Waves, Starbucks, and Blenz. It was so flavourful!
I was there on a Friday evening at about 5pm and almost all the seats were full. Prepare to stand for a while, waiting for a seat, if you're visiting on the weekends.
The staff behind the counter were friendly. There was a waitress who was wiping tables and when I asked her politely if she could give mine a wipe down, she didn't reply but very unwillingly wiped the table. She might have had a bad day so I won't say too much about that.
Overall, great atmosphere, great Chai latte, and next time I'm in the area, I wouldn't hesitate to stop by. -
Review from Lee G.
Vancouver, BC
1/7/2012
Love the $1 muffins! Sometimes it's annoying though when I go in to buy a muffin at full price ($2.50ish) and then 30 minutes after I've bought it they put the whole lot of muffins in a big metal bowl on sale as day old muffins for $1. It's happened a few times, and it's only $1.50, but it sucks seeing the value of my muffin decrease in the space of 30 minutes. Still an awesome place though.
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Review from alison t.
Mission, BC
1/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Really amazing scones. San pellegrino water. Fireplace. I was a pretty happy girl here. Lost stars for not bussing very regularly so crap kinda piled up places.
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Review from Trudi C.
8/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Tiny, baby latte, big price! It was lovely, the location is great (and I bet it will be so cozy in the winter!), but I really can't seem to justify that price tag for what feels more like a shot of latte.
Bonus point: you can leech off the free wi fi from (the much cheaper) Starbucks across the road. -
Review from Tracy H.
7/25/2011
If you are looking for something to compare to Starbucks, this is a 5-star. If you are looking for amazing coffee, they are a solid 4, maybe slightly above. I ordered an espresso and cappuccino. The espresso was lovely, not the best I've ever had, but close to the top, not terribly complex, but tangy, rich, smooth, no hint of bitterness, and lovely thick crema, but with a few grounds in the bottom. The cappuccino ended up a bit closer to a latte, but what foam was there was well done, and had a lovely heart.
I also sampled several of the food items, including the grilled chicken pesto sandwich (perfect), the jalapeño cheddar muffin (perfect but greasy), the blueberry muffin (nice, oat branish), and the pesto breakfast muffin (a bit dry).
The location itself was delightful, lovely, clean, and they had rolled up the garage walls for the spectacular 77 degrees F day. A sparrow kept flying in and out to nibble crumbs, and it was quite charming. The restrooms were slightly disconcerting as the door is frosted glass, so offers minimal privacy. -
Review from jocelyn t.
Vancouver, BC
6/13/2011
I love this particular JJ Bean location, although there are several downsides.
Pros: Fun, funky atmosphere, sort of a modern ski chalet feel with a wrap-around fireplace, comfy seating, and tables/booths all along a wall with vertical roll-up windows. In the summer when the windows are rolled up it is a really awesome place to sit and meet with friends. You can get wi-fi if you sit along the windows on the north side of the shop that faces starbucks (look for starbucks wifi signal), but otherwise JJ bean doesn't provide wireless internet).
I actually appreciate that wifi isn't provided - many, many shops all over the city are overrun with laptops and students (ahem - Waves) and JJ Bean decided they wanted the social crowd instead.
Coffee is excellent - they really know their stuff, and several JJ Bean baristas have gone to the national and international barista championships. They may look like hipsters, but they know their stuff and usually aren't snobby about it.
Bathrooms are great - there are two at this location, both are accessible, though only one is labelled as such. Contrary to popular belief, you CAN'T see anyone inside through the glass doors. Special magic, y'know?
Cons: No wifi, unless you sit on the north side and pick up the Starbucks signal. Usually so busy you have to strategically jump on empty tables as soon as you walk in if you hope to get a seat. If you are afraid of birds, this is not the place to come as there are always some over-caffeinated starlings or chickadees hopping around in confusion on the slate floor around the tables. -
Review from Lisa C.
Vancouver, BC
1/24/2011
Okay, they have good loose-leaf tea, moist, flavourful muffins & gingersnaps to die for. The decor is lovely--there's nothing like having the flames of a stylishly realistic gas fireplace to gaze into on a chilly day.
BUT, here's the thing. JJ Bean has become a victim of its own success. The place is so packed at any time of the day, any day of the week, that you have to play 'table vulture' & hover for ages just to get a seat indoors. I'm all for letting people linger, but the guy who bought one coffee, plunked himself down at a table for three with his laptop & then whiled away the next several hours on his laptop? Come on. -
Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
9/8/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This is possibly the busiest JJ Bean in the city. As a result, it is perhaps the least comfortable. There's far less of a community feel here than there is at Commercial Drive, or even at Yaletown. Still, JJ's coffee is consistently excellent, and if I'm grabbing a drink on Main - rather than going to sit and read or work - I will hit JJ every time.
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Review from WaYnE c.
Maple, ON
3/4/2011
One JJ Bean is different from the other JJ Bean. I've even heard no two Starbucks in Vancouver are alike. It is this difference that makes this Main street JJ Bean less attractive. A Chalet feel within and even a bigger space wasn't enough for the vast amount of customers.
I even noticed a customer sit at the Fireplace but she had a slight bend in her back so not to hit her head from the structure. I wasn't ready to sit uncomfortably just to get my Beverage in a Mug. I felt slightly Environmentally Wasteful at that very moment...
The ONLY option I saw at that moment was get my Cappuccino to-go. While my Beverage is still enjoyable, this place felt more rushed and distracting than other Cafes. Slightly disappointing. : (Listed in: Vancouver'ing for the Week, VanCOFFEE
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Review from mike u.
Vancouver, BC
12/27/2010
Too many moms.
I went back to JJ Bean on Main after a year of trying out other places. I wouldn't set foot in there again unless there is a big change in clientele since it's such a distraction from what is essentially a decent coffee. It's the same establishment it's always been, complete with surly staff (thankfully), above average coffee, great baked goods, etc. but the problem is it's been invaded by the "Mommy Brigade." Double wide strollers everywhere, kids spilling hot chocolate, iphone wielding mothers blogging about the latest O magazine, and wimpy husbands blocking the cream and sugar with an armful of brats...you get my drift. It's enough to make a person bolt for the door. I don't know about you, but I hit coffee shops on the weekend to get away from kids, not to experience a childcare facility. -
Review from Angela L.
11/27/2010
This is the JJ that I frequent most often, although my review can probably apply across the board. This location has a slight advantage because of the space (fireplace, w00t!), but also has a slight disadvantage because it's so busy. When I visit, I have to anxiously brace myself for the looking-for-a-seat dance, where you try to casually preen the room for an empty seat without causing a big disturbance.
JJ serves consistently good espresso beverages, even managing to pull off a tasty decaf. By some cruel twist of fate, I adore coffee, but my body doesn't seem to metabolize it very well. JJ understands that at 4 in the afternoon, the choices I make will dictate whether I sleep that night or not...and he doesn't hate me for picking sleep over sweet, sweet caffeine. There is also a nice tea selection, for when I feel like mixing things up a bit with a rooibos. Alternatively, you can purchase a big ol' sack of beans to brew at home.
Their treats are also appealing; cookies are enormous and make for a great pick me up. Staff/service is definitely not the friendliest...often times you'll see the staff skulking around, pouting and rolling their eyes. I suppose it's all part of the charm though. Can you even imagine a JJ with bright-eyed and bushy tailed employees?Listed in: Liquid Lunch
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Review from Justin L.
I'm still a fan of this JJ Bean location, but on my last visit, I felt the Americano wasn't as good as before. It was rather bland, perhaps too watered down. And it's true: for such a large space, because of the fireplace and armchairs, there's less seating than one would think. No free wifi? I had to sneak onto the connection from Starbucks across the street.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/2/2010
In my humble opinion, JJ Bean, with their revamp and expansion in the past two years, is the local… Read more »
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Review from vanessa G.
Vancouver, BC
5/29/2010 4 Check-ins Here
I am really trying hard to like this place but something is holding me back from it. Maybe because it feels like it's trying to hard.. and being successful at that. Have i turned into a coffee snob?!
So the coffee is good, but not my favorite. Don't worry i haven't written it off yet. The food is really pastry heavy, and get's boring fast.
I do love the design of there stores where you can open the windows, or sit outside, or near a fireplace. Also the design on there coffee cups is very hip. Maybe it's to hip?Listed in: Coffee Coffee Coffee
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Review from Kreag S.
Vancouver, BC
12/14/2008
Today was my very first experience with Mr JJ Bean..and I have to tell ya it was pretty darn tasty.
I enjoyed the low fat Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich, tres festive, and my good friend Cathy had a White Chocolate Chip Cookie...also tres delicious.
The coffee too was pretty good. I had a Americano was really good...light...fluffy you might say..as fluffy as an Ameriacno can be??....and Cathy had a Latte which was apparently very filling..not sure why but it wasn't a negative thing.
JJ Bean is a great little coffee shop perfect for a Sunday stop in with a friend while shopping Main..I thinks it may become a Sunday morning ritual...Listed in: My Main Street Mainstays
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Review from Cameron M.
Toronto, ON
12/16/2008
If you're a fan of roasted coffee beans, this place can't be beat. Or so I'm told. Not being a fan of roasted beans or coffee in general, I couldn't tell you.
What I can tell you is I like the atmosphere. Not the people, they're pretty stuck up for a Main street shop, but I like the big comfy chairs. So many hipster joints along main have 'sweet' eames chairs and kitsch decor but that often means nowhere I want to sit for more than 5 minutes. Here I can sink in and work for a while.
Also, not caring for coffee, I'm a big fan of their fresh baking and various other options. They aren't the greatest for catering for a non-coffee crowd but if I'm dragged here with a roast loving pal, I know there'll be something for me. -
Review from Luisa D.
5/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Their coffee is tastier than Starbuck's, friendly service, comfortable seating
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Review from Elle G.
Vancouver, BC
2/12/2011
The running joke before I moved to Vancouver was that I'd be working at JJ Bean (a result of my over-educated, under-employed anxieties), so I was intrigued when I discovered that I lived so close to one. I have the luxury of working from my laptop sometimes, so I'm always on the hunt for a comfortable wi-fi cafe. EVERY time I enter, all of the seats are taken. In the past month I have not ONCE gotten a chance to sit down and work there. The coffee is good enough, but it's not so great that I'd bother going there instead of anywhere else.
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Review from Alex B.
East York, ON
10/1/2010
The best quality coffee in Vancouver.
This coffee always makes me happy, forget everything else, they make a mean cup of coffee here.
Thats it! Buy their coffee. -
Review from Roanna Z.
Updated - 12/12/2009 1 photo
If I wasn't such a JJ's coffee fan, I wouldn't be able to overlook the lack of congeniality some of the servers sport, If I didn't love love love this g-damned good coffee!! Then I wouldn't spend 4 dollars and 15 cents ! (yup. -and that was an 8 oz. cup and pre. HST!)
I happen to like a very small, intense cappuccino but I need it with Soy. okay, there's a 50 cent ding. Also I like a bit of chocolate. There's another 50 cent ding. You're 50centing me outa here man!
WAIT. How come you have soy for free on the condiments table but charge extra for it in a drink? But, the bigger question is how come you charge me 50 cents to have it in an 8 oz cup but the same 50 cents to have it in a 20 oz cup??
Maybe I should ask for the 20oz amount of Soy in an 8oz cup.
I mean WHERE is the logic??
f-k sakes. Charge me 25c for such a small cup if you have to charge. I mean, that's ridiculous.
Or maybe I am ridiculous to keep having this drink. hmm.......
BUT it's so darn good, dammmm yuuuuu's !
For calmer review see previous. Thank you.Listed in: Connect the dots on a coffee…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/4/2009
Your wait will feel like five hours, your wallet will be significantly lighter, and IT WILL BE WORTH… Read more »
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Review from Rich B.
1/6/2010
Simply the best place on Main St to put your feet up with a short macchiato while shopping. The coffee is delicious and the ambience is relaxed and comfortable. The gas fire is particularly welcome on damp winter days.
This is also a favourite with my sons who enjoy beating me at chess over a hot chocolate.Listed in: Cafes
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Review from Chloë E.
Vancouver, BC
11/20/2008
The biggest up-sides to JJ Bean include fantastic coffee, a cozy fireplace, and delightful staff. My first sip of a JJ latté came when a co-worker brought me a coffee at work. It was kind of cold by the time she'd trekked it all the way downtown, but I could still detect the unmistakable careful roasting of the beans.
The downsides to JJ Bean are that those who love it, do so a lot. Trying to find a spot to sit in the café takes talent. Also, those giant cookies? I've been disappointed by both a lifeless peanut butter one as well as an under-spiced ginger molasses.
But just like the rest of JJ Bean's regular clientele, once you try the coffee you'll likely also stick like molasses. -
Review from Heidi H.
Vancouver, BC
10/11/2008
Every visitor and newbie to Vancouver who is lucky to have a local tour guide will either be brought by a JJ Bean or taken to one. This was definitely true for this girl. Vancouverites are so proud of this Vancouver-based chain of coffee shops.
I went in very excited to try this place that everyone spoke so highly of. Let's just say, it didn't meet my expectations at first... The service was what I would consider almost rude (which shocked me as Canadians are usually quite nice at first). Then the coffee tasted burnt. Then there was the bathroom line - wait 15 minutes to eventually have the person leave and the bathroom was a mess or the toilet not working. I tried once, twice, three times - different drinks, different locations and it was the same.
But then I moved in down the block from the 14th and Main JJ Bean and I learned the truth. You must be in the inner JJ Bean circle to see its greatness. Start going 3-4 times a week and it warms up and then becomes your local hang out and then you see everyone you know and then you finally find the drink that is perfect for you... (for me it was the Americano).
So go check out the JJ and if at first you don't succeed in loving it, try, try again. It will grow on you and you will learn to Love it like the locals do!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
8/27/2009
I'd live here if they let me.
top notch chai from a mainstream chain.
used to be a cool more indie vibe to the place but it has recently been inundated by the hipster-crowd. and not just any hipster crowd. but the type of hipster that looks-like-i-don't-give-a-sh*t but you know they spent HOURS that morning adorning themselves with tight pants, ironic shirts and vintage headware.
but I still love thr ambience, couches, outside seating, lovingly prepared drinks, friendly vibe and distractingly good music
-come here to chill with people, k? don't sit around and do business0 keep it a neighbourhood place. -
Review from Richard W.
Vancouver, BC
5/10/2011
I haven't tried their coffee yet since I was more in the mood for a juice. They had nice cookies and I was surprised to find the place full of people and all the seats were taken. The fireplace is a nice touch and has that home feeling to it. Go here for a beverage but don't expect a seat in here.
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Review from Simon R.
BC
12/15/2008 1 photo
JJ bean is very smart in the way it conforms its high-end décor to suit the style and tastes of any particular location. This venue at Main and 15th is no exception, conforming to the middle class residents and creating a large and luxurious living-room type space that makes you want to go to college and raise 1.5 children.
There are cushioned stools, chairs with armrests, and even some foot rests for the weary coffee drinker, all centered around the piece de resistance, a large roaring fireplace that can be seen and enjoyed from both sides.
Everything else is standard corporate protocol, from the harmless art to the run of the mill prices and flavors. But they do sell beans, in case you'd prefer to drink coffee around the huge fireplace you have at home. -
Review from Lou K.
Vancouver, BC
4/23/2009
Nice coffee shop in a busy neighbourhood. Whether you're taking a break from shopping in the nearby consignment boutiques or on a date with your laptop, it's worth the stop.
The shop itself is nice and bright - as it's on a corner of with lots of glass. There's big chairs as well as table seating and windoside stools on the front to watch Main Street go by. There's also seating outside for those few nice days.
The best thing about JJ Bean is the freshness of the coffee. Last time I was in, I watched and marveled as my decaf beans (just a regular cup of coffee, nothing elaborate) was ground in front of me. This beat the living daylights out of Starbucks or any of those assembly line coffeeshops where the decaf usually sits and stews for extended periods of time.
I'll definitely choose this outlet if I have a choice. -
Review from Daniel L.
11/10/2009 67 Check-ins Here
The Barista's here can really nail a Misto...
I dig the hip and funky crowd at this location and enjoying my fresh brew and the daily paper is a favorite here. Great place to people watch
I love the way the garage style windows roll up like doors in warm weather. and a fire place in the mid for those stormy dayz
I wish they offered wifi, It would be nice if they offered savory items..
Thank JJ for your Mean Beans -
Review from James P.
Surrey, BC
In my opinion the best of all the JJ Bean's, very busy! good vibe and excellent cappuccino. Also the staff seem happy to be working there.
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Review from Shannon B.
Vancouver, BC
12/19/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Best mocha's and chocolate chip zuchinni muffins in town!!!!
Listed in: In the 'hood
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Review from Charlie C.
Vancouver, BC
11/15/2010
I come here for what is probably one of the best coffee in town. I'm a latte drinker. I do not come here for the aloof bordering non-existent service. Most of the staff here look like the Main St crowd - edgy, tattoo's, earings, needs a bath. If you're familiar with Main St then you know what I'm talking about. The cookies and muffins are also fantastic. It's too bad John Jr. doesn't pay more attention to staff standards otherwise I'd give it a 4 star review.
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Review from Evan D.
Vancouver, BC
10/30/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great coffee, probably only bested by Elysian. Impossible to get a seat.
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Review from Erin I.
Vancouver, BC
Good espresso...not a fan of their drip. Massive house made muffins make up for any shortcomings though, as does the Yaletown location's patio during summer. At Davie & Homer, it's 100% the best people watching spot. At this Main Street location, don't expect a seat right away...there's practically a lineup out the door every morning.
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Review from Bryan W.
Vancouver, BC
10/4/2010
I would have to say this coffee shop is much better then its competition across the street which is starbucks.The prices are much bettter too and has better quality of coffee.In the winter they have a fireplace which you can sit in front of and sip your coffee and just relax.Very non corporate feel.
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Review from Sarah Jane M.
Vancouver, BC
11/28/2009
Mediocre food and very good coffee. Main St location is fun. Not great for a take out breakfast - unless coffee is your breakfast...
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Review from Tara T.
BC
11/12/2008
I often come to this JJ Bean because it's close to my house, not necessarily because I enjoy the atmosphere or the coffee. I'm not sure what it is, but this café just doesn't do it for me. Perhaps you have to become part of the "JJ" crowd? I have sat here before working on my computer and noticed that there were a lot of people (mostly mums and dads), who seemed to know each other. Their coffee is mediocre, a bit bitter for me, and the food is nothing special. The muffins are dry and not very tasty and I had a sandwich the other day with mayonnaise that was overpowering. But I don't completely side step this place, so it mustn't be all bad.
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Review from War C.
Edmonton, AB
4/7/2010
I quit coming here years ago when I realized that everyone screams their heads off like pter-o-dac-tyls while yelling to hear one another while the music plays loudly.
It is too loud to enjoy anything here. -
Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
7/7/2009
I really like the coffee at JJ Bean, but I'm not too impressed by the service. A little friendliness goes a long way. I was also disappointed that the default is to pour drinks into "to go" cups. After witnessing those in front of me being handed "to go" cups when they really wanted to stay, I made it a point to say that I wanted mine "for here," but DOH, too late! The barista poured my drink out of the "to go" cup and into a "for here" cup, dumping the disposable cup into the trash. A spoon was placed on the saucer and before it was handed to me I said that I didn't need the spoon with the hopes that it could be used by someone else, but nope, into the sink it went. I felt like a big, fat environmental failure and like JJ Bean really wanted me and everyone else who walked through the door "to go."
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Review from Victoria R.
BC
1/20/2009
I love the vibe in here....so cozy and cool! I ordered an Americano and it was perfectly made and strong just the way I liked it. It came in a very cool round mug, very reminiscent of a Parisian-style latte mug. I think the fact that everything is organic and socially conscious makes it taste better. My friend got a London fog tea latte and that was also really yummy. Free Wi Fi helps and the snacks...oh my! Very tempting cakes and baked goods are available and the best part? It's all fresh fresh fresh.
