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Uncommon Grounds Coffee House - CLOSED
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
5 reviews for Uncommon Grounds Coffee House
5 reviews in English
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Review from Courtney M.
Halifax, NS
Updated - 12/9/2009
Perhaps 'Uncommon Grounds' has become a little too uncommon? Ie: Out of my price range? I was shocked today when I walked in and one large drip coffee and a medium apple cider came to $7.00 Am I turning into an old lady? "We couldn't afford coffee in my day..." Really, though?
Service has been slipping at the South Park Street/Victoria Road location over the last two months as well.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/25/2009
This is a great little chain of coffee shops. I trundle my way, pajama clad to their Victoria… Read more »
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Review from Paul D.
7/14/2009
Continuing my hunt for great coffee across Halifax while stateside, I bumped into this groovy looking location near the downtown waterfront.
'Cheers' meets concrete sparkly coffee bunker, complete with grungy rock music I had never heard of before (and made the hair on my neck invisibly stand on end). The space is no doubt great during the busy part of day - but a big lonely space when there is just one of you.
An organic chain, with 'from scratch' baked goodies that all looked yummy. The all important thing - the coffee - seems a strong roast, but a little overcooked by the barista nonetheless. I love boldness, though execution is important otherwise it can become offensive.
Not my favorite overall - but 3 marks for great effort. Still some work to do. -
Review from Adam B.
Halifax, NS
12/18/2009
Uncommon Grounds is a fairly successful chain of coffee shops around our fair city. For such a small chain it is shocking how much the service can differ from branch to branch.
I do know from former employees that this location is the most difficult to work. Customers are generally big business and very demanding of the wait staff. Tips are scarce from this crowd and I think this is probably the source of the opinion that the staff is unfriendly.
While I do sympathize, I don't think it's an excuse to treat other customers with such shocking indifference. Nobody seems especially interested in anything but speeding the clock up at this place, which is never a good sign.
The baked goods are alright, but very pricey, as are the drinks. I don't drink coffee so I don't know the quality of their brew, but I know it's not worth the price they charge because no non-alcoholic drink is.
Uncommon Grounds has some great locations around the city, but the high prices and lack luster service at the Hollis Street location make it one to avoid. -
Review from Lindsay K.
Halifax, NS
2/13/2010
I didn't realize that coffee prices could vary so much from place to place. I expect to pay a couple of dollars for a large coffee, but that's not really the case here at Uncommon Grounds. Courtney M. doesn't lie when she says the prices are a little ridiculous.
Not only are the prices a little high, but the staff don't seem too polite either. You don't get a 'hello,' 'good-bye' or 'thank-you' from most of the employees there. For the most part, they seem to not really care about serving the customers with a smile or even a courteous nod.
As much as I hate to say it, I think I'd rather hit up the local Starbucks instead of this place. At least there you get friendly service and cheap (ish) coffee. -
Review from Joshua Y.
Vancouver, BC
10/7/2009 3 photos
I took a big, deep breath as I was walking in to rate this particular Uncommon Grounds Coffee shop in Halifax. Uncommon Grounds has a few coffee shops throughout the city, but this one was notorious for very unfriendly staff. In fact, I once came in, ordered a muffin and coffee, and had my muffin knocked to the ground by a customer who was also trying to steal the chair I was holding for a friend of mine. When I told this to one of the coffee shop employees they shrugged. I'm serious. That was it! No replacement muffin or anything.
But that was the past and things are looking better for Uncommon Grounds. Firstly, their staff are friendlier and are doing a better job. I haven't tried dropping a muffin and seeing what happens but I am confident I will get at least some sympathy this time around.
This particular Uncommon Grounds has some great aspects to it. First off, they have a nice, open concept that is hard to find with coffee shops in Halifax. Secondly, a small Flat-screen television that shows Oprah. Its the little things that count. Some of their seating is comfortable with great, dark brown leather chairs. The rest of the place has nice looking, hard wood chairs. A bit hard on the bottom when writing for several hours. They also have free wireless on a password protected network.
Now for the few things that definitely made me wonder if I should be rating it four stars or not. The music is far too loud, the environment is quite cold and if you are trying to find a plug for your laptop to keep it powered...well there are only three or so in the entire coffee shop. Also, the bathrooms are very cramped. Lets just say I won't be coming back because of these pitfalls.
But I do love their coffee served in glasses. Their muffins are also very good but have a pretty wrapper that is annoying to unwrap.
This Uncommon Grounds has definitely improved. I also love their support for the Rum Runners Rumcake which is sold at this coffee shop. They are getting better so one star out of the four is for optimism. But its a thin line between what they were before and what they are now. So hopefully they won't go backwards. I'll be keeping my eye on you Uncommon Grounds ;)
