Handsome Coffee Roasters

6/30/2012

I drove by this place accidently while I was looking for The Pie Hole.  It looked interesting, so I made a mental note to check it out after we had our pie. It was located in a cool industrial part of LA, kinda sorta near the Arts District, but not near any other eateries.

What a huge let down!  I was hoping that it would be like Portola Coffee Lab, since the Mister and I were craving an iced mocha or iced coffee.  There were no menus, just a small sign indicated the size of coffee or espresso. No mochas, no lattes, just coffee straight up or espresso.  We asked the barista if they had any iced coffee and he said they did.  We asked if we could get it with soy, and he said they only served it with whole milk.  

When we got the coffee, we went looking for the sugar and I couldn't find it.  I asked the barista who looked somewhat offended. He said that their coffee is to be enjoyed pure and since it was dripped overnight, the acidity would have been reduced and so sugar should not be needed.

WTF? Are you kidding me? Dude, their coffee wasn't even all that.  When we drank it, it left a nasty burnt coating in our mouth....just like, agast...Starbucks!  I totally understand the concept of getting a good cup of coffee, but if I want to add sugar, soy, cream....whatever, I should have the choice.  

If you want to try good ass coffee, make the trek to Portola in the OC.  Heck, Intelligentsia or Groundworks is better than this overpriced, pretentious establishment.  Never again!

5/27/2012

The Yelp review for Handsome crystallized a number of issues for me:

1. Applause for Handsome for designing a very simple, clean space with big, clean windows and absent of the dreck found in most businesses. May it stay that way.

2. Yelp reviewers who hinge their review on something being "hipster" have limited vocabularies and automatically aren't credible. A filter for the h word would be a plus. The word is blown. It's meaningless, as is the rest of your take on things.

3. Having sugar available won't compromise your operation or make your commitment to your product less purist. I don't use sugar but seeing a dispenser of it doesn't offend me. Having sugar not only will shut those up who drink coffee with sugar, it will put you amongst the Turks, the French, the Italians, etc. who set the standard and the addiction a long, long time ago - like before San Francisco, even.  As you know, Blue Bottle's coffee is superior to yours AND they offer sugar (and a couple of milks). Their operation is pretty solid and embraced by serious coffee lovers of all stripes across the coffee diaspora.

4. I don't like your coffee that much. It's not dark enough for my taste. I find it acidic, young and generally unsatisfying. But this only underscores that I'm not into this 3rd-wave coffee experiment that loves rhapsodizing about fruit and finish and... I gloss over as you guys prattle on with this colorful, precious word palette about a coffee I will only wish is roasted more and roasted longer so that my craving and chemical addiction are temporarily satiated.

5. Stick to your simple menu and charge whatever the hell you want to charge. Those who will pay, will pay. It's a pleasure sometimes to not have a load of options. And it's a pleasure, sometimes, to be somewhere where those who can't pay or don't want to pay are somewhere else, somewhere far away.

6. Your location rules. The lack of laptops (and people parked with their laptop) rules.  You have a lot to offer other cafes as well as some things to learn.

9/9/2013

Coffee is superb. Iced coffee is excellent. Everyone is also soooo good looking (I'm talking clientele as well as those behind the bar). Vibe is sterile, but it's about the coffee here and nothing else.

12/4/2012

I'm not a coffee drinker. MMMM... I should say "WASN'T" until I had a HCR latte.

Perhaps it's my rudimentary palette, or my resignation to the whole Boutique-Fancy-Coffee-Thing-That-Starbucks-­Started. Or - maybe, just maybe this really IS the best, most expensive(?), most pretentiously poured latte I've ever had - could have?!?!?

I'm not one for hyperbole, but some of the reviews made me chuckle;

* "the coffee bar girl replied by saying she could stick her finger in our coffee to make it sweeter." - Yes. Please.

* "No you may not have sugar with your coffee.  Don't ask.  YES YOU WILL LOVE YOUR COFFEE!" - Indeed. Again, yes.

* "This will probably be the one of the best cups of coffee you'll ever have." - So say we all!

* "I probably won't be returning anytime soon because of the piss poor attitude of the pouty little girl behind the counter." - Indeed, with the prices they're charging, your sense of entitlement is not unwarranted, but it sounds as though you're looking for personal fulfillment, rather than platitudes. Let the coffee bring warmth into your life - you'll be happier not letting others influence your state of mind.

* "Dear Gawd.  Seriously?  $10 for two lousy cups of coffee?" - Again, the indignation is far from ludicrous, $5 a pop is really, really, really expensive. But the moustaches, mid-century modern clean lines, concrete, wood - the simple, yet rich pours, NO internet - and the name - it's all an experience. And a damn good one.

The Handsome 'gestalt' gets you TALKING about it - you're polarized, but a company doesn't blow up like this because they suck...

Seriously, I'm not a coffee drinker. Coffee drinkers prefer Starbucks, or Pete's, or CBTL - and those of that ilk. They prefer the warm platitudes, internet access, and sugar that bring them a sense of belonging and emotional satisfaction.

But I prefer my lattes like my iPhone - a beautifully made product by a cocky son-of-a-bitch who charges too much.

Oh, and GOD HELP YOU if you happen on a weekend day when the EggSlut LA truck is serving food right outside. The pair are a match made in heaven!

9/21/2012

If you're serious about coffee, you'll love this place.  Clearly from the other yelp reviews, you either love this place or you hate it.  I fall into the former category.  I love the basic menu.  I usually drink it black but since I was drinking in the late afternoon, I thought it would be better to cut it with a little milk.  I noticed they use Clover milk.  

I also brought a bag of beans home with me.  Tastes good at home too.

I like the industrial atmosphere, however it was really hot - don't recommend going if you're looking for a cool place to escape the heat.

8/24/2013

My family would not stop raving about this place so I had to drop in. I must say, Handsome Coffee Roasters certainly won me over as well!! I would come here every day, even several times a day, if I could. I got the iced espresso and milk and then came back for another.  Hands down my favorite coffee place!

2/27/2013

Stopped into Handsome Coffee Roasters today on my way home from Hollywood. My experience was top-notch, and would certainly come back again. I ordered the 5oz espresso with milk, and it was absolutely delicious. Full-bodied, complex, rich, creamy, with a nice roast bite. They make and serve coffee the way it was intended to be consumed. If you want sugar and milk in your "coffee", go somewhere else.  This is not the place for you. If you do not want black coffee or espresso with milk, kindly go some place else. Too many coffee shops provide too many options, like pastries and obscure coffee concoctions.

I really appreciated the lack of pretentious attitudes, lab experiment coffee gizmos, and the snobby elitist feel. Handsome Coffee Roasters is simple, and should be. I highly recommend this place if you are seeking a well made-to-order cup of coffee or espresso.

Price is moderate, parking is fairly decent. The staff was very friendly, informative, and welcoming. A true gem in a sea of sub-par options.

7/30/2013

for what it's worth, i'm no coffee snob.

handsome and urth caffe are my two favorites so far in the arts district/ lil Tokyo area (i've yet to try groundworks but have tried most other options). the best thing about coffee is the buzz, and handsome delivers. the regular coffee I had was much fresher and better tasting than urth but double the cost ($4 vs $2).

5 hours after the coffee and work i was tired but the coffee would not allow me to rest. caffeine lightweights beware!!

6/11/2013

I want to like this place so very much... The idea is fantastic, the venue itself beautiful, the staff very kind and easy on the eyes... but the coffee just doesn't deliver. But to make the accurate, it's coffee with distinct floral notes and high acidity. So if that's your taste, then definitely go and enjoy the beautiful place and great service. If Starbucks is more your pallet then you may wind up disappointed with the lack of a smoky flavor profile from the coffee. Either way it's worth at least one trip in to experience one of the coolest coffee shops in LA. To the staff: Please add some smokier profiles to your coffee, you're close and I want to be a regular patron!

7/7/2012

In the sweltering sun of industrial downtown Los Angeles stands a business that, well, has no business being where it is.  Enter Handsome Coffee Roasters, a neat, modern mirage hiding among the grimy shadows of the city of angels.

It almost seems like the type of place that would only get business based off of word of mouth; nobody in their right mind would live anywhere close to this establishment, and it's down a street that looks fit for the latest 80s Steven Segal action flick.  Robert Rodgame and I happened to stumble upon it by chance while riding around in his old faithful steed - a filthy 1997 pickup that looks like it was gangbanged by a bunch of the local hobos - and decided to step in for a cup of the black stuff.

I love my coffee so the place seemed right up my alley.  The sleek, no-frills interior matches the menu: you order either an espresso or a drip coffee.  You don't get to add a shot of vanilla.  You don't get the option for soy milk.  And that's right... no sugar, either.  I appreciate the purist take on coffee here but ultimately it's unfair to not accommodate the majority of people who want to have their coffee the way they want to.  Personally I DO add sugar to my drip coffee, and usually half and half too.  So I had to settle for my $4 cup of coffee the way I do not like it - unsweetened and with whole milk.  Shut the front door with that "this is how they want you to experience it" bullshit.  That's a cop out.  This is a business - customers' needs come FIRST over this strange stubbornness.

They clearly want to make their customers taste their coffee in it's purest form, so I'll give my honest opinion of it:  too acidic.  Definite fruity, sour, spicy taste to the drip.  No nuttiness, not a lot of depth.  This all makes for a hard swallow at four bucks a cup.  The service wasn't the same as what everyone else has been getting apparently: I felt like we were hardly even acknowledged.  It's easy to give this place five fucking stars when you get a free bag of beans, no shit.

Ultimately, it's hard to recommend this place when it's so out of the way of most people and the product isn't worth the cost.  I'm willing to give them the benefit of a doubt and go back, however.  And hey, free plentiful parking in downtown LA!

10/27/2012

For what it is (expensive gourmet coffee) it's of the best I've had. Only competition in LA in my book is intelligentsia, and Handsome has got them beat on design, branding and customer service. Amazing coffee, cool baristas and awesome design concept.

Espresso is the way to go, drip coffee rocks too, but not quite as special. Both will cost you a pretty penny, but worth it.

9/17/2013

I love this place.  It is truly my happy place.  It always makes my day better when I take that first sip off of my 10 oz. espresso and milk.  Truly excellent coffee, truly excellent execution, friendly service, cool atmosphere.  What else do you need?

Sure, their coffee is expensive, and yeah, you don't get sugar.  But I don't care.  If you want sugar with your coffee, burnt swill, or coffee under $5, go to Starbuck's (well, good luck with that last one).

6/5/2013

From my last experience, the actual coffee itself is OK but not better than the neighbors' - for example: Intelligentsia, Urth, Starbucks. Even those are all mere impotent swill versus Demitasse in Little Tokyo.

9/12/2013

My friends really judge me for not being head-over-heels for this place like they all are, but I'm not.
I mean, the coffee is good, like maybe 4 stars good (though I think the espresso has a hammy hint to it that I don't quite love....I call it Hamsome), but the vibe is a little too much for me. Pretentious. No internet, no outlets, not much seating, a definite "don't get too comfortable" message coming from the overall design of the place. Aesthetically, beautiful logo, though.

10/13/2012

First off let me say that is probably the best looking coffee shop in all of Los Angeles.  I applaud HCR for choosing to serve only espresso and espresso with milk ( they do lattes as well). If you're a fan of customization then by all means stick with your crappy Starbucks coffee. There is no wifi either so you might want to leave the iPad at home.

• 
• 

  Cafe latte

  Cafe latte
• 

  5oz Latte = pure bliss.

  5oz Latte = pure bliss.

9/6/2012

I have thoroughly enjoyed every experience I've had at Handsome, where simplicity saves the coffee.

Every thing is clean crisp and inviting and the menu might be short but all their coffee is roasted on site, hand crafted and delicious.

Not to mention that the staff is friendly and absolutely handsome : ) Say hi to Nicely, he's one of the best baristas around and super fun to chat with while sipping on some amazing espresso, well rounded, bright and clean. (The coffee and the baristas)

5/28/2012

I love this place. Hardcore coffee and nice peeps. I usually go in a couple times week and I've always had good service. One time I ordered the usual, 10oz espresso with milk and an iced coffee. He didn't hear the iced coffee part tho. I only waited a couple minutes of my precious time [sarcasm] and I asked if the iced coffee was coming out, he says to me "sorry dude I didn't hear that, here's one on me" I said "thanks man, I'll gladly pay" and he goes "no worries I want you to leave happy, it was my fault".... Now that's what I'm talking about. Solutions not problems. Easy.

Lots of complaints about the milk only thing.... Well I like how they serve it that way because they want you to appreciate all their hard work put into their drink. All that being said, I prefer coffee with a touch of half n half myself do I'll get the iced coffee black and bring a little cream from home. Boom problem solved. And while we are on iced coffee well most places have no clue how to brew this shit right. Handsome does. True coffee experts. And the price isn't bad at all, don't believe the cheap ass idiots.

If you can't appreciate this place then you're stupid. Go back to Starbucks. Meanwhile, this place has my full support.

2/11/2014

Great coffee selection. Friendly staff. Delicious bakery goods paired nicely with your cup of crafted coffee/latte. They have their own roasting plant out back. I drive a few minutes out to grab a legit cup of coffee than walk downstairs to my local Starbucks. Sorry. Definitely give place place a try

5/31/2012

My experience at Handsome Roasters overall was really exceptional!
(Partly because I got free iced coffee!)
My friends and I went in after 5pm so they were closed. So with the thought that we weren't going to get any coffee, we were on our way out. But the gentleman behind the bar asked us what we wanted to get and gave us each iced coffee.
So I took out my card to pay and the guy goes "I told you we were closed. I can't charge you."
How cool is that?!
And man, was that coffee strong! He poured it out of this huge jug they keep in the frig.

6/4/2013

Let me start by saying that their coffee is fantastic. Among the best I've had in the US.

However, by not providing sugar to those who might enjoy their coffee with sugar is a bit too pretentious for me. I didn't know this policy till I asked the barista if I could have some sugar. She said the coffee was sweetened by the milk. I asked if that meant they added sugar to the milk (seems like an odd question, I know), and the reply was 'no', the coffee is 'naturally' sweetened by the milk. Eh ?!  Spare me the snobbery and just make the sugar available, all right? Why force your aesthetic choice onto customers? For their attitude alone, I won't be going there again.

5/13/2012

Coffee bean quality: 5 stars, for sure.
Coffee shop: 3 stars. I appreciate having a vision of your product and wanting everyone who comes in to share in that vision, but pretentiousness comes at a cost. Making sweeteners completely unavailable and making me feel like a fool for even asking for it is unnecessary. Perhaps state you think the beans are so good they don't need it, but not allowing it is a bit dogmatic and unwelcoming to different pallets.

1/5/2014

Always heard good things about this place and finally gave it a try.  Located in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles, parking might be a bit of a problem since the only ones available is on the street and the location is not exactly in the safest part of DTLA.   Going inside I didn't seem to notice a menu readily available or maybe I was just not looking hard enough or  most probably just got distracted by an attractive lady barista with a great smile who welcomed me right a way and asked what I wanted to order.  So I just said I wanted an Americano and my order was set.  Once I got my order, went to the condiment section and was told that they purposely don't have sweeteners because being a roasting company they want their customers to really enjoy the real flavor of coffee and not mask it with sweeteners.  Ok, I'll buy that and I have to agree that their coffee is very good.  Even without any sugar I found the coffee having a rich and robust flavor, the kind that I really enjoy.   Probably one of the best tasting coffee's I've had.

4/7/2012

Love their beans, but I was disappointed to learn that don't serve their coffees as a pour over. Instead, they brew their coffees by the batch and it sits in a thermos for who knows how long. I don't claim to be a coffee aficionado, but isn't that breaking some sort of coffee-bible code?? If I wanted batch brewed coffee, there's a million Starbucks for that, or heaven forbid, 7-11.

Come here for your bean run; parking's a cinch. Then venture over to Demitasse, CoffeeBar, or Spring for Coffee afterward for a cuppa joe made specially for you.

4/16/2012

I am one of those snobs/aficionados of the coffee bean. i love the coffee bean. i was told by people i respect highly in the coffee game that this place is a must visit and i will leave thinking its the best cup ive had in LA, if not ever....i still respect these people, but what the eff are they thinking?

who cares if the place looks incredibly hipster, but instead of being rude or acting like coffee know-it-alls, that they actually say hello! im not looking for friends, im looking for a fuckin' a good espresso.

their menu is retarded. they take all the classic italian names for espresso drinks and dumb it down with 3oz, 4oz, 6oz espresso...stupid.

i couldnt believe how shitty it was the first time, that i went again, and was let down again...the espresso was tepid at best...on the first visit they served my espresso, and then gave me a second cup with a little more saying "there was a little bit left from the extraction"...are you kidding me? learn how to pull a shot before you go ahead and charge me $4 for it!

its clean, it looks nice, but its crazy expensive and just not worth going at all.
kinda bummed.

ps...im not the type to start pouring sugar in my espresso or tinkering with it at all, but i hear there is also no station for this sort of thing unlike at every other coffee place I've ever been to...also, only whole milk?!?!?! wtf, some people NEED skim, nut or soy milk for HEALTH REASONS!!!!!

3/9/2013

one of the most snobby coffee places I have ever been to ...I'd rather support Starbucks!!!   They don't have sugar "because we just make coffee" even tipped the guy no thanks nothing so adding rude to the list too.  In all fairness their coffee is quite good.  But refuse to give my money to them.  too bad thought I might have found my new hometown coffee shop.  Suck it pretentious assholes!

7/8/2013

Good coffee, cool people, great place.  But no sugar?  Really?  For a $4-5 cup of coffee?  Purism is one thing but this verges into the ugly territory of Portlandia hipsterism.

2/27/2012

Portlandia Alert!

4$ for small coffee and no: sugar, non-dairy, honey, coco, or sweeteners for your investment.

It is pure speculation... but, maybe, just maybe... the coffee cost so much because the berries are eaten, like the Asian Palm Civet, by handlebar mustached coffee-nistas who pass the beans through their digestive tract. Once they are sifted out of the hipster stool they are roasted to such a smooth finish that no respecting coffee savant would ever dare alter the perfection.

The above statements are pure speculation and in no way intend to be statements of fact; however, it certainly is not good practice to limit a potential customers ability to enjoy their coffee because of some fascist manifesto.

The customer is always right, this never changes.....in anytime.......or any place.....

2/28/2012

My grandmother said it hurts to be beautiful.  However applicable, I don't think she was talking about coffee.  Grandma is always right, though.

I found Handsome Coffee Roasters to be a rather stale and somewhat unattractive experience.  It's painfully hip with its industrial, minimalistic decor.  Though, I don't really mind that part.  I do mind paying (or having someone pay) nearly $5 for a latte.  

Handsome makes my wallet fugly.

The quality is (as expected) good.  I mean, I'd take it over Starbucks any day, but I could also rattle off 5 other coffee jawns in LA that has superior coffee, exceedingly more choices, and convenient locations.

I think the thing that really roasted my bean is the shear lack of options.  They don't do iced americanos? It's like the Umami Burger of coffee bars.

I understand you're valuing "craftsmanship and quality over convenience and cost," but if you want customers to trek to your remote location and pay higher prices for your beverages, you need to meet them half way.

They also do not have non-dairy milk options, sugars or sweeteners, or WIFI.  I repeat NO WIFI.  They close at 5.

The baristas are really, really friendly -- the saving grace of an otherwise unsightly caffeinated experience.

2/13/2014

Not a huge coffee drinker but awesome for studying! great environment

5/1/2012

I was really looking forward to this place given the owners' experience at Intelligentsia. I was denied a pour over, saying they "took too long" and was given a small-medium cup of coffee for $4, with no sidecar (like intelligentsia). The coffee was good, worth more like $3. Great atmosphere, location, friendly, but...

it's no Intelligentsia.

3/8/2012

about the cost of coffee: Let's look at wine. The average winemaker of a small winery makes on average 48k/year. The average coffee farm producer makes how much? less than $1,000 dollars a year (this is actually a high estimate). Coffee is the cheapest luxury ever, and I think, should cost way more than it does. Farmers don't make even close to what they deserve to make. There are just as many people involved in the process as wine, and there are more known possible flavor characteristics than wine. Its truly an amazing beverage that deserves much more respect and money than "something to get you going in the morning." I would actually be very cautious about buying coffee that costs less than $2/cup, because if it does, someone is getting stepped on in the process. Support businesses that are sustainable from farm to table.  

I respect the way they are taking risky leaps to transform LA's coffee culture. No, drinking coffee black is not for everyone, and to those of you love cancer-causing sugars and gallons of milk and have no respect for the finer things in life, there are approximately 500,000 shops in your city that will give you exactly what you crave. Go there. Be happy about it. But it isn't fair to criticize a shop because they are taking a stance of ultimate respect for coffee and those producing it. It seems to me a tragedy to see a beautiful product getting lost in 16oz latte's for addiction's sake.

This shop is for people who enjoy (or want to learn to enjoy) coffee....not for people who enjoy 1% coffee and 99% sugar-laden milk drinks.

I'm extremely grateful for you guys taking a risk and letting the focus be on where it should be: the coffee. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

4/20/2012

Extremely disappointing.....  I have seen some 5 stars and I am not sure why?? I came in for a iced Americano , they don't serve that so I chose an iced coffee.  The coffee was sooo  bitter .... almost undrinkable. Was it sitting all day?? It was a regular size so I thought maybe $2.75 - $3.00 . He said that will be $4.00??? WTF thats like 85 cents an ounce. ...really? At those prices someone should be tasting the coffee for its freshness and acidity each pour!!  I usually go back a few times before I review , but I don't think I am in their price point. Btw I always drink my coffee black to taste the flavors.  As for others I do think its a bit much to not have sugar and other stuff offered at least.  Are the Handsome baristas like an Omakase sushi chef only offering his selections and how to enjoy  it?? Maybe I guess.....  at these prices. I think I'll stick to LA Mill, Urth , Demitasse, and my Kona coffee I brew myself ...
 I gave this place 2 stars since it was a very cool shop with a stuffed beaver. Maybe I caught them on a bad day, but at those prices its not worth the risk.

3/25/2012

I appreciate a nice strong cup of espresso.  Thumbs up on the friendly baristas, so nicely dressed, so manly yet so hipster.  Totally dig it.  Thumbs up on the good tasting coffee. MAD respect to a good coffee aficionado.  HOWEVER......

Didn't love the prices, they are a tad high.  I happily pay a little more than usual for espresso -  but I feel that this is a little over priced, even for this area of up and coming cool businesses.  

I also didn't love that when I asked for my favorite drink (iced americano) the barista refused.  I understand keeping with the integrity of the coffee, but yes, that is how I like my espresso.  He suggested instead that I try their iced coffee.  It was good.  just good.  A nice iced americano, like I asked for and prefer, one that is strong and grabs me by the YOU_KNOW_WHATS, thats what would have been GREAT.

Also, not offering a alternative to cow milk could pose to be a problem for many.  It was for another person in my party.

Hopefully, I'm in the area on a cold day when I want a regular hot espresso.  Otherwise, this won't be the place for me.

12/22/2013

Meh...

2/23/2012

Their coffee starts at $21.50/pound!!

Officially the MOST EXPENSIVE coffee in the United States!!   beating out  Intelligentsia ($18/ 16oz pound), Blue Bottle ($16/ pound), Stumptown ($18.50/pound), and LA Mill($18/pound) !

What incredible GREED!  Its great to have a local coffee roaster delivering a high quality product, but don't take advantage of the local community and the neighborhood customers that will (potentially) be supporting you.

3/3/2012

The coffee is good.

The fact that they don't supply sugar or any other type of sweetener is ridiculous. As the Italians say: "When the spoon stands up straight, there's enough sugar in your coffee." If sugar in coffee is good enough for the Italians, it should be good enough for anyone who patronizes this place.
.

5/10/2012

I was introduced to Handsome at DRIP. A great K-town coffee shop, their owners told me about the Handsome roaster that recently opened. Having just tasted one of the best cups of lattes in my life, I was super excited to take down the address of Handsome Roasters and was really eager to come visit.

Came here pretty recently, thought I would get a coffee and chill here for an hour or two, like I do at most coffee shops.

But when I parked, some kinda photo shoot was happening and I was told I couldn't park for too long. So I just grabbed a latte to go.

When I say latte, what I really meant was a "10 oz cup"....forgive me, the neu hipsters of Arts District, I didn't read the rule book before I came in. This place was hipster central, but they were actually smiling and chatting away, unlike the regular hipsters of silverlake that rarely smiled and often took themselves too seriously.

The 10 oz cup was fantastic. I like their attitude of no substitutes, no sugar. I happen to always like my coffee with whole milk and no sugar anyways, so it was fine by me. The milk was steamed to a silky consistency that's only slightly fluffed up. The espresso, was probably the best I've tasted in this city. Although it did not have a distinctive character like the Intelligentsia black cat, I'm not sure if I would recognize the flavor at another cafe without asking what kind of beans they use.

Friendly staff. A great looking bunch, I might add. Bow-ties, shirts, tattooed sleeves and everything. They have streamlined their service, which one person taking order, one person filling order, one person receiving payments. Very fitting, for an industrial themed place.

I wouldn't mind coming here on a sunny weekday afternoon and sit down with a book, except I fear that I may not be "cool" enough.

2/23/2013

Good coffee (a dash of sugar woulda been nice as my espresso with milk was a skootch sour), clean place, good looking baristas but FUCK ME, please change the music station. I heard enough Michael McDonald and Lionel Richie growing up in the 80's. Its not ironic, its yuppie music. Its like 80's James Spader was hanging out there. I was about ready to smash my cup into a billion pieces if "Save the Best For Last" came on. About as fun being there as wearing fiberglass pants.

7/7/2012

I was born, raised, and trained up on some of the best coffee in the world up (Portlandia for the win). I don't take reviewing coffee lightly, and especially when it comes to coffee shops.

The whole story of Handsome is pretty amazing in itself (they waited a few years before opening a shop - they've been distributed for awhile).

The coffee is amazing, the guys are great, and the place hasn't been overrun by hipsters and wanna-be Hollywood stars.

7/23/2013

It's unfortunate that I was only able to give this place two stars, the place is nicely designed like the newer Star Bucks, large beams, minimalist industrial design concept. The coffee was served from a large coffee server, not slow poured, it wasn't bad or great, just ok... so I think it's bit overpriced at 4 bucks a cup. Hopefully like most successful companies Handsome Coffee Roasters improves with age and experience.