Handsome Coffee Roasters

5/21/2012

This is a true coffee shop, real good coffee, well crafted drinks, with no distracting crap like strawberry mocha soy blah blah.  Located in the ass of Downtown LA, in what is the new film and video hub of downtown (and what will be the new area to start becoming more hip, mark my words y'all). Simple grey walls and white tile, not a lot of signs or messy areas with everyone on their laptops, mainly cuz there is no power outlets, haha, the stools maybe hurt your butt.  This place is just for coffee, and that's good enough for me, enjoy!

7/26/2012

came here on some diligence with a buddy in search of the great coffees in LA.... this place was a trek, tucked away in the arts district in DTLA.  this place definitely gives off the 'blue bottle' vibe.  minimalist approach and hipster baristas, though their interiors were better given the abundant sunlight...BUT, to be honest, the coffee was as good as Stumptown not better than Intelligentsia or La Colombe which still hold the throne

they should look to expand the concept into more high profile locations like culver city or venice, they would do well and takeover what Stumptown hasn't done in LA yet...

3/8/2012

Ahh HCR, the place where downtown hipsters (oh im cooler than you) used to roam.  Glad its done. Coffee was overrated and overpriced. Good Riddance.

10/7/2012

The coffee's great but what's with the insanely hip barista? Tone. It. Down. Despite the horrendous location still worth the trip.

5/20/2012

Absolutely the best coffee in LA.  So delicious it really, honestly, truly doesn't need sweetener.  Trust them.

3/15/2012

I enjoy Coffee.   I don't have a problem paying premium prices for good coffee.  I don't  have problem with the location, it was nice.  well designed.  what  i do have a problem with is the assumption that i will enjoy my coffee like you do black, so much so that you have a like it or leave it situation where you drink it your way or the highway.  thats cool, i get it you want to serve your drink the way you want, but maybe i want sugar, or milk, or whatever.  its my decision, not yours.  

I get that if you were a chef you wouldn't have salt in your restaurant cause you would cook the food perfectly, but sometimes my taste buds are more bland than yours.  

its just weird. to open a shop only to imitate the Soup Nazi, cause you are essentially saying your customers opinion is second to yours.

I'm not going to hate on your coffee cause the shit is tasty, ill give you that.  Your staff is super nice and courteous.  But at least educate them on why you don't carry sweetener or other milks, so they don't look dumb trying to explain it.

Its a bummer i will never go back cause mostly i don't want to carry sugars in my pocket and a bottle of half n half if i need it.  All because your business thinks it knows whats right for me?  meh.  your coffee isn't that amazing that i would want to give you more of my money so you can dictate how i drink it.

3/5/2012

Pretty fashionable place....too bad the coffee isn't all that good; especially for the steep prices. If you're a fashionista, this is your place. If you want good coffee, hit up Novel Cafe just around the block instead.

10/6/2012

The best cafe and coffee in Los Angeles. Gorgeous space, friendly staff, and situated in the heart of arts district.

2/29/2012

Trying so hard to be hip, but just seems like the less attractive sibling to Commissary or La Mill. The drip coffee tastes good but not as good as La Mill or Intelligentsia. I don't usually add sugar to my coffee, but the fact that they don't offer any form of sweetener is a turn off.  Even obnoxious Gjelina in Venice at least gives you an organic syrup option. If I'm in the area, I'd rather go to Urth whose coffee seems like a steal compared to Handsome's pricing.

3/18/2012

No half and half. No coffee sweetener. Pretentious staff. Awesome looking place - upscale/modern... But they won't win my business again.

3/11/2012

Congrats on finally opening and bringing another quality cup to LA. I'm glad that their approach is about the coffee and that it challenges us to perceive and want quality over quantity. It doesn't hurt that they travel to countries of origin to further a more sustainable practice from bean to cup. Great change will never happen when one tries to accommodate everyone, so I salute them on following what they love and having the courage in taking the road less traveled. I like sangria but I would never add fruit to a burgundy, so I'm glad somebody's got it right.

3/23/2012

Like any business out there this one stands by it's end product. I totally understand why people gripe about no sugar / half & half / other options for their coffee. Handsome truly believes their coffee doesn't need any type of "sweetener" to compliment it. I would have to agree with them. I tried the espresso with milk and there was absolutely no bitter aftertaste (beginning / middle / end) on every sip. The whole milk adds a little sweet buttery rich note. People get pissed off when you take away options and substitutions. We all have the choice to either patronize or avoid handsome coffee roasters. I tried it, liked it, and will be coming back for more. The staff is friendly and polite. I applaud their decision to not offer wifi. Have you seen all those people lingering in a starbucks or barnes & noble? I want to be able to sit down, enjoy my espresso, and chat with friends.

10/20/2012

Easily one of the best coffee roasters. Ignore the comments and ratings based purely off of not having sweetener or soy. The coffee and espresso are amazing. Been to multiple other coffee spots all over (four barrel, sight glass, stumptown, intelli) and these guys are my favorite.

9/26/2012

Good guys, good business, good location. I like what they add to the LA scene and the AD area specifically.

10/9/2012

Love this place.  Best coffee in town.  They're purists.  So if you're looking for sugar or soy milk, this isn't your place.  My only complaint is that sometimes the wait is a little long even if there are only a couple people waiting in front of you.  But it's a small price to pay for that morning cup of yummy goodness.

5/19/2012

I don't know much about lattes, but my friend, Lisa, said this is the place to get lattes.  I'm glad she paid for mine because I would not have been able to make rent had I had been on the hook.

3/21/2013

Being a barista myself starting from Starbucks to a 3rd wave shop I.E. Intelligistia, Handsome.. this is the best shop ive EVER been to.. The coffee actually WAKES me up and taste and smells great. I love that fact they don't have Wifi so u can un-plugg from the matrix and talk to real people in real life.. no sugar concept is beautiful, why add something that doesnt need to be add, its PERFECT.. I recommend all my customers and any coffee Connoisseur to this shop, the ambiance, the camaraderie, the level of professionalism.. Handsome so far on my list is #1 of all time. Willing to try other places to contend to them lolz

3/26/2012

Do not ask for sugar, WHATEVER YOU DO, unless you're prepared to get a Learning Annex style education on the sourcing, roasting and extracting of their candy-like coffee flavored jelly beans that apparently require no sweetener whatsoever.  If you're like me and have been to many similar coffee outfits up and down the west coast, the defensive diatribe is the last thing you care to hear when you're just curious about the missing staple.  It's not like asking for nacho cheese.  The experience leaves a bad taste in your mouth... possibly from the lack of sugar or maybe just a sense of humor.

I recommend going to one of the other 8 places exactly like this downtown.  Or just start a side biz selling packets of Domino for a quarter out front.

10/7/2012

I like the espressos & lattes.  nice & strong.  cool atmosphere.  a little out of the way of everything else.  a bit expensive for the large bags.  not that impressed.

8/6/2012

THE BEST no frills like it should be. They serve down the street @ Little Bear YUM!!!!!!!

4/26/2012

Hipster coffee place if I ever saw one.  Pretty expensive for what, 3 oz. of coffee?  But it's really good so... it's in the arts district of Downtown so it's not exactly convenient but it's probably good for someone who lives down there.  I don't know about this place.  I'd come back because I think my friend liked it but... there isn't a lot of variety to choose from.  At least everyone was nice.

5/8/2013

This place is EASILY the best coffee house in Downtown LA, rivaled only by Intelligentsia. If you want sugar, caramel, chocolate, etc. in your coffee, go to Starbucks. If you're wondering why all the coffee snobs think you're weird for asking for sugar, just think--you wouldn't ask for ketchup for your skirt steak over at Church and State, would you? Exactly.

8/19/2012

Dont be freaked out when you cant find the creamer and sugar, because there are none.  Owners are probably the most knowledgeable coffee roasters I've heard of, and it shows.  This is some bomb ass coffee.  Make sure you stop by Wednesday nights for the farmers market in the store.  10 out of 10.  Would bang.

2/26/2012

awesome coffee, great vibe and location. Parking everywhere, but no milk substitutes for the non dairy people!

8/30/2012

They are actually quite nice, if you take into account they are taking their bean(s) quite seriously.  I usually buy in bulk then roast a morning cup for myself, so I have been to a lot of shops.  Problem is that the Espresso bean isn't the greatest on the planet, and their coffee bean varieties are good but they sell their bags by the 1/2 pound for what is normally a Full pound price.  Thus, my foray into the world of Handsome really didn't give me a great bang for my buck.  The reason for the 2 star rating I gave them was almost solely due to their price.  It is a nice trip Handsome has going, but they are a pricey option for getting your daily caffeine fix.  

You can also go and get a quiet cup of Coffee at HQ for 4-5 bucks, and that is quite a fun experience.  I guess you can call them 'Hipsters', but at least they are non-corporate and don't try to sell you the latest Shawn Colvin or Jack Johnson CD.  I guess they don't offer WiFi there to customers, but ironically they do all your receipt work on an IPad.

8/9/2012

This place is the antithesis of Starbucks. This is elite coffee, but the coffee is actually quite good, on par with Intelligentsia and Groundwork and Urth. The place is sparse and industrial, but again, this place is about coffee, nothing else. Don't expect paninis and yogurt parfaits, just serious coffee.

3/25/2012

Best flat white available in LA, served by the friendliest, most helpful baristas in LA; for 4 bucks. Exactly as advertised.

How anyone could give this place 1 star is beyond me - that this place is rated 3 stars on yelp is disgusting. If you want your coffee with sugar or mixed with a big ol' cup of frothy milk, head back to Starbucks.

3/15/2012

Fisticuffs, order and received across the country promptly.  Here is my opinion about this coffee.  First you need to pull this at a high temp, second this brew is better with Latte or a Milk base since it does have a sour / orange aftertaste that will turn some taster on and some taster off.  I wish they put the aromas along with the country of origin on the label.  Label is sharp, and delivery was quick.  But I dock on star for the price, first they are a start up and second Intelligentsia is readily available at my local Whole Foods for less per pound and without the shipping.  Will I order again, yes and I will repeat is the price nears 18 a pound most definitely.  

I heard these folks have it in for sugar, I hope you offer at least sugar in the raw.  Ever been to Italy?  Italians love the Zucchero!

5/26/2012

I just moved to LA from NYC and this place reminds so much about Brooklyn(williamsburg and bushwick!). They have an interesting coffee menu- everything is espresso centered. The chocolate chips have sea salts on top which is delicious. And I could see that they paid attention to many details. One minor down thing I'd like to say is that the chair and table aren't comfy, or I will love this place more!

6/11/2012

The coffee is of course awesome. The baristas are super friendly and really nice to talk to about coffee. The space is beautiful. I love to spend time there!
The only draw back for me, and this is a big one. No WiFi. If they had it they would see me a whole lot more and they would definitely get a lot more of my money.
I'm sure it was a conscious choice for some reason but from someone who spends all day doing work in coffee shops I think it is a bad move.

3/20/2012

The room is very nice with lots of natural light from the wrap around windows. Great espresso. Fast and friendly service. But couldn't find the sugar... Hmmmm? Sold out of pastries on Sunday early afternoon. I'll go check it out again.

3/29/2012

My friends make fun of me for being such a coffee snob. But as some wise man/woman once said...life is too short to drink bad coffee.  Every local hot spot serves Handsome Coffee Roasters and rightfully so.  Their beans are the best.  I've been to the local hot coffee spots from SF, LA, NYC and Seattle. But Handsome Coffee serves the best iced coffee, hands down.  And the baristas/staff/roasters are the nicest people I've ever met. If you're in town, you must check this place out.

3/31/2012

Great coffee, super friendly staff.  I actually got a tour of the roasting facility. I'm looking forward to going back for a cupping!

2/24/2012

The store not officially open yet. but I was able to tried an excellent pull of their Fisticuffs espresso blend.  It's a medium roast, lighter body, but quite tasty.  The beans cost similar to other small roasters. Intelligensia/klatch/barefoot/verve are ~$20/16 oz.  Based on its espresso, it's better than many of the local coffee places, easily best in downtown LA.  Not quite as good as the blend that won the 2010 WBC.  I'll need to revisit in a few weeks after LA city's blessing.  The location in Art district is best visit during the day time.  For now the handsome bean is still handsome at home.

3/11/2013

The coffee is great. The interior and layout of the place is refreshing and well lit. The vibe and the people are great. It's a great place to read or write. The baristas are talented and really nice... go ahead, ask them anything about their coffees, their philosophy and their nice line of trophies in the back. What I think is especially bold of this place is this: They don't provide sugar and they don't provide WiFi (do we really need more of these things in our lives anyway?). So if that's not too jarring for you, I highly recommend coming in for your caffeine.

2/28/2012

The coffee at Handsome is really good, however not good enough to justify a $6 10oz latte. I also didn't appreciate the sideways glance I got when I ordered a mocha and had to settled for a latte.  I get that they're fancy coffee artisans, but you're just that - a coffee shop!

7/12/2012

I don't care how great someone is at their craft, if they're an asshole to their customers, the product is going to be shit. Although I was delivered a nice cup of coffee, I have no desire to ever go back. Here's why: A friend ordered an espresso which was disgusting - there's no other word for it. Perhaps it was burnt or just a bad shot for whatever reason, sure, it happens. However, when mentioned to the barista who pulled it, he simply said, "It's perfect the way I made it." Wow, okay then. If that was a perfect shot of espresso, then they're lucky I gave them two stars.

3/16/2012

Excellent place for those that appreciate quality roasted beans & well crafted espresso.  If you drown your coffee in cream, soy, sugar, or any other flavor modifier, this place is not for you.  I enjoyed the 5 oz. espresso & give two thumbs up to the Mpito beans that I have been brewing at home.

8/21/2012

enjoyed the shop and setup but found the coffee to be just ok. i'll give it another shot when i'm through the neighborhood.

12/18/2012

The location is out of the way, but the coffee and espresso are delicious and the roasters are friendly.  So glad to have a fun, new coffee house in L.A.  And those Guerilla tacos outside are delicious as well!