Handsome Coffee Roasters

3/27/2013

The best espresso in LA. Minimal space, minimal menu. Just the way I like it. Thank you Handsome for taking care of my espresso needs when I'm visiting LA.

8/21/2012

I wasn't a huge fan of this place the first time I went. They didn't have cream OR sugar to add, and since I'm not a cool grown up, and I LIKE cream and sugar in my coffee... I left with nothing....

Now that they carry milk, (maybe sugar, someday) I will return and try their coffee.

3/5/2013

Trendy coffee joint hidden in downtown.. Coffee is ok. I would go back just to see the sexy baristas again

2/26/2012

Ideal for someone looking for....a hipster convention?

I came here yesterday and had a latte. It wasn't bad. The place looks good. Would I stop by again? Probably not. Try it for yourself.

9/6/2013

hahaha like one of those unbelievably pretentious places you hope only exist in movies, this place only serves 'organic whole milk' so unless you're cool with death by dairy, save the trip

4/3/2013

Ignore the bad reviews. Coffee was meant to be enjoyed with out cream and sugar. The coffee was really good and the latte was also great. Better than your coffee chains. Only thing that I didn't like is that they don't have wifi!!!!! Besides that the location and people are really cool. Must come

4/9/2013

I really liked it here for the short time I was inside. Their coffee was good but why do you only have whole milk? I noticed they have some pastries and you can eat your egg slut inside here. A good amount of space and I don't think the staff was snobby at all.

12/3/2012

A much better $5 coffee than Intelligentsia.

2/14/2013

This place is totally worth me walking through a sea of bums and crackheads to get to. That's really saying a lot.

1/2/2013

By leaving out all the superfluous crap that most other coffee shops think they can't survive without, this place succeeds.
- No free WiFi. Quite brilliant, because that means I will invariably get a seat and not have to share a table with some pricks having a meeting.
- No menu. Again, inspired because that means I don't have to queue amongst the kind of indecisive loyalty-card-carrying bimbos I encounter in Starbucks.
- Spartan decor. Clever. A coffee shop is not your home, nor should it pretend to be. Drink up and leave, like the Italians do.

The coffee here is just ace, and no it doesn't need sugar. I usually take sugar, but not at Handsome.
I hope Handsome are considering introducing a new roast (or two, or three) in 2013 because they're outdone themselves with what's on offer so far.

A word to those with non-coffee-drinking friends/partners/lovers - Don't bring them here, there is literally nothing for them. This is a high-end coffee spot, to be enjoyed briefly by those that love great coffee.

10/1/2012

The coffee here is good, the website is cool, the interior is nicely designed, but the high stools are uncomfortable and one of the main seating areas faced the sun, which is killer in the summer time. (The shaded section was already full, no surprise here),

Also, the staff is a stuck up bunch of annoying and pretentious hipsters. We were over this place when we had asked if they had any kind of sweetener and the coffee bar girl replied by saying she could stick her finger in our coffee to make it sweeter.

If you're a coffee purist that enjoys drinking expensive coffee in an uncomfortable setting, then this is the place for you.

3/2/2013

Terrific coffee, my espresso was expertly pulled and the blend was citric enough to provide a nice lemony note.  Very impressive and they are where the Egg Slut truck is parked on the weekends. So double plus good.  If I were in the area I wouldn't hesitate to come to Handsome Coffee Roasters anytime.

4/23/2012

WOW! I loved this place. The location is awesome, kind of in that arts/warehouse district, and it was easy to sit down and study for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.

I got an iced americano because it was so warm, but yeah, beware, they don't serve anything but americanos and espresso shots.

De-lish!

9/22/2012

coffee shops are supposed to be gathering places for individuals with different opinions to share their thoughts over a cup of delicious brew that is prepared for their individual tastes.

the attitude of this place sucks, the environment is snotty and you have to drink the coffee "their way."

for example:
no sugar
no iced espresso (of any variation)
no milk (except cream [and one star for using clover])

if you're into attitude above taste, you may like this place. otherwise, there are plenty of other options to get coffee the way YOU like it.

4/2/2012

Heard a lot about this place. Looked very coolio. The people were super friendly.

The ESPRESSO with MILK (5oz) was good.... I didn't think it was a "blow me away," but it was good. The CRUMB CAKE was super delicious.

9/29/2013

Average coffee compared to a lot of other places in LA (i.e. Spring for Coffee, Urth Cafe..etc) but more expensive. The store is nice, merchandise pricing is a rip off. For example, a coffee grinder that's $35-$40 sells for $75.

4/8/2013

Lightning fast baristas. Efficient service, great looking pastries that I've never tried because I always come because of the Eggslut food truck that's here on Sundays. I'm surprised they roast their own beans because it tastes so generic, and definitely not like it cost 5 dollars for a small latte. Ironically the customers tend to be more attractive than the guys behind the counter although the ladies are always very lovely in terms of  both looks and personality.

12/4/2012

Coffee: great

Customer Service: great

Parking: Not so great, I would recommend riding a bike if possible.

5/12/2013

Of all the roasters in LA -- Vita, Intelligentsia, Cognoscenti -- these guys are by far the most pretentious and inflexible. I didn't know about their "no sugar" m.o. and when I asked them where the sugar was, the response I got was "We really only specialize in coffee and milk. The milk is quite sweet on its own." The drink I got was ok. I asked if they could add a little less milk and they said no. Ok, inflexible lady, whatever. I found it a very unpleasant experience. OH -- and there was a random pack of SUGAR IN THE RAW on the sidewalk right outside the store. I made a point of showing it to draconian barista as I sprinked it into my iced latte.

6/30/2012

If you've ever watched Portlandia and thought, "I'd like to experience that level of pretension but hate the idea of traveling all the way to Oregon," this place is for you.

2/11/2013

This is not  Starbucks or Peets coffee.
Steps:
1. Take your order
2. Make your order
3. You pay for your order
4. Enjoy your order

The coffee is fresh and not loaded with whip cream
I had their 3oz espresso with milk. I thought it was pretty good. Coffee is a bit pricey but then again, its the right price for GOOD coffee.

Service was great and I love the industrial decor. Plenty of street parking.

7/30/2013

bullshit. watch-out you don't trip over the lines of sheep. oh and its expensive!

3/3/2013

Smoothest latte I've ever had.

7/22/2013

Great espresso.  Except if you want anything other than whole milk to go with it.  Lactase deficient? Too bad, cuz these guys have determined that their version of purity only applies to those who can digest lactose.  I didn't know hipsters were into that kind of ethnic discrimination ;)

3/18/2012

Serious coffee for the serious coffee aficionados. Trekked to Handsome on a rainy Saturday afternoon to check out the hype. Of the 4 menu options:

espresso
espresso with milk (3oz)
espresso with milk (5oz)
espresso with milk (10oz)

I had the espresso. The taste was different than I'd expected, a bit fruity, complex and very good. I'm not an Arts District local, so unless I make a new friend who lives in one of those Biscuit Building lofts, this will be a 'destination urbanism' hangout for me. The vibe was fun, the space roomy, and the stuffed 'Justin Beaver' quite awesome. The only downside was that there are absolutely no alternatives offered for non-coffee drinkers. Period. We came with a non-coffee drinking friend, and the only option for her was filtered water. The baristas were very sweet about it, but I'd hope they'd round out the options to include at least an Italian soda or two, if they wanted to 'stay true to their roots, er, beans.'

9/20/2013

I really enjoy the espresso and atmosphere here! Their "no nonsense" approach to what they serve and how they serve it may be off putting to some, but I for one enjoy a business that takes pride in the specifics of what they do. I visited for them to make me their coffee and not the other way around. Highly Recommended!

1/10/2013

I work right around the corner from this place and I love the fact that they are so different from your average coffee shop. Great and friendly service and great tasting coffee. Can't ask for much more.

8/28/2013

Limited menu and no syrup for lattes but their cold brew has a lighter espresso taste than most cold brews. Tastes more like tea than coffee, but vey unique.

7/21/2012

contrary to what some reviewers are saying, i found handsome coffee roasters to be a lovely shop staffed by friendly baristas who care about their craft and are more than happy to talk to you about what they're doing. i have to admit that i was a bit reluctant to visit this place because i had heard all the complaints about it being owned and staffed by a bunch of pretentious assholes who laugh at people who ask for sugar but that most definitely was not the case when i stopped by one saturday (although no one did ask for sweetener while i was there).

it's a clean, cool-looking space that's half coffee roasting facility and half coffee bar and when my boyfriend and i walked through the doors, we were cheerfully greeted by a mustachioed gentleman working an espresso machine. yes, the menu only consists of a couple caffeinated beverage options so just choose one and quit complaining- i don't understand why people visit a coffee shop like handsome and then get angry that they can't order their usual vanilla latte with soy milk and two pumps of hazelnut syrup. you wouldn't ask for breyer's ice cream at an artisanal gelato shop, would you? so why ask for your starbucks special at a fancy coffee shop?

6/11/2013

I am giving this place two stars because their coffee is not terrible. Not as good as intelligentsia but just as good as Peet's. What sucks is the attitude. Bad. And who ever heard of paying 3 bucks for an expresso only to find they don't offer sugar? WTF? Save your money.

2/6/2013

Yeah, the 5oz expresso with milk was bang on. One of my fave coffees in LA.

6/20/2012

Coffee very acidic, not balanced enough for my taste. Could work a bit more on the coffee before dictating how its enjoyed, in my opinion, its a bit gimmicky.  I drink my coffee black no sugar, so it's not personal, but it's really a bit pretentious to impose upon people that they imbibe without sugar. Maybe withhold NutraSweet and all that crap, fine, I get that... serve only high quality accoutrements, but seriously, its a bit fascist.

5/29/2013

Very fancy and stylish coffee spot. The parking is terrible. Also, no decaf options.

8/12/2012

On the day we went, they were brewing 2 different types of coffee. I wasn't sure which to order, but the guy at the counter provided a helpful and accurate description. I ordered one kind, and the boyfriend ordered the other. I'm fine with the no-sugar policy, and liked my coffee... I'm just not sure I'd want to come back and drop another $4 on a cup.

4/19/2013

Meh. I stepped in, expecting a place that brews/roasts it's own coffee to cater to it's customers. This place is hipster central. But, like some hipsters, they look good in trendy clothes, but behind those stylish sunglasses is just empty space. Here, you're welcomed (everyone is super friendly) into a trendy but sterile space that's definitely NOT designed to get you to stick around for a second or third cup to learn about the wheres/whys of great coffee. First, there's only one power outlet to be found, nowhere near any of the odd seating/shelves, so that means I'm on battery power while I'm here. Second, $4 for a cuppa means that cup should taste amazing, but sadly, it's no better than any of the large chain coffee shops. Third, you're going to force me to drink sweetened condensed milk as YOUR ONLY SWEETENER/CREAMER??? That was the final straw. Come on, Handsome, you're too pretentious for your own good. I mean, really, I don't order stupid drinks at Starbucks, and I GET that you're a coffee roaster, but I would enjoy a dash of my favorite creamer and some honey.

If you like expensive coffee, hipster vibe, sterile environs, and no seating/power, then this is your place. Personally, I'll take warmth, decent coffee and a place where I can work.

My first and last time here, for sure.

On a good note, the pastries are bomb, and worth the $4. All told, I'm out $8 for one cup and a danish.

1/25/2013

Espresso was excellent! Finally a place in CA who knows how to do espresso drinks correctly.  The staff are well versed in the art of coffee. Worth finding if you're in the area. The brewers are in fact handsome, just saying. #onebaristatogoplease

2/3/2014

skip it.

3/8/2012

Handsome may have a good product, but it's really hard to discover and enjoy b/c of some rules and requirements that are silly and fundamentalist.

A few things...

No tasting notes on retail coffee bags.  May seem minor, but adds a step, especially when busy or not at the Handsome store.  And Adventure/Comfort schema is nonsense.   Those are relative terms that don't actually tell anything about the coffee.  Write what the coffee tastes like on the bag.  

No sugar, no half and half etc.  Really, my cold brew is best experienced with whole milk not half and half?  That's how it was intended in colonial New Orleans...

I understand there's an ideal way to drink this very special product, but why not have the confidence and openness to convert me?  Let me know why the Fisticuffs espresso tastes best without sugar.   Or why the milk is steamed somewhere between cappuccino and latte and I can't choose how I'd like my 3 oz of lactose?

And don't condescend to your customers.  This is not El Bulli, so let's stop with those analogies, as if the technique and sourcing rise to that level.  If people are trekking to Handsome, we might know something about coffee.  Include us.  Four Barrel and Intelligentsia do this thing a lot better.  With the side bar at Four Barrel, or the Single Origin espressos at Intel, there's an openness and a sense of discovery.  Handsome, on the other hand, makes it really hard to figure out what their product is and why it's best experienced a certain way.

And I actually liked the espresso +3oz I had (and the barista as well).  It's just, with a vibe that borders on Papal and an inflated sense of importance, why come here?  If the product is appreciably different from Four Barrel, Intel, Sightglass, Blue Bottle, make that easy to understand, so I can then understand why you don't serve coffee like any of those places?

Otherwise, I'm left tryna divine how many angels are dancing on the head of your pin....

10/31/2012

I am definitely getting slightly annoyed with any place that seems like a Hispter Invasion (where you are the only none hipster in the whole place) has happened. Yes, this IS a Hipster central, but it's okay. Just put on your dad's old glasses and his old sweater (you know, Mad Men style), and you have a chance to blend in.
My experience with the barista at the Handsome was very pleasant. He explained the reason why they didn't have Decaf for me, and why they didn't offer sugar or cream for my husband. They couldn't find a decaf blend that they were happy with, to roast, so they didn't put it out. Even though it is a bummer (my acid reflux), I do appreciate the ownership they are taking. They couldn't be 100% proud of their product, so they are not making it. Fair enough. They don't give you sugar or cream because they want you to experience their coffee at their best. It's like Father's office not giving you any ketchup. Customers not always know the best way to enjoy their food or drinks that's been prepared for them, and I do appreciate the cook's, mixologist's or barista' (or roaster's) recommendation, since THEY are the experts. If you have a problem with this, just don't go here. There are plenty of other coffee shops in LA. I ended up trying the blend that the barista thought had less acidity. It was pretty good, but I didn't finish it since I was worried about my stomach. I am gonna wait until they come out with a decaf to go back though...
To Handsome: I am a coffee lover, Just like REGULAR coffee drinkers. I used to drink coffee with full caffeine 3 cups a day (how I miss those days), but now I'm stuck with Decaf. Will you make me some great decaf blend?

update (Nov.5th) : I just went to Demitasse on San Pedro (DTLA) and had Handsome's decaf coffee! So they do make it after all! :P
The Barista at Demitasse didn't know much about the nature of the blend (really bad), but told me that Handsome only sells their decaf to the wholesalers. They don't brew it or sell it at their shops at all. i wonder if that's because it's still not meeting their standards? Well, it WAS bitter and flat. I didn't like it much.

5/6/2012

i love coffee. when i go to bed at night, i think about the coffee i'm going to have the next day. so on days when i dont make it at home, i walk down the street to my super amazing local hole in the wall cafe which is warm, comfortable and makes me a cup that reminds me of being in a open market in south america all wrapped up in caramel and molasses. basically i'm giddy for a while until the insanity of all thats awful in our world hits me again.

so, when i went to handsome i was super looking forward to the coffee experience i had heard about. the first thing i noticed was the excessive amount of cold grey open metal. i love sparse simplicity in spaces but i felt cold. i was also greeted by a very friendly staff, maybe too friendly if that possible? it was a little overwhelming, and i'm down to talk and make a new friend or two. it was a bit like going into a salon where everyone is way to chatty, and overly done up, it's excessive and creepy. i like people who are real, casual and nice. i dont' want to feel like i'm being sold a product, which is EXACTLY what it feels like.

also, cute girls BEWARE, its a meat market in here. you can cut the testosterone with a knife. but if that's your thing, sadly, the 'handsome' owners are not that handsome.

the coffee was delicious but seriously, wtf! why is it sooooo expensive???? it's honestly, just too expensive. i'm willing to throw down for good beans and coffee and barista experience but i think they just decided people will pay this much, so lets charge this much. and i think it's horrendous that they dont have any alternatives to dairy or any sweetener! i dont use sweetener and i'm fine with whole milk but it's absolutely rude, disrespectful to customers and the highest form of snobbery. it's not like they have a tiny little coffee stand, its a fully functioning establishment. and again, i appreciate simplicity and if they have a particular coffee manifesto they hold, fine, but to have no felxibility is obnoxious.

all in all, its a delicious cup of coffee but not somewhere i look forward to going again and not a place i'd meet a friend for coffee.