Caroline M.
Yelp
I wanted to like this coffee shop sooo badly when it first opened as GGs or GandGs (or something like that) because it's across the street from my apartment. And, the owner, a young-ish woman gave me the grand tour of the place. I could hear the excitement in her voice for what she hoped this place would be and I hoped it would be for her. The downstairs room had been fixed up to have "nights". Or perhaps rent the room out. She wasn't sure and was flexible. I've shown some of my art in The Dunn Bros downtown so I asked about that and she was enthusiastic about showcasing local artists. Even though the room was more akin to someone's fixed up basement than a venue, it had potential and her excitement was contagious.
I suggested she get a sign out front--a sandwich board would be cheapest and most visible--and start advertising like crazy because the place was disappearing between the barbershop and, at the time, an out of biz mammoth corner restaurant. I couldn't wait to try the goods, so to speak. It was warm out so instead of coffee, I ordered a smoothie and a pastry, my daughter got a cookie and we chatted with the congenial guy who was making it. They still didn't have a lot of ingredients so I let him pick my flavor. It was the single worst smoothie I've ever had the misfortune to waste my hard earned cash on and the pastries were not much better. Fodder for the trash can. Disappointed would be an understatement on how I felt.
I didn't go back.
Whenever I'd see the owner in the neighborhood, I'd sheepishly look away. After all, I had told her I would practically "live" there. Ahem.
My own smoothies and coffee kick ass. When I pay for either, I expect them to be just as good or, preferably, better. So when ownership changed hands and I saw the name had been changed to Muffin Top Cafe (oh what an unfortunate name I thought! Especially when [I thought] it still belonged to the woman because, let's just say, she had, herself, sported a muffin top or two coughcough) Anyway. It was colder and the place had been around for about 6 months and my daughter's tutor mentioned going there so I thought "let me give them another try--coffee this time".
Upon entering I was greeted warmly and saw that the neighborhood coffee shop feel was still there. In fact, beyond neighborhood. More like a couple of friends put their money together to open their dream of a coffeehouse. A bit of a clique-ish feel but not an exclusive clique; one that was quite willing to have you join their circle. I discovered that "the woman" no longer owned Muffintop; that the same people who were (at the time) renovating the corner place on 15th and Nicollet for the very long- anticipated diner had gotten coffee there so often, they decided to buy it. I think they decided to buy it so they could make sure they got good coffee but I could just be being mean. Anyway, I was happy to try a caramel latte and a muffin (well, it IS called Muffintop right?).
I guess I just really, really like my own coffee better than most any other coffees out there...plus, it's cheaper.
So, having a coffee shop across the street from my apartment hasn't changed my life in the least. The coffee isn't anything I'd go out of my way to get. However I wouldn't not recommend it to someone passing through the neighborhood in need of a Java jolt. Also, the people that work there are above and beyond sweet and friendly and this review got a 3rd star from me based on them alone. I feel a big part of the coffee shop experience is the atmosphere which naturally includes staff. Muffin Top's are top notch.
Oh and the muffin was a muffin.