Patrick Vuong
Google
I like this place and definitely plan to return. Now that I have that out of the way, I'm gonna discuss why it's not a perfect place -- it'll seem like I dislike Rekindle Coffee. Just remember, I'm a repeat customer and plan to keep it that way.
The Setting:
It's not a particularly large shop, with a narrow interior and limited outdoor seating. Inside, there's a long counter with stools, maybe 8 total, with a small counter around the corner (room for maybe 2 more people). Outside there's about 3 to 4 tables. This is not the place for large groups.
That's balanced by the whimsical decor and solid music. When I came on a recent Saturday morning, they were playing Depeche Mode (Gen Xers will appreciate it!).
The Parking:
There's a limited parking in front but it shares a larger lot with the nearby strip mall.
The Drinks:
For a place with "coffee" in the name, I'm actually disappointed at the java. I got the cookie butter cold foam cold brew and found the coffee itself to be too sour and acidic. After stirring the cold foam thoroughly, it made the drink more palatable (though that isn't the point of cold foam). My wife got the snickers latte and we both agreed it was way too sweet and didn't taste like a Snickers at all. In fact, it wasn't worth the empty calories so we asked if we could "trade it in" for a different drink. Fortunately, the staff there was so kind and let us have a tropical tea as a replacement; and the new drink was delicious!
The Entrees:
This is where it's at! I ordered the bacon avocado croissant and it was yummy! Sure, it was a little overpriced at about $15, but it was quite satisfying and came with a bag of chips. My wife ordered the keto wrap (essentially a lettuce-wrapped sandwich) that she was able to customize with her choice of protein and veggies. Not only was it tasty but it was also huge -- think Chipotle-sized burrito, but keto friendly. It also came with a bag of chips.
The Dessert:
I ordered the blueberry cream cheese twist, which was $5 but a decent size. It was a little too soft for my liking, but certainly satisfied my taste buds. In fact, my only regret was not having more room -- Rekindle offers a huge variety of sweets, from muffins and scones to brownies and monster-sizes cookies.
The Customer Service:
The staff here sealed the deal. I was ready to write them off because the coffee has never been up to par, but the folks here were so kind, understanding, and knowledgeable. They really made me feel welcomed, and that makes all the difference sometimes.
The Conclusion:
It's rather ironic that I don't like the coffee at this coffee shop but love the food. If you enjoy sugary drinks (think Dutch Bros or boba), you'll enjoy their coffee. But if prefer strong coffee with traditional tastes (think Vietnamese or Italian), try the tea instead and stay for the food. My true rating is 3.5 out of 5, but I'm happily rounding up because of the awesome customer service and delicious sweet and savory food.