Nicole Liang
Google
Finally had a chance to check out Slo Coffee, but overall, it was a disappointment.
Ambience:
The space curates a unique modern design, matching the vibe of a neighborhood coffee shop. The limewash like effect on the walls and floor, paired with reddish-brown wooden tables and chairs, creates a unified aesthetic. It’s quite photogenic, and the color tones are well-balanced.
The coffee preparation area adopts an open design, which superficially makes the space look minimalist and tidy. However, this setup demands high cleanliness standards from the baristas. Unfortunately, I witnessed some chaotic moments, like spills during extraction or syrup accidents. The tools were often left in disarray, making the overall presentation feel messy.
Coffee (core product): Disappointing. Very disappointing.
The latte had overly thick foam, resulting in separation: the foam stayed on top, and the rest was very watery, making the latte texture terrible. The brand markets itself as a niche coffee shop, setting high expectations, but the actual product quality was disappointing. When I asked the barista about the beans they were using, she said she didn’t know. After asking two more staff members, I finally learned they were using beans from Agro Coffee Roastery. Personally, I’m not a fan of those beans, but it was shocking that the staff were so uninformed about their own products.
The pour-over was even worse. There were three options, and I chose the beans with floral scent (from Ethiopia if I remember correctly). While the initial floral notes were present, that was all it had — no complexity/ surprises in the mid or aftertaste. I couldn’t tell if the problem was with the beans or the brewing process.
Food:
I ordered the staff-recommended roast beef sandwich, and it was honestly terrible. It tasted like a day-old supermarket sandwich that had been reheated. The seasoning was basic, the beef was mediocre. But the baguette is quite crispy. Together it still makes a bad sandwich for $10
Service:
There was no real service. You place your order at the counter, and when your coffee is ready, they call you to pick it up yourself. However, you’re still required to tip, with a minimum of 15% set in their machine. I initially assumed this would at least mean they’d bring the drinks to your table, but no.
For food, they give you a table number sign, and someone (possibly the cook) brings it out to you. Another strange detail: when I asked for more napkins, the server handed me the entire paper dispenser. That felt a bit unprofessional and awkward.
Conclusion:
This is not a coffee shop I’d return to. The product quality and service don’t live up to the expectations set by its branding. A nice ambiance alone isn’t enough to make it worth visiting again.