Lenip L.
Yelp
I can understand the five stars, and I get the one stars. But this place, if you look at all its elements, probably deserves three. And the reason it falls in the middle: Troost contradicts.
It's cute, cozy, and charming. The backyard is more than welcoming.
Its coffee? One, maybe two notches above gas station. Its prices? Almost criminal. Let's look first at the beer.
You can expect a $6 to $8 pint of draft almost anywhere now. That's irksome enough. But what you get at Troost for $6 is exactly a half pint. In short, they're shorting us. Significantly. So, if I want a pint of beer, I have to order two beers at Troost for a total of $12. Is the atmosphere six dollars better per pint than Habitat's across the street? No, it's not.
What you get on beer pretty much explains the pricing and portions of most items at Troost. For example, a 'large' latte is $4.50. First, it's not large. Troost's 'large' is a regular size anywhere else. And the standard price for a regular latte: $4.50. Trying to hoodwink us again? Or is Troost just out to lunch? If they are, they're probably eating where the portions and price don't sit at different poles, and where the coffee doesn't paste an I-just-ate-a-whole-lemon look on your face.
On price and portion, and on the quality of some items (like the coffee), Troost deserves one or two stars.
On friendly, courteous, and interesting staff, and on the physical character of the place, it commands four or five.
I'm thinking that the owners know all this - because they have a sign to ward off those tempted to come in for what's good about the joint; it reads: No outside food or beverages.
A more respectable approach would be to allow us to bring in our own grub and drink. Charge us a fiver at the door to enjoy what's great about the place. But please let us bring in a sammie from the deli down the block.
Alternatively, Troost, why not just give us a comparable alternative to Champion, and Milk and Roses? Your location is better. But do you think you can rely on locale alone when the above establishments (serving up better and more reasonably priced fare) require just a two-block walk north?
I very much want to be a fan but Troost is dropping the ball and will, I fear, soon be out of the game.