City Grind

Came by one Friday to eat lunch with a friend and I forgot a spoon to eat my yogurt so I asked for one and he gave me one. Came by another day to eat lunch, since they have tables at city hall, with a friend and didn’t have a fork to eat my salad that I brought. Asked the bald guy for a fork and all super snippy he said are you gonna start needing utensils everyday? Did nothing to warrant the attitude or the snide remark.
A friend of mine stopped by just to. grab a napkin and he snatched the napkin holder away from him and said I would prefer non paying customers ask for a napkin. Someone has their granny panties in a bunch. Calm down and learn some manners.

Thank goodness I work at City Hall, because City Grind is there. The coffee is fantastic, and the service is smooth, quick, and friendly. Total pros. Prices are better than elsewhere.

I love this place! Not only because of the great coffee but John keeps me coming back… He’s got the best memory and remembers everyone’s names and drinks.

City Grind– you are a gem.
I found out about City Grind on Unilocal from one of my trusted reviewers but I was concerned because the reviews were older. If you’re thinking the same thing– don’t worry! Nothing has changed since those earlier awesome reviews!
The first thing I noticed walking up at 1:00pm was that the gentleman working, Charlie, greeted me right away and he was so friendly! My friend was seeking a mid-​day pick-​me-​up in the form of a toasted marshmallow latte and I just wanted food– because going cheap on lunch was already haunting me. My friend ordered her latte and I found something delicious called a FrèsBar. It said something about «sweet potato» so I asked Charlie if it was any good. He described it as an energy bar but with the texture of banana bread, so I was sold immediately. His description was spot on and the bars were good. There were two bars in the pack and the pack was $ 2.50. One bar was adequate in taking the edge off of my hunger. My friend loved her latte. Charlie asked my name, which I appreciated, given that I had never been there before.
The next morning I ran into Jon who was also very friendly and asked my name. I wandered up mostly in a fog and confessed to Jon that I was secretly hoping he would pick my drink for me so he did and his choice was delicious (double 12 oz salted caramel latte with almond milk). As I walked around I noticed funny little things like a bunch of chocolates with a picture of 50Cent in the holder. Get it? Because the chocolates were $.50 each? Totally my sense of humor.
Here’s the low-​down. Jon and Charlie are co-​owners of the stand and they also work there, which is why the service is so awesome and the coffee shots are so well pulled. They actually have a stake in the business so they care about the customer experience. And as much as I hate to say it (but it’s true) they’re not at all snooty like the coffee place down the street in my building, which is refreshing. The coffee is much much more reasonably priced and every bit as good. It’s good enough that I backtrack from my bus stop to go there instead of the coffee place in my building. Yessss.
They also have loyalty cards, daily specials (mocha Monday, free shot, free flavor etc) and lots of yummy snacks. They have sandwiches that make me drool but at $ 7.75 they’re too rich for my blood. The ingredients are all fancy though, which is probably why the prices are higher. They also sell cheese, string cheese and other things I’ll add once I have a good handle on their products.
If your normal coffee place is too snooty or too expensive or doesn’t have your favorite flavors or you just want some damn good coffee served by some really nice people– you should go here. Enter on 5^th avenue and go straight back and to the left of the elevators.
You’re welcome.

I wish I worked closer to City Grind because I would go there multiple times a day. The kiosk is located inside City Hall. As you walk by, you encounter amazing caffeinated aromas. Yes, follow your nose. Try it, you’ll love it. The coffee, however, is only one piece of this complex puzzle.
My experience there has been fantastic every time. I most often encounter John in my journeys there. He has always been funny, efficient, and highly professional.
One day, I was standing at the kiosk waiting my turn. What I saw was mind boggling. John was literally helping 5 of us at once. He was the order taker, cashier, barista, and stocker. He was making conversation with all of us as if it were a well choreographed ballet. I saw John do more in 10 minutes than I have seen any other barista do in 30 minutes. He was completely amazing! He also has an uncanny knack for remembering names (which I can appreciate since I have the same talent). It really makes a difference to a customer to be called by name. John, I must sadly admit, is more talented than I because he remembers names and drink orders.

Good guy, good coffee, something held it back from being great.

I embarrassingly must admit, I am a Starbucks Gold Cardholder (which means I make at least 30 SBUX purchases/​year). Don’t get me wrong, I only go to Starbucks because of convenience (my office has 3 SBUX stores within a 100 foot radius, for realsies) and the free drip refills SBUX offers for registered SBUX cardmembers.
But on those days where I forget my Starbucks card, I make a trip over to City Grind. I haven’t had any of the specialty beverages, but I can definitely say CG’s brewed coffee is one of the most amazing liquid drugs I’ve ever inhaled. Oral bliss? Yes.
This place is so awesome that there is a security guard that guards the espresso stand and keep all the caffeine addicts in line… just kidding. Well, there really is a security guard around the corner :)

Great coffee
Great service
Try the El Mocha Picante!!! If this don’t wake you up, nothing will. I’ve turned several people onto this drink. They love it.

All your regular coffee needs will be met, and John has some custom concoctions you should definitely try. If you’re in the area forgo the ‘bucks and come here for better coffee, quick service, and come away with more jingle in your pocket. Regular customer? By trip 3 your face and order will be memorized, and you’ll be well on your way to your first free coffee (10^th is free).

Oh how I missed thee so. John is a one man espresso god. I used to go here every day to the old location a block north on 5^th ave. Now located indoors in the City Hall lobby, City Grind is all grown up with additional drink and food options. Recommend the double tall Americano. John has an uncanny ability to remember your regular drink order after only a couple visits.

I work in the in the civic center area of Downtown Seattle and City Grind is my preferred place to get coffee amongst the many coffee shops in the area. There’s even a coffee shop in my own building’s lobby but I am willing to walk across the street for good coffee (which is Café Vita by the way) and customer service.
The coffee shop itself is situated in a corner nook in the lobby of City Hall. The owner remembers my drink every time I come in even if I haven’t been in for weeks. It’s a one man operation but he can serve 3 customers at the same time which is impressive. Each day there is a daily special. For example on Tuesdays, a second shot of espresso is free with any coffee drink order. And, he even appreciates his customers by having a repeat customer punch card. After 10 drink orders, your next one is free!

I just started working downtown and found city grind from a co-​workers recommendation. I usually stop by two or three times a week and get the same drink. The funny thing is John keeps trying to give me hot chocolate rather than what I want. I’m guessing my evil clone also got a new job and discovered the city grind.
FYI: on the opposite side of city hall are four comfy chairs and a fire place. Its a nice place to enjoy you coffee.

What can you say about this place? Lots I suppose, but I’ll keep it brief.
By visit 3 my drink was remembered. Even when I don’t see you for a week or so, when I return to you… you remember me.
You always tease and try to pimp your whip cream on me, even though you know i’ll say no.
When so many places are going to 15 drinks for a free punch cards or nixing them altogether, you stay unchanged.
My drink has never been too hot. My breve never not perfect.
You are so close! (But could you roll over to my desk on those reeeeally bad hangover days just once? That would rock)
In the sea of Starbucks flooding the buildings around me, you are a beacon of hot, steamy tastiness and I love you.