Cartel Coffee Lab

Great coffee, nice environment. Just moved to town and was glad to find a nice coffee spot right away with knowledgeable baristas. Grabbed a pour over and a shot of espresso — both were tasty.

Cute little place. Would be good for people working, was just ok for hanging out. Coffee was solid. Would definitely return when in the area.

Coffee was great! Service and wait, not so much. Cool hipster spot but I wasn’t impressed with the cashier’s short, snide attitude or the lengthy wait. Wish the service had been better — because of it, I don’t feel the need to return.

Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the amazing playlist blasting through the speakers. Yes, it was pretty loud, but when you’ve got MC Hammer jamming, loud is totally cool with me. Do these Millennials even know who MC Hammer is? Probably not. The atmosphere is great, but the coffee is even better. My hubby got one of those slow drip coffee things where it eliminates all the bitterness and really brings out the flavors of the beans. He was a big fan of his. I was loving my dirty iced chai. This is one of those places that helps make Tempe as cool as it is.

I waited 16 minutes for one drink. There was no sense or urgency while the barista made drinks, and no apology for the long wait. I won’t be visiting again. It’s a shame because my drink was amazing and it’s only a two minute walk from where I work, the customer service was just not good.

The staff was great but not so sure I could say the second about the drink I ordered. Perhaps it was too strong but the iced americano I ordered was extremely bitter that I threw it out after a couple of sips. I would like to give this place a second try but I’m debating it.

I love this place.
I’ve already reviewed the location in Scottsdale, but I’ve come to love this place even more. Cartel Coffee Lab is a high quality coffee shop with an atmosphere that rivals the coffee they serve. The interior design features bags of coffee beans and industrial-​looking containers along the walls, which is totally different from the Scottsdale location and is admittedly much cooler.
The atmosphere is much more focused on the idea of a cartel, which is a welcomed contrast to an otherwise friendly and relaxed vibe. I already can’t get enough of this place and it is perfect for students who need a nice place to study and a tasty drink. If you’re an avid coffee consumer and you’ve yet to check out this place, put it at the top of your list. A+

Fantastic chai but like it or not, you can’t avoid the hipster-​ness.

I really like Cartel. Not only do they have great coffees and teas, all of their locations have a great vibe and service is typically outstanding. It’s pretty darn cool what they did with this space in an old, architecturally dull retail center that is anchored by the best Buffalo Exchange in the state. Their interior design team excels in creating ultra cool, functional and simpliplistic environments that are great for working or chilling. Being within walking distance of ASU, this particular location seems geared for future students, current students and others that still wish they were students. Overall, I prefer their central Phoenix location the most, but this spot is pretty excellent.

I can appreciate that customers are often difficult and even laughable with all the strange requests and particulars.
I come for a looong history of coffee so I get it. I also get when co-​workers poke fun at customers however subtle or clever the their arrempt.
That said: I know that the bench mark for any reputable coffee shop is the cappuccino. I know to that ordering an iced cappuccino is taboo and not even a drink.
I like to drink an iced latte but can’t handle all the milk. So this is how I order
«I’d like a small iced latte but built like a cortado… equal parts milk/​espresso and a ton of ice please. Thank you.»
Usually this works out and I get a tastey, no grief drink that I ordererd and PAID FOR. This time, however the roly poly lil barista says to me, with some bass in her voice «Why don’t you order a ICED CAPPUCCINO next time… it’s a good drink…» (the other barista giggles)
Knowing what I know about the industry and Cartels dedication to proper training, I know that this type of statement comes from a place of righteous burn out…
Cartel: You lost me as a customer.
That I can’t get what I pay for without the added lip is AWEFUL practice on your/​her part. The first thing I was told when I worked at Panther Coffee: «Make them what they ask for… NO ATTITUDE… no matter how silly they sound. They pay good money.»
If you’re wondering who your employee was and cant figure it out with the aforementioned description… it was at 3:00 pm, Friday. The roly poly one…
Best of luck.

Place was packed on a Sunday at 5PM. Barista used two scales as he made my latte, one for the grinds and one for the espresso. Was quite good, and I’d definitely come back for coffee if I lived in the area (visiting from North Carolina).
Unique space, great coffee, abundant seating and lively student/​scenester crowd. I see why this is a popular place and well reviewed. Wasn’t here when the roaster was going, but I imagine that it generates an awesome aroma which would wake one up very quickly on a cool morning.
My only criticism would be that the staff had let the garbage can next to the lids fill up to the point where garbage was beginning to accumulate on the floor, and the restroom trash can could barely be seen beneath the mountain of paper towels; people had begun to just toss them in the general location of where the bin was, and they’d roll off onto the floor.

Funky and has culture but scales to airport level too. I’ve no clue how they do that but if I didn’t have an open mind I would have assumed anything airport isn’t worth pursuit. Glad I transcended but b forewarned, if driving the parking is limited.

Simple and awesome coffee. I got the cold brew. It was my first time here and I basically told the girl at the register and she walked me through my purchase. I knew I wanted some cold brew and she kindly told
Me the different notes in the selection they had that morning. ¹⁰⁄₁₀ would come again. I love the venue too it’s really nice and lots of lounge area.

— - Rudest Service ever
+ Good Coffee
I swung by for a cappuccino during a short work break. I work in the area and read the great reviews. I got some of the most over-​the-​top unjustifiably RUDE service experience at a coffee shop I’ve ever had. I walked in, waited in line, ordered just a cappuccino, left a tip and, waited at the bar for the woman to finish making my cappuccino. She poured it into a ceramic mug — and she did a really beautiful pour that looked great.
«Oh, could I actually get that to go?» I asked with a Midwestern twang.
«No, we don’t do cappuccinos to go. We do lattes to go» she retorted.
…a short pause…
«Oh, ok, well, could you just pour it in a cup» I said trying to figure out how I can drink my coffee without gulping it down quick so I can get back to work.
«No, we don’t do that because of standards and stuff» she retorted.
… another short pause as I stood flabbergasted…
«I can get a cup for you and you can pour it in yourself» she interjected, mustering a few shreds of customer service.
Look, I get it, you want to maintain your hipster cred. You did a beautiful pour and re-​pouring it in a paper cup will wreak that. I’m not a picky jerk of a customer, I tip, I’m not even mad about pouring my own drink in a cup: I’m mad because you could have at least been nice about it by saying something like «Oh, we usually don’t do that, I can grab a cup for you, but next time I recommend you order a latte». I’ve been a regular at small independent coffee shops my whole life and have never encountered someone so un-​willing to pour a cappuccino in a to-​go cup. I think I’ll rather go to… Starbucks… over this place. I hate Starbucks but at least they don’t treat customers like complete trash for no reason.

Cartel Coffee is the best place for coffee in town. They also have beer, which is a plus. I have had the opportunity to enjoy both, and I would go there any time. The coffee is smooth and excellent. They have roast their own beans, they have a nice cold press system, and the atmosphere in relaxing. I met a friend recently for coffee while she was in town. We both had the Chai ($ 5) and it was the best.
They have a beer tasting room that is open Thursday nights and they produce excellent beer. I had the privilege about six months ago of brewing a beer with them (Cartel The Real Vanilla Heat). The brewers are very cool guys and helped me learn the brewing process. It was really a cool experience to not only see how beer is made, but to actually do it. Their FYITM is amazing. Last year they had a couple others (What’s up Doc and Fuktunna Coffee and Donuts) that were incredible.
Any time I am in Tempe and looking for coffee or a nice beer, this would be the place to go

First time visit. I enjoyed my Chai. Nice atmosphere. I think prices are a bit high when compared to Starbucks and other similar places like Dutch Bros.

This place is bomb.
I was told this is a place I absolutely must visit while in the ASU area, but I would argue that anyone in AZ and beyond should try it!
With that said, Cartel Coffee (and Cartel Brewery) are nestled in the Tempe scene, just walking distance from ASU campus and cherished by students and professionals alike.
Enter, and you’ll see a large interior with a huge variety of seating arrangements — desks, tables, couches, benches, and coffee bar; take your pick! Music ranges from jazz, chill electronica, to the occasional (but welcome) reggae.
As for the coffee, it’s fantastic. Cartel prides itself on sourcing independent coffee from the far reaches of the Earth. They have an excellent cold brew selection, and at night, you can sample their various beers as well. I haven’t tried the baked goods — yet — but they look scrumptious.
In closing, visit Cartel, drink their coffee. It’s a great business and a cultural stronghold of the Tempe and greater AZ community!

I have been trying to come here forever and finally made it out on a Friday night. I was surprised by the lack of a crowd. Mistake number one was not listening to the honest barista. I asked how was the decaf brew, and he provided an honest answer of «not so good, I would not recommend it.»
Unfortunately he was correct. The decaf Americano was bland and watery. There was no depth, no roasted taste, really disappointing.
I should have listened and avoided the decaf products.

That iced coffee is all the rage, refreshing, tasty, and cheap. It was almost like drinking a soda or an iced tea, but you knew you’d get your coffee buzz on later!
Besides the coffee, they brew their own beer. I got the beer flight and loved every draft I sampled. Even the IPA was good and I’m not an IPA guy. I especially enjoyed the dark coffee stout. None of the beers were «harsh», thus they were extremely drinkable. I definitely recommend Cartel.

If I lived closer I would definitely come to this location, though I do not …
If you’re looking to be seen … but not seen,
have this pent up anger built up inside of you or come across that way,
enjoy coffee,
like dwelling in dark places,
wear all black or only wear some type of shade of it (like me),
or have some form of manbun x beard x obscure band tea x clarks combination look
This is your home, away from home …
In all honesty, with all the previously listed aside Cartel makes damn-​good coffee and their corn cookie gives Momofuku Milk Bar a run for their money.
This location also has a bar and a ton of seating for what looks pretty small on the outside. It’s great for socializing and kicking back with friends or on your laptop.
This cartel loving, latte drinking and a corn cookie eating makes this gal hipst-​I mean happy. Move over Lux, Cartel has just surpassed you by a long shot.