Colectivo Coffee

Less than amused with my service here. Not a breakfast or lunch rush, 10:44am. Order a small Americano with soy, waited 14 minutes for it while a slew of drinks that came in after mine went out before mine. There were two people behind the espresso machine but the guy seemed too busy chatting with the barista to make any drinks himself. Finally I got my super confusing drink (espresso and hot water) and it was missing soy milk as I had paid for/​requested. I was given the end of a carton of soy to put in my coffee which was barely a tea spoon full. This is my first visit to a collectivo in 2 years as I’m living out of the country and I think about it and how much I want to go on my trips back to America but I feel like my experience has put me off having any desire to come back. Definitely disappointed

This place is larger than I thought but the shared parking lot can get tight. There is street parking but it’s such a busy area, try to park in the lot if there is a spot.
What I loved is that the space is a large «L» shape with tons of seating everywhere. I was here for a meeting and, while it could get loud, there are distinct areas for seating that will allow for a slightly quieter atmosphere.
The baristas were polite and fast, and everything I ordered was just as I expected it to be. If it was on my side of town I’d definitely make it my usual spot. However Colectivo appears to have a fear of expanding too far out of the city. Us country bumpkins like coffee too!

To be fair I didn’t try the coffee but don’t bother with a ‘medium’ iced tea (not even loose leaf) for $ 3 in a cup smaller than a red solo party cup.
On the upside cool venue.

Yes it takes a little time to get a latte but love and perfection can’t be rushed. This place tastes like home. All of the staff do customer service and coffee with heart and passion. These beans are roasted locally. The story is local. The coffee house is about community! Take that first sip and enjoy all oozing warmth.

For the last few months, I have been in Tosa quite often so this Colectivo has been my stomping grounds. The parking lot can be pretty tight but never had an issue with on street parking. With summer, comes iced coffee and I think Colectivo misses the mark. The intensity and the depth of flavor isn’t there. With that said, if you are looking for a great breakfast sammy, the egg and bacon biscuit is nothing to sneeze at. Since the location is convenient, I will keep stopping in.

Love the coffee but this location is meh. As others have cited, overcrowded with limited parking options. Definitely recommend the coffee in a mug– just tastes better that way!

Colectivo/​Alterra/​whatever their name is these days is one of my go-​to, local coffee brands in Milwaukee. So, it pains me to give something I love and go to consistently 3-​stars, but this location is only OK compared to other locations both in Milwaukee and Madison. The coffee is the wonderfully consistently superb coffee I love, and anything I’ve eaten has been delicious.
Mostly, the parking is horrendous. For having its own lot (which I suppose it shares with a couple other businesses), the lot is always full. Morning, afternoon, even weekdays, the lot is full. Too, the corner that it’s on makes turning anything but right out of the always-​full parking lot very difficult. I suppose the place can’t do too much about it, but it’s quite frustrating.

This used to be a five-​star place to me. They do a great job with their espresso, and they have a pretty tasty menu. For the most part, with rare exceptions, the staff are friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and wonderful.
I’m subtracting one star for putting everything in a paper cup by default. They’ll still put it in a mug for you if you ask, but by default, they’re producing SO MUCH unnecessary waste. So many people sit in the store and drink their drinks out of a paper cup, and then throw that cup out on their way out the door. So sad to think of how much unnecessary trash they’re creating. And if you put as much work into creating good espresso drinks as Colectivo does, it’s a waste to put it in a paper cup.
(I know it creates a little extra work having to wash cups. I’ve worked in four coffee shops in my life, and managed one. I’ve spent most of my barista career at places that mainly serve out of mugs, and it’s not that hard and doesn’t take that much time.)
I’m subtracting another star for the way Colectivo runs as a huge operation in Milwaukee, trying to be efficient — but killing a lot of the benefits of a single-​location shop. Case in point: I used to be able to order sandwiches at Alterra, years ago, with modest customizations. Nothing outrageous — ordering a sandwich without cheese, for example. (Not much on the menu is friendly for lactose-​intolerant eaters.) I’ve been told more than once, though, that whatever I ordered came pre-​made from some other location, and the cheese can’t be subtracted. This is unfortunate. It would be so easy to whip up a simple modified order like this for someone who needs it. This doesn’t sound right, and I don’t know, maybe things have changed; I hope so. I’ve mostly just stopped eating here though.
To end on a positive note, though, this place is still great. This particular location walks the line between being a nice cozy space, and having lots of room for guests to sit. I’ve brought along a computer and gotten good writing done here a few times lately. It’s also a great place to eat outside in the summer. And I don’t know of anywhere else in town that does a better soy honey latte. And what the heck, I’ll give them one star back, for having plenty of room and helping customers quickly. I’ve never had to wait more than a few minutes to be helped here; not the case at the Prospect or Lakefront locations. Four stars, hurrah!

The location is a drag — a cramped, too-​small parking lot almost assured me I’d be walking or biking in the future — but you know that Colectivo game is otherwise on point. Seriously nice staff; probably second best out of my four usual Colectivo stops (Wells, 92^nd, Lakefront, Prospect). Things seem to move a bit faster here compared to say, Lakefront or Prospect. I recently moved over to this neighborhood and anticipate this store will be my regular local coffee jam for the foreseeable future.

Ok, I changed my mind about Colectivos coffee. Their coffee is still «earthy» to me, but this morning their «snow day» blend at twenty to eight was exactly what the doctor ordered to keep me from being a snarling non morning person. Weirdly, I enjoyed the earthy, to my taste buds. slightly pungent cup of coffee. Staff was friendly and fast. My large coffee was $ 2.12. There’s a parking lot exiting to both north avenue and swan dr.
Now if only they’d change their name back to Alterra…

This is a cute coffee place with plenty of food, drink, and dessert options. I spent a few hours here working on some boring stuff that was made just a little bit better accompanied by a refreshing cup of their iced Sportea and a grilled cheese sandwich with chips. The grilled cheese sandwich was perfection, they use Wisconsin Cheese (because why not if it’s right there) and it makes for a better grilled cheese sandwich. The chips were a crunchy kettle chip which I love. And the Iced tea was a great way to cool off from the heat.
They have a bunch of other interesting drinks and food options, a decent amount of seating with wall chargers (yay for students!), I would definitely go back if I was in the area.

Excellent place to get coffee. People are friendly and the organic foods are great. Love the free wifi and gluten free cookie. A place to do some work when you need to.

Ive been coming here on swan, every day before work since 2010. Ive grown to love these people. They are kind hearted individuals. I love love LOVE the extension (loungy area). I will always support #colectivo
There is not 1 thing off the food menu that i didnt like. I love the extended variety of beans as well. I live by bayshore but the staff HERE make it worth coming TO THIS LOC. on days off…

The name of this fine coffee spot is actually Collectivo Coffee. I don’t know if they changed their name or were bought out or what but that’s the name of the outside, the cups, etc.
The even more important thing is how fabulous their coffee was. It was just superb, one of the best I have ever had. Smooth, rich, dark and delicious.
The whole place was cute, nice, clean with a great vibe.
I would drive all the way to Milwaukee again just for this coffee. Better yet, couldn’t they just open one by my house?
Please?

Want awesome coffee and bakery items? Then this is the place to go!
Most bakery items are made by them and are 100% real ingredients. The coffee is sustainable, which may not matter for most, but it means there are a lot less chemicals in your morning cup of Joe.
They’ve just expanded the place to include a lot more seating but parking is still limited in the lot. Get there early to get a spot and enjoy!

Over the past few years, I have met with and had lunch with friends at this location on at least ten occasions. This Alterra is not my first choice for coffee in the Tosa/​Westside area. Issues for me include the fact that parking is iffy — if not downright difficult. They do have a private lot on the corner of the busy intersection of North Ave. and Swan Bl., but it seems to never have an empty space, and if you should find one, jockeying for a position is not easy because the size of the lot is de minimis.
Secondly, their menu is limited. They usually have an all-​day egg breakfast sandwich as a special and they have a short menu of sandwiches. Sandwiches are OK, but they really don’t compete with the quality of sandwiches at City Market, down the street.
Thirdly, and maybe most on my mind as I write this, plain coffee orders are filled for you behind the counter. There are no help-​yourself coffee urns like you’ll find at Highlands Café, City Market or any Panera’s. For me, coffee isn’t worth drinking unless it is VERY hot. Thus, I like the help-​yourself style of coffee shop, so that I can take small third or half cups of coffee at a time — instead of getting a whole «large» offering from behind the counter that goes cool before I’m finished.

I used to be a big fan of Alterra and had their coffee (Kenya AA was a favorite) shipped to me while out of state for college. Although I still stop there, I’m becoming disenchanted. I’ve bought pounds of their coffee at stores and come home to find them not so fresh; when I emailed customer service they were quick to reconcile with a fresher bag (shipped to my door), but they admitted to a quality control with their larger deliveries to more locations, with their company’s expansion. I still stop at Alterra Wauwatosa from time to time (used to be a few times a month, now more like once a month), but their coffees are expensive and the parking lot is usually full. Additionally, the muffins sit out all day and I’ve seen flies congregating all over them. Such a bummer for what was a local gem. I would recommend this place if you are hoping to find something other than the chain SB.

I walk to Alterra on 92^nd & North almost every day during the week. It is close to my house and in a beautiful neighborhood. I have to admit I am just a regular coffee or iced coffee drinker as I gave up all the frou-​frou drinks a while back… they’ll bankrupt you if you make it a daily habit, not to mention you can get a pretty chubby milk tank drinking all those lattes and whipped cream delights.
When they say they brew strong coffee, they aren’t kidding. I often say that I think my heart is beating outside my chest after a cup. So it is nice that they list the roast, body and acidity of their coffees of the day. This way I can pick the right coffee for me, and not turn into the human vibrator for the next couple of hours.
The service is always great here. Very friendly and efficient as there is often a big ol’ line here. Which brings me to one of the frustrations that I have with this location — it is often so flippin’ busy that there is no where to sit. Luckily in the warmer weather there are quite a few tables outside.
The atmosphere is funky and comfortable. Good music. Free Wi-​Fi. There is always a couple of local newspapers in the rack so I can find out why I should hate our local politicians on any given day.
Now on to the food. So many good things here. I love the smoothies. Almost every soup is good — homemade and accompanied by a big slice of fresh bread and butter. Today I had Tomato Red Pepper Bisque. Two thumbs up. Breakfast burritos are another one of my favorites. I think I have pretty much tried everything on their menu. When I worked at Lake Express, we chose Alterra as the food service for the ferry, which meant I had to sample a lot of their salads, sandwiches, cookies (favorite is the Cowboy Cookie), bagels, croissants and bars (Seven Layer Bar… hello.) I believe after eating about one hundred of their rice krispie bars, I could still put down another right now. The only thing I am just so-​so about is their brownie… but I am very picky about my brownies. They have to be fudgy, not cakey and I’m not a fan of powder sugar all over the place.
After all that praise, I still give four stars just because they are known as a coffee roaster and their coffee just doesn’t make me swoon. Maybe when I find that perfect roast, I’ll give them that extra star.
I have been a big fan of Alterra for many years and love that they are a local business started by a couple of really cool guys. Their marketing is fresh and fun, and above all they are good citizens who give back to the community.
I probably will be there again tomorrow…

I’m not a fan of Alterra’s coffees. I respect the locally grown business and the people who do love Alterra but their roasts aren’t for my me. They seem burnt, oily and woody no matter the bean or roast. (Coffee snob credentials: I always have Anodyne and Intelligentsia beans at home. I’ve had coffee at most of Portland’s roasters. My dream Christmas gift is a vacuum pot.)
SO WHY AM I DOLING OUT FOUR STARS? Because the baked goods and location are great! On the weekends my wife sleeps in and I bike to this Alterra for coffee (it’s not fave but it’s still caffeine). I sit on their patio and watch Tosa wake up. It’s my «get centered» time. I do get here early because it fills up with strollers and North Face jackets after 9AM.

Alterra Wauwatosa is MY COFFEE SHOP. I typically rate coffee shops on quality of coffee, food, room set-​up, availability of wi-​fi and power outlets, and whether or not they play their music too loud (I just hate that). Alterra Tosa hits it out of the park every time in these categories. In fact, not only do they not play their music too loud — I LOVE their music. I find their menu overwhelming in a very good way, because everything is yummy. The staff is always friendly and very professional. I love to sit in the northwest corner, at the bar and gaze out on 92^nd and North Ave.
They only negative is that apparently the entire Village of Wauwatosa seems to share my love of the place and it is often crowded. My knitting group arrived around 9 a.m. this morning and almost left for City Market down the street, because there were no open tables. I had to practically do an instant teleport across the building to snatch a table as soon as it was vacated. Every time I go there I see individuals sitting at tables designed for four. But I have also seen such folk politely move when asked.
Often I run into people I know there and see others doing the same — it truly has become a part of the community. I have to come to feel so at home at Alterra Tosa that I may kick off my shoes and help myself to the fridge without even knowing what I’m doing.
Oh, one more thing — I’m not fond of Alterra’s teeny tiny parking lot — it is «L“shaped and wraps around the building. Traffic comes at it from two directions, which stresses me out. My knitting buddies usually park there with no problem, but I park at the diagonal spots across the street, to the North on Swan, next to the Pharmacy on the northeast corner. I think its a lot easier to get in and out of.