Murky Coffee, Arlington: Hold That Espresso Between Your Knees
Maybe condescending service from a patronizing millenial at a DC coffee shop isn’t news to anyone else. But the only way I’m ever coming back to Murky Coffee in Arlington is if I’m carrying matches and a can of kerosene.
I just ordered my usual summertime pick-me-up: a triple shot of espresso dumped over ice. And the guy at the counter looked me in the eye with a straight face and said “I’m sorry, we can’t serve iced espresso here. It’s against our policy.”
The whole world turned brown and chunky for a second. Flecks of corn floated past my pupils, and it took me a second to blink it all away.
“Okay,” I said, “I’ll have a triple espresso and a cup of ice, please.”
He rolled his eyes and rang it up, took my money, gave me change. I stood there and waited. Then the barista called me over to the bar. I reached for it, and he leaned over and locked his eyes with mine, saying “Hey man. What you’re about to do … that’s really, really Not Okay.”
I could hear the capital letters in his voice, could see the gravity of the situation in his eyes.
He continued: “This is our store policy, to preserve the integrity of the coffee. It’s about the quality of the drink, and diluting the espresso is really not cool with us. So I mean, you’re going to do what you’re going to do, and I can’t stop you, but”
I interrupted. “You’re goddamned right you can’t stop me,” I said. “I happen to have a personal policy that prohibits me from indulging stupid bullshit like this — and another personal policy of doing what I want with the products I pay for.” Then I looked him right in his big wide eyes and poured the espresso onto the ice.
The whole thing was so Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces:
Touching a waitress’s chest is Not Okay. Pouring the coffee onto the floor instead of the cup is Not Okay. Drinking something I paid for the way I want to drink it — that’s more than Not Okay, it’s perfectly fucking fine.
Let me put this incident in perspective: I ‘ve got a good job, a gorgeous, loving girlfriend and I haven’t been to very many funerals. This is probably the worst thing that’s going to happen to me this weekend. So in the big picture, I’m doing okay.
But mankind hasn’t evolved, physically, in thousands and thousands of years. Biologically, we are the same barefoot creatures that hunted woolly mammoths with spears and competed with cheetahs for meat on the African savannah. That’s the source of most customer rage right there: a creature with a fight-or-fight reflex that’s 250,000 years old confronted with some ridiculous, arbitrary bullshit.
Here’s how arbitrary: I was stuck there fuming for an hour or so while my girlfriend had a dance rehearsal. And then, dammit, I needed more coffee. I didn’t want to spend any more money there, but I didn’t know where the nearest Starbucks was. I’m usually a fan of local, independent businesses — but at least Starbucks doesn’t tell me how to like my coffee. So I went back up to the register.
“I would like the strongest iced beverage your policy will allow,” I said.
“How about an Americano with four shots and light on the water” asked the barista.
I’d never had one before — so I said, “sure.”
Then he turned around and filled up a plastic cup with ice, filled it 3/4 of the way with water and carefully added four shots of espresso. He stirred it gravely and handed it to me, saying “enjoy.” And you know what? I really did. You’ve got to admire someone’s dedication to craft, and rigid adherence to a strict quality control policy. I was really, really impressed. So impressed that I swallowed my rage like so much cold coffee, opened up my wallet, and left a tip in the tip jar.
**Followup**
This whole thing’s blown up pretty big over the few hours — linked on Metafilter and BoingBoing — and it’s a little embarrassing. I mean, I can freely admit that I acted like a total dick here. But it’s not like I didn’t have probable cause. This is a tiny little thing that happened and made for a funny story, but I mean, c’mon, there are wars and genocides happening. I’m making a big deal out of it on this blog, but overall, not such a bad thing.
It reminds me of Lily Tomlin’s comment about her behavior on the set of I Heart Huckabees
…Now it’s all over, and so what, and I don’t have to keep up some great pretention I’m the most dignified, eloquent, elegant, perfect, smart-thinking, kind, generous person. I’m just a plain old human with a whole bunch of flaws.
**Followup, Part 2**
You know, I was pretty much over this. For real. Then somebody emailed me a link to the owner of Murky Coffee’s public response. All I’m saying is, if you were wondering where this barista’s attitude came from, wonder no longer. It looks like it’s learned behavior from the top down.
**FINAL Followup, I SWEAR**
Look, this thing has officially gotten overexposed. Way overexposed. I’ve been writing this thing for years, and this thing is just a tiny drop in a bigger bucket of other stuff that has nothing to do with overexercised outrage. The comments are closed here because really, what can ANYONE say that’s going to add a fresh perspective? Now that the Washington Post has done a story about this, it’s officially DONE. Take a look at some of the other stuff D.Billy and I have done instead:
‘Roo Shooter
So It Goes
D.Billy: Street Interventions
Drunken Pit Bull, Healing Heart
Snake Man of Venice
We Make Memories Together, Pretty Or Not
Fight Club in Union Square
Captain America Brushes his Teeth With Whiskey
Popularity: 100% [?]
July 13th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Wow! I have a friend who also likes to drink espresso over ice, and she has had similar experiences with a coffee shop telling her it compromises the integrity of the espresso to put it on ice. I’m astonished that this has happened in more places in the world than one.
It’s ridiculous too! I mean, an Americano is watered down espresso, so why the hell should watering down the espresso with ice be any different? In fact, the ice probably waters it down less because most of the water stays frozen.
And drip coffee is just a lighter and more watery brew than the exact same beans used to make espresso, so maybe plain coffee should be a no-no at that coffee shop too!
And what about lattes and cappuccinos that use milk to dilute the espresso? Most of them are so diluted with milk that a regular coffee with cream is actually a stronger drink!
Fucking ridiculous!
July 13th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
This is a fascinating study of anger and I commend you blog… however, I am more worried about the flecks of corn floating past your pupils.
You see CORN when you’re angry? Somehow in all the grudges I ever had I never saw vegetables. Perhaps I was never angry enough… ?
July 14th, 2008 at 3:00 am
Good gravy, why didn’t the first guy just suggest you get the iced Americano? He could have said something like: it will taste better if you have this way–but if you don’t like it, we’ll make you the espresso over ice instead. Preserves their policy AND treats the customer with respect. It’s a matter of coffee, not LIFE or DEATH.
By the way, Americano=diluted espresso. Please!
July 14th, 2008 at 4:31 am
I am corrected yet again. Please see my post here and the related comments, referring to the same incident:
http://www.welovedc.com/2008/07/13/welcome-to-murky-you-dont-get-it-your-way/
Glad everyone has a blog nowadays so we can have this kind of Rashomon-like discussion.
July 14th, 2008 at 5:26 am
this isn’t about coffee, this is about the barista doing his job the best he can and you totally disregarding the store policy and then proceeding to be a dick. that photo of the dollar you left speaks a ton about you. you’re an ass and i hope for the sake of the baristas at murky you don’t go back.
July 14th, 2008 at 5:47 am
Oh man, I’m gonna have to remember that FU-on-the-dollar trick. Well played.
July 14th, 2008 at 6:22 am
If that was the best the barista could do, then he sucks. If they have a drink in the same vein all he has to say was “we don’t serve expresso straight over ice because it doesn’t maintain the flavor - how about our drink XXXXX which is is similar?”
Instead it’s “we don’t do that.” Bzzt. I was 16 and in my first job when my boss told me that rule #1 that I could only say “I don’t know” if it was followed by “but I’ll find out.” It’s the same kind of thing, and Murky could keep their integrity about their product without being jerks.
July 14th, 2008 at 7:13 am
I love potato products more than anything in this world and whenever I see someone put ketchup on them, I die a little inside; however, being a sane, rational person, I respect someone else’s choices. This dude was RECEIVING MONEY to create a beverage that was apparently beneath him and his store’s policy (what happened to the customer is always right, folks?) and then had the AUDACITY to deny said beverage, potentially losing a customer and money, not to mention being a royal dick about it. Heyheyhey - you’re way out of line.
July 14th, 2008 at 7:32 am
this is probably the same type of guy that would drink coffee made from those beans that, like, lemurs poop out and say it was fucking god’s gift to coffeekind. loozer.
July 14th, 2008 at 7:39 am
I know you felt affronted by this, but there was a big sign saying what they wouldn’t do.
Also, your message to them now proudly hangs in their Hall of What Not To Do board at the register:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tbridge/2667261495/in/photostream/
July 14th, 2008 at 7:44 am
I agree with a previous comment- “this isn’t about coffee, this is about the barista doing his job the best he can and you totally disregarding the store policy and then proceeding to be a dick”- I love how you neglect to mention that there is a posted written policy that Murky does not serve iced espresso drinks…perhaps if you hadn’t been such a prick in the first place the barista would have indeed suggested an alternate beverage to accomodate you…
July 14th, 2008 at 7:49 am
I’d love for Starbucks to be crushed by a privately held mom and pop biz like Murky, but it won’t happen until Murky teaches/hires folks who have interpersonal communication skills and know how to smile.
I think you were totally justified in going off on the dude. I mean, they are taking YOUR money. Just fucking make what the customer wants. That is called CUSTOMER SERVICE.
I noticed a couple of readers hinted at my same opinion without directly saying it (Jamy, Don). Customer service is just as important as the ingredients in the product you’re selling. If you are lacking in either of these departments, the consumer experience sucks … I like the coffee at Murky, but I doubt they’ll be able to grow a more successful business with the attitude a couple of their barristas have. Why do you think the above 40 crowd goes to Starbucks? The coffee is the same price, but the customer service is way better. Maybe as you get older, you have less patience for pompous assholes telling you how to drink your coffee?
In closing, I’ll continue to patronize Murky for the free Wi-Fi and $5 hot chocolate since they are the only non-Starbucks near me. Not trying to be passive-aggressive, but just not given other options.
July 14th, 2008 at 7:54 am
you need a mobile coffee machine… haven’t the astronauts invented little coffee pills for you yet… just add water… like sea monkeys…
July 14th, 2008 at 8:07 am
i am so happy to see people assuming the barista is a total dick. i know from now on let’s treat everyone in the service idustry, people that are doing their jobs the best they can, just like dirt. oh, and let’s start leaving tips that say “fuck you and your precious coffee policy” written on them just for a little fun!
and read this blog about what happened.
http://www.welovedc.com/2008/07/13/welcome-to-murky-you-dont-get-it-your-way/
and it’s called civet coffee and it tastes like poop.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak
July 14th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Dear Mr HeyHeyHey,
I witnessed the whole incident and the barista was unnecessarily condescending, which was especially offensive since we’ve been drinking coffee probably since before he could walk. He did not say, “Excuse me sir, we have a store policy against serving iced espresso because the ice dilutes the espresso and it won’t taste as good”; he behaved as if the act of drinking espresso over ice were illegal or immoral. Maybe he was just trying to do his job, but if he and his co-workers left their patronizing condescension at home, then maybe Murky would have more sales receipts on which to pay their taxes!
July 14th, 2008 at 8:38 am
You know, a lot of people go around thinking that they’re always nice, or pleasant to be around. I don’t suffer from that particular delusion. I can totally admit that I was being a dick there, and I do wish I hadn’t left that tip. But it’s over now.
But look. They can have all the policies they want, but it stops once they take my money and put the product in my hands. Giving me a big patronizing lecture about how ice dilutes the experience is infuriating enough. But turning around right after and making another espresso drink with ice AND water in it and acting like that’s okay is just laughable.
July 14th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Wow! would you listen to yourselves whining about a birista that wouldn’t dilute your coffee because its company policy. Hes not in the wrong, you are. stop crying. if you want diluted coffee go to starbucks. This really isn’t that big of a deal, if you would have read the sign on the register in the first place their would be no problem, but noooo you wanted him to make an exception for you, but he wouldn’t so in your attempt to be an ass you left a tip with an obscure message on it. Grow up!
July 14th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Wow, hilarity all the way around. It sounds like a bit too much adherence to craft and product, and douchbaggery. If someone wants to buy something you should oblige them and while they’re enjoying the beverage, try to educate them. Or they should’ve tried to sell you the Americano to begin with, instead of just saying “no.”
My friends run a small, independent coffee shop and we all adore espresso–so much so that they gave out free doppio ristrettos (double-shots, pulled a little shorter so there’s less bitterness) for a month to educate the neighborhood. But they will also pour vanilla into a skim 16 oz. latté, even though it violates the espresso in every possible way.
In the summer, nothing is better than a triple shot over ice with a little heavy cream. And anyone who would rather hang up a dollar than bank it is a retard when the economy is shrinking.
July 14th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Ha! Store policy or not, the fella stepped over the line when he said “Hey man. What you’re about to do … that’s really, really Not Okay.”
For fuck’s sake, it’s a goddamn drink!
July 14th, 2008 at 11:56 am
I used to go to this restaurant in the East Village that had a policy — printed on the menu — that they would not give you parmesan cheese to put on a seafood dish they served because parmesan is not traditionally part of seafood dishes in Italy.
Haven’t been back THERE for a while. Next time, though, I’m bringing my own fuckin’ parmesan.
Isn’t there some first sale doctrine for FOOD???????
July 14th, 2008 at 11:59 am
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahhaha
hahahhahaha
having spent many an hour studying at murky, i bet i know the very barista you’re talking about. that place is ridiculous. ever notice the trophy they have displayed near the espresso machines? the one that says something to the effect of “WINNER, MID-ATLANTIC BARISTA COMPETITION, HOSTED BY MURKY COFFEE”? those sons of bitches held a coffee championship and gave themselves first prize.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
A lot of aggravation all around. I think the barista screwed up when he failed to offer alternatives or explain the policy, but the store fails if they expressly disallow customers to order combinations that are easily made when there’s not a line. No one’s going to judge a store’s goods based on the quality of a beverage they had assembled in a non-standard way, and if they are, they’re a jackass anyway.
Then there’s your overcooked reaction, which kind of ignores the fact that the store seems to pride themselves on their coffee fascism. Not that it’s bad, as fascists tend to make some good espresso.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Anyone that’s worked in the service industry knows the ‘entitled customer’ that wants their drink ‘their way’
It’s a fucking pain in the arse and they always leave a shitty tip.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Interesting post, it’s a bit like when somebody orders a nice piece of meat well done. There is part of me that thinks you may as well eat your own shoe leather and that you’re not really respecting the animal that died so you can have a bit of protein.
On the other hand you’re the paying customer and you should be allowed to eat/drink what and how you like
July 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
As a former barista I can empathize with the policy, but not with the attitude. After repeated orders for such beverages as a “triple irish cream eXpresso” and the subsequent expressions of horror after it was tasted one may feel the need to steer the masses into buying something a little more palatable.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
“OK, espresso over ice is against store policy? Fine. I’ll take an Americano, hold the water.”
Christ. I prefer locally-owned, independent businesses to the megachains, and I realize that snobbery is part and parcel of the independent business style. But that snobbery is supposed to be something the store workers/owners *share* with their customers (as opposed to the uneducated masses who patronize the megachains), not something the store people lord over the customers on whom their livelihoods depend.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Thanks for the funniest thing I’ve seen all day, between your post and the other accounts. I used to run a coffeehouse, and our no-self-respect policy was “anything for money.” I think you should just see the event as a collision between the two of you, where neither of you were able (at the time) to back up and see the other’s point of view. Who’s responsible? Who cares! Mostly, it’s just goofy and everyone should be over it by now. Maybe everybody can do better next time.
Now we just need the barista’s account to finish the Rashomon thing.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Policy? It’s about convincing a gullible public, possessing more money than brains, that a product is soooo special that there is a right way (their “policy”) and a wrong way (anything else) to pour flavored sugar into milk (correct!) OR pour flavored sugar over ice (WRONG !!!). “Ice dilutes the experience” - HAHAHAHAHAHA
July 14th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
What utter crap…I work in a coffee shop, and have for long enough to know that “rules” and “company policies” are basically optional things; you make what your customers want.
more to the point, why does it matter if the water dilutes the flavor of the espresso? if that’s how you like it, that’s how it gets made.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I think that the last thing anyone in this crowd needs is more coffee!
July 14th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
It is fucking hilarious to see people defending the practice of telling me how to drink my coffee. Yes, being a service-industry slave sucks sometimes. The traditional way to survive service work is to make friends with the good customers, because the good ones have likely been in the same situation as you.
I see nothing in this story, as told here and in the other blog, that anyone was rude or stupid *until* the coffee dude was rude and stupid. And /then/ a customer behaved (slightly) poorly and made him cry. Boo-hoo.
Let’s please put this in the correct perspective, shall we? When we show up to a coffee shop to get a beverage we are, the majority of us, not offering ourselves up to a transcendental experience. We are only engaging in the transaction enough to get to the next part of our day. So, there you are, bellied at the bar, requesting a /perfectly reasonable drink/ that /every other independent and chain coffee place makes/ and you are snapped out of your reverie (got to pick up GF; I wonder if work will call this week-end; we ought to pick up eggs and milk on the way home; gods, it’s hot, I could use an iced coffee; &etc.) and forced into a ridiculous interchange for an even more ridiculous reason.
No, they are not out of coffee. No, they have not had a power outage. They are not out of ice. They are refusing, on philosophical grounds, to make you a drink that is, with some tweaking, already on the menu. That this might be company policy is baffling enough. That anyone in the service industry would respond with anything other than an apology and an offer to work around the ridiculous policy is even more so.
I’m sorry, but this is just coffee. It is not some high art, and even coffee snobs may just want a cold cuppa because that’s the way they like it that day.
I would probably have reacted in much the same way, but I would have been much more sarcastic. What else might not be part of the pure, perfect coffee experience at this shop? The thing about being a snob, is that anyone, anywhere can out-snob you. It is a zero-sum game.
Does anyone think “educating” me on what sort of way to drink coffee is of any use, at all? Did I ask for your input on my beverage choice? I am exchanging hard-earned cash for a break in my day and a little pick-me-up. Treat me with minimal polite attention and easy small-talk and I will return the same in kind.
People, this is /hilarious/. I was hoping that the coffee dude in question was just being ironic by taking the Coffee Bar Guy stance, but it would appear not (given the uber-serious nature of the linked Flickr photoset above).
So, yes, Unintentionally funny.
Anyone who defends the notion that we must start this dialogue with the assumption that there is some sort of perfect coffee drink that must never be polluted is deluding themselves.
Hey, unless you are drinking scalding hot coffee made with fire-roasted beens collected that day, cooked in a big pot for hours, and served so there are tablespoons of grounds your intended to eat at the bottom of each cup is not being true to an original coffee ideal.
Anything else is just recent fashion and subject to change without notice as coffee-drinking culture changes. Guess what? Purity loses out to invention every single time.
There is no “pure” coffee experience. Labouring under this delusion is only going to lead to tears and recriminations. So, let’s all be adult here and just accept that a double shot of espresso over ice and a shot of cream is a beverage that is here to stay. There is nothing wrong about that. Italian espresso bars don’t mind serving this, and neither should this place.
If this causes undue pain, I suggest getting out of the coffee business, because the amount of sleep you might lose is just not worth it.
The coffee guy is wrong, the company is wrong if this is policy, and however poorly the customer acted afterwards, there was an easy way to get around the situation.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Please whatever you do don’t come to Europe. Have all the iced espressos you want in good old US of A.
Espresso over ice is just stupid.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
To start with I am a chef(period) That said when someone orders an abortion such as a well done filet, I cook it well done(I might die a little inside but I cook it), they pay my wage. The only way I would not cook said filet would be if the Customer wanted it topped with Heroin, it’s their damn steak cook it!
July 14th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Murky Coffee supposedly has some “house rules,” none of which apply to espresso nor ice:
From their site:
Q: Any ‘house rules’ at murky?
A: The only real rule right now is that you can’t sleep, or appear to be sleeping, in the shop. Other stuff is common sense stuff, like don’t wet the bed. Oh, actually, there’s one more rule, but it’s not really a rule, because it’s more about enforcing an existing rule. If you play Monopoly, you MUST know that the $500 in the middle that you get if you land on “Free Parking” is NOT a bonafide Monopoly rule. Neither is the “you have to go around the board once before you can start buying property” rule. Know your Monopoly rules. That’s the rule, buster.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Having good customer service skills is unfortunately no longer a requirement when working in customer service. The barista could have easily said “ok, here you go”, and then smiled.
Once you sell me a coffee and I ask you to put mustard in it, you better do it with a smile, despite your OPINION on how well it will taste.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I love Murky Coffee. I think I’ll head there right now and drink some espresso in your honor.
The nearest Starbucks is about five or six blocks east on Clarendon Blvd. It’s on the right a little ways after the Pottery Barn. Or, just before the Pottery Barn, you can go to the Barnes and Noble. They both sell shitty coffee.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Um, the barista was right. Iced coffee is an offense before god. Drink a cup of ice water or drink a nice espresso, but don’t bitch and moan about a poor minimum wage employee.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
That’s some seriously classy passive-agressive signage there, Murkites.
Nothing says “professional” like signs written on paper bags taped to the register, and twee reminders to not write on money.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I get why the baristas would be unhappy about doing this, as a proper espresso requires pretty exact factors, and to then dump it over ice would hurt after putting the effort in. It would be like making a perfect steak and then having a customer smother it in ketchup.
That being said - as the customer, you have every right to order what you want, and failing that, to do what you want with your order. If you like a triple espresso over ice, then you should be able to get it. What really irks me is the second barista’s comments when he handed it to you.
And then to offer you essentially a MORE watered-down version afterwards is the icing on the cake. So they won’t water down espresso, unless they’re making an Americano? Why? because it has a name?
Ridiculous store policy.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Even if they guy were being condescending, it’s not an excuse for you to swear at someone and leave silly passive-aggressive notes.
What’s the point of having manners if they evaporate the first time you don’t get your way? It’s childish behavior, comes off like you have no self control, and is far less effective than telling the manager/owner why you won’t be shopping there in future.
If the barista is a jerk, and you’re a worse jerk back, the chance of anyone correcting the barista is small — the store will focus on your behavior far more than the employee.
Seriously, the quickest way to lose credibility is to lose your cool, even if you’re totally in the right.
If you don’t like the policy or employee behavior, complain to the management about the policy/behavior. But it’s pointless to argue with staff over policy: your arguments aren’t going to trump the fact you’ve asked them to disobey their boss, and why should they risk their job for you?
It doesn’t matter how much sense a rule makes, if it’s a requirement of a person’s job, they’re going to enforce it, and probably without a lot of complaint.
An employee is going to weigh the hassle of dealing with a pissed off customer vs. a pissed off boss, and act accordingly.
If an employee is rude while following policies (or if you think the policy is dumb) then you’ve got a legitimate complaint, but it should go to the right person (owner or manager.)
July 14th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
7 shots of expresso in an hour. You have a problem too!
July 14th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Just for the record, “barista” means as much as “bullfighter.” You can put either one on your nametag, and it doesn’t matter.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
[…] on Ice is Not Okay He wanted his espresso iced, but the coffee shop wouldn’t let him. "Hey man. What you’re about to do … that’s really, really Not Okay." Also see the […]
July 14th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Fail for the shop. Fail for the barista. If you were doing something dangerous (spilling hot beverages on ppl) or illegal (”Room for cream? I want room for Whiskey.”) with their drink I could see the concern but you’re just drinking it. I’d have walked out. I can deal with the lack of caffeine better than that nonsense.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
People who were poorly toilet trained apparently grow up to specify how other people handle liquids.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Hilarious. We’re talking about a coffee shop treating a shot of espresso like a thirty year old scotch. Ridiculous. Beyond that, if the guy paying for it wants it, let him have it. If you’re worried about the customer not liking it then telling all his friends that your coffee sucks, then just say, “we can do that, but it will not probably not be that great because the coffee will be diluted . . .” then do what the customer wants. Don’t be a schmuck. And before people start whining about how hard it is to be in the service industry and that others don’t understand, I’ve done the job and I’ve dealt with all the crap that comes with it. But then, that’s what you get paid for.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I’m sure none of the barristas at the Java Shack about 10 blocks away Arlington (Courthouse) wouldn’t have the unadulterated arrogance to treat you that way. I write as a long-time customer of my favorite coffee joint.
Murky is something i really want to like but can’t — for that kind of story. Never mind that Murky’s owner had to close his DC location in Capitol Hill because he “forgot” to pay the rent, “forgot” to pay his taxes (for two years!) and “forgot” to pay his other bills.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I can’t help but wonder if the policy is more about cost-shaving cheapskates than coffee-purism (since the iced americano is essentially the same drink plus even more water)
In my experience, an Americano costs more than the sum of its parts, and I’ve seen people (at starbucks) order a tripleshot over ice, in a large cup, then go pour half a pint of (free) milk in, and leave, enjoying their ghetto-latte. If they have a policy just to “protect the spirit of the drink”, they should suck it.
…although I once saw a kid order a “vodka and coke” at my local bar, and encouraged the bartender to kick him out…
July 14th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I don’t know anything about coffee, but I assume you are a terrible philistine!
July 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I predict a quick end to Murky in this economic climate. Hey, if you walked up and told him it was for a coffee enema, it’s still your damn joe.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
If the purity of the coffee was something Murky was insistent on preserving then i would imagine they would have been better off not accepting the customers money and directing the person to someplace where they could get the product that they want.
There is a wrong way to drink coffee. There is a chemistry to preperation of food and drink and if you mess it up it will taste nasty. Regardless of whether or not someone has a fetish or psychological bent that makes them take in substandard crap we all have the same taste buds and the same priming to perceive certain compounds as toxic. A red shirt is a red shirt even if your colorblind.
There is something wrong though with a cook or a barista who feels their job is not to feed people. At the end of the day your supposed to make something that someone will enjoy, and if for you thats week old grounds sifted through a gym sock then i personally would humour you to the extent that the board of health will allow. If i dont want to do the work i wont take your money, ill just tell you where to find someone who will.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Murky has a store policy, fine.
I have a customer policy that says “coffee nazis can eat my shorts”.
My dad wants to drink wine with ice. I’ve suggested to him wine is not lemonade, but I don’t gravely imply that icing down a Chardonnay is akin to dumping antifreeze in lake tahoe.
I appreciate the barista was trying to convey there are better ways to partake in espresso. Too bad his ham-handed self-righteous approach got in the way.
I’m going in there armed with maraschino cherries and Bosco. Murky is going to need a lawyer to draft all the amendments to their lame store policy.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
So adding water prevents the ice from ruining the espresso?
???
July 14th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
@Meg
I honestly think that sums up this entire thing. It also makes those defending the douchery of the Barrista look silly for not doing their research.
If Murky is that pretentious, that egotistical, that snobby that they would host a “Barrista Competition” just so they could have an excuse to congratulate themselves for thinking they are the best, I’m not surprised that one of their Barristas is a total asshat.
I’ve worked in a few retail and food stores. I’ve gone from Pizza/Subs to Dunkin Donuts to clothing stores. I was a frequent reader of CustomersSuck.com. And yet even *I*, who will usually side with the most-likely-frequently-abused employee thinks that this was simply a case of an employee being an asshole.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
As a barista for more than a decade, I understand the reluctance to pour espresso over ice. That being said, condescending assholism is unacceptable no matter what people think. Telling someone their chosen way of drinking coffee is not cool is elitist and unacceptable. I agree with the chef above. Suck it up, make the drink, bitch about their bad taste in your head. People who pity the poor wageslave need to take their heads out of their ass. Most of us have been there, and know it’s not the best job. But telling a customer you “can’t” make the drink they want? Unacceptable.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Are you kidding…dude??? It’s Texas, not freakin’ Rome. It’s not like they can actually make something can can be ruined by ice.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
The hunter gatherer and the 5 Easy Pieces references are wonderful. It’s true, we still are primitives! You’ve made my day, thanks.
I love coffee and like it strong. If it is truly a good cup, then it will taste wonderful at any temperature. Murky needs to change their sign to “The Customer Is Always Right” and live for service.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
If you don’t want rude customers … Get out of the service industry. It’s inevitable you will recieve them.
You’re serving someone, everyone likes it differently. Me, i don’t want to look at you, or talk to you while you make my coffee, I just want to get in and get out. I’ve been looked at by coffee girls like i’m being a dick before for not wanting to make small chat over the register.
You’re there to take the customers money, and provide a product or service. I don’t want you to be dispensing advice. Only smiles. There are people who do get paid for that sort of thing.
to astom: if i ask for my steak served with ketchup, i better get my steak served with ketchup. or i’m sending it back, and leaving, lest it’s spit upon
July 14th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Sounds like you met the “Simon Cowell of Coffee”.
Good for you for standing up to that douchebag. But you should have just returned it saying it wasn’t cold enough.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Yup, the DC metro area is full of assholes all the way around, on both sides of the counter, on the streets, and in the apartments.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I own 6 coffee shops, and if I heard an employee say something like that to the customer, they wouldn’t be working for me anymore. Yes, a Barista should take pride in their work, but as has been mentioned before, the customer is (almost) always right. The Barista being pretentious doesn’t help anyone enjoy the experience, just makes the customers not want to come back.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
well played sir.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Bloody brilliant! Thank you! Thank you! For giving me a good laugh today. I have been on both sides of that counter, and the barista should have LET IT GO after stating the policy - given you your order and said something snarky under his breath after you were out of ear shot like the sane people do.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I got that same treatment from about 11 of every 10 people I dealt with in Arlington/Alexandria. There were two places, however, where I could take refuge from the douchbaggery: The Waffle Shop, DC’s link with its unpretentious past. Oh, and the second — Baltimore.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I blame the “barrista” culture for much of what is wrong with American culture today. Seriously. The rise of the coffee snob should be coffee freedom and not coffee Fascism. Their grandparents fought the Nazis so we could order coffee any way we wanted.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
As someone who worked in the foodservice industry in many capacities for years, some of those as a barista in an *awesome* coffee shop, I have to side with the customer on this one. Espresso should be prepared in any way the customer wants. Period. This barista did a disservice not only to this place and to indie coffeehouses everywhere by totally living up to the cliche of the snooty javaphile whose deep coffee fanboy knowledge trumps the customer’s personal tastes.
This place obviously doesn’t need your business, nor the business of anyone else not offended by the soul-sucking combo of coffee snobbery and bad social skills.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I had to go back and read this twice. 3 shots on ice = no good, 4 shots over water and ice = good. What the eff am I not getting here? …Anyway, they make this drink at a spot in Brooklyn, called the Franklin Soda (the drink’s called that, not the spot). It’s carbonated water or seltzer with espresso on ice. Not sure of the exact proportions. It’s well good.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
This is a lose-lose situation, with far more stress than was warranted. It _IS_ essentially “just a cup of coffee”, isn’t it?
It’s a good example of what happens when a store considers it’s product as “art” instead of product. Both pretentious and stupid.
It would have been better to look the “barista” in the eye and say “ok, I’ll go elsewhere. Too bad you lost this sale, isn’t it?”
Then email store management, tell them you walked out on an order, and _why_.
If they don’t believe “the customer is always right”, they don’t need your money.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
yes, this “barista” culture is rampant in america. i can’t go anywhere and not see a barista giving some random person an attitude!
this is not coffee snobbery, he was enfocing store policy!
this guy expects service industry people to give him a reach around. trust me, murky will not be hurting if this douche nozzle never goes there again.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Hey all you coffee-snobs: nobody gives a crap about your ridiculous coffee culture. This is exactly why Starbucks has crushed the small independent coffee shops - because no customer is ever going to return to a business that feels they have the right to condescend to and “educate” their paying customers about something as irrelevant as bean-water. No matter how perfectly it’s made it’s all just going to end up in somebody’s toilet at the end of the day anyway.
What is it about these niche businesses that attracts these socially-retarded Comic-Book-Guy type personalities? We avoided you in high school because you were creepy as hell and we certainly aren’t going put up with being lectured to by you about your insane coffee-serving policies.
Way to destroy Murky’s future as a successful business Barista-Douche.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Shame you had a bad experience. From my point of view I respect Murky for trying to offer drinks they feel they can stand behind and are proud to serve. Most places serving coffee simply don’t care, and most coffee served (in the US and beyond) is really pretty terrible. I also stand behind a policy of not doing drinks that are off the menu. If I go eat somewhere I don’t want to wander into the kitchen and tell the chef exactly what to make me, moreso if it is something the chef isn’t happy serving.
The anti-snobbery against coffee is why coffee remains so bad, why consumption in many countries is relatively low and why coffee will continue to be pretty awful in all but a handful of places. I can’t understand why it is shameful to want better, expect better or why coffee can’t be more than just bitter caffeinated dish water.
That said if you are in a position where you are doing something different to the market (like Murky) then incidents like this are likely to happen and how you deal with them is key. As frustrating as it is when someone doesn’t get what you are trying to do, you still need to deal with in a way that the customer doesn’t feel an ass or resentful and perhaps may appreciate what you are doing on future visits.
Being proud of what you do isn’t being pretentious. Making good coffee isn’t elitist, pompous or snobby. If quality didn’t matter then the places that do a great job wouldn’t be as successful as they are.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Murky does make the best espresso in Arlington, but yes sadly it’s employees lack common courtesy. Java Shack and Rappahannock are decent nearby alternatives though..and down in old town is Misha’s.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
seriously, start going to starbucks. it was invented for people like you. they will even smile at you and pour it over ice for you. leave this place for people like me, who are serious about espresso.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
There is a disturbing trend in the world that companies own their products and can dictate how you interact with those products even after you purchase, and thus own that product. These barristas are no different then the arrogant dicks from the RIAA or MPAA. You were lucky they didn’t demand you void the product from an orafice before leaving the premise.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
HHH: Since the store policy is coffee snobbery, then I guess the barista was in the clear.
I also didn’t realize that ordering a drink the way you wanted it was the equivalent of a reach-around. I’ll definitely use that consumer privlidge!
July 14th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
If they charge, it’s a business:
The Customer Is Always Right
July 14th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Photoshop: helping the axis of evil appear MORE evil since 1990
July 14th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Apologies in advance if I’ve missed this. I haven’t read all of the comments.
I think we might harken back to the issue of the “ghetto latte”.
While not doubting anyone’s dedication to quality, perhaps most of these “no ice” polices stem from this problem. (?)
July 14th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Heh, good story.
One thing: *Seven* shots of espresso in the span of an hour?? Holy shit, switch to a mojito or xanax or something dude!
July 14th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
I’m with you on the frustration.
I’ve definitely gotten a few odd looks as a result of ordering iced espresso drinks (I greatly prefer them that way). I’ve once or twice seen such snobbery (though not at the level you did), although it’s more common that places that can’t do it simply don’t have ice machines or ice.
The couple of times that baristas refused on principle, I just voted with my feet and left. (I’ve had one or two similar experiences with trying to substitute things on menus.) They can have whatever policy they want, and I can take my business where I want.
I’m not with you on the tip part, though.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
The polyphasic colloidal foam (crema) on top of espresso is important, and does not hold up to icing. Big F-ing deal; it also doesn’t hold up to simple stirring or a few minutes of time. Mixing espresso with anything simply makes it a different drink. Baristas might helpfully explain this to customers and recommend against it, and serve it with the ice on the side to avoid doing the dirty deed themselves. Or, they can act like pretentious jerks with cramping sphincters, leave everyone frustrated and annoyed, and loose customers. It’s a simple choice, but some people will never learn. Your commented tip seems perfectly appropriate.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Granted that I haven’t read through all the responses here, and I agree that a funny story can get blown all out of proportion out here in the digitalaether. But for my unwanted two cents, I think that I can explain what happened and it doesn’t have anything to do with coffee integrity.
There has been an increase in what is called the poor man’s latte’ or the ‘ghetto latte’ where the customer orders an espresso over ice then fills the rest of the cup with the free half&half provided by the establishment. It was the last comment that the barista made, “I know what you’re about to do and it’s not okay,” that tells me he believed you were about to make such a beverage. You can imagine that this practice is poorly seen from the indy business point of view.
One coffee shop we have in Tacoma, WA has gone so far as to put a sign over the 1/2&1/2 station indicating that ‘Breve Thieves’ are not welcome and that ‘you know who you are’.
I think the fact that you came back to the counter and ordered a second drink smoothed over the whole misunderstanding and was the perfect gesture on your part.
The phenomena of the ‘poor man’s latte’ provides and interesting move into a general discussion around conspicuous consumption on the cheap. The ‘ghetto latter’ is one such expression of this, with the ultimate being to fake an entire vacation with a sun booth tan and photoshopped pictures. The whole thing can get pretty weird in the post-consumer age where definitions of status and class structure have become so murky that people aren’t even aware of what class they belong to or how their behavior continues to subtly recreate class differences.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Hmm this seems to happen quite a lot. Take Ben n Jerry ice cream franchises for instance.
When you order a Chocolate milkshake they make it with 1 Scoop of vanilla.
When I stop them ( every freaking time ) and say . No Vanilla thank you. I get the look followed by “its how we make it”. When you explain that what you wanted was Chocolate not Chocolate and Vanilla they get all upset and wierd. Like your being a Pain in the Ass.
Ive had them refuse to serve me or just be damned rude.
I saw amen and to right for the customer being allowed to buy it there way.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
the dollar bill is shopped. i dont believe a word of this because of that fact. nice short story though.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
What is it about these niche businesses that attracts these socially-retarded Troy-McClurey type personalities? We avoided you in high school because you used to beat us up and we certainly aren’t going to forget and not spit in your coffee
July 14th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I’m with Andrew - if I were this bozo’s boss, he’d be looking for a new job. It’s too hard (and expensive) to get customers into a business in the first place to allow some ill-mannered oaf to run them off.
I think Jeff was remarkably restrained under the circumstances, particularly leaving his love note on an actual dollar - I’d have left them a napkin bearing the same message instead.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I don’t understand… the only difference between 3 shots on ice and the 4 shot iced americano was 1 shot… Was exactly is the policy that you were breaking? I couldn’t find anything on their website, just that “we’re happy to serve you anything that we offer.”
July 14th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Am I the only one who thinks the word “barista” is annoying?
July 14th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I’ve no doubt the baristas, in their infinite wisdom, know what’s best for us miserable and unworthy masses. But everyone likes something different. My grandpa always put salt in his beer. I think it’s weird and gross, but it would have been stupid for me to become morally outraged at his refusal to enjoy his beverage in the “right” way.
I would never again patronize a business that got all snooty with me about the way that I happen to like their products served.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Oh, and as for the “ghetto latte” defense, accusing a customer of theft before s/he does anything to justify the accusation is even worse than trying to tell the customer how to drink his/her coffee.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
i know how you feel.. but at the same time, im a now former barista from an independent cafe (working as a chef these days)and i at least know part of working in hospitality means you’ve gotta be hospitable. treating people like jerks means they wouldnt ever come back.. so where does that leave you? an artist without and audience. yeah good one.
good work for cracking the shits..
July 14th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Dude- keep rocking.
Reminds me of the looks I get when I ask the sausage trucks at carnivals for an Italian sausage with no peppers, no onions.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I have also worked in a coffeeshop with uber-attitude. However, *if* it was in our power to make the drink, we would. Perhaps with a quick look like they were crazy…but we made it.
We didn’t do flavored drinks (aside from mocha), the owner didn’t stock syrup. We didn’t blend drinks - and we didn’t keep the equipment. We pointed people the way to coffee shops that did. We did *not* tell them they way they choose to drink coffee ‘was Not Okay’ as though it were an offense against God. Coffee tastes are an *opinion*, just like any any other kind of taste.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Murky. Huh. They opened a branch near Eastern Market in DC, but DC government seized the business from them. Seems their OTHER store policy is to collect the DC sales tax, then forget to submit it to the DC treasury. BTW, the best cold coffee drink is a coffee slush made by Cafe D’Orio in Rome–a cookie sheet of espresso, raked with a fork from time to time as it freezes. Yummy. I tried to talk the Murky in DC into trying it, but they turned their nose up at that innovation, too.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
What saddens me is that one of the best lines I’ve ever read on the web will get lost in all the hullabaloo over this post:
“The whole world turned brown and chunky for a second. Flecks of corn floated past my pupils, and it took me a second to blink it all away.”
Flecks of corn floating past my pupils.
I will never forget this line.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
A dick?! Are you kidding me?! if they tried that on me I would have the same reaction. I get the exact same drink at Starbucks and Peets all the time. If they tried that “quality control” I’d go apeshit. At least at Peets and Starbucks I know what I’m getting. that’s one reason I don’t like local coffee establishments. Give a guy an espresso machine and he thinks he’s a fucking gourmet! Thanks for posting this. I’m going to send it around to other people who are sympathetic iced espresso drinkers. Bravo, bravo!
July 14th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
The blogger *admits” he acted like an asshole. But I bet the barista doesn’t admit that he was being a pretentious, overbearing ass. It’s one thing to recommend a different drink; it’s another to tell the customer that’s “not cool” — as if the guy had made a racist remark or tortured a kitten.
And you’ll have to explain to me how diluting espresso over ice is different from diluting it with water in an Americano.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
the “shop” job now on Murky’s bulletin board. Still sure it’s fake?
http://flickr.com/photos/tbridge/2667261495/
July 14th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Salt in beer recharges the head a bit. Very Wisconsin technique.
Also, don’t be in the service business if you’re not going to serve people. I mean, “it’s not okay”. What?!! He interjected the unnecessary palaver and you simply volleyed it back. If the proper espresso rules were not posted anywhere, I think you’re safe from litigation.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
About a year ago, I lived in Ballston and commuted on the Orange Line every morning down Court House to work at an unbelievably unfulfilling job.
As I brought my lunch to work and typically ate it at my desk, I had two choices of places to take my hour lunch break: Java Shack or Murky.
Murky was staffed by a large group of disaffected young people and had a cute but pisspoor way of making tea: putting loose tea into paper bags (basically DIY teabags). Great in theory, but there’s a reason loose tea is left in whole leaves and the contents of a lipton packet is powder.
Java Shack never had any more than one person working, frequently with the owner, Dale, hanging out. Dale, like everyone else who worked there, knew my name, knew what I did, and knew what I wanted. He always was willing to chat about what he was trying to do as a business, his products, and the neighborhood generally.
Dale had his B.S. policies, but he was apologetic about them. For example: wifi costs a buck an hour. This sucks, but he pointed out that his network had so many non-customer’s using it that he had to do SOMETHING.
In the end though I always went to Murky for a place to have a shitty expensive cup of tea but then use the wifi all afternoon, and to Java Shack when I wanted to visit a community business I cared about and read a book. I’m really not surprised they were pricks to you, and you really should give Dale a visit up the street if all you care about is quality coffee served to you by non-jerks.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I own a small (perhaps medium-sized) coffeehouse. If I were aware of a situation like this at our shop, I would deliver a very stern warning to the barista. Treating a customer like that is completely unacceptable. Occasionally, we’re asked to do things that we find odd or somehow detrimental to the coffee experience. I usually just smile, let them know that their order is one that I can’t guarantee because it’s not on our menu, and then make it for them. In other words, I wouldn’t ’stand behind’ an espresso over ice, but there’s no accounting for taste, and I don’t feel like telling people that they’re wrong for enjoying what they enjoy.
We do educate our customers though, but we don’t push it. It happens over time, like the administrative assistant who used to order flavored mochas, then flavored lattes, then lattes, then espresso macchiatos, and now double espressos. Telling a customer that drinking espresso the way they drink espresso “Is not cool,” is not an effective way to teach anything.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I went to Murky once years ago and asked for a skim mocha, no whip, and I got the exact same tone of voice. “We never put whipped cream in our drinks,” but the “never” in his sentence was clearly italicized. I was so shocked by his attitude that I didn’t even question him, but apparently it must ruin the espresso and milk and chocolate sauce.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Screw you all trying to defend the coffee shop and its integrity. Espresso over ice is no different than an Americano but that was acceptable there. Piss off you pretentious pricks.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Dude i’m with them, if you want to drink shit coffee i’m sure there was a starbucks near by.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
geez… I think everyone needs to switch to decaf
July 14th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
dude, seriously. main rule of retail: give the customer what they want. leave your elitist attitudes at the door. i’m reminded of that clip in the movie “high fidelity” when barry (jack black) blasts a customer for liking a certain song.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Here from BB.
So, coffee snobs, what are we peons SUPPOSED to drink in post-global warming areas (I’m in HI) where the temperature in the summer is somewhere between ‘Surface of Mercury’ and ‘Core of the Sun’?
July 14th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Hear Hear!
My brothers and I( one of them being Melvillian) are all iced coffee drinkers.
I, as a past manager/supervisor at Starbucks and your local hip coffee joint, think this type of assinine ‘above it all’ behavior is ridiculous.
Sure, you were enraged, but it was hilarious!
And that barista failed to learn a much needed lesson in modesty and customer churn.
July 14th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
The blogger in somepart was a asshole and admits to it.
what if you have your cash. and lets say you want your drink. You use your cash for your drink.
diluting espresso with ice is bad? that may be so but there a simple fact, they paying for it with their money. And who drinks it. they will.
Now if was the case they couldnt do it as they dont have equipment or goods in a way. then all fair simply cant do it.
state “Hey man. What you’re about to do … that’s really, really Not Okay.” makes it sound like they did a number 1 into the cup and drank it.
mean yes u can say that puting ice in the coffee is like doing number 1 into it.
But the fact that doing a number 1 in public place is rude i guess thats not okay
all in all…
this might of been blown up arguement but it might be somthign which touches us cus alot of us dont have it our way or have to face people being assholes or snobs. personally dont like the whole snob’s or poor customer service.
and to top it all off….
“LOL”
July 14th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
PS: Murky does attract snobbish employees, true….but their coffee *does* taste better than anyone else’s. How else do you think they stay in business, with the heavy does of ‘tude that comes with each drink?
A few notes above here, I mentioned a really good coffee slushy drink, but got the name of the proprietor wrong. Here it is:
http://www.reallyrome.com/blog/2007/06/11/coffee-slushies-at-tazza-doro/
And here’s the recipe for the drink they call granita di caffe:
http://divinacucina.blogspot.com/2005/08/granita-di-caffe.html
Gustare!
July 14th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
The barista handled the situation badly but he was correct from a quality point of view. Espresso poured directly over ice kills the crema instantly. The crema is where the best flavors in the espresso reside. What tastes best is to temper the espresso in some cool water before adding ice. It will allow the crema and the flavors to mix throughout the drink. The customer needed to be educated, not schooled. He was much more satisfied with the second beverage made properly. I always prepare iced drinks with the ice being the FINAL ingredient to preserve the flavor profile.
Respect your barista, and you will enjoy your coffee all the more.
July 14th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I think many people here are missing the point.
He didn’t ask the barista to ask his freaking espresso.
He asked for an espresso. He asked for a cup of ice. The barista’s job ended there.
If he should want to pour HIS espresso over HIS ice, whatever. So much drama over nothing.
July 14th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
[…] in Murky Coffee (which is just down the street from me), the barista played to stereotype, and he wrote about it. This other guy overheard the conversation between the first guy and the barista, and wrote about […]
July 14th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
The customer, who pays the bills, is always right. He may be wrong-headed, and may be a douchebag, and you may try to convince him that he is wrong, but in the end you should take care of the guy who pays the bills.
July 14th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
i used to own a small cafe, and we featured exactly that drink on our menu. it was invented by a regular customer, who named it the “ugly americano.” after september 11th, the same customer re-named it the “gravitron.” it is still my absolute favorite summer drink, huge cup of ice, three perfect shots poured over, and a splash of milk, cream, or soy milk. yummmm.
July 14th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
hey murky … be smart, not stuck-up … serve COFFEE ICE COFFEE … you’ll figure it out.
July 14th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
My standard coffee drink is a modification of one of the specialties at a local shop. The baristas start making it when I walk through the door, serve it with a smile, and the owner seems happy to see a repeat customer. I’d have left Murky after the first snide remark.
July 14th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
“This is exactly why Starbucks has crushed the small independent coffee shops - because no customer is ever going to return to a business that feels they have the right to condescend…”
Apparently you’ve never heard a Starbucks barrista stubbornly refuse to understand the words “small”, “medium”, and “large”.
July 14th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
[…] Jeff Simmermon tried to order an espresso over ice at a D.C. cafe: I just ordered my usual summertime pick-me-up: a triple shot of espresso dumped over ice. And the guy at the counter looked me in the eye with a straight face and said “I’m sorry, we can’t serve iced espresso here. It’s against our policy.” […]
July 14th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
So lemme get this straight….If you buy expresso and put it over ice it’ll be watered down too much and “it’s really not OK,” but if you buy an Americano, which is expresso in a cup filled water it’s fine?
Gotcha.
I wouldn’t be back.
July 14th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
You got my support!
You handled the scene perfectly, way to be.
July 14th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Hey you’re in the right, and it’s a funny story…I liked your update about the whole thing blowing up after boing boing linked to it…they linked to my blog when I had a customer service issue too (not over coffee, but believe it or not, “terrorism…”)
July 14th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/05/14/taking-pictures-on-l.html
July 14th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
The dude works in a shop, it’s not really his place to tell the customers what they should or shouldn’t be doing. He’s not molesting children.
July 14th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
No Espresso For You!!!
NEXT!!!!!!!
July 14th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
PS.
7 shots of espresso in an hour is NOT GOOD FOR YOU
July 14th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I have worked on service related industries for 15+ years now and here’s my take:
The barista took his job and what he was preparing and serving you seriously. Do you take your job seriously? What if someone gave you attitude because they could for you following the rules and taking pride in whatever you happen to do for a living that pays so well? Oh that’s right, this guy just serves you coffee and doesn’t deserve a bit of your respect. I do agree that he make have taken it to a somewhat laughable extreme, but I’d take that over some guy not giving a shit at all.
You’re right, you’re coming off as a dick, and I’m happy you concede that. Next time, just remember that you get more flies with honey, capieche?
And I love that we’re bitching about espressos and baristas, and ice and who is being pretentious, God Bless America!!
July 14th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
An excellent cafe I worked at made iced coffee and espresso in the following way:
1. make coffee twice as strong
2. pour directly over ice
3. ice melts into coffee delivering the same strength as if it were hot.
But really, yeah. The hell with them.
July 14th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Barista was a dick, and you were a dick back. This kind of bullshit is why the terrorists hate you.
July 14th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I have to say that I agree with you 100%. I personally cannot stand some douchebag condescending barista trying to dictate what I Should and Shouldn’t Do. I cannot believe that some commenters here are trying to insinuate that you should have “followed their policy”. Life is too bloody short to capitulate to others’ bullshit demands, or to drink coffee you don’t like. Carpe diem, is what I say, and discard others’ bullshit.
July 14th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
[…] Murky Coffee, Arlington: Hold That Espresso Between Your Knees (And I Am Not Lying) […]
July 14th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
I can only dream that I will one day have an experience that will lead to a blog post as FUCKING BRILLIANT as this one. (and all the others.)
This is America, at its finest.