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Love/Hate Torture at Gorilla Coffee — Brooklynian

Love/Hate Torture at Gorilla Coffee

ms.bastet
ms.bastet
edited November -1 in Park Slope
I'm relatively new to park slope and love the Gorilla Coffee product/ hate the lackadaisical service and surly pre caffinated line/ am assuaged by the standoffish yet charming staff.....

Am I the only one who sort of feels the the Gorilla Coffee fetish is a wee bit masochistic? or is it just a more authentic angsty coffee experience than Sbucks?

Comments

  • caaahyoko
    caaahyoko
    Before New York I came from a land devoid of coffee shops, so pleasantly surly doesn't seem weird to me. :P Maybe I would prefer spunky baristias, but then again...actually, I think it would freak me out. Where did you live before?
  • theoryofpractice
    theoryofpractice
    I'll be beat down for this, but I actually prefer (e.g.) Ozzie's. The 'tude at Gorilla is extraordinary, the hype of the coffee outsized, even in light of all the glam of our media-darling borough.

    Anyway, it's probably too much to expect said baristas to be nice -- the whole place has the vibe of a factory or one of those VISA card commercials. Bravo niche consumerism!
  • ms.bastet
    ms.bastet
    caaahyoko: I've been in the city a while....lived in parkslope a while ago...clinton hill....bayridge....hamilton heights.....washington heights....astoria.....

    I wish there was a way they could pick up the pace. I always hate the baristas before I get to order....like them tons when I get to the front....
  • ms.bastet
    ms.bastet
    theoryofpractice: the whole place has the vibe of a factory or one of those VISA card commercials. Bravo niche consumerism!
    and god bless 'em it's working.....the line is almost ALWAYS out the door.

    I like ozzie's too....I'm just much closer to Gorilla and sometimes I just need to feel conveniently abused......
  • alafairnadia
    alafairnadia
    the first kazillion times I went to gorilla I made the mistake of ordering lattes with soy milk, which generally meant I had to wait 2-3 times as long for my latte because the barista would fuck up 1-2 times and use real milk. now I just order americanos when I'm there and tweak out. a fun, rare treat.

    I never noticed the staff being surly, and yes, the line can be quite daunting. but the fucking up soy milk at least once if not twice thing made me wonder what was happening in the back room.
  • caaahyoko
    caaahyoko
    ms.bastet wrote: caaahyoko: I've been in the city a while....lived in parkslope a while ago...clinton hill....bayridge....hamilton heights.....washington heights....astoria.....

    I wish there was a way they could pick up the pace. I always hate the baristas before I get to order....like them tons when I get to the front....
    You know, now that you mention it, I guess it has been a really long time since I've been there. I don't mind cranky servers, but I'm not big on lines. :lol: So I think its actually been at least a year since I've set foot in there. I do continue to order bags of their coffee online, though.
  • caaahyoko
    caaahyoko
    ms.bastet wrote:
    sometimes I just need to feel conveniently abused......
    :lol::lol::lol:

    Yes. Exactly. Especially in the winter. Thankfully, my convenient coffee place (Cafe Regular) is less abusive.
  • sje
    sje
    I drink Gorilla every single day, sometimes twice a day, I think it's the absolute best strong coffee you can buy. I've been buying the beans by the pound for years now, every few weeks, and the staff has actually always been extremely nice to me, I'm surprised to hear otherwise. The Sumatra Gayoland is so, so good, I grind it at home in the am. When you buy the beans there, you get a free cup. Second, if I find myself there, is Fairways beans. Not bad at all. Starbucks is crap, IMO.

    I just heard we're getting an Ace Hotel with a Stumptown in the lobby, in the city. That coffee is exquisite, I tried it in Portland, Or. this summer.
  • cat
    cat

    Subject: coffee shop comparison

    I've been writing in lots of coffee shops over the last # of years and was in Vox pop (ditmas park) today. I noticed how un-intrusive yet kind the people who work there are. I was impressed. Each coffee shop I think represents the owners and what they like/are trying to put forth via who they hire.

    I don't know anything about the people who own or run Gorilla Coffee but it is this slightly off-putting, too cool for school, vibe.

    Tea Lounge (both) - cool, a little funky, mostly accommodating but not overly so; they don't bother you.

    Cocoa Bar - a bit bland but fine.

    Lonelyville (Windsor Terrace) - appears friendly at first but they sort of aren't.

    Ozzie's 5th ave.- nothing to write home about but they don't give you attitude. Sort of unassuming.

    There's more but that's what comes to mind...

    cat.
  • cat
    cat

    Subject: the coffee...

    of course, the coffee ... that's another story. :)

    I like Gorilla Coffee(strong I think?), Vox Pop's coffee is very good too.
  • raw
    raw
    I find it hard to imagine service worse than Tea
    Lounge on Union Street.

    Is Gorilla Coffee's coffee really that good? For some reason I've never tried it.
  • ms.bastet
    ms.bastet
    thanks for all the suggestions cat! I'll check vox pop out when I get a chance. :D

    SJE: Do you know when will this exquisite coffee be available?
  • raw
    raw

    Subject: Re: Love/Hate Torture at Gorilla Coffee

    ms.bastet wrote: I'm relatively new to park slope
    Since you're new why don't you behave yourself like a polite house guest instead of calling our women "irritable and sour" ? If our people irritate you, take a hike.

    http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=39512
  • ms.bastet
    ms.bastet
    raw: calm down, it was simply an observation. you seem to be quite irritated yourself. Perhaps you need a nice hot relaxing bubble bath?
  • mookie wilson
    mookie wilson
    the several times i've tried gorilla coffee, it gave me heart palpitations it was so strong. anyway, they must be doing something right -- it's the most popular business on 5th ave, judging by the lines.
  • yoda
    yoda
    exactly how long have you been in New york in years?
  • pitu
    pitu
    yoda wrote: exactly how long have you been in New york in years?
    I'm going to make a poll out of that . . .
  • sje
    sje
    ms.bastet wrote:
    SJE: Do you know when will this exquisite coffee be available?
    I just read about plans for it in the paper, I imagine it'll be a while. Yes Gorilla is INCREDIBLY strong, that's the appeal. Viva heart palpitations! :twisted:
  • ms.bastet
    ms.bastet
    I think you may be right SJE....I do LOVE a strong coffee....maybe it's caffeine withdrawl that makes Gorilla coffee seem less than a glowing beacon to me....I'm never in my right mind when I go there!

    Next time I'll visit slightly caffeinated.....
  • chance
    chance
    hahaha I love message board battles. Women hate other women. Gorilla coffee is the best. Who cares about the service as long as your have your tasty java made the way you want it? They even boast the attitude there. "Despite the staff's stank attitude, t shirt feel good on skin"
  • richhazel
    richhazel

    Subject: coffee in the slope

    Since you all are going to Gorilla, I'm guessing that you are too far north to get down to the numbered streets on 5th ave, but for anyone reading who does venture or live down the avenue, I highly recommend Perch (5th ave between 5th St and 6th St).

    Great coffee and the friendliest staff you can find.

    I'll take my latte sans attitude, merci.


    :twisted:
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