Coffee Culture
409 College St 
Website
Phone: 416.868.9078
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Coffee Culture is a franchise. Let's just get that point out of the way. It's a medium-sized (31 stores) Canadian franchise spread across Ontario. Furthermore, it's a franchise that decided to open its first Toronto location right across the street from (arguably) the most celebrated little quality coffee shop in the city. C'mon, that is gutsy. That is oddly impressive. Who are these people at Coffee Culture? More importantly, who do they think they are?
If their gaudy website and/or info pamphlet are any indication, they are first and foremost a place that has free Internet and a plasma TV. Now, I haven't thought about plasma TV in a long time, but I don't remember it being such a bad thing. Plus, the website says they carry sandwiches and welcome casual business meetings, so Alyssa and I and one of our business partners went over there for lunch on Monday to check out this confusing establishment.
The first thing I notice about Coffee Culture is... the booths. There are many and they look really comfortable and over/undersized (each side is not quite big enough for two people, not quite small enough for just one). Most booths are occupied by lone individuals on their laptops, presumably enjoying that advertised free wifi, so the three of us are left with some comfy chairs in the corner next to the faux fireplace and plasma TV broadcasting a muted CP24.
The offerings are extensive: grilled sandwiches of all sorts, bagels and soups of the day, espresso drinks and freshly baked (from frozen) Danishes. There is also a selection of "famous cookies" and cakes from La Rocca. Although no one can tell me where the bread and bagels come from, the service so adorably pleasant that I can only assume these people are happy I'm here.
Collectively, we have three different sandwiches (margherita chicken, chicken and roasted vegetables and honey grilled ham with Swiss), a soup of the day (tomato bisque) and one coffee. The soup ($2.50 to add) "tastes kind of homemade." The sandwiches ('bout $6 each) are not terribly disappointing, obviously recently assembled and about on par with any mid level food franchise (like one of those Subway sandwiches). Alyssa is the one with the coffee and she shrugs her shoulders about it. "On the better side of standard," she says.
To sum up: as far as the food and drink go, there are no surprises here at Coffee Culture, which is precisely what's so... surprising. The place is full to the brim. We couldn't even get a booth! Sandwiches are being ordered left, right n' centre and the place appears to be doing killer business, even across the street from Manic, and Kahawa which we dropped into for comparisons sake and found pretty quiet (and they even have a lunch menu and a sign offering free wifi at Kahawa).
I like to drop into Tim Horton's from time to time because it's a remnant comfort from my childhood. I understand the presence of Second Cup and Starbucks because they were around way before this indie coffee house Toronto blow-up in recent years. But this new place confuses me. It's comfortable in there, but I wouldn't expect it to thrive in a quality coffee neighbourhood like this. I wouldn't even expect it to appear in a neighbourhood like this. Who are these people at Coffee Culture with their comfortable booths and their standard brew?
Photos by Alyssa Bistonath
Comments (27)
I've never been to Coffee Culture, so can't pass judgment on its charms or lack thereof. But I do wonder if maybe, in part, people don't even know that it's a chain. Honestly, I didn't. And the only thing that's prevented me from trying it is loyalty to Manic, which is my favourite coffee joint in that neck of the woods.
Equally, I'm sure, there are people who DO know it's a chain and like that cos at a chain you never have to expect the unexpected, yeah?
You rave about the booths, the seating, but no pics? I would much rather see the layout of the place then a close-up shot of pie.
meh, have a look at the pics on their website. Looks and feels like a typical American shopping mall chain restaurant that specializes in coffee.
Coffee Culture's parent company is The Obsidian Group, who also controls the mediocre Crabby Joe's chain.
Well, if places like Manic are frequented by people who like to talk about *other* people's baffling tastes in mediocre cuisine, then I can see why they'd rather go to Coffee Culture.
I love how the place is called Coffee Culture, yet Coffee seems to be the furthest thing from their priority ("On the better side of standard" ...really?). Not one photo of their "espresso drinks" (the first thing on the mind of any 'true' coffee lover), instead, promises of free wi-fi and TV (why not just stay home?)
This review merely reinforces my original aversion to even trying this place out- especially since Manic offers everything I could ask for from a coffee shop (ie: amazing espresso, minimal saturation of laptop-toting internet-junkies, and an unregulated soundtrack.)
I would rather go to Coffee Culture than the Manic and Kahawa after reading this review as per Gloria's comment.
The real answer to the question is that Coffee Culture, when planning for this location, only cared if there was a Tim Hortons nearby, not if there was an espresso bar or serious coffee place close. I think that's obvious isn't it?
Coffee Culture have a location in Hanover, Ontario, which is a godsend for me when I visit my parents who are in dial-up hell. Their coffee is better than Tim Horton's (basically the only other option, other than fast food coffee), but I've found it not on par with smaller places in Toronto (e.g. Cherry Bomb, Lit, Ella's Uncle).
However, my experiences have been pretty positive and really cheap refills. I doubt I'll go to the Toronto location, but do wish them well.
So you are discounting the value of your experience based on the fact that it is a chain? Sometimes I find that by being a chain an establishment can lose it's charms, but I didn't even know Coffee Culture was a chain when I went there. The service is super friendly, the seating is comfy, the lighting is nice, the drinks and food are all good. Other cafes which comparison have been drawn too have a much much smaller selection of beverages and food. Yes they aren't going to have vegan chocolate cookies, but the place isn't brimming with people wearing over sized sunglasses. Hipsters just feel uncomfortable when they aren't included. I say this with an air of cheekiness. The place is just nice, get over it. This place is what chains like star bucks or second cup are aspiring to be and fall flat.
I am sorry there feller, but you mustn't have much of a sweet tooth because manics sweet selection is lacking. And I love their vegan chocolate cookies darn it. So when you go to a coffee shop you sit there and judge the internet junkies? Maybe you should get a hobby that involves something better than judging others through your oversize sunglasses you tight jean, American Apparel white t vneck wearing pretensions dip $#!t. And what in the name of all that is good is an unregulated sound track? "My itunes play list is on random. I live on the edge of what we conceive as being cool. I am beyond what any human dialect can describe." Any sound track is regulated by someones frekking taste and runs the risk of being disliked. Put in your white ear buds, crank up your iphone and shut up. If we had it your way we would just be avoiding anything that might be conformist. Nuff said. And please, can we all get a little aggressive in comment sections now and then without people whinging about it? Otherwise this might happen http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093894/
This is so typical... A pathetic review of a cafe/coffee place without a proper review or even understanding of real coffee... Until then, this city will continue to be populated by "coffee joints" like TH/SB etc.
Hey, maybe take a moment and try to see a perspective other than your own. Now imagine that everyone in the world is not interested in a convoluted, flavour profile in a cafe review. Also, Every city has places like this, and Starbucks, etc. Did you think that average/middle of the road cafes were somehow exclusives of Toronto? I think the one typical thing about this review is the critical/pompous comment posting with someone going by the name "Gastronomic gastroenterologist". I bet your foodie friends love you. In my opinion, I wouldn't blame the success of Tim Horton's or Coffee Culture on a blog posting. Just saying.
I really love coffee culture - perhaps because I had a great hangover coffee there one day at the Burlington location, and now it's just a sentimental thing. Think of it as somewhere between Tim's and Starbuckle. Yes, it's average. I think that's what I like about it.
p.s. their chocolate croissants are filled with a nutella-like ganache. it's intense.
I haven't had their regular coffee, but their frozen drinks are okay (if sugary). I do appreciate the large patio. I think I've gone there three times, and the last two times the music was exactly the same playlist - I think it was from some kind of adult-contemporary satellite radio station, or at least that was the impression I had. Music's not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it was a little annoying to hear exactly the same thing like that.
I still prefer Kahawa.
I will commend Coffee Culture for having a bold location strategy. Hanover, Ontario is the perfect example. They have locations in Downtown Milton and Downtown Brampton, which really needed a good hang-out joint. CC has been one of the best things happen recently to Downtown Brampton, and the coffee is good, the sandwiches fine, and open late and really comfy.
An addendum: the College Street store is a surprising deviation - the chain seems to have done well by going into smaller towns and neglected downtowns (like Brampton, Oshawa, Sarnia).
http://www.coffeeculture.ca/canada/index-5.html
Heck, they have a location in Downtown Brantford, which a few years ago looked like a war zone (and parts of it still do). At least someone is taking a bit of a risk and doing well.
I get the appeal of Manic, but their espresso is hideously bitter and unfortunate.
Kahawa suffers from an all too confusing name and questionable graphic design, which makes the place a bit unmemorable when walking by.
Coffee Culture is an alright place. It's not Tim Hortons and it's not Starbucks. It's full because some people just don't fit into skinny jeans and don't like deep-vs...
Admittedly I haven't tried the College St location, but when I was in vacation in Owen Sound two weeks ago, the coffee at CC was so bad that I had to throw it in the garbage. Even after I put milk in it. Even though I had been sleeping in a tent for a week and desperately in need of coffee, I had to throw it in the garbage. That's pretty bad.
Coffee Culture is a homey kind of place, but since it is a franchise with multiple owners, some CC's aren't that great. There is one in Downtown Burlington, and the owners seem to be lost in the ways of running the business, and are incredibly rude to their employees and each other when they think no one is watching. The coffee is half decent, the food is good; although in a place like that, in an albeit small downtown area, customer service is key. You do not want to be talking to a used car salesmen, trying to get you to buy coffee and thats what it feels like talking to the owners. Most of their employees are polite and personal, while others are obviously just in need of the money.
With other competitors (Starbucks, Second Cup, Tim Hortons, and Williams) just up the street, you have to step up your game. Whether that is in customer service, or proper managing.
It is a wonderful establishment, with the booths and fireplace that are in most of the others, and with those minor adjustments, they might get that much more service.
And possibly take that 'Help Wanted' sign off the door. Considering that has been up for a majority of the summer and into the fall, it makes you wonder where their employees are going? Obviously working environment has to do with that issue.
hey you guys look at you some of you are trashing coffee culture while others are standing up for it what have we all reduced to i appreciate those of you standing up for the coffee cultures and sure some of you may have had one bad visit but really they serve good quality beverages and food and i can say this one because i am a fan of them and their food and alot of the stores have a very warm and inviting atmosphere and as for the person who pretty well had nothign nice to say about the downtown burlington location all i have to say is that is YOUR personal opinion i for one work there and what is more than is i can say they offer amazing coffee which says alot since i dont drink much coffee due to being really picky i mainly stick to my teas and another thing watch who you are talking trash about because did you not think that maybe the daughter of the brant st burlingtons stores owners daughter might stumble upon this blog site. as it is my mom and step father that own this store and considering i find it to be one of the more friendlier atmospheres there are and the music selection is generally jazz due to the class of the store. i am ashamed about those of you who have nothing positive to say about these stores considering how this franchise is and open and welcoming environment and how all the stores have their own seperate owners and where the locations are are generally up to the person/people who have bought that individual store the owner generally places the store where they feel they will strive and so be it if it happens to be near your favorite coffee pub or place it is an individuals point of view that keeps people away from certain stores where as really we should all try it once or twice and btw my mom and step dad are great people just going through a rough time i dont see all of you out there having just opened your own coffee shop and having to put in long hours because you opened about a year ago i dont see you having to fight to make ends meet cuz you are putting most of your time and effort into your new store all you can do is hope that word gets around and that your store gets the publicity that you need to survive so once you have gone and opened your own little coffee shop then maybe you can come back and try talking down about people that some of us may know . this is actually really pathetic that some of you have nothing better to do than talk down about stores and yes we are busy and that is because WE DO OFFER GREAT SERVICE AND GREAT FOOD and WE DO HAVE ENTERTAINMENT OFTEN(burlington store at least : 390 Brant St) we do try to keep our customers happy and if one or two walks out displeased all i can say is at least we tried now if you have any more complaints about the 390 Brant st store please feel free to contact me and i will try to help you in anyway possible but we dont need everyone judging us based on a little review posted by someone who happened to have a displeasing time at a store.
thank you to anyone who actually takes the time to read this i appreciate it and have a good day sincerely danielle and i will be back to keep an eye on this blog.
to all the haters of coffee culture i think that you guys might need to go back and try it again
to me coffee culture in town is a fantastic place for young and old to grab a coffee(or another beverage) and catch up with a friend
i find the one in Grimsby PACKED with students and adults every day no matter what time it is.
ps danielle way to stick up for your parents! and other people who acctually love coffee culture!
Danielle,
The right you have to write a post defending a store, is the same right anyone has to comment, positively or negatively about one. Remember that. It doesn't matter how much work someone puts into a company/business, what matters is what a customer gets in their experience. Coffee Culture, as much as you disagree, is a franchise in which your parents place the orders for all food supplies over the internet from Sysco. Everything comes in either frozen, pre-cut, and packaged. Nothing Coffee Cultures makes is from scratch and the coffee comes from an automatic machine. It is somewhere between a Starbucks and Tim Hortons. I'm saying this because most of us in the city put a pretty high demand on our cafes, or at least try to. Cafes, etc only meet the expectations that the customers put on them, that is why there is criticism. It is up to the cafe to either meet their expectations or not meet them.
Another big also, you have no idea what we do for a living, how we pay the bills, etc. You have no idea how hard we work. Whether we are all students, waiters, artists, retail clerks, business owners, or lawyers don't presume you know who you are speaking to. You only know that we are people who may or may not have had a pleasant experience at a Coffee Culture. Keep an eye on that.
Do you know what punctuation marks are? Please use them cause having a mega-long run-on sentence is definitely not going to help with people reading your defense.
Also, as David has pointed out above, it is anyone's prerogative to have and form their own opinion, as it is yours. So do not be so arrogant and presumptuous to assume that people that have expressed opinions here are "pathetic people who have nothing better to do than talk down about stores". Watch your language.
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