Jet Fuel Coffee
519 Parliament Street 
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Phone: 416.968.9982
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Jet Fuel is one of the best cafes in Toronto. Hugely popular among both Cabbagetown locals and bike messengers (they even sponsor a cycling team), Jet Fuel makes their coffee tall and strong. There's no decaf here.
Comments (32)
the service sucks... the coffee is good... but yeah, the service sucks real bad... they don't seem that motivated to do business.
Jet Fuel has a strong cycling presence, but I think it's time to retire the "popular among bike messengers" meme.
Definately the most overrated cafe in Toronto.
They should just close.
Service blows, and the coffee blows.
"popular among bike messengers" means "free coffee for bike messengers".
Do you really trust bike messengers to have discerning taste either?
This place is overrated. They only serve espresso type beverages and the barista looks like he is stoned. If you are a coffee afficianado who want freshly roasted coffee blends look elsewhere, try Moonbeam, Dark Horse, or Manic Coffee.
Sigh... Damned good coffee (sometimes), nothing to nosh, no menu. Minimalism is cool, but does it work for customers? The woman-owner pulls a damned good machiatto, but the other two times it was a damned capuccino: keep the milk out of my coffee, just foam on top. Why do I get that, yet 3/4 of the 'barristas' in this town can't? I don't want to explain that to bored coffee pullers: 1/4 already know, 3/4 won't care.
Jetfuel's gotta wake-up. Starbucks has bought across the street. I'd rather support local (and better coffee) but if you can't give me what I want, sorry.
actually i don't get my coffee for free, and i am a bike courier, and i know others don't either. as far as getting a free coffee every now and then cause you've been supporting the establishment for a while, that's another story. you won't get that at starbuck's. the jet fuel cycling team does. so don't be saying things that you don't even know. and maybe you should "just close" your mouth. as far as the menu or the lack there of, if you want a good latte or mocha or iced anything, or an amazing lemonaide, or iced tea, this is the place. and i don't really know how people can bitch about the lack of options, when they have had the same drinks for 16 years and they are $2 or $3. ane jet fule is obviously not a place to change with the times. if you want a frapuccino or a triple grande, non-fat, decaf, no foam, 120 degree latte, for $6. there's always starbucks. go for it. as far as overrated, i don't jetfuel ever asked to be rated. if people have expectations for every coffee shop to be the same then there wouldn't be as many independent coffee shops as there are. everyone has a different personality. deal with it.
i only make it to TO from kingston a few times a year but make a point of starting my day off at jetfuel. the coffee has been good, the muffins have a lot of fruit in them and i enjoy the atmosphere - it has its own buzz. supporting cycling as an urban form of transportation/recreation seems to me to be a good thing. i kind of enjoy real, unscripted service.
I don't want to know your life story, but maybe an acknowledgement of some sort, maybe a hello even, would be nice. I didn't even get to try their coffee. After standing around for a few minutes, apparently invisible, I left and probably won't go back.
I have to say, I love Jet Fuel. Yes, the service can be surly, but I have always enjoyed the coffee I've gotten. Interestingly my partner and I were talking about it yesterday, and he said that it definitely has an 'exclusive club' feel to it, but that after you've been 2 or 3 times, you have 'passed initiation' and you're part of the club. Then you feel comfortable and, as silly as it sounds, a tiny bit proud to be part of the club, which makes you want to go there more. It's a kind of warped thing, but it's been our experience.
It's true that all they serve in terms of coffee is espresso based drinks, and there is no decaf, but if you need something with out caffeine why not try a lemonade or a lemon ginger - both served hot or cold and made from freshly squeezed lemons (the lemon squeezer thing is cool looking, I kinda want one...). Of, if you'd like, you can just stick to one of the herbal teas they offer up, or, if you want caffeine but no coffee try the amazing hot chocolate, or just some plain old tea.
At $3 for a large latte, $2 for a small latte, and (I think) $1 for an espresso the prices are hard to beat. Tea is $2. Freshly squeezed lemon things, and the hot chocolate, also both $3 (and also served in a pint glass, like the latte)
I have been known to use Jet Fuel as my office, staying for 5 or 6 hours at a time, taking advantage of the free wi-fi and yummy drinks.
It's true they don't carry food (except danishes and muffins until they sell out - usually around 9:30am), but they also have no problem with people bringing food in. So, sometimes, if I just want to have something a bit decadent and snacky I head around the corner and get a chocolate croissant from Daniel et Daniel and then bring it to Jet Fuel and enjoy it with a latte. (mmmmm)
I also often go to one of the many little places around and bring lunch in, or pack my own lunch from home. It's a pretty common thing, you see people doing it all the time.
Hmmm. This turned out to be a very long comment, and now I REALLY want a chocolate croissant and a latte, but I have a meeting to get to. :( Woe is me. :P
People who say the service sucks must be at the wrong Jetfeul... The Barista's are excellent and actully know how to make top notch coffee drinks, unlike starbucks where they just push a button and out comes a drink where they add whipping cream and chocolate or carmel syrup on top. No thanks.
JetFuel is a real coffee shop for people who appriciate good coffee, and not fancy marketing styles (tripple super grande this and the other mocha rasberry frap)
Going to Starbucks for a coffee is like going to McDonalds for Dinner. I can't get a long Espresso at Starbucks (Becasue there's no button for it), and I can't get Hamburger medium rare at Mcdonalds... See the connection. I can't wait for my next long espresso from JetFuel!
a little loud at times, other than that its just fine. Infact its real nice to see an independant establishment in a sea of chains doing well. So too all you weepers,BOOHOo and lick the salt from my duo-matic. stanny greek
I recently moved to Toronto (Cabbagetown specifically) and I really truly wanted to like this place. I ordered a double espresso - the beans were stale and burnt (yuck!). Could have been an off night and would normally be willing to give Jet Fuel another go. BUT....
The cleanliness (or lack thereof) of the place was pretty disturbing. Barista had greasy hair and the worlds dirtiest fingernails- looked like he hadn't bathed in weeks. There were piles of both clean and dirty dishes behind the counter and there didn't appear to be a clear demarcation between 'clean piles' and 'dirty piles'. I wonder how often the dirty barista mistakenly gives customers a dirty cupped latte? The thought makes me shutter! Plus, counters were too coffee stained - I get that espresso will spill on the counter from time to time. When that happens, clean it up!!!
Bad beans, bad environment. Too bad - this place has potential.
Love this place! best coffee in Toronto by a mile. Awesome environment too. The art changes inside the shop all the time keeping it fresh. Good job!
Also highly recommend Jet Fuel. After the first few times, bewildered by lack of menu, there's no problem with the service. In fact now when I walk in the baristas who know me just ask if I want my regular and I can nod and wander to a seat. If you want anonymous service from a megacorp, Starbucks is your bet. Jet Fuel's formula works though, it attracts a broad crowd and is very often full.
Yes it can be intimidating at first, but the coffee is the best. It seems to be double loaded with caffeine so watch out if you drink more than one, you may get the shakes! The staff are kind of like me, no phoney in your face corporate friendlyness "hi my name is Manny and I'll be your barista today, have a nice day". Nope, they will get you a coffee with no fuss, and if your friendly so are they, and if you come back back and they get to know you they will start to kid around and share a joke etc.
One thing I was really surprised to see was all the local mom's and toddlers in there most mornings. I mean the cofees strong, the music is loud, and there is no McPlay centre for the kids. Instead they hang out in the back, and the staff know all the kids names and welcome them as they run through the place, their Mom's (and Dads too), get a kick of Java and catch up with the adults. This is my idea of a place you can get comfortable in a crazy kind of way.
Oh yeah, they make great muffins every morning for a buck a piece. They are not full of oil so they don't stay fresh all day, but no matter they're usually sold out by 10:00am anyway.
if you think the service sucks there is a timmmy ho's just up the street and i am sure they will give you good service. infact i am sure they would be fired if they don't give you good service. fired by the american corporation that is siphoning money out of the neighboruhood. and yes the HO in timmy'ho is the same ho that will give you head with a 3 tooted smile. now that's service.
Wad - are you the greasy barista?
Sure - the espresso may be good(I seem to have gone on an off day?), but doesn't cleanliness count for anything? I prefer an environment where there is a smaller risk of contracting a food-borne illness.
Try Manic instead.
Megan - your my hero
MACs - Let me guess you bought an over priced house to be trendy and relized you now live in "the city". You should move again.... to Mississauga. Cabbagetown does not want you.
and
one a day - hit the nail on the head. I love you.
The espresso is better than average. Not quite up to Dark Horse or I Deal standards, but not bad for the price.
Service is nothing to write home about - clearly I haven't been enough times to be part of this elusive "club".
I do have to concur with the previous poster about the cleanliness. Completely sub-par.
As a note: this blog should be used to others make an informed choice about which places to visit. Making jabs at others that don't agree with your opinions seems rather immature.
I've been enjoying short single espresso at the JF for 15+ yrs. Regardless of the price the product is quality; the fact that it costs a loonie is a bonus.
To macs: you should get ur OCD treated by professionals. Its one thing to hav an opinion but to take it to a popular bulitin board/blog is more than a little unreasonable, especially given ur condition.
if anyone has tried the espresso drinks at mercury, dark horse, manic or crema, it would be clear immediately that they are leagues ahead of jet fuel. my husband and i have tried jet fuel many times, hoping for a good experience, and have always had mediocre coffee and absolutely terrible service.
kudos, though, for still managing to keep a following.
I Agree...the service is horrible! They have really delicious coffee though. Once i ordered a coffee with soy milk...they didn't add it. Usually, I would have asked again, but for some reason I was nervous too. Jet Feul is like the "Soup" place on Seinfeld...you know "NO SOUP FOR YOU!!". The price is great as well...$2 gets your a delicious and rich coffee. I have really tried to like this place...but i guess that it isn't for me...Thank goodness a Starbucksa has now opened across the street.
Hey GoFuckYourself, go fuck yourself. It's guys like you that makes this place puke. What the fuck do you crack heads know about great coffee when you've got shit for brains.
essemee, Jet Fuel is passe precisely because of blokes like you. Cabbagetown deserves better and is in serious need of a coffeehouse for the connoisseur who appreciate coffee derived from freshly roasted beans. If you've travelled to the West Coast, you should know what I mean.
BTW, why is being a bike couriers considered hip in Toronto? How pretentious. As far as I am concerned, these guys are losers who can't get a real job in the city. That's why they are so angry in the threads above.
wow, this is amazing! these comments read like a catalog of the consummate snobbery and pathetic consumer entitlement that make jet fuel's atmosphere and price such a welcome change to what most of Toronto has to offer. I, for one, am glad that most of the people that took the time to slander this unique and exceptional cafe wont be coming around to interfere with my enjoyment of it. enjoy your bland corporate swill and fear soaked insincere hospitality.
Jet Fuel has cheap espresso-based drinks - I'm sure we can all agree on that. But - to sell inexpensive drinks to custumers - something has got to give - and they seem to be compromising on the quality of the beans. If you are a true coffee afincinado (e.g. anyone who owns a coffee roaster or a burr grinder) I would not go out of your way to visit this establishment. We live around the corner and we much prefer the brisk walk to Dark Horse. If you don't have such discerning tastes - give jet fuel a go - it's certainly economical.
I am new in toronto and due to my disdain for all things starbucks and co I am making an effort to check out the espresso bars. This is based on my first and only impression of Jet Fuel so im sure (I hope) this is not typical.
The Barista was stoned... and not hilarious stoned, I mean just taken drugs in Grand Theft Auto stoned (moving at a snail's pace) and singing along to Enya. I had to put up with the typical 'I will aknowledge you in my own good time' crap but to be fair this is typical and the dude was stoned so he might not have notice me standing right in front of him...
Finally ordered a cappuccino (which in toronto I have come to expect consists of 1 shot espresso and warm milk with a thin layer of microfoam in a relatively small cup (i.e. less milk than a latte)(pretty much what we call a flat white back home).
I was served with a full cup of foam - literally no liquid it wighed the same as two empty cups... i just stared at it horrified. I was even more shocked when a typical 'barista fan' asked if I "wasn't happy". I said "this is just a cup of foam" to which she replied "um, it's a cappuccino". I have had cappuccino in rome, paris, sydney, tokyo, etc and never have I seen such a thing... Was i supposed to drink this, eat it, or breath it in? Confused and feeling ripped off I walked out without my cup of foam.
If you guys want to get all experimental fine, just think about maybe explaining to your customer that he/she is now in stoner ville where everything is in slow motion and you eat your drinks...
You can call a spade a shovel but it's still a (expletive deleted) spade ok and that was a cup of foam!
Still have a few promising places to check out in Toronto but so far the only places who kind of know what they are doing are Bulldog and Dark Horse (Queen East). Like many espresso places toronto has to offer, Rocket Fuel is big on the 'too cool for you' factor and sadly lacking when it comes to quality and service...
Wow, what a thread. Actually, I find the service fine, except that one Ryan Adams-looking guy--problem is, he`s there 90 percent of the time. He's not surly, just spaced out, and more likely to be chatting on the sidewalk or patio than tending the counter. He also plays the same classic rock records (or the occasional abrasive noise music) at extremely high volume. Which I like actually, but not when I’m trying to concentrate on a book/magazine/conversation.
My americanos are always very tasty, but I’ve got to make a point of asking them to pour it in a cup, not a pint glass (wtf?). They could definitely use some munchies.
If a better indie opened on the street I`d go there, but for a laid-back atmosphere and superior coffee, I’ll still go to Jet Fuel over Starbucks, where the coffee is meh at best, they automatically pour it in a to-go cup, and where the music and decor are a little too, uh, tastefully beige for my liking.
(But seriously, Ryan Adams-looking dude, keep the Zeppelin to a dull roar.)
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