Edit 3/4/2024: After I eventually noticed Pat's response to my original review, I contacted her as she suggested, and she made good on her offer to provide a full refund on the original transaction. In light of this I have revised my original rating, and will consider revising it again assuming we have a more positive experience during our next visit to Surf City Coffee this Fall. Thank you again for your help, Pat, and I look forward to coming back in for another coffee and burrito when the time comes.
It's always hard writing a negative review, especially as a small business owner myself. However, the service (and food) I received yesterday was very poor so I feel compelled to share my experience.
When I came in yesterday morning, I ordered a breakfast burrito along with a coffee for my wife, who was waiting out in the car with our baby. It took a while to order, because the teenage girls working there were chatting it up with some teenage girls who were customers in front of me. Not a huge deal, I used to be a teenager at one point myself.
Eventually, after a few extra minutes of waiting due to their side discussion, they finally turned their attention to me and I placed my order. Got my wife's coffee almost right away and was told the burrito would be out shortly, so I proceeded to stand and wait.
I figured it might take anywhere from 5-15 minutes, but after 20 minutes went by I started getting the feeling they had forgotten about me, which is strange because there were 3 girls working there along with a middle aged woman, it's a small place, and I was standing near the front counter the entire time. It's not like they couldn't see me standing there waiting.
Around the 25 minute mark, still waiting for my burrito and not seeing any signs that they were aware, I finally decided to ask one of the girls if she knew how much longer for the burrito, and it was clear from her response that they had forgotten about it. She said "give me a minute to crisp the other side" almost as though to hide the fact they had forgotten, and to make it seem like a normal wait time, but sure enough when I got the burrito (which they had simply forgotten about in a george forman style warmer) it was completely burned on one side and not fully cooked on the other. Photo attached.
My family was on the way out of town, so I didn't notice this until we were already in the car on the way out. As a result, I ended up paying for a burrito that was barely edible, and the cash tip I had originally left in their tip jar was something I wasn't able to get back, either.
At a minimum, it would have been nice if they had simply acknowledged their mistake and put a fresh burrito on for me. Between forgetting about it and then trying to pass it off as okay, though, I wound up being late, having bad food, plus a wife and baby who weren't happy with the extra wait time.
Wish I could give a more positive review, as this is truly a cute and quaint small town coffee shop, and I'm sure the people generally mean well, but you can surely understand my disappointment. Hopefully they will improve their service in the future.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 2
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3
Such a darling little café & gift shop! Owner makes the baked goods herself and they are AMAZING!! The coffee was absolutely wonderful as well :)
Service
Take out
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Gluten-Free Muffin
One of my favorite things about being at the beach…is my surf city coffee on the weekends! Staff and coffee are always great, love that they support local artists and always fun to look at the artwork while getting coffee. Definitely the Best coffee shop on the island/area! The staff always makes sure the coffee is how you like it, and if you are not a coffee connoisseur like my hubby, they will help you find what you would enjoy.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
I cannot speak to the food as I have not eaten there but my daughter and I go there all the time and we absolutely love Pat and her staff. They strive to always make sure your drinks are what you want. They ask you to taste it before leaving so they can fix it if you don’t like it. And if you don’t they will immediately fix for you. The staff is always so friendly and we love the atmosphere there. Highly recommend.
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
My wife and I walk here every weekend we are in town. Super nice people. Strong and delicious coffee. And there are little nicknacks if you need a gift or a souvenir.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Iced Latte
The owners were serving coffee this morning and wonderful to talk to about where to go looking for shark teeth.
Service
Take out
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
I loved Surf City coffee. So good and everyone who works there is so kind. One of the best parts of this year’s beach trip. They made sure I liked my coffee before leaving and it was much appreciated. Can’t wait to come back!
Service
Take out
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
We have been stopping in for a long time but never had anything but beautiful friendly service, amazing coffee and delicious smoothies. The atmosphere is extremely pleasant and relaxing and the coffee shop is immaculately clean. We absolutely love this place and will continue to come here as long as it’s in business.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$10–20
Recommended dishes
Iced Latte
