LDU Coffee

The hot chocolate i had tasted amazing! The service was pretty good and they also offer free news papers on the counter. It was quick to get my hot chocolate and I would recommend.

Coffee is great here but the real star is the sandwiches. Very well priced and large enough to fill you up. Great for breakfast or lunch!!

LOST THE PERSONAL TOUCH LDU used to be our favorite coffee shop—a quirky respite from the impersonal large chains. But as the founders, brothers Mark and Adam Lowes, expanded from the original location to several new locations, LDU seems to have become mired in bureaucracy and lost much of its personal touch. Here's one example: The coffee itself remains excellent, which makes one policy especially puzzling: on-site coffee is primarily served in paper cups rather than proper mugs. In our view, any decent, self-respecting coffee shop should offer customers the option of a real mug when drinking on premises. Even gigantic multinationals like Starbucks generally allow customers to opt for a mug instead of a disposable cup. It’s better for the coffee (temperature stability, aroma, and overall drinking experience), and it’s also better for the environment. What makes LDU’s approach even more confusing is that they are willing to serve coffee in glasses—but only up to 10 ounces. If you want a larger portion, it must come in a paper cup. We suggested a straightforward compromise: we would purchase the larger size, and the staff could provide a glass so we could pour it and enjoy it properly. The answer was a firm refusal—“no, no, and no”—with no explanation beyond “policy.” The refusal to allow customers to pour coffee from a paper cup into a proper glass is one example of the incredible bureaucracy that has enveloped this place: rigid rules that don’t seem to improve quality, reduce cost, or make the customer experience better. Policies should serve a purpose: safety, cost control, quality control, or customer experience. This one seems to do the opposite, undermining both customer satisfaction and sustainability without any obvious operational benefit. As ordinary consumers, we are not paid or compensated in any way for this review. Unfortunately, LDU now feels as impersonal as the big chains—just more expensive. If that’s the upgrade, we’ll take the “corporate” mug.

LDU has great, friendly, and fast service. The drinks are handmade and taste great! I am a cortado fan, but also splurge on iced bosses with mocha.

Ran in before an appt at the Arboretum and OMG.. wish I could come here every morning to start my day.. the vibe was so friendly and fun! Walked me through coffee options... my 11 year old even ate her whole breakfast sandwich..