Break Espresso

This was my third time here. Love the spaciousness and the community. Parking is easy to find. And you can work there all day without being asked to leave. HOWEVER, the service is absolutely awful. Each time I've been here I've witnessed the surly staff. They argue with customers, mislabel their baked goods then yell at the customer that they are wrong. God forbid you ask for more hot water for your tea. Overall, the pros outweigh the cons, but steer clear of the staff.

I had the weirdest experience here. I wanted pie so I went to Break because they’re open until 10 (known for being one of the few late open places in town) so I figured getting a slice of pie would not be a big deal. The sliced pies were still in the case. I came in at like 9:25 ish and waited to be helped while the employee made someone a drink. When she asked what I would like and I said I would please like a slice of pie her reaction was to tell me that they start putting the pies away around then and that she can do it “if you’re that attached to the pie.” I was like well I would like pie if you can do it and then she looked at me coldly and was like “next time, come at 9.” What next time ma’am? This is the second time I have been here and had a weird interaction with an employee. For a $7 sliver of pie it’s not worth being scalded. Then she like tossed the pie box at me with disdain and walked away. I understand if they start putting away pies at a certain time. Is it a hard policy or just with this employee? I was floored by the attitude and like the annoyance at my suggestion of wanting a slice of pie like there had been some article about it in the paper I should have known about prior that Break Espresso doesn’t serve pie after 9. I honestly wanted to just leave while she was putting the pie in the box because it was so uncomfortable and I felt like this woman hated me and I didn’t want want any hate to infiltrate the pie. I stayed through it out of obligation to pie and to follow through with the mess I had created with my request, and it was super awkward. It took less than like 2 minutes to grab a pre sliced pie slice from the case. Somehow I have had 2 bad experiences the two times I have recently been here. I am just gonna bake my own pie from here on out.

Break Espresso has some truly standout food, but the experience has become pretty inconsistent for me. The homemade pie is divine. Honestly next level. The pastry case is impressive with a huge selection of pastries, bagels, and goodies, including massive pies that are hard to resist. Coffee and tea options cover all the standard classics, plus some fun twists that keep the menu interesting. The coffee is good for the area but nothing outstanding. The space itself is large with plenty of seating options, and it never feels overly crowded, which is a big plus if you want to sit and relax for a while. Unfortunately, the service has gone downhill. The baristas used to be incredibly friendly, remembered drink orders, and made you feel genuinely welcome. Lately, it feels rushed and impersonal, like you’re just being pushed through the line with little acknowledgment. The experience has been very hit or miss, which makes it hard to want to return regularly. Overall, amazing pastries and pies, solid drinks, and a great space, but the inconsistency in service is what keeps this from being a frequent stop for me anymore.

I try coffee shops all over the country and it's rare to find good coffee, delicious pastries and great customer service all in one coffee shop! To top it off the atmosphere was cohesive and cozy. Krista made a perfect cappuccino and got the foam correct (again rare!). The girl who got our pastries was friendly and fun. The pastries tasted homemade. The coffee cake was full of berries. They didn't scrimp on anything. Overall this was a lovely experience and if you're local you should frequent this place!

The coffee was great. I had a latte and it was perfect. The customer service was lacking. They seemed bored and bothered to help. (We were there about 6:00 a.m. and it wasn’t busy.) The venue itself was nice and comfortable, but the tables were dirty. The pastry looked great, but was dry and tasteless. (I had a bear claw.) If I go back, it would just be for coffee.