Paper Co Cafe
1100 Elder St, Houston, TX
Crema's Take
“Tucked inside a Houston church, Paper Co Cafe is a laid-back espresso and pour-over destination where skilled baristas nail custom drink recommendations and genuinely seem to care about your experience. The vibe is perfect for settling in with your laptop, meeting friends, or grabbing a quick caffeine fix in a refreshingly unpretentious space—just maybe skip Sunday mornings if you want actual peace and quiet.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
Been a fan of Paper Co for a long time! Love this Houston gem. Service is great, drinks are awesome. Nice place to go get work done, relax with friends, or just swing by for your caffeine fix. Parking is free and plentiful. Food options (pastries, empanadas, and sanwiches) are delicious. Prices are fair! Cant say anything bad about this place....check it out.
Grabbed a coffee here based off of reviews. So good! The cold brew was out so she suggested another drink and it was spot on. Very friendly barista, relaxed atmosphere, cool lil spot (actually quite large). Outdoor seating too. It's at a dead end and sits off the side of overpass, but was very quiet inside.
We just had coffee and it was great. Friendly staff and an inviting atmosphere. A little of the beaten path but worth a try.
⭐ One Star – And that feels generous. If you’re looking for a coffee shop that will welcome you with warmth, kindness, or—bare minimum—basic human decency, Paper Co Cafe is not it. Let me set the scene: I walk in, very pregnant, with my business partners—three women, all professionals, just looking for a quiet corner to meet and grab a coffee. The moment we walked in, the energy was off. No greeting, no smile, not even a “how can I help you?” Instead, when I asked a simple question about an item in the case, I was met with a snippy “check the menu.” When I followed up—because, plot twist, it wasn’t on the menu—I was shut down again, as if I were asking for something outrageous. You know those cafes where the staff act like you’re inconveniencing them by simply existing? That. Strike one. We asked for iced water. Not fancy, not sparkling, not chilled from the Alps. Just iced water. First we’re told there’s a water station, but when we ask if it has ice, we get a dismissive “No.” Only for her to show up with a cup of ice moments later, expecting us to Frankenstein it together ourselves. Again—attitude, no courtesy, no effort. Strike two. The noise was unbearable. It sounded like someone next door was doing a live mic check for a garage concert. Every word blared through the wall. We were trying to conduct client calls, and between the yelling, loud music, and chaotic environment, it was almost comical—if it weren’t so frustrating. It’s like trying to work inside a blender. Strike three. When I asked whether the tea cake I ordered was supposed to be served ice-cold from the refrigerator (because it certainly tasted like it had been forgotten in the back of one), she looked me dead in the face and… turned around. No answer. Nothing. Just complete disregard. And to top it all off, 15 minutes before they close, while I’m mid-call with a client, she interrupts me not once, but twice, to ask if I plan to “box it up or toss it.” I politely motioned that I’m on the phone, only for her to keep talking until I had to say, “Ma’am, I’m on a call.” Her response? “Well, this is a public space.” What does that even mean? By 3:55 PM—5 minutes before closing—we were literally standing outside in the rain, lights off, garage closed, trying to find another place to go. There was no grace, no “hey take your time,” not even a fake smile. Just get out. Oh—and one of our team members had a coffee that tasted exactly like warm milk. When she mentioned it, the same woman grabbed the drink and walked away. No apology, no replacement, no explanation. Just another silent slap in the face. We were there barely an hour. Spent good money. Left with cold cake, watery coffee, and the aftertaste of disrespect. If you’re hoping to get work done, have a thoughtful meeting, or just be treated like a human being—go literally anywhere else. A gas station coffee would have come with more warmth. To say we won’t be back is an understatement. We left feeling disrespected, disregarded, and deeply disappointed.
This coffee shop is inside a church with preschool… if you want to have a relaxing coffee, don’t go on a Sunday. The coffee was a bit sour. The pastry didn’t look appealing at all. Would not recommend
Crema Reviews
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