Roast Coffee House
712 1/2 S. Pearl (Wash Park Area)
See it on the BUZZ MAP
I had previously posted the review at the bottom of this post, which was written by the Wash Park prophet, and finally had a chance to visit this weekend.
Check it out and post your reviews below!
Roast Coffee House (formerly Wash Park
Coffee) See it on the
BUZZ MAP Here’s a review from the Wash Park Prophet : Roast Coffee
House, at 712 1/2 S. Pearl, is one of the narrowest and newest coffee houses on
the Denver scene. There was a coffee house at this location across from Lincoln
Elementary in West Washington Park for a while, but it closed and was vacant
until a week ago. The new proprietor, a fellow who was a New York photographer
for seven years, now does photography in Denver and plans to exhibit his works
from the walls of the shop which a tall man could span his arms across.The
croissants on sale were good (although eating a warm one while driving if you
have clean pants on is not recommended), and his motto is that everything must
be “Bonafide”. Parents from the local elementary school and local business
owners are currently the main customers. In the spring and summer, a private
patio in rear will be opened to customers, adding another twist to an already
unique space. ____________________________________________________
I live a few blocks away myself and have been frequenting Roast Coffee now for about four months (since I moved into the neighborhood). The food is great (try the skillets, yum)and the coffee is great — so good in fact you can drink it black (I am one of those people who normally likes everything in their coffee). Also, the coffee shop is recently under new ownership. I liked the previous owner, Eric, too of course (his New York vibe was cool) but the new owners are great. Very friendly, very sincere and motivated to make your experience a good one. I normally don’t do reviews, but wanted to write this because I think a couple of the comments are unfair (or were a temporary situation)and don’t reflect the way the shop is now. I highly recommend it. I made the switch from Starbucks and I haven’t looked back. Since I a serious coffee addict AND from Seattle
— Take my word for it, this place is great.
The sandwiches at Roast are AWESOME. It is my favorite place to get a sandwich in the city, period. The service is consistently slow but quirky and friendly. If you’re in a hurry or your ravenously hungry, go somewhere else. If you have some modicum of patience though, you will be rewarded with excellent food in a fun atmosphere. I can’t wait to try the new location by Sweedish hospital. YUM!
I don’t know anything about the staff, but I do know that I have thoroughly enjoyed every sandwich I have ever had at the Roast (about five or so). I live a few blocks away (Pearl and Alameda) and they give a “local’s discount” – of course you have to use cash. I highly recommend the Pub Club and the Watsamatta. Good stuff.
Downside: it’s super small and the patio doesn’t allow dogs.
I’m happy that I found this website so that I could forewarn anybody seeking work at Roast Coffee! One must be aware of fact that they allow and promote name calling (verbal abuse) /degrading words and mind games. This may come as a surprise with their wanna-be cultured/ community staff but it is a fact. I feel sorry for anybody else who had to deal wit the owner and manager! And last but not least one must realize that they love to play mind games in order to test peoples patience so if you are living life in a loving and honest manner it will be impossible for you to work in such an unhealthy environment.
AND thank you very much to the founder of this website! I would hate for somebody to go though the same pain as me- in the end coffee represents more than just a drink- its an art form which encourages thought/ independence/and culture.
more fire bun roast coffee and their MEAN manager!
Hello, this is Eric Schleisman, owner of Roast Coffee House. This is my first and only (so far) post. I was recently informed of this site by one of my former employees and obviously have felt the need to correct some wrongs as well as apologize for one customer’s bad experience.
So to her first, I must say sorry to travelmugqueen. It is never my intention for any customer to have less than a wonderful experience at Roast. She is absolutely right. We had some serious change over at the end of summer 07 with the kids returning to college and we went through more than one new employee rather quickly during that time. My apologies.
As for the credit/debit card situation. We accept a credit/debit card for ANY amount; however, our sign reads “Please no credit cards under $10″. This sign is a request, note the word ‘Please’. Roast will accept your credit/debit card under $10. However, when a patron does present this situation we offer them an alternative, a win-win scenario.
Roast offers a “Roast” card. When you put $10.00 on the card, we give you $11.00, $20.00 we give you $22.00. This option keeps our merchant fees low, and returns the savings to the customer. In addition, the “Roast” card can be kept on file at the shop and you may fill it up whenever you like under the same terms. We have many, many cards on file and it also allows our patrons to use their card when they’re jones’in heavily for a meal or a latte and find themselves without cash. We even extend a small amount of credit to some of our well-known regulars.
My employee may have not made that clear. Trust me, it is clear to each of them right now.
Now on to the “homemade” quip on the green chile. Half of my family settled in New Mexico. It says on the menu the green chile is “New Mexico Green Chile”. It is made in small batches from a company my family knows in New Mexico, frozen in bags and delivered to us. The chile is not from Hatch’s and certainly not from Costco. It has pork and a chicken stock base, so it’s not for vegetarians. I’m not sure where one heard the word “homemade” except for the breakfast burritos which are definitely homemade. I know because for the last year, Kristi and I have made each and everyone by hand. Many people love them, but of course you can’t please everyone.
And on that note, I have to say, we’re not a fast food joint. When I first opened up I told customers that Roast was a community place where one could get better fare than the slap ‘n dash, and I knew that meant everything had to be made fresh. And that takes a little longer. If you’re in a rush, and I do understand that is far more typical than not, please call ahead. Our kitchen is six feet by six feet, and we are the second skinniest coffee shop in the nation, but I’d put my bacon, egg & cheese bagel or any of my sandwiches up against anyone.
Roast Coffee House is open from 6am-2pm M-F and Sat/Sun 7am – 2pm.
Phone is 303-733-0480. We deliver lunch and specialize in box lunches (which come with the signature vanilla latte cookies)
We are opening a full Trattoria at Pennsylvania & Alameda in Spring ’08 where we will serve Italian specialty breakfast as well as Sicilian style thin-crust gourmet pizzas as well as our regular fare. We’ll have a bigger kitchen, way more seating, espresso martini’s, daily handmade margaritas, wine from Spain and Argentina, Coloardo microbrews and accoustic entertainment from time to time (maybe even a poetry slam or two).
And PS. Should you ever find dissatisfaction while at Roast, please tell someone immediately, that way you see, we can do whatever it takes to make sure you leave happy!
The Roast is a great little coffee joint. I actually look forward to dropping my bike off for service at Cycle Analyst next door just so I can order a coffee brew. They have consistently been good the dozen or so times I have been there and the service has been fine. Great coffee and servie in my opinion. Where do they keep all that coffee and food anyway in that place! Posh place to get a brew to go!
Not until the Roast will accept a credit/debit card for any purchase I desire, whether it be 10 dollars, more or less or whatever, they can go to he double toothpicks.
It is a shame that Eric will not incur a percentage of the till for the customer to use their card and that he demands cash. I will never go there just as the at the Washington Park cleaners down the street demanding cash for under 10 dollar purchase.
the workers were really untrained on the register and told me there was a $10 limit to use my credit card- hello! who carries cash- small slow and stuck up!
we all know that the TOOL who said the employees are friendly and make good drinks obviously works there or owns the plaace. The breakfast burritos are dry and the so called homemade green chilly comes out of a bag that was bought at CostCo. I t is definitly a hole in the wall that needs to be put to prprer use. The only thing good there is the M&M;’s.
homemade my ass
I agree completely with snowshoes. What a wonderful coffeeshop. Every employee is friendly and helpful. The drinks are good, especially the roast and the lattes, but the sandwiches really make the difference.
Try the quesadillas and paninis, or the breakfast burritos with homemade green chili. This is without a doubt my favorite place to get coffee in Denver.
Lovin the Roast. I just moved to Denver and this one of my favorite coffee shops. these other commenters need to chill out. the coffee is awesome, there is only 2 tables inside but i its a small place. the place closes early but whatever i usually go on weekend mornings anyhow.
The owner is wicked nice he always make recommendations on coffee and food and is just a good guy.
The service may be a little slow but the staff is down to earth, friendly, and cute. plus i just hangout on my laptop while waiting for my breakfast. and yes the breakfast sandwiches and burritos are delicious.
im so glad you other commenters don’t like the Roast bcuz i would hate to have such agro ppl hanging out in the same coffee shop as me.
HELLO!!! Does anyone there know how to make a latte? The manager is an immature, irritable lesbian that is need some love. the service is really slow and seems as if the employees are on lifetime training. i would not go there unless i’m trying to acquire a higher level of patience. a latte and a basic egg and cheese on a bagel takes forever and a day. not to mention that the girl who took my order didn’t want to give me my food because she was too high to even remember to make it in the first place. and if the manager wants to smoke a cigarette she should go where ashes are not blowing into the shop.
I’m sorry to say I was disappointed on my first and probably only visit to Roast. I was dropping off my bike to be fixed at Cycle Analyst and decided to pop in for a treat before my ride showed up. It was about 6pm on a weekday, and I’m not sure if they were closing or what but the cashier was clearly BRAND NEW and TOTALLY UNTRAINED. The gentleman ahead of me in line took about 20 minutes to place his order because of her, and when it was finally my turn I found out why. This cashier had to ask the kitchen help 2 questions for every button she pushed on the register, and when I tried to pay for my snack with a debit card, the kitchen manager/cook person told me I had to spend at least $10 to use a “credit card.” Hello, but am I the only one who uses their debit card for everything and never has cash? I didn’t think so. I haven’t encountered that sort of price minimum in at least 2 years.
So against my better judgment, I did purchase a little honey pot which brought my total to just below $10. New Cashier girl still couldn’t figure out what to charge me, so Kitchen Lady came out and rang up the whole sale over again- and when she saw the total and my debit card, asked me, “Don’t you want to buy something else?” I replied firmly and loudly, “NO” as my ride was now honking for me out on the street and he had been waiting for 15 minutes at that point. So, I didn’t even get to try the coffee, because I had the feeling that all hell would have broken loose had I asked New Cashier Girl to actually prepare something. Ugh. IF I go back I will look in first to see who’s working there. Too bad, looks like a cute place.
I had the opportunity to visit the Roast Coffee House yesterday and was disappointed to find that they were closing when my party of six arrived. However, Eric (the owner) was more than accommodating, insisting that we be seated in the beautiful back patio. Despite the diminutive size of the Coffee House, which could be more accurately described as a coffee closet, both the food and drink menus are extensive and the patio is large and serene. Everyone was more than pleased with what they ordered (quesadillas, panini’s, sandwiches etc.) and the management was friendly and outgoing. Keep your eye out because Roast is easy to miss driving down Pearl Street, but it is definitely worth a visit! Don’t feel like driving? They deliver! Great people, great place!