THE Coffee Cart - 35th street and 5th avenue

There is only one solution for those days where I'm feeling down and out, feeling extra sorry for myself, walking with a cloud that seems to be raining only over my head, tripping over my own two feet, have not a friend in the world, my frown cannot be turned upside down, my smile is in denial, etc.  That solution is the coffee cart located on the corner of 35th street and 5th avenue and the always pleasant man behind the cart.  Seriously though, this guy drives home the point that customer service is still alive and well. 
He operates a cart where people take his coffee, his bagels, his donuts, his muffins, and his cups and napkins for what must be a minimal profit.  An aside on those napkins, he gives you PLENTY, unlike other establishments that serve more expensive and more messy food. Moving on...what's more, the food and drinks he serves from this tiny little cart are good.  An always hot 16oz coffee is only $1.00 and he has it ready for me every morning before I say a word.  The bagels, donuts, and muffins are also extremely underpriced and good as well.  What this cart lacks in variety and flavor-bursts, it makes up for in the welcoming personality of the "man behind the cart" and the neighborhoody feeling that bounces off this cart like a ray of light. 
Further, it is beyond me how this guy remembers every single regulars order each morning, I've witnessed it, that's talent (I can barely remember to look both ways before I cross the street).  The only depressing part of the whole experience is when I occasionally pay with a $20.00 bill and he exclaims, like clockwork, "you're rich today, my friend" - a little piece of my heart breaks and the other little piece relates to Natalie Portman's character in "New York, I Love You" - mmhmm, don't judge me.  Now, I know that you may think to yourself that you would never go out of your way just for a coffee cart, I mean come on, they are all the same and there is one on practically every single street corner, right?  Wrong.  There might be a coffee cart on practically every single street corner, but not THE coffee cart.  Disclaimer: I acknowledge that this review was a little dramatic at times - to put it simply - this guy has a smile on his face every day, is more than courteous to his customers, and works hard daily to provide good coffee and food to go along with it for extremely low prices.  He deserves your business.


Some loyal customers on line



Birch Coffee

I'm not too sure what the rave is about Birch Coffee (wait is there one?).  I walked by Birch Coffee this morning on my way to work, thought it looked interesting so read some reviews once I went to work.  I walked back to Birch Coffee during my lunch break and ordered a small "Birch Blend" coffee.  While the atomsphere seems pretty cool and unique, the prices are a bit steep in my opinion for what you receive in return.  A better word to describe the small coffee would be miniature.  I could have put aside the high price for the petite size of the coffee if the blend had been extraordinary, but unfortunately that was not the case. That being said, the coffee was not "bad" per se, it just wasn't that great either. I am confident that I would not venture back to pay $2.50 for this tiny cup of coffee again. The baristas seemed friendly enough, which gives it a slight boost, but not enough to go back. One last word, there was significant room left in my cup (after the milk that they added) - when I'm paying $2.50 for a small cup of coffee, I'd at least like my cup filled!