Blend

Espresso isn’t that great. I’m assuming its because I’m a coffee snob from Seattle. If you want good, strong coffee skip this. It’s tasted like the coffee you make yourself in a cheap motel. Save the $

«I am rarely underwhelmed by a panini but was the case here with the veggie sweet potato sandwich. Had a cinnamon bun and equally unimpressed. I actually had to ask the woman at the register for a bag as she had me 2 white food containers and a fork, I then reques…»

I keep reminding myself to write a review of Blend. Now that I’m sitting in the café (where I’ve been posted up for 3 hours, using their free wifi, taking up two tables) I am reminded to write!
We originally came to Blend because we bought the groupon others have mentioned, and we’ve continued to come despite the fact it’s not the best located café for us. Every time I have come to Blend it’s been a good experience. I have usually ordered coffee and a sandwich (today I’m munching on the Turkey-​Apple-​Brie, a favorite) and some froyo in the afternoon. The coffee and food is good (the froyo is in a league of its own) but I think what, for me, really sets Blend apart is the atmosphere and service.
–I have never waited on refills for coffee or water. I might not come at busy times perhaps, but I definitely feel attended to.
–Every single time I’ve come in, the staff has been an awesome combination of friendly but also realizing I’m trying to work. The owner remembers my name when checking on me, asks about x or y, and then lets me hit the books. This is a skill set that a lot of adults in general don’t have — be polite but non-​interruptive! I always feel like I’ve had a friendly experience but still accomplished the work I’ve tried to do.
–Related, I feel like the two owners (I believe they are both owners) really care about their customers. They ask what brought us in, what we are working on, and often give us little snacks to try.
–Board games. End of story. nothing like smashing your SO in Sorry!
–I feel safe leaving all my stuff sitting out while using the restroom. Big deal when, as I said above, I am posted up across two tables.
–In addition, I think the space is just really beautiful. Nice tables, brick walls, warm colors. The music is good and trendy, but not overly loud. The temperature is good (this is a huge pet peeve of mine — when it’s freezing, I don’t want to stay and work. Blend keeps the business appropriately heated or air conditioned! Thank you!).
In response to some of the complaints that you have to wait a while for your food… I could see that. I’ve never been in a rush, so I’ve never noticed it. I thought about it today, and maybe it took a few minutes, but I also didn’t signify in any way that I was in a rush. The owners and baristas are always really nice, and I’m pretty confident that if I said I was trying to get out of their fast, they would move.
I definitely recommend Blend as a great place to get some coffee, delicious simple food, and work.

Seriously — all the better reviews are fluff. This place is pathetic. Here’s why: walked in this morning and the smell was OFF. To the point I didn’t think I could stay in the place — but I’d agreed to meet a friend. The service was PATHETIC — surly. The large not-​a-​people-​person woman who helped us was busy putting some salve on her fingers she burnt while making my friend’s latte. I could go on about how awful the service was… Finally, the ambiance was AWFUL. Too bad — it’s a neat warehouse location. Could be awesome.

This restaurant is a great downtown lunch option. It’s right on the BCC route, which is really convenient. We enjoyed the Blend club sandwich and Roast beef sandwich. Both were really tasty. The coffee was definitely high quality and presented beautifully. The frozen yogurt looked really great, but I didn’t get to try it. Going in at lunchtime, it was a little too bright in the restaurant and hard to get out of the glare. My only complaint was that the prices seemed a bit high. Maybe if the small $ 6 – 8 sandwich included fruit or a drink it would seem more fair.

I purchased a Groupon deal for 2 sandwiches & 2 coffee drinks, which is what my son and I ordered. It was our first visit, we loved the atmosphere and the fact that they have a whole stack of family friendly games. The service was just as I’d expect, both the guys working were friendly and helpful with the menu. My son ordered the Ham & Cheese sandwich and I ordered the Bull City Bruschetta, both served with house-​made applesauce, which was outstanding. Both of our sandwiches were prepared perfectly, as was his iced coffee and my latte. The price for the product was overall fair, and we’ll certainly be back again!

I should start out by saying the food was amazing. Truly. In fact I’m giving it 2 stars because the food was that good. But the service was fairly awful. On it’s own I would rate the service 0 stars.
My friend and I went with my Living Social deal the other day, and maybe the first info where you buy the coupon says this, but the coupon does not: its only up to an $ 18 value. We did not get the most expensive sandwiches. We each got a sandwich and a coffee drink. The coupon states: Voucher for Two Sandwiches and Two Coffee Drinks. We even got one of the cheapest coffee drinks (plain ice coffee) and the total was $ 4. I was a little shocked and that’s when the girl at the register told me it was just $ 18 off. I asked her to show me that on the coupon and she couldn’t. I wish the coupon had said that. So, without the coupon 2 small sandwiches and 2 ice coffees would have been $ 22. Pretty ridiculous for lunch during the week, in my opinion.
My friend ordered separately from me and she got our 2 toddlers a grilled cheese sandwich and the special, which was hung right over the cash register: Pumpkin Hummus and Toast Points, $ 4.95. We ordered around 12:15pm. The place was not busy.
My sandwich arrived first after about 15 – 20 minutes and I figured everyone else’s food would be out shortly and I was very hungry, as was my child, so I started eating and tearing off pieces to give to my 2 year old while we waited for the rest. Another 5 – 8 minutes later (which is a long time to wait between meals ordered at the same time) my friend’s sandwich arrived. Another 5 – 8 minutes later a very nice young man came out and told us they had no pumpkin hummus and they weren’t sure why we were allowed to order it. This was at least 25 minutes after we had placed the order… in a fairly empty restaurant during the week. He was nice but not overly concerned with our dilemma and said something like, «well, I guess we could get you something else or we could give you your money back.» My friend replied that she would like him to do both and asked where our toddler’s grilled cheese sandwich was. At this point our kids are fussy and we’re still being very nice, but we’re clearly frustrated. He acted surprised we didn’t have their sandwich and said, «oh it’s ready» but didn’t bring it back for another 5 minutes or more. They did agree to give us our money back and something to replace the hummus, which was nice.
The refund took quite a while (we waited so long for everything). The manager came over and asked us if there was a problem. He seemed accusatory, as if we’d done something wrong. When we explained about the coupon he gave some round-​about answer about people taking advantage. When we told him about the hummus and our food taking so long, especially our toddler’s grilled cheese, he seemed nice and slightly apologetic but only gave us a refund on the hummus. Personally, having managed restaurants in the past, I would have given a refund for the whole meal, or given some sort of free coffee drink coupon, or something, to make up for the horrendous service.
We won’t be returning.

Blend is a great little gourmet sandwich shop in the heart of downtown Durham. It’s staff is always warm, welcoming and accommodating. Their sandwiches are simply fabulous and their iced coffee is to die for!

I really wanted to love the coffee here. It’s one of the few cafes in Durham that could be a remote worker’s paradise. You know, not getting the stink eye because your laptop is open while the person next to you is eating a proper lunch.
But my latte was kind of burnt tasting and I have a fairly high standard. I can’t not point this out. Could have been an off day for the barista. But I’m willing to give it another shot at some point because I should say that the two ladies behind the counter were really nice and that counts for something.
Pretty fast internet here if you are working and that is your top priority.

Beautiful facility in a great space but was overcharged on my order and limited coffee menu options with limited sizes.
The staff was welcoming and friendly with exception to the manager who was set up at one of the far tables and would yell orders/​demands to staff members. Not a place to come to get some work done or mingle with friends.

This is probably more of a 3.5 star review with room to move up even further in the future, but I just feel as though Blend doesn’t offer enough at this point in time to warrant a higher rating.
Clearly a café was sorely needed in order to continue the tremendous growth and development that the Golden Belt area is undergoing, and thus steps in Blend! Perhaps the greatest appeal of this café comes from the atmosphere within. It is warm, cozy, and inviting with big windows bringing in plenty of light, a modern and artsy décor, and a friendly and chipper staff. As mentioned by other Unilocalers, the space is long and narrow with all the tables located at one end of the café. With the free wi-​fi, ample seating, and lack of any real competition in the area, Blend seems primed to be bustling more days than not.
The menu is currently pretty limited with offerings of your typical coffee drinks (they brew Counter Culture coffee), baked goods, froyo, and a very modest selection of soups and sandwiches.
Blend is definitely already a solid option when looking for a spot to get some work done, read a little, or just enjoy your favorite caffeinated beverage, but it will surely take off with the addition of more menu items. Yes, the Golden Belt is a little out of the way from the «meat» of Durham, but it’s starting to look less and less so…

They’ve already got a small sandwich selection (mmm — brie & apple butter!), plus baked goods, and froyo. And from the sound of it (not that I was eavesdropping or anything, during their staff meeting) they have a lot of new items, enhancements, and special events on the way!
The day I arrived was warm and sunny, and they had all their doors propped open like a welcome gesture. There were several friendly folks staffing the counter, and I was promptly served my Americano. The room is deep and narrow, with all the seating at the far end. Several patrons filled the tables, so me and my laptop took a seat by the ledge built into the big windows facing the parking lot. There’s great natural light, and a bustling — but not overly noisy — atmosphere to get some work done.

Had a cran-​pear muffin baked in-​house, and it was delicious and very reasonably priced at under $ 2, including tax. Staff was friendly, and knowing that you’re not stranded out in Golden Belt when it comes to food/​beverages is a huge relief. Thank god they’ve brought something besides Not Just Wings to the area.
Space was inviting, with plenty of seating. Aside from in-​house baked goods, they also have DaisyCakes and Loaf foodstuffs. Didn’t see any savory offerings but the frozen tart yogurt situation looked good, and it seems they whip the toppings all up together into the yogurt instead of just piling them on top.
A fine place for a fix if you’re in the area.