B2

Pros: Juices are tasty, bagels are good.
Cons: Music is always realllly loud even though people are there to either a) talk to a friend or b) do some work. I also unfortunately have had similar experiences with the staff that other posters have written about. My most recent interaction was when I ordered a grapefruit juice with basil in it. The employee responded that she didn’t know if she *could* do that, and that she thought the basil would «interfere with the integrity of the juice.» I’m not really sure what she meant by either of those comments, especially because I didn’t ask what she thought of the combination (a favorite of mine) and because the combination was one that was introduced to me by a B2 employee a year ago… It seemed that she just didn’t really want to be bothered by having to add basil? I’m not sure… but it was a pretty weird experience.
All in all, I’ve enjoyed Chhaya and ultimo much more and have felt they have very friendly staff and tasty food/​beverages.

Decent coffee, but the barristas insist on playing a Playlist of uptown funk remixes… It’s the same damn song over and over. Uptown funk and nickleback, I’d rather vote Republican than be subjected to this again. I knew it was possible to serve mediocre coffee, but I didn’t think it was possible to run a good song. B2 you have proved me wrong.

This place is great, and for a variety of reasons I will list short-​hand.
1) relaxed atmosphere. you don’t feel like you’re in an uppity coffee shop where you get stared at for not wearing you trendiest outfit.
2) window seats. I love them & they make for great reading nooks with excellent sunlight.
3) dog friendly. I love dogs, and was so happy to find another place in the city that welcomes our furry friends.
4) juices and sandwiches. I’ve had three different sandwiches so far and all excellent. Their juices are amazing too. Pick what you want and they juice right in front of you. I’m also a big chai latte gal, and their chai is delicious.
5) plenty of seating. They have tables, window nooks, and bar seating.
Final Notes:
–It is cash only, so a heads up.
–staff has always been super friendly to me, so cannot relate to other experiences mentioned in reviews.
–I also see an ice cream machine and am looking forward to returning when it’s warm out to grab a cone.

I want my 2 years back.
2 years I lived near this place. 2 years I went here instead of any of the other awesome places.
2 years I went in and got a large black coffee no room.
2 years I got stared at like I was an inconvenience, given a coffee 4, 5 ounces short of the top despite saying no room.
2 years I watched 3 – 4 staff members on a quasi busy shift more interested in looking disinterested in conversation with regulars then doing their simple jobs with any expeditious nature.
I really don’t know why I’m giving 2 stars.
I mean on several locations I’d even walk in disregarding the several large pets on the floor only to see an employe stacking dishes on a rack in front of a large, square floor fan covered … I mean covered in dust. When it wasn’t drying their dishes I’d sometimes see it on the table on the way to the rest room.
It’s an awesome location and the interior just felt great which is why I think I kept going there.
But damn it.
Damn it I wish I went somewhere else.
I recently moved out of the neighborhood but long as I’m now on Unilocal…
Seriously though, I get it you love dogs.
But it’s against food regulations. It’s disgusting.
sigh.

This would be my 3^rd time in B2 and will be my last. I was there yesterday around 5.
The first time I felt uncomfortable. I never really felt this place was friendly but the smoothies and muffins here are good.
I walked in and ask to know what muffins were available. The employee (female) told me which were available and I told her what muffin I wanted. She asked if I want a bag and I said no, thank you. She walked over with the muffin in her hand and said there’s no seats. She didn’t say it in a rude tone she just seemed annoyed that I was planning to stay with the two year old I was with. I told her there’s seats in the corner and that I would like a plate please. I paid her and she never gave me a plate. Without a plate I took the muffin to the corner window seats. She never returned with a plate and I just felt uncomfortable being there with the baby so I left.
Like I said she wasn’t down right rude but I just don’t appreciate the fact that she said there was no seats when indeed there was 3 seats available (4 seats available if you count the 1 seat at the bar which an employee was sitting on) and that she didn’t give me a plate at all.
Chhaya on the other hand is wonderful and friendly period. If they didn’t close at 3, that would be our spot for afternoon muffins.

So, this place has a bit of notoriety from all the drama, but that did not deter me from checking it out. The café has a very relax feel to it, and has a decent amount of tables. A few of the tables are very large, which is good when you want to be on your laptop, with your coffee, and some food. The barista was real friendly, so I do no get where the rude behaviors come from. The coffee was a nice pick me up and the bagel with cream cheese was good. The only drawback, they only accept cash. They have an ATM, but I rather not pay a fee. Still, the place deserves to be checked out regardless of what ever useless mudslinging that is being hurled by the «natives» in South Philly.

DISCLAIMER: No. I am not writing because of the cell phone incident.
PROS: actually good sandwhiches and moderately good pastries
CONS: The cappuccinos and lattes taste as if the milk has been scortched — and this is from several baristas. Too much money for a bad product
The layout is pretty uncomfortable. The bar takes up a lot of space and the line ends up going out the door but no one is really sure where to stand and order, pay and wait.
The staff, though not all, is fairly rude. Order swiftly, correctly, and with no substitutions otherwise you will get a rude response.
Also, I find I am treated the worst when I wear my work ID (I’m a local teacher). Not really sure why that has made a difference.
The music is really loud and uncomfortable.
The bar area is typically cluttered and messy.
An order can take a very long time for unknown reasons.
Cash only, and the ATM service fee is whoa.
Eh. The pros don’t quite outweigh the cons on this one. I’d say if you enjoy rude service and a $ 4.00 cup of bad coffee, this place is for you.
If you like good service and bad coffee for $ 4.00 try Starbucks.
Otherwise, black and brew (down the street) is pretty good and the people are nice.
But all the locals know that best mocha is at Capogiro.

I’ve been here a couple of times and both times it felt like I was bothering the employees, which is amusing actually. So I’m bothering you to do your job?! Asking for a regular cup of coffee in a polite manner and getting an attitude equals no repeat business from me. By the way, this has nothing to do with the incident recently. Thanks Unilocal for removing my review and making me repost it. I wouldn’t go to this place if you paid me and for whoever reported me. well thanks!

Went there the other day. Definitely not friendly at all and while I was ordering, they looked at me as if I was interrupting them. I live in both New York and Philadelphia and this is by far one of the most uncomfortable places I’ve ever been too. If you want a place with good, respectful and friendly customer service, I’d suggest turning about before entering the door. Yikes.

Great café, nice staff. but good luck getting a table, place is always very crowded with lying, miserable one-​star Unilocalers.

This place has a great location and a cool atmosphere. I was excited that they had green juice options at a price that isn’t over the top. The problem is that I feel like I am imposing when ordering juice and I also feel like I am not «in» with the staff. It is ridiculous but this place evokes adolescent insecurities in me. Absurd as that may be, I don’t want to give someone money for making me feel a little worse (I only like my S&M with alcohol).
I chose to live in this neighborhood because while there is a lot of growth and change happening, the people who lived here for generations patronize the new businesses. Having lived through some rocky gentrification periods in No Libs, Fishtown, West Philly and even Manayunk over the last 20-​some years, I know that this is a wonderful anomaly where natives and transplants are building a mutually beneficial community. It kills me to read reviews stating that B2 staff treat South Philly locals like they are morons. I totally believe it though. I look real working class and incognito when I am on my way to my studio. Maybe if I write «working artist“on my hoodie I will get my coffee without the side of superficial disregard.
If the staff were professional and kind this place could be so awesome.

I’ve brought my tiny tot friend into B2 to eat many a messy peanut butter & honey sandwich. No one has EVER given us any huff at all — and I’m straight up admitting to letting my friend go hard with the peanut butter and honey all over the café table because i didn’t have to be the one to clean it up.
The food is great, they’ve got vegan soft serve (SERIOUSLY!) and the prices are reasonable.
Basically b2 is great, and all the BS you’re reading is just that — BS.

This has nothing to do with the cell phone incident.
I’m a south philly native (not one of the transplants who thinks they’re cooler than thou for living in the neighborhood I was born and raised in). Lived on the avenue for years and I avoided this place always. I once asked a barista if they could make a certain drink with soy and he curtly said «you can look at the menu on the wall». A simple yes or no would have been sufficient.
They never made conversation. And beyond Unilocal,other people in the neighborhood have lamented «the people who work in there suck.» And maybe these aren’t generational people using a computer to write reviews or watch footage of events transpiring. These are community people who have felt like the people working in the shop are rude, inconsiderate, self-​absorbed. Get over yourself b2.

Do I have to say it again? B2 is effing baller. I haven’t had one bad experience there. I work as a server and am a partial business owner, and I tend to be critical of customer service when I go out, and my loyalty here has been earned. Again and again. Long live vegan soft serve!

Cool, hip, sorta pricey, tasty place. Grabbed a smoothie/​shake and i forgot what we munched on, think it was a bagel? Love the freshness of the veggie and fruit drinks, and the customer service is awesome. Very cool people. They made me feel like we’ve been neighbors forever! If only my darn wallet agreed with me more! I come here when I am out for a very long walk and am lazy to make my own green machine!

I hate being treated like an idiot when I go into a coffee shop. I have been in here a few times, and usually the service is simply OK, but when I asked what «tofutti» was, my barista chuckled and replied with a «really?». Yes, really. I am not familiar with tofutti.
Their coffee is good, and so are all of their juices and smoothies. The food is also really good, but if you’re not familiar with the vegan lingo, go to google instead of asking.
There are large tables in here, and dogs are welcome! There is also outdoor seating which is super nice considering Passyunk always has things going on.

I like the Iced coffee sandwiches! Feel free to bring your dog in here too while you’re ordering– dog friendly! Quaint little café.
I got the avocado, tomato, cream cheese (I think this is #3) on a toasted white sandwich. The sandwiches are made to order so it takes like 20 – 30 minutes especially if they get busy just fyi. Slow Service. Iced coffee is average but I think the sandwiches are good quality and they give a decent amount of toppings. Sandwiches are about ~7. The bread makes it pretty filling.
Cute spot to grab a bite to eat for lunch. It get kind of crowded inside but I saw some people with laptops doing work/​studying.
I think this is a good place if you’re vegan.

I absolutely love to come here every single day of the week. The staff is incredibly nice and fast even when there’s a long line. Everything is always fresh and tastes great.
My favorite part is that they have window seats I can sit at and read or browse the internet and I never feel rushed to leave.
Get the tomato, basil, mozz on a baguette!

Lose the ‘tude, B2. I’m a barista too and your job isn’t so miserable to give me glares as I order and then complain to your coworker about how much you hate making anything that isn’t coffee related in your shop.
I still stop in here if friends opt to come but I’ve started seeking competitors out just so I don’t feel like needing my caffeine fix is such a chore. I smile, I’m friendly, I’m never crazy demanding with my order (even though the amount of times I’ve been overcharged kinda sucks), and yet I’m treated like garbage.
3 stars is generous but it’s only because you can still pull decent espresso shots and make my tofutti bagel most of the time. Even if it takes 10 – 20 minutes of waiting at times.
I get that bitchy baristas are a stereotype but do you have to employ only them and one friendly beardy dude?

They have vegan softserve and they carry Dottie’s Donuts. For me, that alone earns 5 stars.
Yeah and the people who work here seemed friendly too. I’m really just all about the soft serve and the donuts, I don’t even know what else they have but I see my vegan friends have mentioned other yummies, so I might have to check those out next time! (Yeah right, softserve and donuts, that’s all I need!)