Kaelin’s Coffeehouse

Derby City Joe Review #3
What makes this Coffee Shop Sing? — In the end, Kaelin’s feels more like a bar that features an auxiliary coffee house which no one seems to visit.
Kaelin’s certainly qualifies as a bit off the beaten path. You probably could (and possibly have) driven by 100 times without knowing that this coffee shop was sitting there. This is partly because Kaelin’s is overshadowed by its larger, louder big brother Mulligan’s. The sibling bar and coffee house have separate entrances, but share connecting space in an old, grand house on Newburgh that’s clearly been chopped up and re-​modeled a few times.
When I visited, Kaelin’s was Quiet. QQQQuiet with four Qs. It was just me, the barista and a whole lot of open tables. The funky hours don’t help — 7:30 AM– 2:00 PM (despite Unilocal’s listing of 6:30 AM). A bit of a warning to early birds or um… the afternoon equivalent (post-​noon fowl?). When I attempted to saunter in at 7:40 AM, the door was locked solely because the girl at the counter had forgotten to unlock it.
The venue, which has been open for about a year, has all the trimmings behind the counter of a fully stocked coffee house with ingredients and gear to make the most complex of lattes and mochas. I had to wait on my coffee but it was served to me at my table. Which was nice. I suppose. But the coffee was lousy.
Coffee of The Day — a Guatemala blend from Argo & Sons. I did not care for it. It tasted like… well…a lousy cup of coffee. Overly bitter. Did not taste fresh (although it was). Bland and dull.
Cost of a small mug of Joe — $ 2.07
Cost of a Refill — An unlimited mug will run ya $ 3.00
Sample Crowd — With limited exception, it was just the barista and me together against the world during my visit.
Staff — The lone person behind the counter was friendly and warm, but a bit hectic trying to get the store opened since it’s a one person show.
WiFi — Locked (with password available, I assume)
Music — None. I could hear my own pulse and the faint sounds of traffic outside.
Décor– Cozy Pub Décor. Is that a thing? I’m making it a thing.
Bonus — Apocrypha has it, Kaelin’s is the site of the eponymous restaurant where the cheeseburger was first invented in 1934.

Unilocal says that 2 stars= «Meh. I’ve experienced better.»
This adequately describes my experience at Kaelin’s. I was excited about this new addition to Newburg Road since Bardstown Road can be busy. But I will wander to Bardstown Road to skip this «Meh» experience.
1) The «handicap ramp» requires a jump up a curb. 2) The area has lots of natural light but it also is open to Mulligans so there is no noise control between the venues. The background music may be in conflict. 3) They use Argo beans (this is good) and coffee was decently prepared but not great. 4) Lack of choices. If something is excellently prepared, I don’t mind the lack of choices. 5) Food selections seemed slim but I cannot comment on quality. 6) I had to move my vehicle to allow the garbage truck through the parking area. My parking space was clearly marked as a parking space. This was inconvenient as I was trying to have some quiet moments without the normal mom-​demands. Compensation would have helped.
There are many excellent coffee shops less than a mile from Kaelins. Go to one of those.

Took my family for Sunday breakfast a couple of weeks ago and was blown away by the coffee, homemade breakfast and detailed customer service! I ordered their pancakes (which I was told was made with apple butter and cinnamon), wife had their «Sunday Special» — an artichoke, spinach breakfast casserole. Server said their coffee is locally roasted by Argo Sons coffee. Best prices, best coffee and love the ambiance. Definitely coming back, thanks Kaelin’s!

I’m so disappointed that I signed up to Unilocal just to write this review. I never write reviews of restaurants. Let me explain…
Yesterday, while eating a delicious Bluegrass Burger, sitting on their patio, and reading a Louisville Dining magazine, I read about the soft opening of Kaelin’s Coffeehouse. It detailed a selection of pastries, specialty coffee, and even breakfast! I was sold. I had to check it out. So I went the next day.
I went to Kaelin’s Coffeehouse really wanting to like it after reading the review. I went online to see what was good and it all checked out. I went on a sunny Wednesday morning around 10am.
I get there and there’s not much going on. I find my way upstairs where my server is sitting with her computer and backpack spread across the biggest table in the room, which is to say, one of only two normal sized tables in the small space. The big plasma TV is off and there is no music playing. The girl realizes I’m there and walking to the counter she asks if she can help me. I order a black coffee and a water.
She rings me up and gives me my price and I ask if they have breakfast.
She says «Yeah, I think so.» and points to a menu on a music stand behind me. «That’s a dinner menu. I want breakfast,» I say.
She asks me if I’m sure, comes around to my side of the counter and looks at the menu. She says, «I’m sorry. I just saw them there. I don’t know where they are.»
To which I reply, «No big deal, I’m in no hurry. I’ll sit over here and drink my coffee while you find one.»
After sitting and drinking my coffee and playing with my phone for a few minutes she comes over to my table with a tattered and stained piece of paper with the menu on it saying, «Sorry this is so ghetto, I had to take it out of the back of a binder. I can’t find the breakfast menu.» I scan the paper, say, «No big deal.» as she walks away. I go up to the counter and order a bacon, egg, and cheese and a sausage, egg, and cheese on a biscuit.
As I’m walking away I notice a small placard advertising specialty coffees. I ask about the Abbey Road drink and she starts trying to explain, gives up, and says she’ll find the sheet of paper describing the drinks and bring it to me. She never did. Keep in mind. I’m the only one in the tiny coffeehouse.
None of these things are deal breakers so far. A little irritating, but service is only half the game. Then my food comes…
The biscuits are big. I point out the biscuits are big to emphasize how small the quarter sized portion of cold eggs and half a slice of cold american cheese looked against such a large backdrop I seriously think the scrambled one egg and split it between these two huge, stale biscuits. The ones they gave me looked like they tried to warm yesterdays biscuits on the griddle about 15 minutes before serving them because they were now cold with browned edges in addition to being stale. Unlike the eggs, biscuits, and cheese the sausage was warm. The single half dollar sized (like the kind you get at Kroger) portion of sausage, with the quarter sized portion of cold eggs and half slice of unmelted american cheese was warm… however, the bacon on the other sandwich was cold and chewy. Straight from the refrigerator.
Now, the bill was cheap. I got away from that meal for $ 10 with a tip. Sadly, I still feel like I overpaid for what I got. It was ultimately more frustrating than it was worth. With so much competition in town, Kaelin’s Coffeehouse, you should do it right or don’t do it at all.
You would be better off spending your money at Highland Morning, Toast, The Café, Sunergos, Quills, Java, or any number of great breakfast stops or coffeehouses in the area. They don’t offer anything special in the coffee department that you won’t find anywhere else (the black house roast reminded me of Highland Morning’s in flavor and texture), their breakfast leaves a lot to be desired, and I still have no idea about those pastries. I don’t care anymore. You know who has good service, food, and coffee? Just about every other coffeeshop in town.

The pros
Staff
Décor
U will be made to feel welcome
Good coffee choices and great location
The cons
The food is prepared next door at mulligans.
Give this place a try u will love it. The staff is wonderful and the owners have invested money and good faith by locating the shop in the location. Unfortunately unless there is a review of the adjoining restaurants recipes it will be an uphill battle.
I am pulling for them and encourage u to give it a try

Coffee (Argo Sons) and espresso beverages, check
Parking lot, check
Liquor license, check
Ample seating, check
Ample outlets, check
Super cheap breakfast options, check
Friendly service, check
Where do these guys fall short? Tea options (only 3) and while my $ 3.25 bacon, egg and cheese biscuit is cheap and tasty it’s no Highland morning breakfast wrap. The food is not typical coffee shop food, it’s pub food — think Mulligan’s next door (where the food is made… same owners).
Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving this new coffee house near my apartment but they just don’t have my favorite cup of tea (Yerba) and the breakfast is just average. It’s a great spot for sure though, check it out and maybe you’ll run into the original owner of Kaelin’s the pub-​did you know that’s where the name ‘cheeseburger’ originated?