Casey’s Coffee

You don’t go here because the food is good, but it really is convenient for those living or working in Foggy Bottom. And, the outdoor space can’t be beaten.

Average coffee shop with just OK coffee. Definitely not Starbucks quality. The tables and chair configuration is completely wrong. There is no organization to anything. Only went there for a quick meeting because it’s convenient to the area.

The food was fine, my coffee was fine. No complaints here.

I must be a glutton for punishment. I had an awful experience, but had to come to work early and didn’t bring breakfast. I stopped by Casey’s. There was a gent there (deliveries?) in a polo and shorts. The manager looked up at me after about a minute and asked «Yes?» I asked if they were opened and he replied «No.» WHAT? You saw me come in, you saw me stand right in front of you. There are no hours on the door, the lights were on and there was someone standing behind the counter and in front of it. Why wouldn’t I think they were opened? And why make me wait to tell me they were actually not yet open. It wasn’t 4am, either. It’s a BREAKFAST establishment and it was 6:30am. How dare I? Every time I come in there it’s some wacky issue of some sort. OFFICIALLY DONE.

Pretty bad coffee, loud and non-​ambiance and full of State department people meeting. No fun.

Not much to write home about, honestly. I didn’t have any of their food items, only a hot apple cider and on another occasion a small cup of coffee. Their drink offerings are average, better than having some nondescript bag of coffee in the office I guess, but if you can venture to another shop it may be more worth your while.
Also, this shop is located in the inner courtyard of the shopping plaza. Their name is on the sign facing the street but might not stand out that much at first.

This place doesn’t even deserve ONE single star. When I asked the MANAGER when the coffee was last brewed, he replied ‘I don’t know — maybe an hour ago?’ Then I asked if any of the 6 would be brewed again soon. To which he so crudely responded: ‘That’s it — go over to Sizzling Express. We can’t help you.’ Is this not a coffee place in which asking about the coffee is ok? Strange, rude, not worth a penny of your money or a second of your time.

Good coffee and breakfast items. They don’t post their hours, or days on which they’ll be closed, though.

Gets the job done! Solid menu and fast service. Surprisingly big coffee menu. Can’t speak for the food menu, but if you’re passing through for a drink, Casey’s does just fine. Plenty of seating indoors, but if you’re wanting a bit of sunshine, there’s lots of outdoor seating also.

They have very good customer service, and many choices for coffee… Very busy during lunch. They do have wi-​fi available… I had a great latte almost as good as Miami

I love being able to support a local business and I tend to come here in the mornings. They always have 3+ different blends of black coffee that change daily. As a plain coffee feind, I like being able to have hazelnut one day and french columbia blend on the next. I personally love their pastry selection as well.

The coffee is terrible and my eggs were made in the microwave. Yes, the microwave. I’ll leave it at that.

Went to kill time before Segway tour at 4:50 would like to know how the coffee is but did not try and serve me. They asked me if I wanted coffee and I said «Yes one moment» and when I went to place order they said «we close at 5.» They did not have a sign on the door with the hours and did not even tell me that they are closed before I went up to order.

Stopped by killing some time before our Capital City Segway Tour next door. Got the «coffee au lait», I figured it was a typo. I saw them pouring premade drip coffee into our milk, and I said I didn’t know it would have drip coffee, verified the caffè latte was espresso-​based, and asked to change my order. They said «Already made,» and basically said we’re not interested in spending $ 0.25 to make me a new drink.
Every café au lait I’ve ever had in a café/​coffee shop was espresso-​based until Casey’s. I did look up café au lait to make sure it should be espresso-​based, and they did mention it could also be made with coffee, but mentioned usually that was done at home, and that cafés have mostly been using espresso since espresso machines became available… in the 1800s.
So my review is 2 stars for the watered-​down «coffee au lait», downgraded to 1 star for the lack of interest in patron happiness. Prices are pretty low, so that’s a plus. Just don’t order the coffee au lait!

Food/​Cost: (³⁄₅) I’ve yet to try their actual meal items here, but have visited frequently for their muffins ($ 2.09 w/​tax) and poundcakes, and have had a Waffle topped with strawberries (~$ 6.50 w/​tax) and drink or two. I’ve now had the Apple Bran, Banana Chocolate Chip, Cinnabun, and Blueberry Muffins. I believe they’re Grandpa’s Original Yogurt Muffins. All of them are great; they’re quite large, moist, and well-​flavored. I especially appreciate the streusel on top of many of them as it adds some crunch and an extra bit of sweetness. The Waffles are freshly made in waffle makers and are good, but just averagely so. The drinks here have been quite good as well; nothing fabulous, but not bad. They also have wraps, sandwiches, and even waffles (which I’ve been meaning to try) at decent price.
Ambiance: (²⁄₅) Casey’s is just a simple coffee shop/​café. Nothing much going on here in terms of décor or ambiance. This isn’t the type of café where people go to read or study; it’s more where people go for a quick bite or do a grab-​n-​go. There’s some seating — both tables and counters — but it still gets full during lunch times. However, there are plenty of outdoor seats in the plaza where Casey’s is located, so seating isn’t that problematic.
Location: (⁴⁄₅) This Casey’s is located in Columbia Plaza, so it’s great for those who work in the vicinity, for GW students, or for residents of the apartments surrounding the plaza. I don’t see why you’d make a special trip here, but if you do, the Foggy Bottom metro is just a mere 5 minutes walk north.
Service: (³⁄₅) The guys behind the counter here pretty good, but nothing particularly noteworthy. You go to the counter, they take your order, get your food to you — they get the job done.
Overall: (³⁄₅) If you are in the area and need a quick, sweet breakfast, Casey’s is a solid choice. Nothing to write home about though.

Reasonable Chai Tea at a not too unreasonable price. Location is Casey’s strong suit as it is located at Columbia Plaza adjacent to the GW campus, about 4 blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro, and across the street from the State Department.
Lots of seating inside, and there is even a couch in front of their gas fireplace which is cozy. During the summer they have outdoor chairs too.

The coffee here is pretty good but I’m bothered by the fact they toast their bagels in a panini press. It really takes away from the whole bagel experience! Also, if you ask for butter on your bagel, get it on the side because mine was soggy it was so drenched – made me feel like I just ate mcdonalds afterwards! Bagels and paninis are two different things – invest in a toaster!
Ok, sorry I’m from Philly/​NY and I take my bagels seriously lol.

Survives because it is one of the few coffee spots near ginormious bureaucratic institutions. Hard to get excited about the service or the quality of the grub. It’s like a Cheesbuck’s plus without the friendly service or crappy concessions in the store.