Grindhouse Coffee & Tea

Adorably friendly service, but abysmally horrible coffee. More akin to water, really. The latte looks like rainwater runoff and probably tastes like it too (though I’ve never tried the latter). The two stars are for the service — the coffee doesn’t deserve a star, I’m afraid.

Wonderful coffee — moved out of the area and still get some ground Cuban to take home with me when I come to visit.

I think this place has the potential for greatness… but it’s not there yet. Wheeling has been begging for a late-​night café or coffee shop, and Grindhouse (open until 3AM on weekends) has stepped up to fill the order. They have an extensive menu of sandwiches… but it’s a little overwhelming and a little overpriced. Our grilled cheese was quite good, but so is every other grilled cheese sandwich I’ve ever eaten. The owner was friendly and enthusiastic, and informed us he hopes to eventually be the craft beer king of Wheeling. Once again, not there yet. He has about 30 mostly unimpressive beers. I gave local brewery Basement Brewery’s Main Street Ale a try, and I will never make that mistake again. Blech. Our waitress was very nice, and very clueless. I guess that’s my overall impression of Grindhouse… very nice, but very clueless. I’m going to give it a few months to find its feet, and give it another try.