Scout & Co

Pros:
I really like the space. It’s well lit (for the most part) and the vibe is great.
Cons:
–Prices are pretty steep.
–None of the chairs seem to fit the tables/​bars correctly! I wanted to sit down and do work but I had to move a couple times because the height wasn’t right.
–Music is too loud and, much to my surprise and disgust, the employee started playing music chock full of profanities (for example «The Weekend» by The Hills). I will say that I was there shortly before closing, but still… come on…
–It was COLD (62 degrees)
I’m almost certain that I would not come back to do work. I would have tea and a snack with a friend if it was a convenient location. I like Scout O.N.E. a lot better. It seems they have a little more work to do at this location.

Things I like: the openness of the space, the abundant natural lighting from windows, and the cleanliness. You can help yourself to free water.
Things I dislike: prices — definitely more expensive than most cafes and the loud noises from conversations and music. The music is way too loud and very upbeat instead of mellow.
I was hoping this place would turn out to be my new study spot, but I think it’s better as a hang out spot with a friend. The ambiance is lively and full of natural light. Some people are doing work, but it’s too much noise for me. This rating is mostly based on the fact that this isn’t an ideal study spot. I can’t see myself coming back to study intensely, but I can see myself coming for a coffee date.

Let me start by saying i WANT to like this place, but from the time you open the door, the décor is uninviting… other than being spacious, its sparse, dorm room eclectic. I will say their ice cream is very adventurous in flavor choices and very tasty. But the real reason I search out coffee shops, well, uh, is for the coffee. Now that we have become a Food Network nation and everyone in a foodie town is a gourmand or critic… we have the proliferation of hipsters sniffing the beans and talking of origin, robusta vs. arabica, shade grown, asian vs. african, etc. I’m all for the art and science of coffee, but before we throw out centuries of Italian, Turkish and Viennese experience with this magical bean for someone’s marketing idea of what is better (lighter roasts are cheaper to process and weigh more)… let’s wake up and smell the coffee. My biggest gripe has to do with the roast… now, of course much of this is personal preference (of which Scout seems to think their preference is the only one because not one bean in the place is above a medium roast). Should you ask for a darker roast, you are given the smile of disapproval akin to asking for ketchup for your entrée. Let’s face it: Most people would not like the extremes. Very light-​roasted coffee does retain more of its distinct flavors… it can also taste raw, sour and fermented (and a bit too acidic on the tummy). Dark roasts, when not dealt with a deft roasting hand, can be bitter, burnt tasting and acrid. Getting a good roast requires skill, patience and experience (hint: $) Like most things in life, there is plenty of room in the middle for nuance and preferences. How about we have as many choices in beans and roasts as we have flavors in ice creams? Here’s an interesting article by Cook’s Illustrated:
Oh, and if you do find yourself here for coffee (its the only shop in Winooski), be sure to ask for your latte or coffee hot (unless its iced of course)…the newest thing is luke warm coffee. I suppose heat interferes with the flavors as well. Go figure.

This is my favorite coffee shop in the Burlington area. I moved here from Seattle and am very picky about espresso. I was so happy to find kindred spirits in the Scout baristas! The care and quality is top notch.

Suddenly the doughnuts are taxed. When asked for an explanation I was met with indifference and no real answer. I know Scout doesn’t control Miss Weinerz doughnut flavors but last few weeks we can pass on all of them

I was so sad when Misery decided to close their coffee shop on Winooski Falls Way, I went there every morning to get a freshly baked scone and a mocha made from melted dark chocolate chips. When I heard that Scout was coming to town, I was excited to have a new place to do my morning ritual. But from the start, I have been very disappointed.
I ordered a mocha, excited to satisfy my chocoholic needs but the first sip went down and sadness began to set in. They didn’t use chocolate chips to make their mochas, they used cocoa powder, BLASPHEMY (and it was from Trader Joe’s). Maybe I have high expectations because I worked at a chocolate factory… but cocoa powder is not an acceptable mocha.
I decided that maybe they wouldn’t become my mocha haven, but at least I could get a coffee and a pastry on my way to work. Except for that whenever I go in at 7:45 on a weekday their pastries haven’t arrived! (They are brought in from Williston). I was informed that they come in at 8:30 (an hour and a half after they open…)
Please work on your mocha! I want to like you guys so much.

Have been in here a dozen times or so. Has potential but could use improvement. Décor and furnishings are a bit shoddy. The staff has been mostly very nice and the coffee drinks are pretty good. But the food selection is very minimal and consists mainly of a few pastries that can be decent but are often stale. The best days to go are Saturday and Sunday when Miss Weinerz donuts are dropped off. Unfortunately, they don’t arrive until 10 or so which may be a bit late for some.

Scout & Co. is exactly the kind of low-​key, high-​quality coffee house we needed to complement the redevelopment of downtown Winooski. Excellent drinks, friendly staff, good music, fast internet, and plenty of space to work, read, or chill. The prices seem slightly on the upper end, as another reviewer noted, but my experience here has been that you get what you pay for…

Had it not been so late in the day and my stomach so full, I would have hopped at the opportunity to tip back a smoked maple latte alongside the beet and chocolate ice cream. Yes, you heard me. Beet and chocolate ice cream — soak that in. I suppose this gives me one more thing to look forward to during my next visit to Vermont.
Total props to Tom, the friendly owner, for creating a cozy environment at this coffee shop located on the «square-​ish» in downtown Winooski. From the clever brass décor to the floor to ceiling windows, I was ready to hang out for hours on end. And, if your tummy starts to grumble, there are pastries from Misery Loves Co.
Can’t wait for my next visit.

Stopped in today for the first time and I have to say I was disappointed in how expensive it was! $ 4 for an in house latte in a tiny mug with too much froth and $ 4 for a tiny cup of chia seed pudding that advertised blueberries but none to be found. I had a brown sugar pastry that was delicious, and I will admit I love what they have done to the place, but I hope they either adjust their pricing and/​or portions or I will have to opt for another place on the circle as my weekend go to.

Great coffee and atmosphere! Feels like the coffee shops on the west coast. Lot os sunlight. Very relaxed. Brewing with Heart Roasters (Portland, OR) and Brio Coffeeworks (Burlington, VT). Good selection of different pour over methods. They will start roasting small batches in this location soon. Definitely will come back soon!