4. Restaurants

Cafe Bartlett Sq

154 Green St, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130
  • (617) 524-5373
  • Store is closed

Cafe Bartlett Sq Menu

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  • Rebecca B.

    Decent coffee, menu similar to Ula - baked goods, sandwiches, etc. The baked goods aren't nearly as good as canto 6 (pretty generic for the price, actually, so three stars), but Bartlett serves a different purpose (cafe vs. bakery). Very convenient, right next to the Green st. T stop. I see this place becoming a go-to breakfast stop for commuters. I also think it's going to throw some competition Ula's way, which probably isn't a bad thing (sorry Ula, but you've lost me lately).

    (3)

  • Vera T.

    Café Bartlett Sq. I like everyone I meet in your café, and I hope that your business succeeds. Your food is not good, and so inconsistent. Would you please, please pay attention to that? Are you just dismissing the critiques you see here? Try searching yelp for "café" in JP. Your place has the lowest rating. That seems accurate to me. If I really believed that 2 starts only means "meh, I've had better" I'd be giving you two stars. I've been in your restaurant about 20 times since you opened, I work two blocks away. Coffee? hot drip coffee often tastes burned. Whereas Canto and 7 pond - reliably good. Food - first off - putting hot food on your counter for display purposes, and then letting it brown and congeal and provide an awesome attraction for houseflies and fruit flies... how could you believe that's attractive? Food to order? Every sandwich that I've ordered, aside from the simple veggie breakfast sandwich, has been off. Today I got your chicken pesto paninni. The sandwich was served cold (how can that be a Panini) and with some kind of greens and tomato... dripping in olive oil. The menu says it's pesto chicken with provolone and peppers. No peppers, and if there was provolone... hard to notice it. Where'd those tomatoes and lettuce come from? They definitly were nice and crisp and cold which, again, belies the idea that there was any kind of paninni iron involved in the making of that sandwich. That's an $8 sandwich? Not again, for me. Check out your refrigerator case to see how wilted and unappealing the salads there look. Egg sandwich? You are the only spot, (aside from Dunkin's) that serves and egg sandwich within a 15 minute walk of Green St. T stop. Points for that. The sandwich itself... how do you make it so flavor free? More importantly, why does it sometimes come with the vegetables described on the menu, but just as often not? Service? 98 out of a hundred for friendly. Skilled? no. You always seem to have trainees behind the counter, people trying to figure out what they are doing, people getting frustrated, people getting distracted by a desire to chat with each other. I imagine your rent costs a mint. How van you afford to be so lackluster? Why not go for a simpler menu, one that you can actually master? What are you thinking Bartlett Square?

    (3)

  • Nico F.

    It's a bit painful to give this place 2 stars, since it's a bright, pleasant, roomy space in an area that sorely needs rejuvenation of this sort. Everything--from the coffee, to the sandwiches, to the breakfast--hovers between "meh" and okay. If you're charging prices comparable to the ultra-yuppie (but admittedly ultra-yummy) places like Hi-Rise in Cambridge, you need to improve the quality of your product. Train your staff on making coffee drinks worthy of the prices you charge (My $4 cappuccino's milk was almost burnt this morning). Make better, fresher sandwiches (both incredible Canto 6 and pricey City Feed are far superior). I appreciate that they're trying out different menu items, but I'd rather see them tighten their focus and do a few things really well, rather than offering so many disparate things--coffee, ice cream, smoothies, breakfast, oysters (!?), Vietnamese and Cuban sandwiches--that are just okay. I will say that the staff have usually been friendly and attentive. I hope to see some improvements in quality because I really do want to support this place.

    (2)

  • Y H.

    Nice place to grab brunch or to stop in for a coffee date. My only criticism for the place is the unreliable wifi - it is always a hit or miss whether I can log on!

    (3)

  • Asabry A.

    We had high expectations for our first visit. Great location, decor, and overall feel. When our order did not come after a 25 min wait, I inquired. (Our 2 yr old was already finished with the "new place honeymoon" and getting edgy). The clerk was not sure what had happened, so I asked the manager when we could expect our order. Apparently, there had been a techno glitch, but the apology was halfhearted and blamed on an over-loaded system, even though it was not crowded at the time. I expressed some dismay, to which the manager asked what I would like as a compensation, suggesting perhaps I wanted my money back. It was an awkward moment, but I proposed "some baked goodies, perhaps?" To which he brought us three cookies in a bag. They turned out to be excellent, so that actually was somewhat comforting. When the order did finally come in spurts almost 40 min after ordering, it turned out to be wrong, and not especially tasty. My $7.50 BLT was basically BLT between two slices of dry bread. The baby's $4.50 grilled cheese was cold and dry. My wife got a sandwich she hadn't ordered. We did not complain further, but will probably not return any time soon. The overall feel of the staff is not particularly cheerful. Too bad. They should go hang out at Flour for a few hours to see a well-run establishment with friendly, helpful staff, efficient service and really yummy stuff.

    (2)

  • Sabine S.

    Just about every time I go to this place, I have a weird or off-putting experience with the people who work there. Don't ask me why. And yeah, maybe I'm the off-putting one - except that this doesn't happen elsewhere, at least not in the consistent way it happens here. It's happened enough, now, that it seems to me there is something wrong with the hiring or training process. It has started seeming like a joke - every time I approach the place, I wonder what it will be this time! There is only one woman there who seems to have an idea of how to treat the customer, and I haven't seen her lately. I hope she's still there. I would love to love this place. It's spacious, in a good location, with plenty of light. The coffee, baked goods, and ice cream are good. (The sandwiches are "interesting" in a way I don't like.) And I have no problem with eccentric or off-beat staff--in fact, I prefer it that way. But I only go there when I have no other choice. Meh.

    (2)

  • BurgerBaron G.

    As someone who likes to do a lot of work in a coffee shop, Cafe BSQ has what a person needs to spend some quality time. Relatively quite, PLENTY of outlets for plugging in laptops, private tables or long community tables and an outdoor patio for a change of pace. Oh, yeah, they also serve coffee. OK, its not the best coffee I've ever had. In fact it's often served from big urns sitting next to the register. But it does the job. I'm just a coffee drinker so I can't speak to their specialty drinks. Cafe BSQ has a wide selection of sandwiches and other food, although many of the egg-based sandwiches could use more seasoning; they're all a little bland. Most don't come with any sort of topping like aoli or something so they can seem a little dry if you don't gobble them down right away. But they're inventive, so that's a plus. There are also pastry items, nuts, fruit, juices as well. They also apparently serve ice cream when its the season but I haven't seen that happen yet. But as I stated, I come to drink coffee and work, so if the food is important, other reviewers might give you more insight. The service can be a bit lax and - sorry - a little clueless but it I think it's because they're training new young people. There are new faces and I'll grant them a learning curve. They've also updated to a iPad type payment system if you use a card. Other features important to coffee shop workers: The wi-fi can be unpredictable at times so be prepared to experience some breaks in the action. The chairs also double as weight lifting apparatus (they're made of some solid metal and can be hard to move and adjust for those who aren't strong like me! :). It's right across the street from the Green Street station on the Orange Line. Parking can be a little tough if you drive but a walk will do you good! I started coming here before it started drawing a decent crowd; it was an alternative to the loud and crowded Ula Cafe. It's gotten a bit more popular now but as long as I can still find a seat and get a cup of coffee before working, it'll do.

    (3)

  • Sandy B.

    I want to like this place, but I'm giving it 2 stars for the service and prices. Their menu is clearly too big for the chef, as the wait here is always extensive even when there is no one else in the restaurant. Their staff is slow and doesn't take care of you've been waiting. I'm writing this review while waiting for a sandwich for over 15 minutes. I've only seen 2 items come out of the kitchen in that time. This place needs a smaller menu, a faster kitchen, and better trained staff with urgency.

    (2)

  • Andrew H.

    The Pros: Bright and airy setting. Not cramped like other coffee houses. Items are fairly priced. Cons: Coffee could be a little stronger. Wait staff is lackluster. They make it clear to customers they'd rather be someplace else.

    (2)

  • Kate E.

    The food here is good. The service couldn't be worse. I have been the only person in line, waited for 15 minutes for a chicken quesadilla, while the folks talked in the back. This happened 3 times. I have waited for premade ice coffee, and I have waited for a salad. There isn't one person working there that is less flaky than the other. This has happened with everyone. Service is the absolute worst.

    (2)

  • Alexandra A.

    For somewhere so close to the train you would think they'd try to be a little faster. Have waited 10 minutes for a bagel when there were no other customers. They should do less things (oysters, really?) and do the things they have efficiently and well. Foods not even that great.

    (2)

  • Charles C.

    So happy to have a spacious coffee shop near my place in JP. Their pastries look delicious and interesting, and I know at least one of them is good (lavender something muffin). The sandwich I had here was good too, but I hope they sub out the tortilla chips at some point, maybe for simple greens with a vinaigrette In response to the first review, the service is good, not slow, and the layout is nice. There's plenty of space and lots of windows. Wifi is off from 7-9 and 12-2.

    (4)

  • Dave O.

    Beautiful cafe, excellent if slightly noisy street-side patio, with decent food and drink. The Wifi is consistently unusably slow, however, making any online work difficult.

    (2)

  • August L.

    Great food, friendly staff, nice atmosphere, lovely patio. And vegans and vegetarians - you are good to go here! They have nice vegetarian sandwiches, a quinoa vegetable bowl, several good salads. I haven't had the soup yet but today's was vegetarian too. Free wifi and it's a pretty nice place to work for a bit - just do your part and order food and drinks, don't be a table hog without ordering anything. The big windows add lovely light during the day - it will be especially nice in the dead of winter. Such a great addition to JP!

    (4)

  • Lauren B.

    This place is a joke. I keep coming in because it's one block from my work, and each time I lower my expectations hoping that'll help. I've eaten here twice, and both times the food took 45 minutes to come out despite being a simple sandwich (also, I ordered the same sandwich both times and they were completely different each time - different bread, different cheese, different side). Today, I came in just for a regular iced coffee, and two of the baristas were joking around about something. I walked up to the counter to order, and both of the baristas walked away from the counter to continue their joke. There were at least four people working, and no one was doing any work at all, despite myself and several other people waiting. Finally, one of the women went back behind the counter to take my order, but literally joked around with her friend while I was speaking and I had to repeat myself twice. It's a shame, because they have an awesome location and space, but it's a waste.

    (1)

  • Shadia A.

    For the price that I was paying, the food did not suffice. For the first time I ordered a Cubano sandwich without ham because of dietary reasons. Since I went on a Tuesday I got a free cookie with the purchase of my sandwich. So technically I payed 10.00 for one sandwich, which was not even big, or extraordinary in taste. I also found that when choosing from the menu, there only about 8 options for sandwiches and paninis, and this might sound good, but most of the sandwiches were very similar in ingredients. I read other people complaining about the service, but I found that the service was good, and I wait more that ten minutes for my sandwich. When I actually got my sandwich I found that there was not a lot of cheese and the sandwich was basically comprised of just turkey and some kind of relish (I forgot the name). On the plus side though, that relish was very delicious and really brought up the sandwich from just a blan turkey sandwich into something that was pretty decent. The cookie was also pretty small maybe 4 inches in diameter. It was pretty tasty, but I saw that they were selling it for 2 dollars, when it is more like a 1 dollar cookie. I also saw that the other pastries were also overpriced. Overall I thought that for a new place and the location that it is in, that it would have been better, in fact it should have been better. Also the over pricing was too much for a small lunch.

    (3)

  • K L.

    I want to like this place, they just make it so hard. It's convenient to my job and I have eaten lunch here probably half a dozen times. It is NEVER good. NEVER. The hipster staff is about as impressive as the food. Meh.

    (2)

  • Bec P.

    I've been to this place a few times. I always walk out feeling ripped off. I was so excited for this place to open as Canto 6 doesn't have breakfast sandwiches and i'm a sucker for them. I also saw a picture of one on their facebook page and it looked DELICIOUS as it was made with a real egg, but what i got was one of those nasty microwaved eggs on a rubbery english muffin. i've gotten a few other things there, smoothie and ice cream and it was just plain over priced. i think the best way to sum this place up is that it seems to offer a lot of really good things, but they don't actually make it themselves. they say their reason for doing this is so people can get stuff in the time the expect but i saw another review down there complaining about the same things. it took 10 minutes for me to get a bagel! they didn't even put the cream cheese on it. how could it possibly have taken that long? i dunno, i prefer better non-microwaved or prepackaged and to wait maybe a few minutes more. i think quality is under rated. the best thing about this place is the space that they have, but i definitely won't pass up Canto 6 to come here.

    (2)

  • Hannah E.

    No reason to go here. It's sad. Beautiful inside and out, but that's where it ends. Overpriced and mediocre at best. I ordered a breakfast sandwich that came without cheese and on an untoasted English muffin(What?!) . I would have asked for both issues to be corrected but I had already waited 20 min for it, during which I saw three customers return everything from stale chips to a latte. One person was working the counter and making all of the drinks, and the "Web guy" was in the kitchen, apologizing to everyone, as this isn't his normal duty. The coffee was good, but expensive. All in all I don't plan to return.

    (1)

  • Megan C.

    I've tried Cafe Bartlett Sq 4 times and each time I wish it will be better than the last but I always leave disappointed. What is great about the place is the layout, fast wifi, and the bright sunny windows. These features keep getting me to come back but the coffee just isn't good. It tastes like it just sits there until the pot is sold instead of making a fresh batch every hour. I tried the turkey melt today but the chipotle mayo was left off of it so it just tasted like salty turkey. As mentioned I really want to like this place so I decided to see if this could be a go to hot chocolate stop. It isn't. I asked for whip cream for the hot chocolate and they said they don't carry that yet they have ice cream. Just seems odd. I am not giving up just yet but I won't be coming back for a long time in hopes some things will change.

    (2)

  • Amanda N.

    The owner Chris is an A-hole. I hope he go out of business soon.

    (1)

  • L J.

    The vegan breakfast sandwich is excellent!

    (4)

  • Erin P.

    Love this place! Amazing coffee and lattes, delicious food. Vegan/vegetarian choices. The turkey melt is mouthwatering. The outdoor patio is my favorite and it's pet friendly. A little noisy from the train and traffic but it's the city, typical. Parking can be tricky, we usually park on a side street behind the cafe. I hope this place sticks around for a long time...it's great!

    (4)

  • Rhea B.

    The food is quite good! Great to see this.

    (3)

  • Natassha D.

    Finally I see some Black workers this place needed diversity! But the brunch was still crap! I could have eaten better at home making the same sandwich just slap! Cheese and bacon

    (3)

  • RB S.

    OK, pleasant atmosphere, clean, nice patio, yada yada. But $8 for a sandwich with hardly anything besides mediocre bread? Pu-lease. Just head up the street to Canto 6 and get a better sandwich for less.

    (2)

  • Bill K.

    This place would be a 5 if the internet worked. As is, it's a bright, fairly-priced space that isn't terribly crowded that tantalizes you with intermittent wi-fi. It's like some sort of first-world curse was lain on the place by an angry god.

    (2)

  • Joshua S.

    Slow service. Terrible layout. Vast seating capacity. Difficult to immediately understand menu. Also, nobody calls pizza a Za. $10 for two shots of espresso and a small breakfast sandwich. Hm. Espresso was pretty good, though, and sandwich had some nice greens. I suspect that, once they get up to speed, they'll be pretty good.

    (3)

  • John M.

    Really friendly place for lunch or an afternoon snack. Excellent choices including the vegan items.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth R.

    THREE STRIKES, YOU'RE OUT! Sorry, Bartlett's, we gave you three opportunities to get it right and you failed to do so. On our first visit, we thot "Well, they just opened. Have to get the kinks out." But, over the span of one and a half months, you still couldn't overcome: 1. S-L-O-W service. How could it take so long to make a simple sandwich?? To scoop an ice cream? 2. Incompetent servers. They should know the menu, the ingredients, the flavors by heart, w/o looking at the board! 3. Lazy workers. How could you make yourself lunch and sit a table eating it w a line of people waiting for their orders?? 3. Inferior product, i.e. stale bread, skimpy fillings, heavy mayo, no pickle, no chips. 4. Dirty. Two out three times there, we had to get napkins and wash off our own table. 5. Pricey, esp. considering lack of quality and small servings. All the amenities: patio, lots of seating, welcoming staff, good location, etc CANNOT make up for inferior service and product. We will walk the extra steps to Canto 6 or RealDeal or City Feed.

    (1)

  • Joe D.

    Starting with the positive, delicious blueberry lavender muffin, baked in house. The negative, Coffee is pricey, and they don't pour it for you. Coffee, cream, sugar and all extras are all cramped together on one small, barely accessible table. Once they work out the flow, i might return, but it won't pull me from Canto 6.

    (2)

  • J B.

    New management. Same food much better service last half dozen times I've been there. Not fast, but at least very reliable. Good new specials as well. Overall pleased w the change

    (4)

  • Stacy H.

    i had their alt - avocado, lettuce & tomato - and it was delicious, cheap & filling. they also had this really amazing kitchen sink-type cookie that you could tell was freshly made. yum.

    (4)

  • Joe R.

    The location is unbelievable. I would have hoped for a bit higher quality food and coffee selection. For meeting space, this is pretty amazing indoor and outdoor. Increase quality product, this place could be the next big thing in JP.

    (3)

  • Rick F.

    A friend and I stumbled on this place by accident while looking for a place to meet and we are glad that we did! The location and ambiance is great but what really makes this place shine is the staff. They are super friendly and helpful and take care of their customers. Customer service is alive and well here! I am hooked on the double cappuccino's and peanut butter cookies! I love the patio area which is perfect for people watching when the weather gets nicer.

    (5)

  • Rosa G.

    I love Cafe Bartlett Square! I especially like their vegetarian version of their breakfast sandwich - the homemade veggie patty is delicious. Employees are super friendly, and I always enjoy going. Can't wait for their spring/summer hours to start.

    (5)

  • Violet M.

    LOVE this! Perfect casual little cafe, and brilliant for any meal with a couple friends.

    (4)

  • tim l.

    I went in for lunch the other day and had the best sandwich! The bread was fresh and home made, the veggies(tomatoes,arugula) perfect - I wish I could remember the name of the sandwich. I do know that it was vegetarian and delicious! The space is cool - lots of seating and free wifi - great patio as well. It's definitely good to have another cafe in the neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Sofi M.

    I just went here for the first time this morning and I loved it! Met the owner, who is one of the most friendly guys out there. The staff was sweet and helpful. They have great deals for neighbors, like 1/2 ice cream for kids who come in with uniforms, and fun stuff like that. Get the coffee cake! they make their bakery items in house, great latte, and lots of space. Probably going to make a good Meet Up space. Highly recommend, and happy they are in the hood.

    (5)

  • E A.

    The space here is large, bright and airy with plenty of seating, outlets for laptops and free wireless. I ordered a large iced chai which was decent and a delicious hazelnut cake. They were also giving samples of their espresso brownie and that was also delicious. The outdoor patio was really nice, large and shaded with umbrellas. In terms of price, I think it's very reasonable and compares to Ula down the street.

    (5)

  • Sanjeev V.

    Slow, slow, slow baristas. The worst kind. I ordered a bagel to go. Took over 10 mins...

    (1)

  • Mike S.

    I REALLY want to like this place, because I live nearby and I love seeing some more businesses in the area. However, after a few attempts, I keep being disappointed. The sandwich and crepe options are pretty bland. For $8, there should be some unique ingredients to make it more exciting. Also, I feel like everything costs 1-2 dollars more than it should. Maybe they're competing with high rent, because they've got a great, big space in a key location across from the subway. Also, the outdoor seating area is excellent. Although the staff is very friendly, I have experienced the slow wait times that other reviews have addressed. About 2 weeks ago, my wife waited a perfectly reasonable 10 minutes for her crepe. But then they ran out of crepe mix and it took a full 30minutes for them to bring my crepe out. We got a little cookie as an apology, but I would have loved my 6 bucks back. :-P Though I'm critical, I'm really rooting for this place to step up their game, because I would love to have a place I could regularly grab a coffee or snack.

    (3)

  • Debra W.

    I stopped in for a quick lunch and to check out the new digs. Love the space. Great tables inside and out. Really nicely done, very nice bathrooms too! Ordered a BLT. It arrived on really hard (+ cold) toast that seemed as though it was toasted ahead of time, allowing it to get so hard that it ripped the top of my mouth and was really hard to bite into. Bacon also was not warm at all and seemed as though it was cooked up hours before. This really could have been better. It's pretty hard to screw up a BLT sandwich! Servers were nice. Outdoor patio is nice. Went back to get ice cream, but servers were all busy with other customers. Maybe it takes time to get the kinks out?

    (2)

  • Mark R.

    I had a similar experience as Thomas. There is obviously a lot of care put into the building and atmosphere but I think that they need some work on their organization. The kitchen and cashier seemed out of touch...I'll go back for a drink or small snack but this isn't really a lunch place. The sandwiches seem more like an afterthought. By the way, this is the first coffee shop where I've seen signs advertising that they do not have wifi at certain times. Why can't we use wifi during breakfast and lunch?!?! This place is going to have a hard time competing with Ula.

    (2)

  • Patrice P.

    It's just ok. Nothing more or less nothing bad or particularly good. I guess I'm a purist when it comes to the Cubano sandwich and when someone calls a sandwich a Cubano I expect it to be a Cubano the sandwich i had was not a Cubano did I say Cubano enough? Anywho nice spot, really clean and friendly staff. I had the Olive Oyl smoothie and it was yummy and everyone I work with raves about their turkey melt sandwich which I'll try someday. I've had their quesadilla and it was just ok. But their Mexican hot chocolate was muy delicioso!

    (4)

  • Wes K.

    So it's been a year and the kinks I mentioned in my previous review have not been worked out. The food quality and quantity isn't worth the price, and that now includes the pastries too. They still keep trying new things without perfecting what they currently have going on. Now there's a kiosk outside where you can get coffee and a muffin in the morning, but I don't think it's any faster than going inside for the same. What I'm really knocking a star for is the service. It's not unreasonable to expect better trained staff more than a year after opening. These people are TERRIBLE. They are slow, forgetful, and occasionally rude. When there's no line, I find myself standing at the counter for several awkward moments waiting for a jaded barista to come out of the kitchen so I can order. The other day I waited 10 minutes after ordering for a bagel & cream cheese that turned out to be so toasted one side was black. A few weeks ago I saw a customer wait 45 minutes for a salad. When the barista brought it out, he defended the place by saying that everything is prepared fresh. He should've given her a refund. Do yourself a favor and walk the extra bit to Canto 6 for infinitely better food or Ula for the workspace/atmosphere.

    (1)

  • Laurie N.

    Service is terrible. Tragically slow. Staff is not friendly. Way too expensive. The worst place I've been to in JP. Walk up the street to Canto 6. Well worth it!!

    (1)

  • Lauren W.

    Yeah they may have a great vegan breakfast sandwich but their overpriced bullshit lattes are ridiculous. I watched the girl pour an entire cup of soy milk in and give me one single shot of espresso. They should be ashamed of themselves for calling THAT a latte.

    (1)

  • Had H.

    So it's a new business and I'm sure they will work some kinks out eventually, but based on going there about 4x since they opened, here's my take on it: Double shot latte: is it supposed to go in a 16oz or 12oz cup? Bc I've had both and I'd prefer the 16oz, obviously. Also the last time I ordered a latte, it tasted a bit strange and had me wonder if it was made with whole milk instead of skim. The pastry selection is minimal compared to canto 6, and the taste cannot compare to canto6 by a long shot. I did have the blueberry lavender muffin 2x and its good, but small for the price. I also tried a chocolate brioche which had a filling but it wasn't fluffy like I'm used to...cannot compare to anything brioche that Flour makes, and it was difficult to eat. The presentation of the pastries is nice, but I think they should work on offering a more selection of things. The turkey melt sandwich wasn't too bad and I give them a leg up for that than. (Better than Ulas sandwiches in my opinion). There's plenty of seating and very convenient to commuters. I'm sure ill come here more in the coming days. Really, this place deserves 3.5 stars (for now at least). The staff is very nice although a little awkward.

    (3)

  • Alex T.

    BSq Cafe! This place feels like a loft with ample space and a lovely outdoors patio area. I came here on a beautiful sunny day and this location was like a breath of fresh air. I loved my Cubano sandwich, which was almost as good as David's Cafe in South Beach. They serve their sandwiches with masa chips, which is a great alternative to regular chips. Their teas & and coffees are both quite good. They also offer homemade ice-cream! Overall a quality joint with much to offer in an open, clean, & modern space.

    (4)

  • Danielle E.

    I went here for my 3rd visit today and felt like it was time for a review... The food is fine, but the service is kinda sucky. Visit #1 - Guy behind the counter sneezed and did not wash his hands. Visit #2 - There was nobody waiting and the food took much longer than it should have, with no heads up. Visit #3 - I walked in to a fire alarm going off and half the place with their hands over their ears. The girl at the counter could have explained/smiled and made light of it, but nope, she was too cool for that. She basically slammed my cookie on the counter and after my putting my phone on the level up stand, she just walked away. No, "Your payment went through successfully," "Thanks for coming in" or "Have a Nice Day. Total sour-puss.

    (2)

  • Karen W.

    I was excited for this cafe to open but I'm a little disappointed. As other reviews have pointed out, it is on the expensive side, and I'm not exactly sure what justifies the prices. I agree with the previous review about the extremely uncomfortable chairs. It doesn't help that the Wifi is not currently working, and the staff was rude and dismissive about it.

    (2)

  • Teresa P.

    I prefer BSQ over Ula any day! Friendly staff. Outdoor seating. Great place to do work: free wifi and a lot of tables. Tasty food. One of the most diverse clientele at any JP cafe.

    (5)

  • Sarah G.

    I want to like this place but everytime I come the staff makes me feel like I'm a burden. I wish they were just a tad nicer, it would make the experience more enjoyable.

    (2)

  • John B.

    JP has a lot of great bakeries and coffee shops and in the grand scheme of things Cafe Bartlett Sq kind of falls in the middle of the pack. The espresso drinks are made fresh and they offer a strong assortment of sandwiches and pastries. The breakfast sandwiches are not the best, but they are certainly not the worst. The crepes are a slight leg up on them, but I'm pretty sure Nutella gives anything a slight leg up. The staff are warm and friendly but can at times come across not the most organized and a little overwhelmed. I'll take warm/friendly and overwhelmed over organized and cold. Cafe Bartlett Sq does get points for having a great layout, wifi, and a fun assortment of groceries for at home meals (e.g. pastas, sauces, etc.). I'll definitely be back to try some other sandwiches out, but there is some stiff competition in the area.

    (3)

  • Katy W.

    Cafe Bartlett Square seems to have put its best foot forward which is good because I know it opened to high expectations (mine included). Its interior is bright and beautiful with nice clear signage (except that it's a little confusing that you're supposed to order ice cream in a separate locale from the remainder). Perhaps because of its large inside and because, as I contend, there are not enough cafes in JP, it seems pretty crammed already. Much the same crowd as Ula already seem to be hanging out here like they came with the place. Moms and strollers and hipsters and headphones abound. I tried a lovely cran-spritzer which was refreshing on one of our endlessly hot days. Their baked goods are deliciously appealing and the macaroon did not fail its visual promise. I like that their menu is a little different with the ice cream offerings. They also have a fair amount of seating including a nice patio area complete with umbrellas. Like every new place, they seem to be ironing out some of their kinks as I didn't receive the drink I ordered and had to ask for it, but I imagine they will smooth this out. Keep those macaroons coming!

    (4)

  • Jim B.

    Usually enjoy coming here but too often the WiFi is spotty..the service is slow and the cafe is rather messy. The great location and comfortable space is being undermined by the unreliable customer service.

    (1)

  • Andy D.

    I've been here 3 times and 2 out of 3 have been a disappointment. The pro of this place is that it's right next to the Orange Line and offers a more varied menu than Canto 6. However, their food pales in comparison. In particular, their scones are so dry and salty, I don't really know why they bother with pastries at all. The breakfast sandwich I bought on 1 visit was similarly dry. The one good visit I had was purchasing a fruit crepe. It was warm, packed with fruit, and delicious. Service-wise, I have to echo the other reviews that mentioned how unfriendly and incompetent the staff are. They also seemed incredibly rushed. My third and final visit I went to purchase another crepe. After waiting 10 minutes, I checked in to find my order was misplaced. I didn't have time to wait any longer, so I asked for a refund. One girl seemed annoyed I wanted a refund (when hey, it wasn't my fault you screwed up), but went to get the manager. Rather than look up how much I actually paid for my order, he set up the refund for the girl just for the crepe and left. However, I didn't just buy the crepe, I bought bananas on the side and tipped 15%. The girl instead handed to me in cash (when I paid with a credit card) and tried to argue with me when I said I paid more than just the value of the crepe (like I don't have a credit hold to prove it). I left because by this point I was annoyed, but if they'd just not been lazy and rushed, and instead more friendly, they'd have been able to look up the order and properly refund me (on my credit card, and NOT cash for an incorrect amount). Anyway, lesson learned. I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Marina W.

    I have been in here a few times. The first time, my friend ordered an iced latte. It took something ridiculous like 17 minutes for it to come out because...it's unclear why. The counter server wrote her order on the note pad, and stuck the order for the barista to see. But the barista apparently didn't see it? (We watched them both wander around and do other things for a really long time before she became proactive about asking for her coffee.) That was weird and probably a blip and doesn't happen often, but still, that's a pretty significant thing to mess up. On top of that, when she finally did get her coffee, it was made incorrectly. Oops! The second time I was there was fine, no problems. The third, I ordered an iced chai latte with half and half. (Go ahead, judge me. I don't believe in low-fat dairy products.) The cashier was a little judgmental about it, which felt kind of weird to me and made me feel awkward about ordering a glass of half and half with some chai concentrate in it. But, when the barista delivered my drink (not sure why I got table service, but, hey no complaints!), he complimented my drink choice. So, again, that was kind of weird but it was also the best chai latte I've ever had. The pastries look good, but seem a little overpriced. I've sampled a few and they were good, but didn't stand out to me. In the interest of full disclosure, though, I should tell you that Canto 6 has my heart when it comes to pastries. Cafe Bartlett Square is a good idea and the space is nice, but I'm not clamoring to hang out here. (Side note: They have 3 single stall gendered bathrooms and I want more than anything for them to make them gender neutral because they are single stall bathrooms with doors that lock so why does it matter?!)

    (3)

  • Kylie S.

    I'm surprised by all of the poor reviews here. I ordered a sandwich, it was completely delicious. They offer gluten free bread, which is a huge plus for me as I just found out I'm gluten-intolerant. I love that they have equal options for vegetarians, vegans, and meat eaters. The space is clean, and open and they have outdoor tables. It is a little pricy, and they should offer more food for that price (a side with the sandwich, perhaps.)

    (4)

  • Derek S.

    I checked this out for the first time a couple days ago (Tuesday) when I needed to kill an hour before meeting up with friends. On a sunny early evening the patio was wonderful to sit at and enjoy the special oatmeal/chocolate cookie and large lemonade. It wasn't particularly busy, but I imagine it has a busier morning rush and weekend patronage. I'm not a real vegetarian--just trying it out on weekdays and pigging out (pun intended) on weekends. When I visited I could've gone for something more nourishing than a cookie, but there wasn't a very big food selection from what I gathered that appeals to vegetarians' pallets. It's not a huge drawback, it's just that I could've probably gone to a few places on Centre Street that would have more to offer. Nevertheless, it's great to have this addition along the Southwest Corridor Park and I look forward to more cafe-type establishments like this one opening up along the way over the years. :-)

    (4)

  • Bobby S.

    I've lived near the Green Street stop for 10years. I love Canto 6 and Ula. CBS is in a really great location, so it's hard not to check out. First thing is that the staff is a bit TOO friendly. Like they're being FORCED to be nice. In my opinion, they ask you what you want WAY too soon. The second you're within 8 feet from the counter, they ask you want you want. Like, chill for sec. A touch overeager compared to Ula and Canto, who are super laid back like JP itself. I had the iced coffee today and I did not enjoy it. My main gripe is the smell. I'm super sensitive to smells. I think it's coming from the FroYo machine? It smells like Berry Line or Pink Berry. Something about that FroYo machine smells so bad. It's so mechanical..like you can taste the gears in your throat. What is that? The breakfast sammy was decent. I like seeing people out on that corner when you exit the T. That area used to be an empty lot. It's nice to see it alive and well. Very cool!

    (3)

  • Gene L.

    The hours have gone down since the summer. I really like how open the place feels though perhaps the disadvantage is a lack of outlets in some locations. The sandwiches are really good, particularly the turkey melt. I haven't tried any of the ice creams yet, but the coffee is good enough for my tastes. I see some comments about the staff not being friendly, but I've had nothing but positive experiences with the staff.

    (4)

  • Gavin C.

    I have been to Cafe Sq about 20 times since it has opened. The coffee is not that great. Some of the food is decent, but it takes 10 minutes to put in a order and another 20 to receive. The leader with the beard doesn't seem to care much about it's customers. It's too bad, because the place has potential.

    (1)

  • Dick S.

    Not a bad little coffee place. The coffee is ok but nothin special. The pastries however are excellent and work the trip in. Wish their coffee was a little better. I will try their cappuccino next time.

    (4)

  • Marc L.

    Any cafe opening so close to outstanding competitors (Ula Cafe and Canto 6 bakery) better know what it's doing and this place seems to. I was impressed. I loved the ample space, excellent natural light, huge patio, impressive baked goods (I had a tip from a pastry chef friend that the pastry person here is the real deal), open later than the other nearby options. Honestly, if I didn't live in the neighborhood I'd consider taking the Orange Line over to Green St. purely to hang and work here. Also, very friendly staff. Plenty of electrical outlets for computers (wifi off for 2 hours early morning and 2 hours around lunch). I have very minor "quibbles" (not significant enough to be qualms). It seems like there are a few little service flow issues still getting worked out but very minor and friendliness more than makes up for any hiccups. Also seems a bit pricey but for nice atmosphere, tasty goods, friendly staff (and Christina's ice cream on this side of the river), I'll take it.

    (5)

  • Chris W.

    BSQ and Myell's Kitchen is AWESOME! This open-space, welcoming, and spotless cafe is what Ula wishes it could be! Cutting to the chase, Myell makes the best sandwiches and salads in JP... HANDS DOWN. The Funky Chicken is the best chicken salad sandwich I have ever had, my kids love the turkey melt with chipotle mayo, and my wife would sell me in a second for the Strawberry fields salad. Oh, crepes and brekkie sandwiches on the weekends are a must try!! We chill on the patio with a pomegranate and lime spritzer and we're reminded why this is one of our favorite places after having lived in JP for 12 years. BE AWARE--- Myell's Kitchen is a new addition to BSQ and all of the early reviews here are from the first chef's escapades. JP to me is when good folks get together and make our community better. That's exactly what Chris Desisto and Myell have done. We vote with our stomachs and our wallets and we eat at BSQ a few times a week. If you are in JP and haven't enjoyed the chill and friendly vibe and killer food that Myell puts so much effort into... hipster, you just ain't lived yet.

    (5)

  • Sarah D.

    My tuna salad was good but the service was terrible. The place was empty and it seemed to take forever to get my food. I think it might have killed the guy behind the counter to smile or utter a word. Great location but there are too many other places that are so much better in JP. I'll walk to Ula or Canto 6 next time.

    (2)

  • Meg B.

    Everything I've tried here is amazing! I remember trying their pecan squares and I was blown away by it. Their coffee is good too. Really cool atmosphere, good place to sit down and do work...the prices are the only thing I would change! But it's worth it to go once in a while.

    (4)

  • Joanie L.

    Not sure why the person below thinks the layout is so bad. It's huge and comfortable and you don't see that in a cafe so often (wish Canto 6 half that room). Nice outdoor patio for good weather. It *was* confusing who to order from but the lemon ginger scone made up for it. That's a small sampling I know, and rices were a little higher than I'd like, but overall it's promising in my book.

    (4)

  • R I.

    BSQ has potential to be a great cafe, but it needs to listen to what its customers are saying. Have been excited about it for the following reasons: Close to my house and the Green St T Sunny space, great patio Great egg sandwiches Good coffee, decent pastries Have been disappointed for the following reasons: The wifi has been extremely inconsistent every time I've been there (at least 3 times a week for the past month), mostly not working. When several of us approached the staff about it, we were met with a shrug, told that they could not do anything about it. The heavy steel chairs are pretty uncomfortable. Who chose those??? The prices are too high for the skimpy sandwiches. I'm back at JP Licks as my cafe hang-out. If the management wants to keep their repeat customers, they need to fix the wifi and either beef up their sandwiches or lower the cost.

    (3)

  • Andrew H.

    The Pros: Bright and airy setting. Not cramped like other coffee houses. Items are fairly priced. Cons: Coffee could be a little stronger. Wait staff is lackluster. They make it clear to customers they'd rather be someplace else.

    (2)

  • Kate E.

    The food here is good. The service couldn't be worse. I have been the only person in line, waited for 15 minutes for a chicken quesadilla, while the folks talked in the back. This happened 3 times. I have waited for premade ice coffee, and I have waited for a salad. There isn't one person working there that is less flaky than the other. This has happened with everyone. Service is the absolute worst.

    (2)

  • Josh F.

    Bartlett Square Cafe has some of the best, most original sandwiches in JP... And that's saying a lot. More importantly, the manager, Myell, is customer focused and friendly. Anytime I've wanted something custom or off the menu, he's been eager to accommodate me. He's constantly adding to the menu, so there's always a reason to return.

    (5)

  • Patrice P.

    It's just ok. Nothing more or less nothing bad or particularly good. I guess I'm a purist when it comes to the Cubano sandwich and when someone calls a sandwich a Cubano I expect it to be a Cubano the sandwich i had was not a Cubano did I say Cubano enough? Anywho nice spot, really clean and friendly staff. I had the Olive Oyl smoothie and it was yummy and everyone I work with raves about their turkey melt sandwich which I'll try someday. I've had their quesadilla and it was just ok. But their Mexican hot chocolate was muy delicioso!

    (4)

  • Wes K.

    So it's been a year and the kinks I mentioned in my previous review have not been worked out. The food quality and quantity isn't worth the price, and that now includes the pastries too. They still keep trying new things without perfecting what they currently have going on. Now there's a kiosk outside where you can get coffee and a muffin in the morning, but I don't think it's any faster than going inside for the same. What I'm really knocking a star for is the service. It's not unreasonable to expect better trained staff more than a year after opening. These people are TERRIBLE. They are slow, forgetful, and occasionally rude. When there's no line, I find myself standing at the counter for several awkward moments waiting for a jaded barista to come out of the kitchen so I can order. The other day I waited 10 minutes after ordering for a bagel & cream cheese that turned out to be so toasted one side was black. A few weeks ago I saw a customer wait 45 minutes for a salad. When the barista brought it out, he defended the place by saying that everything is prepared fresh. He should've given her a refund. Do yourself a favor and walk the extra bit to Canto 6 for infinitely better food or Ula for the workspace/atmosphere.

    (1)

  • Laurie N.

    Service is terrible. Tragically slow. Staff is not friendly. Way too expensive. The worst place I've been to in JP. Walk up the street to Canto 6. Well worth it!!

    (1)

  • Lauren W.

    Yeah they may have a great vegan breakfast sandwich but their overpriced bullshit lattes are ridiculous. I watched the girl pour an entire cup of soy milk in and give me one single shot of espresso. They should be ashamed of themselves for calling THAT a latte.

    (1)

  • BurgerBaron G.

    As someone who likes to do a lot of work in a coffee shop, Cafe BSQ has what a person needs to spend some quality time. Relatively quite, PLENTY of outlets for plugging in laptops, private tables or long community tables and an outdoor patio for a change of pace. Oh, yeah, they also serve coffee. OK, its not the best coffee I've ever had. In fact it's often served from big urns sitting next to the register. But it does the job. I'm just a coffee drinker so I can't speak to their specialty drinks. Cafe BSQ has a wide selection of sandwiches and other food, although many of the egg-based sandwiches could use more seasoning; they're all a little bland. Most don't come with any sort of topping like aoli or something so they can seem a little dry if you don't gobble them down right away. But they're inventive, so that's a plus. There are also pastry items, nuts, fruit, juices as well. They also apparently serve ice cream when its the season but I haven't seen that happen yet. But as I stated, I come to drink coffee and work, so if the food is important, other reviewers might give you more insight. The service can be a bit lax and - sorry - a little clueless but it I think it's because they're training new young people. There are new faces and I'll grant them a learning curve. They've also updated to a iPad type payment system if you use a card. Other features important to coffee shop workers: The wi-fi can be unpredictable at times so be prepared to experience some breaks in the action. The chairs also double as weight lifting apparatus (they're made of some solid metal and can be hard to move and adjust for those who aren't strong like me! :). It's right across the street from the Green Street station on the Orange Line. Parking can be a little tough if you drive but a walk will do you good! I started coming here before it started drawing a decent crowd; it was an alternative to the loud and crowded Ula Cafe. It's gotten a bit more popular now but as long as I can still find a seat and get a cup of coffee before working, it'll do.

    (3)

  • Sandy B.

    I want to like this place, but I'm giving it 2 stars for the service and prices. Their menu is clearly too big for the chef, as the wait here is always extensive even when there is no one else in the restaurant. Their staff is slow and doesn't take care of you've been waiting. I'm writing this review while waiting for a sandwich for over 15 minutes. I've only seen 2 items come out of the kitchen in that time. This place needs a smaller menu, a faster kitchen, and better trained staff with urgency.

    (2)

  • Kristen B.

    I want to like this place, I really do. It's around the corner from my work and it has a nice atmosphere. However they are excruciatingly slow, particularly when it comes to food. It takes 30 mins to get a basic sandwich. Every single time. I always think oh I'll just run over and grab something, and no fail I leave irritated. Obviously I need to go somewhere new but I'm stubborn and it's so convenient hah They also seem to forget things often - like to put my food order in. I would probably give them a few more stars if this was not such a problem. Ps the guy with the beard is great.

    (2)

  • Maggie W.

    I just moved up the street and was looking for a relaxed place to enjoy a bit of reading and a fresh warm meal. What I found at this lovely cafe was far more than I had expected. The large open windows allow patrons to enjoy the shade of the indoors without compromising the beautiful end of summer weather. The staff was friendly, polite, and made you feel welcome. I ordered a Peach Black Iced Tea and the Pesto Chicken on gluten free bread. Although the bread used was smaller than the normal size of the normal bread used... I did not feel they skimped on the amount of ingredients used to fill the panini and it was delicious! Overall I am very happy to have spent my Saturday afternoon in this establishment and am looking forward to coming back again.

    (5)

  • Celina Q.

    The chocolate chip muffins here are fantastic! Service is also impeccable - the blonde girl at the cart in the morning is especially kind and incredibly friendly. Can't wait to come back!

    (5)

  • G C.

    Tragically slow service. I waited more than 20 minutes for a bowl of oatmeal during their slow time. No use in returning until they work themselves out.

    (1)

  • Becky D.

    If it weren't for it's location, I would never come here. The food is inconsistent, overpriced-especially for its mediocrity and the service is absurdly terrible. Every time I come here I leave annoyed with myself for wasting my time and money. Some examples: Last week I was paying in cash and was looking through my wallet to find exact change- there was nobody behind me in line and the woman taking my order snapped at me to hurry! Great service. Today I came in and ordered a salad. 20 minutes later I asked how much longer it would be and they seemed to have lost my ticket. There was barely an apology, no refund or discount on my next purchase- and what's worse is there was another person waiting ahead of me. I was really taken aback by the lack of humility and apologies. Today was the breaking point- they have officially lost a customer.

    (2)

  • Marjoline F.

    The café looked promising at the beginning-- the atmosphere is pretty relaxed and the menu seemed interesting. When we went to order a smoothie, they said they couldn't make it because it's seasonal which, okay fine, I understand. But then as I went to order the vegan breakfast sandwich, they told me they ran out of the soy patty. They should probably update their menu or place a sign to let us know these things so that we wouldn't be disappointed when we find out you don't have anything that we want. Then it gets worse. We wait for about 20-30 minutes for our food to come out, which I couldn't wrap my head around because they turned out to be two dinky sandwiches that didn't even fill us up. On top of that, my sandwich was supposed to come with lettuce but came with arugula instead, which is one of the vegetables I hate. I don't think I will be coming back here after this experience.

    (1)

  • Erika A.

    I've given this place multiple shots and every visit is just worse than the last. The service is unfriendly and unknowledgeable. I ordered a breakfast sandwich and the employee working the register asked me where I saw it on the menu. It was the first item. The staff REALLY seems like they hate being there and hate even more that you bothered to order anything. After making herself a latte my ticket was finally given to the kitchen. 15 minutes later my sandwich was ready. There was literally no one else in the cafe. Save yourself the aggravation and go to ANY of the other cafes in the neighborhood. I would hate for someone to think that this place is what a JP cafe actually is. Go to Canto or Ula for far superior baked goods and coffee.

    (1)

  • Ashley W.

    Good hot coffee. Amazing chocolate chip cookies. My pesto sandwich was a bit cold and pretty sure it ever actually went into a panini. Flavor was good though! Good place to read with a book. Staff is good and efficient but not overly friendly, which is quite ok with me.

    (4)

  • Vera T.

    Café Bartlett Sq. I like everyone I meet in your café, and I hope that your business succeeds. Your food is not good, and so inconsistent. Would you please, please pay attention to that? Are you just dismissing the critiques you see here? Try searching yelp for "café" in JP. Your place has the lowest rating. That seems accurate to me. If I really believed that 2 starts only means "meh, I've had better" I'd be giving you two stars. I've been in your restaurant about 20 times since you opened, I work two blocks away. Coffee? hot drip coffee often tastes burned. Whereas Canto and 7 pond - reliably good. Food - first off - putting hot food on your counter for display purposes, and then letting it brown and congeal and provide an awesome attraction for houseflies and fruit flies... how could you believe that's attractive? Food to order? Every sandwich that I've ordered, aside from the simple veggie breakfast sandwich, has been off. Today I got your chicken pesto paninni. The sandwich was served cold (how can that be a Panini) and with some kind of greens and tomato... dripping in olive oil. The menu says it's pesto chicken with provolone and peppers. No peppers, and if there was provolone... hard to notice it. Where'd those tomatoes and lettuce come from? They definitly were nice and crisp and cold which, again, belies the idea that there was any kind of paninni iron involved in the making of that sandwich. That's an $8 sandwich? Not again, for me. Check out your refrigerator case to see how wilted and unappealing the salads there look. Egg sandwich? You are the only spot, (aside from Dunkin's) that serves and egg sandwich within a 15 minute walk of Green St. T stop. Points for that. The sandwich itself... how do you make it so flavor free? More importantly, why does it sometimes come with the vegetables described on the menu, but just as often not? Service? 98 out of a hundred for friendly. Skilled? no. You always seem to have trainees behind the counter, people trying to figure out what they are doing, people getting frustrated, people getting distracted by a desire to chat with each other. I imagine your rent costs a mint. How van you afford to be so lackluster? Why not go for a simpler menu, one that you can actually master? What are you thinking Bartlett Square?

    (3)

  • Nico F.

    It's a bit painful to give this place 2 stars, since it's a bright, pleasant, roomy space in an area that sorely needs rejuvenation of this sort. Everything--from the coffee, to the sandwiches, to the breakfast--hovers between "meh" and okay. If you're charging prices comparable to the ultra-yuppie (but admittedly ultra-yummy) places like Hi-Rise in Cambridge, you need to improve the quality of your product. Train your staff on making coffee drinks worthy of the prices you charge (My $4 cappuccino's milk was almost burnt this morning). Make better, fresher sandwiches (both incredible Canto 6 and pricey City Feed are far superior). I appreciate that they're trying out different menu items, but I'd rather see them tighten their focus and do a few things really well, rather than offering so many disparate things--coffee, ice cream, smoothies, breakfast, oysters (!?), Vietnamese and Cuban sandwiches--that are just okay. I will say that the staff have usually been friendly and attentive. I hope to see some improvements in quality because I really do want to support this place.

    (2)

  • Y H.

    Nice place to grab brunch or to stop in for a coffee date. My only criticism for the place is the unreliable wifi - it is always a hit or miss whether I can log on!

    (3)

  • Wasyl D.

    My first coming here about a week ago and I have to say that, I kind of like this place. They have a good variety of things that you would want for breakfast or lunch, especially drinks of course like coffee, different kinds of lemonade, tea, root beer floats etc. Aside from the food, this cafe is a nice distance from the green street station also the view is quite nice. I would really recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Curtis V.

    I can't speak to the food, but the coffee is great and the staff is even better. Bartlett Sq. is a great place to sit down and get some work done, with a friendly neighborhood feel (without the condescending attitude of many other cafes) and a convenient location. I sat down to study on a Sunday afternoon because they have plenty of seating (and plenty electrical outlets!) without feeling cramped. They were pretty busy, but the atmosphere was still much quieter than ULA down the street. I had to write this review after my time there today, though. Ten minutes before they were scheduled to close, they announced that since everyone seemed so engrossed in their work or conversations, they'd stay open for another hour while they cleaned up. Awesome! They made a last call for cafe drinks and offered free refills on coffee before dumping the pot. Double awesome! I can't recommend this place enough for a coffee date, study spot, or working remotely.

    (5)

  • Jason S.

    So far, not good. Slow service, only 1 person in front of me. Broken printer, person on reg, took 10 mins to place order. No real sense of urgency. Soso service. Waiting on sandwich now, which is good, making from scratch. )) Will update if any better than 3 stars. Ahh, still waiting on sandwich... Taking forever! Just burnt a pizza, not mine, forgot to take out of oven..another guests. Geesh, place is heading over cliff! Update, just got sandwich. Mediocre at best.

    (2)

  • stephan j.

    To start off: there's a TV inside. (minus 1 star) The atmosphere reminds me of some version of a Chipotle, so I won't eat there (minus 1 star). Food is OK (minus 1/2 star) with some vegetarian/vegan offerings. Service was slow (minus 1/2 star). Coffee is good. Location amazing if you're a commuter (on the Orange Line and SW Corridor ped/bike lane). Please don't complain about parking. This isn't Saugus. It's urban and parking is a pain. You either live nearby, or within a green commute distance. All in all: Seems a bit out of step with JP, especially with ULA Cafe & Canto 6 just down the street. Differences in approach in restauranting is good (diversity) but America is rank with eateries that fall into this category. Is BSQ's existence the tell tale sign that JP is over the hump and sliding towards ho-hum, conventional Americanism.

    (2)

  • Matt F.

    I went here today and ordered a waffle plate - the waffles were basically eggo waffles warmed up on a panini press, sad tasteless scrambled eggs, and 2 pieces of bacon. For $10. That's insane. Please.. make your own waffles or at least make a mix in a waffle iron. In the past I've ordered sandwiches and none have been too spectacular. Sometimes they come with tortilla chips, sometimes they come with goldfish crackers, sometimes they come with nothing. For the cost, they should really step up the food. Ice cream and drinks are pretty decent! Can't really mess those up too much. Pastries & baked goods are OK, but nothing compared to Canto6 which is a block away (amazing bakery!). I think the space is nice, the WiFi is ok when it works.. I just love that this is so close and I wish it were better quality. I will continue to go here for the drinks and I heard that the breakfast sandwiches are pretty good - willing to give them another shot!

    (2)

  • Jasmine M.

    Worst customer service ever! My friend bought a sandwich on Saturday and I asked about their daily special, which was a free lemonade with a sandwich on Saturdays. The cashier 1. "had trouble finding it on the menu" 2. Proceeded to roll her eyes as she rang it up 3. Took 15 mins to serve it... And on top of that the cashiers AND Cooks came out all at once to have a midday convo while customers were waiting and completely neglected the waiting customers. Will never return. The food is no good anyway

    (1)

  • Ella B.

    Great location, convenient, lots of seating and the drinks are good! They are friendly and the food is decent. My biggest gripe is that the "delivery" process for the food is a little confusing, sometimes they give you a number and sometimes they don't -- so they could use a little help in the operations part. The space is large and one side of the cafe is only bar/stool seating and it's often empty, I think they could use the space a little more efficiently. I also like they are open a little later but I think they would benefit from having a more clear sense of whether they want to be a cafe or also serve dinner. They serve oysters in the summer which is cool, but they can't be everything to everyone. All in all a good place, but could use a few points of clarity.

    (4)

  • Paloma M.

    People are being a bit too harsh, imho. I went there to grab a chai latte and a sandwich and everything was delicious. The chai was AMAZING. I drink chai everywhere I go and this was like, the second best in my whole life.(the best one is from Thinking Cup!) Really really good! My husband had a tuna salad that was also very tasty, and later we had a espresso that was also very good! The space is big and bright, clean and with lots of tables, beautiful decor, clean restrooms... I really enjoyed it! Going back for sure!

    (4)

  • Jenn B.

    I'm a big fan of their their smoothies, my favorite is the Olive Oyl. I often grab a chai or breakfast sandwich as well. I like the outdoor seating, although the traffic does make it a little less enjoyable. They also have a good selection of sandwiches. I do wish the seating were a little more comfortable. If that were the case I'd probably be in more often ordering food and doing work. Overall, a good spot.

    (4)

  • D P.

    Their coffee has only gotten worse since they opened. The only good part of the recipe that remains now is the beans. Since they can't be bothered to train their staff, good luck getting a latte that isn't absolutely SCORCHED by an unskilled barista.

    (1)

  • Sejal S.

    I live next door to Cafe Bartlett Square and I cant say enough in support at cafe bartlett square. The menu is constantly evolving to refect the requests of the patrons, they have the best breakfast sandwich in town -- get it with Sriracha (hot sauce) - its the BEST! Anything made by Myell (head chef) and his staff can be made to order -- Myell is awesome, very approachable and always looking for ways to make your experience better. His sense of flavor is impeccable and it shows in the specials that are available most days. They have a killer pastry selection - literally, everything is good and fresh. I personally head straight for the chocolate chip cookie but the lavender blueberry muffin is also a great bet. They make smoothies too - which are not always my favorite - i find them a little too watery. They make sweet and savory crepes on weekends which are a nice treat. to the folks who have provided less favorable reviews -- might want to give this place another shot, they continue to get better and better.

    (5)

  • Leila Q.

    Atmosphere isn't cozy and doesn't make me want to sit and work or talk with friends or have work meetings. Feels very sterile. Has great sandwhiches (no gluten free bread) and salad menu. Great hot chocolate!

    (3)

  • Jason W.

    FIVE STARS. Damn straight. I would probably give them four, but after reading the harsh and whiny reviews of this place I feel like I need to give them some bonus points. Who knew my fellow JP neighbors were such insufferable critics. First of all, I love BSQs coffee. I drink iced most often, but their espresso is EXCELLENT. I've had a couple of their salads, quinoa and spinach, and really enjoyed those as well. We come here for ice cream, which may not be their own, but I would think anyone who has been to Christina's in Cambridge would welcome their expansion into JP. While the selection is somewhat limited, it is adequate, and as yummy as the original in Cambridge. Pastries are always fresh and fast. Their service has gotten better over time, but I think that is natural for a new place. Grading harshly on service during their first week just doesn't add up for me, unless it is absolutely horrific. I hope BSQ stays around for a long time, because it is by far the best coffee/pastry/ice cream joint this side of the tracks.

    (5)

  • Stephanie D.

    I work around the corner and this is really the closest place to me, which is the only reason I've ever gone back. Time and time again Cafe Bartlett Square delivers poor service, mediocre food, and a poorly laid out/sterile environment. At least the employees aren't wearing weird uniforms anymore. The food is always off...not bad, but not good. The recipes always seem to involve some ingredient that doesn't mesh well with the other flavors. I always order the tofu bahnh mi because it's the only thing I've had there (including baked goods) that doesn't taste like it was wrapped in cellophane and was then regurgitated by some gross, dominating spice. The staff is generally friendly, but inattentive. On many occasions I have stood directly in front of the register while the cashier makes drinks without acknowledging me. This sounds small typing it out here but it's so uncomfortable to stand there and have people look past you. A quick "I'll be right with you" is all I'm asking for people! Speaking of uncomfortable, the lay out of the place is terrible! They have this huge, underutilized counter space and yet, when waiting for sandwiches to be made, I'm forced to stand either: a. in front of a door b. in front of the coffee making/bussing stations c. next to someones table (closely). Why not have an order section and a checkout section so that people can stand somewhere without being in the way?! Not that this would matter...the vibe there is totally stuffy anyway. It feels very corporate and sterile, but has certain things that make me think this isn't what the owners were going for (chalkboard menu for example). I won't be going back to this place. Many chances were given and it's just constantly terrible every time.

    (2)

  • Krista G.

    My husband and I came here on a Saturday morning at 9 am for some coffee and simple breakfast sandwiches. We were told they were not serving breakfast sandwiches, because the breakfast sandwich person was too busy. Then, It took about 20 minutes to get a piece of quiche heated up. Pretty unexcusable for a Saturday morning. What a disappointment for JP.

    (2)

  • Kri F.

    BSQ cafe has its own definition of time. Bagel with cream cheese time? about 12-15 minutes. Any breakfast menu item - 15-20 minutes. I work around the corner and have given this place 5 chances since they day they opened, but nothing has changed, except the prices seem to go up and up and up. This morning i asked for a bagel with cream cheese TO GO. The credit card machine is not working, OK. paid cash - then began the wait. After 5 minutes with no sign of the bagel, i asked if it was going to be a while longer still... "shouldent be long, let me check" said the cashier. "They are just pulling it off the grill now" he said as he came out of the kitchen. 4 minutes later the bagel was ready. That is by far the longest bagel time in Boston. In a nutshell - if are pressed for time, or looking for properly made food, don't waste your time. Ruggieros, Canto 6, Ula cafe and small city feed on boylston will be better options, and lighter on your wallet.

    (2)

  • DJ Micaiah M.

    We arrived right when it closed at 9pm and the owner let us in and gave us the remote to the T.V.! VERY impressed! We ordered oysters on the half shell. Half a dozen from Virginia and half from Cape Cod! They were excellent! Homemade chicken and dumplings! They have great sandwiches and drinks, also ice cream! And I cannot stress how NICE and FRIENDLY the owner was! They even have chargers for your phones!

    (5)

  • Christine K.

    This place would be so very convenient for me - if it wasn't for the extremely slow service. I've tried to give them a chance a few times, but it's so disorganized and I always end up waiting in line for much longer than I expect to. Today I went to buy a drink out of their refrigerator and it took 20 minutes. There was one person working the cash, making the coffee and getting the baked goods. At some point another person looked out from the kitchen, saw the line that stretched almost to the door, and slowly put an apron on to come help out. The staff just seems apathetic about service every time I am there. I often see boxes of things sitting around on the counter that need to be put away. I hope they are able to work things out over time because I would definitely visit more.

    (2)

  • Laney W.

    Been here 3 times and probably won't go back. Each time, the food has been mediocre (cold or old) and the service staff rude. On the plus side, it's open later and is usually quieter than others in the area.

    (1)

  • Aaron V.

    I only rated this 2 stars to grab their attention hopefully--the internet here is terrible. They offer free wifi, but I've gone here a half-dozen times now and the internet is never reliable. So if you go here, don't expect to use the internet unless you like it slow and spotty. Otherwise, the space is really nice, the food is solid, the staff are fine, and the seating scheme is really well considered. I would totally recommend Cafe Bartlett Square for anything but getting work done.

    (2)

  • Karen W.

    I was excited for this cafe to open but I'm a little disappointed. As other reviews have pointed out, it is on the expensive side, and I'm not exactly sure what justifies the prices. I agree with the previous review about the extremely uncomfortable chairs. It doesn't help that the Wifi is not currently working, and the staff was rude and dismissive about it.

    (2)

  • Teresa P.

    I prefer BSQ over Ula any day! Friendly staff. Outdoor seating. Great place to do work: free wifi and a lot of tables. Tasty food. One of the most diverse clientele at any JP cafe.

    (5)

  • Sarah G.

    I want to like this place but everytime I come the staff makes me feel like I'm a burden. I wish they were just a tad nicer, it would make the experience more enjoyable.

    (2)

  • Mike S.

    I REALLY want to like this place, because I live nearby and I love seeing some more businesses in the area. However, after a few attempts, I keep being disappointed. The sandwich and crepe options are pretty bland. For $8, there should be some unique ingredients to make it more exciting. Also, I feel like everything costs 1-2 dollars more than it should. Maybe they're competing with high rent, because they've got a great, big space in a key location across from the subway. Also, the outdoor seating area is excellent. Although the staff is very friendly, I have experienced the slow wait times that other reviews have addressed. About 2 weeks ago, my wife waited a perfectly reasonable 10 minutes for her crepe. But then they ran out of crepe mix and it took a full 30minutes for them to bring my crepe out. We got a little cookie as an apology, but I would have loved my 6 bucks back. :-P Though I'm critical, I'm really rooting for this place to step up their game, because I would love to have a place I could regularly grab a coffee or snack.

    (3)

  • Debra W.

    I stopped in for a quick lunch and to check out the new digs. Love the space. Great tables inside and out. Really nicely done, very nice bathrooms too! Ordered a BLT. It arrived on really hard (+ cold) toast that seemed as though it was toasted ahead of time, allowing it to get so hard that it ripped the top of my mouth and was really hard to bite into. Bacon also was not warm at all and seemed as though it was cooked up hours before. This really could have been better. It's pretty hard to screw up a BLT sandwich! Servers were nice. Outdoor patio is nice. Went back to get ice cream, but servers were all busy with other customers. Maybe it takes time to get the kinks out?

    (2)

  • Mark R.

    I had a similar experience as Thomas. There is obviously a lot of care put into the building and atmosphere but I think that they need some work on their organization. The kitchen and cashier seemed out of touch...I'll go back for a drink or small snack but this isn't really a lunch place. The sandwiches seem more like an afterthought. By the way, this is the first coffee shop where I've seen signs advertising that they do not have wifi at certain times. Why can't we use wifi during breakfast and lunch?!?! This place is going to have a hard time competing with Ula.

    (2)

  • Elizabeth R.

    THREE STRIKES, YOU'RE OUT! Sorry, Bartlett's, we gave you three opportunities to get it right and you failed to do so. On our first visit, we thot "Well, they just opened. Have to get the kinks out." But, over the span of one and a half months, you still couldn't overcome: 1. S-L-O-W service. How could it take so long to make a simple sandwich?? To scoop an ice cream? 2. Incompetent servers. They should know the menu, the ingredients, the flavors by heart, w/o looking at the board! 3. Lazy workers. How could you make yourself lunch and sit a table eating it w a line of people waiting for their orders?? 3. Inferior product, i.e. stale bread, skimpy fillings, heavy mayo, no pickle, no chips. 4. Dirty. Two out three times there, we had to get napkins and wash off our own table. 5. Pricey, esp. considering lack of quality and small servings. All the amenities: patio, lots of seating, welcoming staff, good location, etc CANNOT make up for inferior service and product. We will walk the extra steps to Canto 6 or RealDeal or City Feed.

    (1)

  • Rosa G.

    I love Cafe Bartlett Square! I especially like their vegetarian version of their breakfast sandwich - the homemade veggie patty is delicious. Employees are super friendly, and I always enjoy going. Can't wait for their spring/summer hours to start.

    (5)

  • Violet M.

    LOVE this! Perfect casual little cafe, and brilliant for any meal with a couple friends.

    (4)

  • tim l.

    I went in for lunch the other day and had the best sandwich! The bread was fresh and home made, the veggies(tomatoes,arugula) perfect - I wish I could remember the name of the sandwich. I do know that it was vegetarian and delicious! The space is cool - lots of seating and free wifi - great patio as well. It's definitely good to have another cafe in the neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Sofi M.

    I just went here for the first time this morning and I loved it! Met the owner, who is one of the most friendly guys out there. The staff was sweet and helpful. They have great deals for neighbors, like 1/2 ice cream for kids who come in with uniforms, and fun stuff like that. Get the coffee cake! they make their bakery items in house, great latte, and lots of space. Probably going to make a good Meet Up space. Highly recommend, and happy they are in the hood.

    (5)

  • E A.

    The space here is large, bright and airy with plenty of seating, outlets for laptops and free wireless. I ordered a large iced chai which was decent and a delicious hazelnut cake. They were also giving samples of their espresso brownie and that was also delicious. The outdoor patio was really nice, large and shaded with umbrellas. In terms of price, I think it's very reasonable and compares to Ula down the street.

    (5)

  • Sanjeev V.

    Slow, slow, slow baristas. The worst kind. I ordered a bagel to go. Took over 10 mins...

    (1)

  • Maura C.

    I visited this cafe mid afternoon with another friend and it was very welcoming. It is in a great location with good parking options and is a great, open space. I went to the ice cream counter to order (there was no line) and the person asked me right away what I wanted. I got a swirl in with strawberries and then needed to spend a little more $ to use my debit card so got the oatmeal/chocolate cookie which was recommended by another staff member standing nearby. Both the swirl in and the cookie were fantastic. The meal items looked really good as well. They have a nice web presence with a website and a facebook and twitter account. The staff were very kind and friendly. My friend and I both have infants and the other customers were friendly and the staff smiled at us from time to time too. For parents they have plenty of room for strollers to maneuver and a spacious restroom with a brand new changing table. I am not giving it 5 stars because we went on a 90 degree day and it was cool and comfortable but I like it to be uber cool. Also, my preference is for staff to look more polished but I know that's not really the vibe of Jamaica Plain. I will definitely go back and spread the word.

    (4)

  • loveart m.

    I wanted to like this place. I was worried about it competing with Canto 6 up the street, but I am no longer worried. I was excited to have coffee and food and ice cream all with outdoor seating. My first time in I simply ordered 2 scoops of ice cream and didn't know what to do when I watched the second scoop become a mere sliver, not a scoop. Disappointing, but I figured it was a glitch, a new shop and inexperienced worker. My second time I wanted food and ordered the Quinoa with Summer Vegetables salad for $8. It took 10 min. for the kitchen guy to come back and make my salad which as it turns out was pre made and spooned into a container, and I was the only customer. When I looked at my $8 salad it was a side dish size which should have cost $2, and the summer Vegetables consisted of raisins and walnuts. Waste of money. My third trip was for an ice tea, but I saw a family receiving their $8 sandwiches which looked tiny and over priced. You can get fantastic food in great portions at 3 other locations within a 5 min walk for the same prices and much better looking pastries. If this place wants to make it, they need to make some changes. I won't be going back.

    (2)

  • Asabry A.

    We had high expectations for our first visit. Great location, decor, and overall feel. When our order did not come after a 25 min wait, I inquired. (Our 2 yr old was already finished with the "new place honeymoon" and getting edgy). The clerk was not sure what had happened, so I asked the manager when we could expect our order. Apparently, there had been a techno glitch, but the apology was halfhearted and blamed on an over-loaded system, even though it was not crowded at the time. I expressed some dismay, to which the manager asked what I would like as a compensation, suggesting perhaps I wanted my money back. It was an awkward moment, but I proposed "some baked goodies, perhaps?" To which he brought us three cookies in a bag. They turned out to be excellent, so that actually was somewhat comforting. When the order did finally come in spurts almost 40 min after ordering, it turned out to be wrong, and not especially tasty. My $7.50 BLT was basically BLT between two slices of dry bread. The baby's $4.50 grilled cheese was cold and dry. My wife got a sandwich she hadn't ordered. We did not complain further, but will probably not return any time soon. The overall feel of the staff is not particularly cheerful. Too bad. They should go hang out at Flour for a few hours to see a well-run establishment with friendly, helpful staff, efficient service and really yummy stuff.

    (2)

  • Sabine S.

    Just about every time I go to this place, I have a weird or off-putting experience with the people who work there. Don't ask me why. And yeah, maybe I'm the off-putting one - except that this doesn't happen elsewhere, at least not in the consistent way it happens here. It's happened enough, now, that it seems to me there is something wrong with the hiring or training process. It has started seeming like a joke - every time I approach the place, I wonder what it will be this time! There is only one woman there who seems to have an idea of how to treat the customer, and I haven't seen her lately. I hope she's still there. I would love to love this place. It's spacious, in a good location, with plenty of light. The coffee, baked goods, and ice cream are good. (The sandwiches are "interesting" in a way I don't like.) And I have no problem with eccentric or off-beat staff--in fact, I prefer it that way. But I only go there when I have no other choice. Meh.

    (2)

  • Katy W.

    Cafe Bartlett Square seems to have put its best foot forward which is good because I know it opened to high expectations (mine included). Its interior is bright and beautiful with nice clear signage (except that it's a little confusing that you're supposed to order ice cream in a separate locale from the remainder). Perhaps because of its large inside and because, as I contend, there are not enough cafes in JP, it seems pretty crammed already. Much the same crowd as Ula already seem to be hanging out here like they came with the place. Moms and strollers and hipsters and headphones abound. I tried a lovely cran-spritzer which was refreshing on one of our endlessly hot days. Their baked goods are deliciously appealing and the macaroon did not fail its visual promise. I like that their menu is a little different with the ice cream offerings. They also have a fair amount of seating including a nice patio area complete with umbrellas. Like every new place, they seem to be ironing out some of their kinks as I didn't receive the drink I ordered and had to ask for it, but I imagine they will smooth this out. Keep those macaroons coming!

    (4)

  • Jim B.

    Usually enjoy coming here but too often the WiFi is spotty..the service is slow and the cafe is rather messy. The great location and comfortable space is being undermined by the unreliable customer service.

    (1)

  • Andy D.

    I've been here 3 times and 2 out of 3 have been a disappointment. The pro of this place is that it's right next to the Orange Line and offers a more varied menu than Canto 6. However, their food pales in comparison. In particular, their scones are so dry and salty, I don't really know why they bother with pastries at all. The breakfast sandwich I bought on 1 visit was similarly dry. The one good visit I had was purchasing a fruit crepe. It was warm, packed with fruit, and delicious. Service-wise, I have to echo the other reviews that mentioned how unfriendly and incompetent the staff are. They also seemed incredibly rushed. My third and final visit I went to purchase another crepe. After waiting 10 minutes, I checked in to find my order was misplaced. I didn't have time to wait any longer, so I asked for a refund. One girl seemed annoyed I wanted a refund (when hey, it wasn't my fault you screwed up), but went to get the manager. Rather than look up how much I actually paid for my order, he set up the refund for the girl just for the crepe and left. However, I didn't just buy the crepe, I bought bananas on the side and tipped 15%. The girl instead handed to me in cash (when I paid with a credit card) and tried to argue with me when I said I paid more than just the value of the crepe (like I don't have a credit hold to prove it). I left because by this point I was annoyed, but if they'd just not been lazy and rushed, and instead more friendly, they'd have been able to look up the order and properly refund me (on my credit card, and NOT cash for an incorrect amount). Anyway, lesson learned. I won't be back.

    (2)

  • John B.

    JP has a lot of great bakeries and coffee shops and in the grand scheme of things Cafe Bartlett Sq kind of falls in the middle of the pack. The espresso drinks are made fresh and they offer a strong assortment of sandwiches and pastries. The breakfast sandwiches are not the best, but they are certainly not the worst. The crepes are a slight leg up on them, but I'm pretty sure Nutella gives anything a slight leg up. The staff are warm and friendly but can at times come across not the most organized and a little overwhelmed. I'll take warm/friendly and overwhelmed over organized and cold. Cafe Bartlett Sq does get points for having a great layout, wifi, and a fun assortment of groceries for at home meals (e.g. pastas, sauces, etc.). I'll definitely be back to try some other sandwiches out, but there is some stiff competition in the area.

    (3)

  • August L.

    Great food, friendly staff, nice atmosphere, lovely patio. And vegans and vegetarians - you are good to go here! They have nice vegetarian sandwiches, a quinoa vegetable bowl, several good salads. I haven't had the soup yet but today's was vegetarian too. Free wifi and it's a pretty nice place to work for a bit - just do your part and order food and drinks, don't be a table hog without ordering anything. The big windows add lovely light during the day - it will be especially nice in the dead of winter. Such a great addition to JP!

    (4)

  • Lauren B.

    This place is a joke. I keep coming in because it's one block from my work, and each time I lower my expectations hoping that'll help. I've eaten here twice, and both times the food took 45 minutes to come out despite being a simple sandwich (also, I ordered the same sandwich both times and they were completely different each time - different bread, different cheese, different side). Today, I came in just for a regular iced coffee, and two of the baristas were joking around about something. I walked up to the counter to order, and both of the baristas walked away from the counter to continue their joke. There were at least four people working, and no one was doing any work at all, despite myself and several other people waiting. Finally, one of the women went back behind the counter to take my order, but literally joked around with her friend while I was speaking and I had to repeat myself twice. It's a shame, because they have an awesome location and space, but it's a waste.

    (1)

  • Leesha Z.

    I've come here twice so far for my lattes. The service is odd. The staff either seem bored out of their mind or bitchy. I can't tell which. The lattes are good but not anything different than I've had. I'd rather spend my money at Ula. Atleast they know how to smile.

    (3)

  • Yelena Y.

    I just went today. I ordered the chai latte and it was great. I can't comment on the rest of the menu. The space is open and bright which I like. Looks like when the weather gets nice, the seating options outside will be a great option. I didn't find my chair or table uncomfortable like some other people mentioned in their reviews. I love to work on coffee shops (this is how I wrote my PhD thesis), and will be back with the laptop to do some work. Also, the staff seem friendly! I'm from Toronto- so this place reminds me of the cool swanky coffee shops I would find in the king street west area....very hipster....guys with tats....love it.

    (5)

  • Patrick G.

    Breakfast sandwiches are good. I like the varied menu for weekends. This is a curiosity thing but does anyone else think their coffee has a hint of tomato in it?

    (4)

  • Gavin P.

    If you have nothing going on in life, by all means stop by for a coffee or sandwich. The staff is friendly and approachable but otherwise little interested in making anything you ordered. The sandwich, when it did finally come, was above average but probably not $10 worth of amazingness. Olives on a tuna salad sandwich? Not exactly tasty, and probably worth pointing out on the menu (it wasn't), as they overpower anything else you put on a sandwich. The atmosphere is clean, friendly, but not terribly comfortable or special. I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Shadia A.

    For the price that I was paying, the food did not suffice. For the first time I ordered a Cubano sandwich without ham because of dietary reasons. Since I went on a Tuesday I got a free cookie with the purchase of my sandwich. So technically I payed 10.00 for one sandwich, which was not even big, or extraordinary in taste. I also found that when choosing from the menu, there only about 8 options for sandwiches and paninis, and this might sound good, but most of the sandwiches were very similar in ingredients. I read other people complaining about the service, but I found that the service was good, and I wait more that ten minutes for my sandwich. When I actually got my sandwich I found that there was not a lot of cheese and the sandwich was basically comprised of just turkey and some kind of relish (I forgot the name). On the plus side though, that relish was very delicious and really brought up the sandwich from just a blan turkey sandwich into something that was pretty decent. The cookie was also pretty small maybe 4 inches in diameter. It was pretty tasty, but I saw that they were selling it for 2 dollars, when it is more like a 1 dollar cookie. I also saw that the other pastries were also overpriced. Overall I thought that for a new place and the location that it is in, that it would have been better, in fact it should have been better. Also the over pricing was too much for a small lunch.

    (3)

  • K L.

    I want to like this place, they just make it so hard. It's convenient to my job and I have eaten lunch here probably half a dozen times. It is NEVER good. NEVER. The hipster staff is about as impressive as the food. Meh.

    (2)

  • Hannah E.

    No reason to go here. It's sad. Beautiful inside and out, but that's where it ends. Overpriced and mediocre at best. I ordered a breakfast sandwich that came without cheese and on an untoasted English muffin(What?!) . I would have asked for both issues to be corrected but I had already waited 20 min for it, during which I saw three customers return everything from stale chips to a latte. One person was working the counter and making all of the drinks, and the "Web guy" was in the kitchen, apologizing to everyone, as this isn't his normal duty. The coffee was good, but expensive. All in all I don't plan to return.

    (1)

  • Bec P.

    I've been to this place a few times. I always walk out feeling ripped off. I was so excited for this place to open as Canto 6 doesn't have breakfast sandwiches and i'm a sucker for them. I also saw a picture of one on their facebook page and it looked DELICIOUS as it was made with a real egg, but what i got was one of those nasty microwaved eggs on a rubbery english muffin. i've gotten a few other things there, smoothie and ice cream and it was just plain over priced. i think the best way to sum this place up is that it seems to offer a lot of really good things, but they don't actually make it themselves. they say their reason for doing this is so people can get stuff in the time the expect but i saw another review down there complaining about the same things. it took 10 minutes for me to get a bagel! they didn't even put the cream cheese on it. how could it possibly have taken that long? i dunno, i prefer better non-microwaved or prepackaged and to wait maybe a few minutes more. i think quality is under rated. the best thing about this place is the space that they have, but i definitely won't pass up Canto 6 to come here.

    (2)

  • Megan C.

    I've tried Cafe Bartlett Sq 4 times and each time I wish it will be better than the last but I always leave disappointed. What is great about the place is the layout, fast wifi, and the bright sunny windows. These features keep getting me to come back but the coffee just isn't good. It tastes like it just sits there until the pot is sold instead of making a fresh batch every hour. I tried the turkey melt today but the chipotle mayo was left off of it so it just tasted like salty turkey. As mentioned I really want to like this place so I decided to see if this could be a go to hot chocolate stop. It isn't. I asked for whip cream for the hot chocolate and they said they don't carry that yet they have ice cream. Just seems odd. I am not giving up just yet but I won't be coming back for a long time in hopes some things will change.

    (2)

  • Amanda N.

    The owner Chris is an A-hole. I hope he go out of business soon.

    (1)

  • L J.

    The vegan breakfast sandwich is excellent!

    (4)

  • Natassha D.

    Finally I see some Black workers this place needed diversity! But the brunch was still crap! I could have eaten better at home making the same sandwich just slap! Cheese and bacon

    (3)

  • RB S.

    OK, pleasant atmosphere, clean, nice patio, yada yada. But $8 for a sandwich with hardly anything besides mediocre bread? Pu-lease. Just head up the street to Canto 6 and get a better sandwich for less.

    (2)

  • Bill K.

    This place would be a 5 if the internet worked. As is, it's a bright, fairly-priced space that isn't terribly crowded that tantalizes you with intermittent wi-fi. It's like some sort of first-world curse was lain on the place by an angry god.

    (2)

  • Erin P.

    Love this place! Amazing coffee and lattes, delicious food. Vegan/vegetarian choices. The turkey melt is mouthwatering. The outdoor patio is my favorite and it's pet friendly. A little noisy from the train and traffic but it's the city, typical. Parking can be tricky, we usually park on a side street behind the cafe. I hope this place sticks around for a long time...it's great!

    (4)

  • Rhea B.

    The food is quite good! Great to see this.

    (3)

  • Marina W.

    I have been in here a few times. The first time, my friend ordered an iced latte. It took something ridiculous like 17 minutes for it to come out because...it's unclear why. The counter server wrote her order on the note pad, and stuck the order for the barista to see. But the barista apparently didn't see it? (We watched them both wander around and do other things for a really long time before she became proactive about asking for her coffee.) That was weird and probably a blip and doesn't happen often, but still, that's a pretty significant thing to mess up. On top of that, when she finally did get her coffee, it was made incorrectly. Oops! The second time I was there was fine, no problems. The third, I ordered an iced chai latte with half and half. (Go ahead, judge me. I don't believe in low-fat dairy products.) The cashier was a little judgmental about it, which felt kind of weird to me and made me feel awkward about ordering a glass of half and half with some chai concentrate in it. But, when the barista delivered my drink (not sure why I got table service, but, hey no complaints!), he complimented my drink choice. So, again, that was kind of weird but it was also the best chai latte I've ever had. The pastries look good, but seem a little overpriced. I've sampled a few and they were good, but didn't stand out to me. In the interest of full disclosure, though, I should tell you that Canto 6 has my heart when it comes to pastries. Cafe Bartlett Square is a good idea and the space is nice, but I'm not clamoring to hang out here. (Side note: They have 3 single stall gendered bathrooms and I want more than anything for them to make them gender neutral because they are single stall bathrooms with doors that lock so why does it matter?!)

    (3)

  • Kimberly P.

    The four questions I ask when evaluating a coffee shop are : is it comfortable enough to camp out reading/people watching for a few hours, can they make a decent cup of coffee and/or chai tea latte, how are the pastries and how is the people watching? The main thing holding me back here is it is so darn uncomfortable inside! The seating is pretty terrible. I have to come back when the weather is nice to sit on the patio because my bum was not happy on the metal chairs inside. As for the coffee/pastries...not bad but not good enough to endure the uncomfortable seating. I'll be back in the summertime to try again!

    (3)

  • Kylie S.

    I'm surprised by all of the poor reviews here. I ordered a sandwich, it was completely delicious. They offer gluten free bread, which is a huge plus for me as I just found out I'm gluten-intolerant. I love that they have equal options for vegetarians, vegans, and meat eaters. The space is clean, and open and they have outdoor tables. It is a little pricy, and they should offer more food for that price (a side with the sandwich, perhaps.)

    (4)

  • Derek S.

    I checked this out for the first time a couple days ago (Tuesday) when I needed to kill an hour before meeting up with friends. On a sunny early evening the patio was wonderful to sit at and enjoy the special oatmeal/chocolate cookie and large lemonade. It wasn't particularly busy, but I imagine it has a busier morning rush and weekend patronage. I'm not a real vegetarian--just trying it out on weekdays and pigging out (pun intended) on weekends. When I visited I could've gone for something more nourishing than a cookie, but there wasn't a very big food selection from what I gathered that appeals to vegetarians' pallets. It's not a huge drawback, it's just that I could've probably gone to a few places on Centre Street that would have more to offer. Nevertheless, it's great to have this addition along the Southwest Corridor Park and I look forward to more cafe-type establishments like this one opening up along the way over the years. :-)

    (4)

  • Bobby S.

    I've lived near the Green Street stop for 10years. I love Canto 6 and Ula. CBS is in a really great location, so it's hard not to check out. First thing is that the staff is a bit TOO friendly. Like they're being FORCED to be nice. In my opinion, they ask you what you want WAY too soon. The second you're within 8 feet from the counter, they ask you want you want. Like, chill for sec. A touch overeager compared to Ula and Canto, who are super laid back like JP itself. I had the iced coffee today and I did not enjoy it. My main gripe is the smell. I'm super sensitive to smells. I think it's coming from the FroYo machine? It smells like Berry Line or Pink Berry. Something about that FroYo machine smells so bad. It's so mechanical..like you can taste the gears in your throat. What is that? The breakfast sammy was decent. I like seeing people out on that corner when you exit the T. That area used to be an empty lot. It's nice to see it alive and well. Very cool!

    (3)

  • Marc L.

    Any cafe opening so close to outstanding competitors (Ula Cafe and Canto 6 bakery) better know what it's doing and this place seems to. I was impressed. I loved the ample space, excellent natural light, huge patio, impressive baked goods (I had a tip from a pastry chef friend that the pastry person here is the real deal), open later than the other nearby options. Honestly, if I didn't live in the neighborhood I'd consider taking the Orange Line over to Green St. purely to hang and work here. Also, very friendly staff. Plenty of electrical outlets for computers (wifi off for 2 hours early morning and 2 hours around lunch). I have very minor "quibbles" (not significant enough to be qualms). It seems like there are a few little service flow issues still getting worked out but very minor and friendliness more than makes up for any hiccups. Also seems a bit pricey but for nice atmosphere, tasty goods, friendly staff (and Christina's ice cream on this side of the river), I'll take it.

    (5)

  • Chris W.

    BSQ and Myell's Kitchen is AWESOME! This open-space, welcoming, and spotless cafe is what Ula wishes it could be! Cutting to the chase, Myell makes the best sandwiches and salads in JP... HANDS DOWN. The Funky Chicken is the best chicken salad sandwich I have ever had, my kids love the turkey melt with chipotle mayo, and my wife would sell me in a second for the Strawberry fields salad. Oh, crepes and brekkie sandwiches on the weekends are a must try!! We chill on the patio with a pomegranate and lime spritzer and we're reminded why this is one of our favorite places after having lived in JP for 12 years. BE AWARE--- Myell's Kitchen is a new addition to BSQ and all of the early reviews here are from the first chef's escapades. JP to me is when good folks get together and make our community better. That's exactly what Chris Desisto and Myell have done. We vote with our stomachs and our wallets and we eat at BSQ a few times a week. If you are in JP and haven't enjoyed the chill and friendly vibe and killer food that Myell puts so much effort into... hipster, you just ain't lived yet.

    (5)

  • Had H.

    So it's a new business and I'm sure they will work some kinks out eventually, but based on going there about 4x since they opened, here's my take on it: Double shot latte: is it supposed to go in a 16oz or 12oz cup? Bc I've had both and I'd prefer the 16oz, obviously. Also the last time I ordered a latte, it tasted a bit strange and had me wonder if it was made with whole milk instead of skim. The pastry selection is minimal compared to canto 6, and the taste cannot compare to canto6 by a long shot. I did have the blueberry lavender muffin 2x and its good, but small for the price. I also tried a chocolate brioche which had a filling but it wasn't fluffy like I'm used to...cannot compare to anything brioche that Flour makes, and it was difficult to eat. The presentation of the pastries is nice, but I think they should work on offering a more selection of things. The turkey melt sandwich wasn't too bad and I give them a leg up for that than. (Better than Ulas sandwiches in my opinion). There's plenty of seating and very convenient to commuters. I'm sure ill come here more in the coming days. Really, this place deserves 3.5 stars (for now at least). The staff is very nice although a little awkward.

    (3)

  • Alex T.

    BSq Cafe! This place feels like a loft with ample space and a lovely outdoors patio area. I came here on a beautiful sunny day and this location was like a breath of fresh air. I loved my Cubano sandwich, which was almost as good as David's Cafe in South Beach. They serve their sandwiches with masa chips, which is a great alternative to regular chips. Their teas & and coffees are both quite good. They also offer homemade ice-cream! Overall a quality joint with much to offer in an open, clean, & modern space.

    (4)

  • Danielle E.

    I went here for my 3rd visit today and felt like it was time for a review... The food is fine, but the service is kinda sucky. Visit #1 - Guy behind the counter sneezed and did not wash his hands. Visit #2 - There was nobody waiting and the food took much longer than it should have, with no heads up. Visit #3 - I walked in to a fire alarm going off and half the place with their hands over their ears. The girl at the counter could have explained/smiled and made light of it, but nope, she was too cool for that. She basically slammed my cookie on the counter and after my putting my phone on the level up stand, she just walked away. No, "Your payment went through successfully," "Thanks for coming in" or "Have a Nice Day. Total sour-puss.

    (2)

  • Gene L.

    The hours have gone down since the summer. I really like how open the place feels though perhaps the disadvantage is a lack of outlets in some locations. The sandwiches are really good, particularly the turkey melt. I haven't tried any of the ice creams yet, but the coffee is good enough for my tastes. I see some comments about the staff not being friendly, but I've had nothing but positive experiences with the staff.

    (4)

  • Gavin C.

    I have been to Cafe Sq about 20 times since it has opened. The coffee is not that great. Some of the food is decent, but it takes 10 minutes to put in a order and another 20 to receive. The leader with the beard doesn't seem to care much about it's customers. It's too bad, because the place has potential.

    (1)

  • Dick S.

    Not a bad little coffee place. The coffee is ok but nothin special. The pastries however are excellent and work the trip in. Wish their coffee was a little better. I will try their cappuccino next time.

    (4)

  • Sarah D.

    My tuna salad was good but the service was terrible. The place was empty and it seemed to take forever to get my food. I think it might have killed the guy behind the counter to smile or utter a word. Great location but there are too many other places that are so much better in JP. I'll walk to Ula or Canto 6 next time.

    (2)

  • Meg B.

    Everything I've tried here is amazing! I remember trying their pecan squares and I was blown away by it. Their coffee is good too. Really cool atmosphere, good place to sit down and do work...the prices are the only thing I would change! But it's worth it to go once in a while.

    (4)

  • Stacy H.

    i had their alt - avocado, lettuce & tomato - and it was delicious, cheap & filling. they also had this really amazing kitchen sink-type cookie that you could tell was freshly made. yum.

    (4)

  • Joe R.

    The location is unbelievable. I would have hoped for a bit higher quality food and coffee selection. For meeting space, this is pretty amazing indoor and outdoor. Increase quality product, this place could be the next big thing in JP.

    (3)

  • Rick F.

    A friend and I stumbled on this place by accident while looking for a place to meet and we are glad that we did! The location and ambiance is great but what really makes this place shine is the staff. They are super friendly and helpful and take care of their customers. Customer service is alive and well here! I am hooked on the double cappuccino's and peanut butter cookies! I love the patio area which is perfect for people watching when the weather gets nicer.

    (5)

  • Joanie L.

    Not sure why the person below thinks the layout is so bad. It's huge and comfortable and you don't see that in a cafe so often (wish Canto 6 half that room). Nice outdoor patio for good weather. It *was* confusing who to order from but the lemon ginger scone made up for it. That's a small sampling I know, and rices were a little higher than I'd like, but overall it's promising in my book.

    (4)

  • Joe D.

    Starting with the positive, delicious blueberry lavender muffin, baked in house. The negative, Coffee is pricey, and they don't pour it for you. Coffee, cream, sugar and all extras are all cramped together on one small, barely accessible table. Once they work out the flow, i might return, but it won't pull me from Canto 6.

    (2)

  • J B.

    New management. Same food much better service last half dozen times I've been there. Not fast, but at least very reliable. Good new specials as well. Overall pleased w the change

    (4)

  • R I.

    BSQ has potential to be a great cafe, but it needs to listen to what its customers are saying. Have been excited about it for the following reasons: Close to my house and the Green St T Sunny space, great patio Great egg sandwiches Good coffee, decent pastries Have been disappointed for the following reasons: The wifi has been extremely inconsistent every time I've been there (at least 3 times a week for the past month), mostly not working. When several of us approached the staff about it, we were met with a shrug, told that they could not do anything about it. The heavy steel chairs are pretty uncomfortable. Who chose those??? The prices are too high for the skimpy sandwiches. I'm back at JP Licks as my cafe hang-out. If the management wants to keep their repeat customers, they need to fix the wifi and either beef up their sandwiches or lower the cost.

    (3)

  • Alexandra A.

    For somewhere so close to the train you would think they'd try to be a little faster. Have waited 10 minutes for a bagel when there were no other customers. They should do less things (oysters, really?) and do the things they have efficiently and well. Foods not even that great.

    (2)

  • Charles C.

    So happy to have a spacious coffee shop near my place in JP. Their pastries look delicious and interesting, and I know at least one of them is good (lavender something muffin). The sandwich I had here was good too, but I hope they sub out the tortilla chips at some point, maybe for simple greens with a vinaigrette In response to the first review, the service is good, not slow, and the layout is nice. There's plenty of space and lots of windows. Wifi is off from 7-9 and 12-2.

    (4)

  • Dave O.

    Beautiful cafe, excellent if slightly noisy street-side patio, with decent food and drink. The Wifi is consistently unusably slow, however, making any online work difficult.

    (2)

  • Rebecca B.

    Decent coffee, menu similar to Ula - baked goods, sandwiches, etc. The baked goods aren't nearly as good as canto 6 (pretty generic for the price, actually, so three stars), but Bartlett serves a different purpose (cafe vs. bakery). Very convenient, right next to the Green st. T stop. I see this place becoming a go-to breakfast stop for commuters. I also think it's going to throw some competition Ula's way, which probably isn't a bad thing (sorry Ula, but you've lost me lately).

    (3)

  • Joshua S.

    Slow service. Terrible layout. Vast seating capacity. Difficult to immediately understand menu. Also, nobody calls pizza a Za. $10 for two shots of espresso and a small breakfast sandwich. Hm. Espresso was pretty good, though, and sandwich had some nice greens. I suspect that, once they get up to speed, they'll be pretty good.

    (3)

  • John M.

    Really friendly place for lunch or an afternoon snack. Excellent choices including the vegan items.

    (5)

  • Kimberly P.

    The four questions I ask when evaluating a coffee shop are : is it comfortable enough to camp out reading/people watching for a few hours, can they make a decent cup of coffee and/or chai tea latte, how are the pastries and how is the people watching? The main thing holding me back here is it is so darn uncomfortable inside! The seating is pretty terrible. I have to come back when the weather is nice to sit on the patio because my bum was not happy on the metal chairs inside. As for the coffee/pastries...not bad but not good enough to endure the uncomfortable seating. I'll be back in the summertime to try again!

    (3)

  • Wasyl D.

    My first coming here about a week ago and I have to say that, I kind of like this place. They have a good variety of things that you would want for breakfast or lunch, especially drinks of course like coffee, different kinds of lemonade, tea, root beer floats etc. Aside from the food, this cafe is a nice distance from the green street station also the view is quite nice. I would really recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Curtis V.

    I can't speak to the food, but the coffee is great and the staff is even better. Bartlett Sq. is a great place to sit down and get some work done, with a friendly neighborhood feel (without the condescending attitude of many other cafes) and a convenient location. I sat down to study on a Sunday afternoon because they have plenty of seating (and plenty electrical outlets!) without feeling cramped. They were pretty busy, but the atmosphere was still much quieter than ULA down the street. I had to write this review after my time there today, though. Ten minutes before they were scheduled to close, they announced that since everyone seemed so engrossed in their work or conversations, they'd stay open for another hour while they cleaned up. Awesome! They made a last call for cafe drinks and offered free refills on coffee before dumping the pot. Double awesome! I can't recommend this place enough for a coffee date, study spot, or working remotely.

    (5)

  • Jason S.

    So far, not good. Slow service, only 1 person in front of me. Broken printer, person on reg, took 10 mins to place order. No real sense of urgency. Soso service. Waiting on sandwich now, which is good, making from scratch. )) Will update if any better than 3 stars. Ahh, still waiting on sandwich... Taking forever! Just burnt a pizza, not mine, forgot to take out of oven..another guests. Geesh, place is heading over cliff! Update, just got sandwich. Mediocre at best.

    (2)

  • stephan j.

    To start off: there's a TV inside. (minus 1 star) The atmosphere reminds me of some version of a Chipotle, so I won't eat there (minus 1 star). Food is OK (minus 1/2 star) with some vegetarian/vegan offerings. Service was slow (minus 1/2 star). Coffee is good. Location amazing if you're a commuter (on the Orange Line and SW Corridor ped/bike lane). Please don't complain about parking. This isn't Saugus. It's urban and parking is a pain. You either live nearby, or within a green commute distance. All in all: Seems a bit out of step with JP, especially with ULA Cafe & Canto 6 just down the street. Differences in approach in restauranting is good (diversity) but America is rank with eateries that fall into this category. Is BSQ's existence the tell tale sign that JP is over the hump and sliding towards ho-hum, conventional Americanism.

    (2)

  • Sejal S.

    I live next door to Cafe Bartlett Square and I cant say enough in support at cafe bartlett square. The menu is constantly evolving to refect the requests of the patrons, they have the best breakfast sandwich in town -- get it with Sriracha (hot sauce) - its the BEST! Anything made by Myell (head chef) and his staff can be made to order -- Myell is awesome, very approachable and always looking for ways to make your experience better. His sense of flavor is impeccable and it shows in the specials that are available most days. They have a killer pastry selection - literally, everything is good and fresh. I personally head straight for the chocolate chip cookie but the lavender blueberry muffin is also a great bet. They make smoothies too - which are not always my favorite - i find them a little too watery. They make sweet and savory crepes on weekends which are a nice treat. to the folks who have provided less favorable reviews -- might want to give this place another shot, they continue to get better and better.

    (5)

  • Leila Q.

    Atmosphere isn't cozy and doesn't make me want to sit and work or talk with friends or have work meetings. Feels very sterile. Has great sandwhiches (no gluten free bread) and salad menu. Great hot chocolate!

    (3)

  • Jason W.

    FIVE STARS. Damn straight. I would probably give them four, but after reading the harsh and whiny reviews of this place I feel like I need to give them some bonus points. Who knew my fellow JP neighbors were such insufferable critics. First of all, I love BSQs coffee. I drink iced most often, but their espresso is EXCELLENT. I've had a couple of their salads, quinoa and spinach, and really enjoyed those as well. We come here for ice cream, which may not be their own, but I would think anyone who has been to Christina's in Cambridge would welcome their expansion into JP. While the selection is somewhat limited, it is adequate, and as yummy as the original in Cambridge. Pastries are always fresh and fast. Their service has gotten better over time, but I think that is natural for a new place. Grading harshly on service during their first week just doesn't add up for me, unless it is absolutely horrific. I hope BSQ stays around for a long time, because it is by far the best coffee/pastry/ice cream joint this side of the tracks.

    (5)

  • Krista G.

    My husband and I came here on a Saturday morning at 9 am for some coffee and simple breakfast sandwiches. We were told they were not serving breakfast sandwiches, because the breakfast sandwich person was too busy. Then, It took about 20 minutes to get a piece of quiche heated up. Pretty unexcusable for a Saturday morning. What a disappointment for JP.

    (2)

  • Kri F.

    BSQ cafe has its own definition of time. Bagel with cream cheese time? about 12-15 minutes. Any breakfast menu item - 15-20 minutes. I work around the corner and have given this place 5 chances since they day they opened, but nothing has changed, except the prices seem to go up and up and up. This morning i asked for a bagel with cream cheese TO GO. The credit card machine is not working, OK. paid cash - then began the wait. After 5 minutes with no sign of the bagel, i asked if it was going to be a while longer still... "shouldent be long, let me check" said the cashier. "They are just pulling it off the grill now" he said as he came out of the kitchen. 4 minutes later the bagel was ready. That is by far the longest bagel time in Boston. In a nutshell - if are pressed for time, or looking for properly made food, don't waste your time. Ruggieros, Canto 6, Ula cafe and small city feed on boylston will be better options, and lighter on your wallet.

    (2)

  • DJ Micaiah M.

    We arrived right when it closed at 9pm and the owner let us in and gave us the remote to the T.V.! VERY impressed! We ordered oysters on the half shell. Half a dozen from Virginia and half from Cape Cod! They were excellent! Homemade chicken and dumplings! They have great sandwiches and drinks, also ice cream! And I cannot stress how NICE and FRIENDLY the owner was! They even have chargers for your phones!

    (5)

  • Paloma M.

    People are being a bit too harsh, imho. I went there to grab a chai latte and a sandwich and everything was delicious. The chai was AMAZING. I drink chai everywhere I go and this was like, the second best in my whole life.(the best one is from Thinking Cup!) Really really good! My husband had a tuna salad that was also very tasty, and later we had a espresso that was also very good! The space is big and bright, clean and with lots of tables, beautiful decor, clean restrooms... I really enjoyed it! Going back for sure!

    (4)

  • Jenn B.

    I'm a big fan of their their smoothies, my favorite is the Olive Oyl. I often grab a chai or breakfast sandwich as well. I like the outdoor seating, although the traffic does make it a little less enjoyable. They also have a good selection of sandwiches. I do wish the seating were a little more comfortable. If that were the case I'd probably be in more often ordering food and doing work. Overall, a good spot.

    (4)

  • D P.

    Their coffee has only gotten worse since they opened. The only good part of the recipe that remains now is the beans. Since they can't be bothered to train their staff, good luck getting a latte that isn't absolutely SCORCHED by an unskilled barista.

    (1)

  • Gavin P.

    If you have nothing going on in life, by all means stop by for a coffee or sandwich. The staff is friendly and approachable but otherwise little interested in making anything you ordered. The sandwich, when it did finally come, was above average but probably not $10 worth of amazingness. Olives on a tuna salad sandwich? Not exactly tasty, and probably worth pointing out on the menu (it wasn't), as they overpower anything else you put on a sandwich. The atmosphere is clean, friendly, but not terribly comfortable or special. I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Maggie W.

    I just moved up the street and was looking for a relaxed place to enjoy a bit of reading and a fresh warm meal. What I found at this lovely cafe was far more than I had expected. The large open windows allow patrons to enjoy the shade of the indoors without compromising the beautiful end of summer weather. The staff was friendly, polite, and made you feel welcome. I ordered a Peach Black Iced Tea and the Pesto Chicken on gluten free bread. Although the bread used was smaller than the normal size of the normal bread used... I did not feel they skimped on the amount of ingredients used to fill the panini and it was delicious! Overall I am very happy to have spent my Saturday afternoon in this establishment and am looking forward to coming back again.

    (5)

  • Celina Q.

    The chocolate chip muffins here are fantastic! Service is also impeccable - the blonde girl at the cart in the morning is especially kind and incredibly friendly. Can't wait to come back!

    (5)

  • G C.

    Tragically slow service. I waited more than 20 minutes for a bowl of oatmeal during their slow time. No use in returning until they work themselves out.

    (1)

  • Becky D.

    If it weren't for it's location, I would never come here. The food is inconsistent, overpriced-especially for its mediocrity and the service is absurdly terrible. Every time I come here I leave annoyed with myself for wasting my time and money. Some examples: Last week I was paying in cash and was looking through my wallet to find exact change- there was nobody behind me in line and the woman taking my order snapped at me to hurry! Great service. Today I came in and ordered a salad. 20 minutes later I asked how much longer it would be and they seemed to have lost my ticket. There was barely an apology, no refund or discount on my next purchase- and what's worse is there was another person waiting ahead of me. I was really taken aback by the lack of humility and apologies. Today was the breaking point- they have officially lost a customer.

    (2)

  • Marjoline F.

    The café looked promising at the beginning-- the atmosphere is pretty relaxed and the menu seemed interesting. When we went to order a smoothie, they said they couldn't make it because it's seasonal which, okay fine, I understand. But then as I went to order the vegan breakfast sandwich, they told me they ran out of the soy patty. They should probably update their menu or place a sign to let us know these things so that we wouldn't be disappointed when we find out you don't have anything that we want. Then it gets worse. We wait for about 20-30 minutes for our food to come out, which I couldn't wrap my head around because they turned out to be two dinky sandwiches that didn't even fill us up. On top of that, my sandwich was supposed to come with lettuce but came with arugula instead, which is one of the vegetables I hate. I don't think I will be coming back here after this experience.

    (1)

  • Erika A.

    I've given this place multiple shots and every visit is just worse than the last. The service is unfriendly and unknowledgeable. I ordered a breakfast sandwich and the employee working the register asked me where I saw it on the menu. It was the first item. The staff REALLY seems like they hate being there and hate even more that you bothered to order anything. After making herself a latte my ticket was finally given to the kitchen. 15 minutes later my sandwich was ready. There was literally no one else in the cafe. Save yourself the aggravation and go to ANY of the other cafes in the neighborhood. I would hate for someone to think that this place is what a JP cafe actually is. Go to Canto or Ula for far superior baked goods and coffee.

    (1)

  • Ashley W.

    Good hot coffee. Amazing chocolate chip cookies. My pesto sandwich was a bit cold and pretty sure it ever actually went into a panini. Flavor was good though! Good place to read with a book. Staff is good and efficient but not overly friendly, which is quite ok with me.

    (4)

  • Maura C.

    I visited this cafe mid afternoon with another friend and it was very welcoming. It is in a great location with good parking options and is a great, open space. I went to the ice cream counter to order (there was no line) and the person asked me right away what I wanted. I got a swirl in with strawberries and then needed to spend a little more $ to use my debit card so got the oatmeal/chocolate cookie which was recommended by another staff member standing nearby. Both the swirl in and the cookie were fantastic. The meal items looked really good as well. They have a nice web presence with a website and a facebook and twitter account. The staff were very kind and friendly. My friend and I both have infants and the other customers were friendly and the staff smiled at us from time to time too. For parents they have plenty of room for strollers to maneuver and a spacious restroom with a brand new changing table. I am not giving it 5 stars because we went on a 90 degree day and it was cool and comfortable but I like it to be uber cool. Also, my preference is for staff to look more polished but I know that's not really the vibe of Jamaica Plain. I will definitely go back and spread the word.

    (4)

  • Matt F.

    I went here today and ordered a waffle plate - the waffles were basically eggo waffles warmed up on a panini press, sad tasteless scrambled eggs, and 2 pieces of bacon. For $10. That's insane. Please.. make your own waffles or at least make a mix in a waffle iron. In the past I've ordered sandwiches and none have been too spectacular. Sometimes they come with tortilla chips, sometimes they come with goldfish crackers, sometimes they come with nothing. For the cost, they should really step up the food. Ice cream and drinks are pretty decent! Can't really mess those up too much. Pastries & baked goods are OK, but nothing compared to Canto6 which is a block away (amazing bakery!). I think the space is nice, the WiFi is ok when it works.. I just love that this is so close and I wish it were better quality. I will continue to go here for the drinks and I heard that the breakfast sandwiches are pretty good - willing to give them another shot!

    (2)

  • Jasmine M.

    Worst customer service ever! My friend bought a sandwich on Saturday and I asked about their daily special, which was a free lemonade with a sandwich on Saturdays. The cashier 1. "had trouble finding it on the menu" 2. Proceeded to roll her eyes as she rang it up 3. Took 15 mins to serve it... And on top of that the cashiers AND Cooks came out all at once to have a midday convo while customers were waiting and completely neglected the waiting customers. Will never return. The food is no good anyway

    (1)

  • Ella B.

    Great location, convenient, lots of seating and the drinks are good! They are friendly and the food is decent. My biggest gripe is that the "delivery" process for the food is a little confusing, sometimes they give you a number and sometimes they don't -- so they could use a little help in the operations part. The space is large and one side of the cafe is only bar/stool seating and it's often empty, I think they could use the space a little more efficiently. I also like they are open a little later but I think they would benefit from having a more clear sense of whether they want to be a cafe or also serve dinner. They serve oysters in the summer which is cool, but they can't be everything to everyone. All in all a good place, but could use a few points of clarity.

    (4)

  • Josh F.

    Bartlett Square Cafe has some of the best, most original sandwiches in JP... And that's saying a lot. More importantly, the manager, Myell, is customer focused and friendly. Anytime I've wanted something custom or off the menu, he's been eager to accommodate me. He's constantly adding to the menu, so there's always a reason to return.

    (5)

  • Kristen B.

    I want to like this place, I really do. It's around the corner from my work and it has a nice atmosphere. However they are excruciatingly slow, particularly when it comes to food. It takes 30 mins to get a basic sandwich. Every single time. I always think oh I'll just run over and grab something, and no fail I leave irritated. Obviously I need to go somewhere new but I'm stubborn and it's so convenient hah They also seem to forget things often - like to put my food order in. I would probably give them a few more stars if this was not such a problem. Ps the guy with the beard is great.

    (2)

  • Patrick G.

    Breakfast sandwiches are good. I like the varied menu for weekends. This is a curiosity thing but does anyone else think their coffee has a hint of tomato in it?

    (4)

  • loveart m.

    I wanted to like this place. I was worried about it competing with Canto 6 up the street, but I am no longer worried. I was excited to have coffee and food and ice cream all with outdoor seating. My first time in I simply ordered 2 scoops of ice cream and didn't know what to do when I watched the second scoop become a mere sliver, not a scoop. Disappointing, but I figured it was a glitch, a new shop and inexperienced worker. My second time I wanted food and ordered the Quinoa with Summer Vegetables salad for $8. It took 10 min. for the kitchen guy to come back and make my salad which as it turns out was pre made and spooned into a container, and I was the only customer. When I looked at my $8 salad it was a side dish size which should have cost $2, and the summer Vegetables consisted of raisins and walnuts. Waste of money. My third trip was for an ice tea, but I saw a family receiving their $8 sandwiches which looked tiny and over priced. You can get fantastic food in great portions at 3 other locations within a 5 min walk for the same prices and much better looking pastries. If this place wants to make it, they need to make some changes. I won't be going back.

    (2)

  • Christine K.

    This place would be so very convenient for me - if it wasn't for the extremely slow service. I've tried to give them a chance a few times, but it's so disorganized and I always end up waiting in line for much longer than I expect to. Today I went to buy a drink out of their refrigerator and it took 20 minutes. There was one person working the cash, making the coffee and getting the baked goods. At some point another person looked out from the kitchen, saw the line that stretched almost to the door, and slowly put an apron on to come help out. The staff just seems apathetic about service every time I am there. I often see boxes of things sitting around on the counter that need to be put away. I hope they are able to work things out over time because I would definitely visit more.

    (2)

  • Laney W.

    Been here 3 times and probably won't go back. Each time, the food has been mediocre (cold or old) and the service staff rude. On the plus side, it's open later and is usually quieter than others in the area.

    (1)

  • Aaron V.

    I only rated this 2 stars to grab their attention hopefully--the internet here is terrible. They offer free wifi, but I've gone here a half-dozen times now and the internet is never reliable. So if you go here, don't expect to use the internet unless you like it slow and spotty. Otherwise, the space is really nice, the food is solid, the staff are fine, and the seating scheme is really well considered. I would totally recommend Cafe Bartlett Square for anything but getting work done.

    (2)

  • Leesha Z.

    I've come here twice so far for my lattes. The service is odd. The staff either seem bored out of their mind or bitchy. I can't tell which. The lattes are good but not anything different than I've had. I'd rather spend my money at Ula. Atleast they know how to smile.

    (3)

  • Stephanie D.

    I work around the corner and this is really the closest place to me, which is the only reason I've ever gone back. Time and time again Cafe Bartlett Square delivers poor service, mediocre food, and a poorly laid out/sterile environment. At least the employees aren't wearing weird uniforms anymore. The food is always off...not bad, but not good. The recipes always seem to involve some ingredient that doesn't mesh well with the other flavors. I always order the tofu bahnh mi because it's the only thing I've had there (including baked goods) that doesn't taste like it was wrapped in cellophane and was then regurgitated by some gross, dominating spice. The staff is generally friendly, but inattentive. On many occasions I have stood directly in front of the register while the cashier makes drinks without acknowledging me. This sounds small typing it out here but it's so uncomfortable to stand there and have people look past you. A quick "I'll be right with you" is all I'm asking for people! Speaking of uncomfortable, the lay out of the place is terrible! They have this huge, underutilized counter space and yet, when waiting for sandwiches to be made, I'm forced to stand either: a. in front of a door b. in front of the coffee making/bussing stations c. next to someones table (closely). Why not have an order section and a checkout section so that people can stand somewhere without being in the way?! Not that this would matter...the vibe there is totally stuffy anyway. It feels very corporate and sterile, but has certain things that make me think this isn't what the owners were going for (chalkboard menu for example). I won't be going back to this place. Many chances were given and it's just constantly terrible every time.

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :6:30 am - 7:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Breakfast
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : Yes

Cafe Bartlett Sq

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