Cup A Joe

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3100 Hillsborough St
Raleigh, NC 27607

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(919) 828-9665
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Reviews
( 5 )
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( 5 )

Best

I stop at Cup a Joe every morning on the way to work.....even when I'm running late.....because I know that I will be in and out of there in less than 5 minutes and back on my way...

Worst

If you can stand inhaling tons of cigarette smoke, this place is nice for coffee drinks, free wireless, and delicious foods. The big room is meant for smoking but it wafts over to...

Racist manager 2/3/2011

Two white employees promoted before black employee who's been there longer and worked more hours! Manager also makes rude comments to black customers. more

Poor Service And Rude Barista 1/8/2011

Although the coffee at the Cup A Joe is bearable, the same could not be said of the servers! I do not remember the name of the barista who upset me, but she had bright red hair. I came in and ordered a cappuccino. She rang me up, said it would be a few minutes, and that she would call my name. TWENTY MINUTES LATER I approached the counter again to see her giggling with a co-worker near the back about her old job at another restaurant. My drink was nowhere in sight. I asked her where it was, and she rolled her eyes and began making my drink. I am unimpressed with this coffee house and cannot say I will be returning while this insolent girl is still employed there. more

RACIST WORKERS 8/14/2010

Beyond the fact that the quality of the place is absolutely disgusting and you may as well have a cup of coffee in a dumpster because that's how this place looks, Everything is out of date and DIRTY especially the bath room. Besides that the staff is racist, I will never visit this place again unless it is to record and document the racist workers I encountered. more

Smoky beat-up place with good food 7/22/2010

If you can stand inhaling tons of cigarette smoke, this place is nice for coffee drinks, free wireless, and delicious foods. The big room is meant for smoking but it wafts over to the entire cafe. I feel sorry for the employees who may have higher incidence of lung cancer from working there. Kind of grimy but it has that college atmosphere. Pros: Good food and drinks at low cost Cons: Plug outlets hard to reach and it's very SMOKY more

Freaky hipster haven 7/23/2009

Combine two of the nastiest habits--smoking and drinking coffee--with a bunch of tattooed, hipper than thou emo types and you've got Cup a Joe pretty much covered. Everyone in there is so pretentious. Pros: Coffee Cons: Disgusting smoke more

Good coffee/staff, could use some updates 3/27/2009

I visit Cup a Joe nearly every morning, and I usually stay for a bit even though I get my coffee and breakfast quickly. The staff is usually in great spirits for being up so early (I don't know how they do it) and put me in a good mood. The coffee is priced reasonably, but the baked goods are a little expensive for what they are. (2.50 for a small croissant, might as well get the chocolate one for the same price!) They usually have interesting art on the walls, and an open-mic on Friday nights. After a while the staff gets to know everyone's regular drinks, but they have a pretty high turn-over rate (there is ALWAYS a ""now hiring"" sign in the window) so we have to ""train"" the new people to remember our drinks :) I wonder why people quit so often?? Some improvements I'd like to see: -Fans in the smoking room or an air-cleaning machine. (My clothes stink when I leave, even sitting on the non-smoking side.) -New tables and chairs: There are springs coming out of some of the chairs, the tables look like they were pulled out of the dumpster, etc. I'm not saying all new and modern, just re-covered, or polished, or something! Maybe some comfy leather or vinyl armchairs. -Something other than just cream cheese for bagels--it's CC or nothing! Maybe just little packets of butter or jelly or honey to go! The people-watching is great, though--a mix of professors, tattooed kids, families, and students. I am a little creeped out by the guy that stands in the hallway next to the service bar, though--he might be the owner/manager? Overall, my favorite coffee shop in town, just could stand to make a few changes. Pros: Fast service, good coffee, artwork, people-watching Cons: Furniture, smokiness, expensive pastries more

the best coffee.....friendly/efficient service....great for people watching 2/27/2009

I stop at Cup a Joe every morning on the way to work.....even when I'm running late.....because I know that I will be in and out of there in less than 5 minutes and back on my way....with a delicious caffeinated beverage that my morning wouldn't be the same without. The staff is friendly. The prices are the lowest around. The coffee is the absolute best ANYWHERE! Pros: people watching Cons: has a smoking section....so gets smoky sometimes more

Not so hot, just smokey 10/10/2007

A nice place to sit and smoke cigarettes, just don't get your hopes up about the coffee or the service. If you're looking for great espresso or drip coffee, just go down the block to Global Village. I should point out that this Cup A Joe is not connected with the shops of the same name in Orange county... those guys roast their own too, but it's some of the best coffee around. Pros: Smoker friendly Cons: Smoker friendly, poor espresso more

Only good for the people-watching 8/27/2006

As the local hipster havens go, this place could do better. The espresso is poor (Cup A Joe roasts its own beans-- too bad), and sadly it is even worse than Starbucks espresso. The atmosphere is shady, the uncomfortable seating in disrepair, and there is a permanent smell of stale cigarettes in the air. The worst thing about Cup A Joe, though, is by far the staff. They are perpetually dour, rude to customers, and seem to put only the minimum amount of effort into making their beverages.\r \r It DOES get points for a unique, alternative crowd, and is great for people-watching. For everything else, stay away! Pros: Unique crowd, great for people-watching Cons: Abyssmal atmosphere, drinks, and service more

Good coffee ... but could do well without the attitude. 8/5/2006

Its a wannabe hippie hangount !! The coffee is good but the service is not up to the mark. I prefer the global village coffee house near NCSU any day, though they aren't open long enough. I have been to Cupajoe's many times ... the last few times the attitude seems to have gotten worse and the coffee was served cold. The crowd is very ""unique"" and you may want to consider taking your kids there. In all ... good coffee ... but not the best service or atmosphere. Pros: Good coffee, reminds me of my hippie days, smoking/non-smoking sections Cons: Poor service, shady atmosphere, could clean up the act and the tables more

Special Place 8/1/2005

I met my wife at Cup A Joe on March 15, 1993. No longer living near campus, we don't make it to Joe's as often as we'd like, but when we do, it's like returning to a special moment in time. They still have the best coffee and the best atmosphere. They haven't sold out yet so buy your coffee there. I recommend Sumatra. Pros: coffee, soul Cons: wannabe hippies, wannabe punks more

great cup a joe 10/14/2002

I don't live in Raleigh, however, my brother introduced me to this gem of a coffee house and now everytime I visit, we have our morning ritual of getting a Cup A Joe. Can't do without it. Much better than Starbucks... Pros: flavor, ambiance, service more

serious fan 9/14/2002

FINALLY- people who understand my caffeine addiction! This place is not about the coffee ""trend,"" it is for true coffee lovers. Their Wired Wednesday prices are the best deal around. And while enjoying coffee, make sure to try one of their oatmeal raisin cookies- you won't find better anywhere else! Pros: great value more

Coffee with out the trendy snobbs! 9/11/2002

If you want trendy people that don't know good coffee then don't go here! The coffee is great with and interesting crowd. The morning is mature professionals and the evening is the eclectic younger crowd. Pros: Local, Best Coffee/Chai, clients Cons: busy more
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Menu for Cup A Joe


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Editorial
  • In Short
    During NC State and Meredith College mid-terms and finals, this Hillsborough Street coffeeshop becomes one of the most popular spots in town. Arguably the best-priced and...

  • 7/10/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Sun: 6am-10:30pm
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa, American Express, Discover
  • Neighborhoods: University
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