Cafe Iterum

They switched from cashier to self-service kiosk, upped the service fee to 8% AND prompt for tip on top, when orders are picked up at the counter…outrageous. Already disliked the 2%(?) service fee that was charged previously, regardless of online or in-person. Why not build a better wage for your back-of-house staff into your menu prices? That aside, their mushroom melt is my go-to, speaking as someone who usually prefers a meat option for sandwiches. Ambience is nice, love all the plants, coffee’s good enough (we usually get a latte with caramel syrup if we’re not making coffee at home)

The atmosphere is totally fine. I wouldn’t go there for atmosphere, but the food was great and it is a great place to work! It has some indoor and outdoor seating, with plenty of power plug ins at the communal table inside. Conveniently next to the T and a pretty fountain, but the Farmwich sandwich was really the main reason for the great review!

Decided to stop in while visiting & first I had asked someone if they could tell me what a specific pastry was since they were no photos on the kiosk & he told me to just go back to the kiosk which wasn’t helpful. Then I heard the employees talking in Spanish about my order, how it was crazy that I was spending MY money on a latte. I understand Spanish fluently. I found it kind of rude of them to be talking about me in front of me.

Go for: Great food and one of the only high-end coffee options in East Boston. Avoid if: You're feeling impatient, or are seeking breakfast on a budget. Something surprising: While the decor is quirky and cool, the layout is weird and the order pickup area is also the trash area and the service station and the exit, all rolled into one. Reservation needed? No. Overall Experience: 2/5. The coffee and food are tasty and they bring in pastries from one of the best bakeries in the Boston area. However, the food is truly overpriced and the staff always seems like they've just emerged from a behind-closed-doors argument, because they're almost never in a good mood/are rarely friendly. We're never greeted with a 'Hello' or 'How are you?' - walking in to pick up an online order normally involves a wait for 3+ minutes before someone walks over and only says "What'd you order?" Orders are almost never ready in a timely manner, which is crucial for people on their way to work. They're pricing to pay the rent for their prime location next to the Maverick T and in a new luxury apartment building. Value for Price: 1 Sanitation: 3 Food Quality: 4 Menu Precision: 3 Service Quality: 2 Timing: 1 Decor: 3 Access: 4 — 5 among the best 4 strong 3 not too bad 2 mediocre 1 never again