A bit odd to see a coffee shop's funding on TC. I guess because its a valley company? A tech scene favorite? Based on the article it seems the draw is that they add milk and sugar for you? Is the coffee that bad that you have to drowned out the taste with fluff.
A couple years ago, Dunkin Donuts switched to their... barista? adding the cream/sugar for you. You just said either yes or no, and they've figured out the apparently right amount for the general populace (which is a little sweet for me but not as sweet as you'd expect from a donut shop).
They figured that replacing the station with all the add-ins was a faster and better experience for customer and employee. Can't disagree, since I went to Dunkin for the convenience. I don't know how big the market is for coffee with personal attention (the taste snobs seem to just make their own), but perhaps Philz is laying down the tracks for all sorts of motherly-service-as-a-product to bank the SF zeitgeist.
Hey, whatever happened to that grilled cheese startup?
No, the coffee is quite good. Their roasts are unlike anything at Starbucks or Peet's or Blue Bottle. They are distinctive and tasty. There's a definite Turkish spin to the flavor of most of their roasts. That's the best I can describe it.
They ask if you would like milk or sugar added. After they serve it to you, the person who prepared your cup waits for you to taste it and asks how it is. They'll make a cup of coffee exactly how you like it. It's somewhat quaint, but it's also part of their trademark service. Their default ratios for additives are well chosen. I don't normally take cream in my coffee but I usually do at Phil'z.
There should be another coffee startup that would ask you if they should automatically post the picture of the coffee on my Instagram. Now thats a time saver.
