Uncommon Grounds

I'm not sure why Uncommon Grounds feels entitled to gouge its customers, perhaps it was the Rachel Ray endorsement. Ridiculously overpriced drinks for the quality of what they serve--what we ordered tasted like gas station cappuccino. I would know, I've worked in the industry nearly 10 years. The top 40 radio playing on the speakers was distracting and didn't mesh with the Victorian charm they were presenting. As much as I hate to give a negative review to a local, independent business like this, I sincerely cannot recommend this place to anyone. more

I highly recommend this place for everyone. Whether you are new to town and checking out what the city has to offer, or have dwelled here for over 20 years because you love the area, Uncommon Grounds appreciates you and your business. I've seen this place change a lot over the past two years that I've been coming there. Just to clear things up, I think they've finally got it going again!! They got rid of the bouncer at the door, which, hopefully proved to be a bad idea, and have changed the staff around many times over the years, but finally have a full staff that enjoys working there as much as the customers enjoy being there. I went there last week and was greeted by both staff members with smiles and ""hellos"". I, too, was impressed. The girls working there are very nice and friendly and enjoy sitting down for chats with the locals during breaks. As for the place, I too feel the music is a bit loud and ruins the atmosphere. When I worked there (probably like 2 years ago now) it was soft, serene, and mellow; now it has been replased with loud, love themes that range from poppy. overly happy songs, to the songs we've listened to in the 80s. THe drinks still are a bit more in price, but I ensure you, you pay for the quality. The owner uses nothing but high-quality products, and foods that you will ONLY find at the shop. As for the brands of Chai, chocolate, and where the baked foods come from... You will never know. Thats the fun! They all taste so gooood and keep you coming back for more. It has more of a ""chill"" atmosphere, they still ask each customer to buy if they are going to sit down for a while, but why would you go to a place and not buy anything anyways? Its great, also, no more jumping down your throats to leave promptly when you finish. If you have a computer it must be upstairs after 8. I love that, more room for socializing downstairs and more light for you studyers upstairs. It's one of the best places to bring first dates. Pros: Credit Card purchases must be over five dollars, bad music choices Cons: good ambience, atmosphere, parking after 9!, more

What a fine little upscale cafe! The espresso is one of my 2 or 3 favorites, the Chai is great! I tried to pull the recipe from the young, tattooed, pierced barista, but she held her secrets! My wife and I moved to Milwaukee, but when we go back, we meet friends there! more

I just want to tell you all how helpful your reviews have been. I moved back here from Montana after seven years away, and my fellow new mom and I are looking for a non-club atmosphere to go hang out. Needless to say, I remembered Uncommon Grounds being fun and inviting. The general theme in these reviews is that they've turned into the 2-drink minimum gestapo. No fun. I truly appreciate you all saving me the time and energy heading out that way. I am trying to get away from the stress, not add to it. Oh, and if you work at (or own) Uncommon Grounds and you're reading this, you should know that unhappy customers who share their stories DO influence other potential customers. more

I was not impressed with Uncommon Grounds on my last visit. I usually go to Caribou Coffee or Dun Brothers downtown; generally spending four to six hours at a time studying, on average spending anywhere from $10 to $20 in the duration of my visit. Pros: Location, Building. Cons: Overkill ""background"" music, rude staff, parking, etc. etc. more

Normally get their Chai and saw them in Rachel Ray's magazine this month for their White Mocha. Tried one of those and I see why they made it in the magazine. Keep up the great work. I love the owner. OH and by the way computer losers, please do get the hell out. Nobody cares to see you hogging up space buying one drink and sitting their for 6 hours. Get the hell out, the musics perfect. If it's too loud and you want to study go to the damn library down the street. Holla!!!! Pros: Best Drinks, Awesome Atmosphere, Great Staff, Tasty Deserts, Great Music Cons: To Many Loser Computer Users Hogging up Space more

I frequented this shop 3 or 4 years ago, and stopped going due to the obnoxious staff behind the bar and the spastic bouncer. I have been back a few times recently, and it seems the bouncer is gone and has been replaced by a staff of VERY cute girls. I have yet to enter this place in the last 4 months without being greeted with a smile, an odd change from the people that used to be behind the counters. Though they do still ask everyone to buy one drink (reasonable, right?) they wont be jumping to your throats the second your cup is empty or shooing you out after an hour and 5 minutes. Owner is a real sweetheart, chat with him for 5 minutes if you get a chance. He obviously loves his shop more than anything. Expect your stereotypical coffee shop regulars, but they're mostly harmless. Drinks are a little over priced, but worth the experiance. Upstairs was repainted as well, looks great and has lost that ""16 years of people smoking in here"" smell. Pros: better music. better people. better vibe. Cons: a specialty drink is going to cost you $5. more

I've gone here for years. The service has been at times downright rude. Yet other times, the owner has gone out of his way to accommodate. The lattes are pretty good. more

My first experience here was nice. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and people. So a friend and I went back a few weeks later and i have no clue what happened. Server was rude, and yes, you are asked to leave if you have no drink or a few sips left. We were being watched the entire time we were there! It was creepy. Our plan was to sit and drink coffee and tea for a few hours, but after the icy welcome and looks, we went somewhere else and won't be back. I suggest these guys figure out a better way of doing business if they want to stay in business. oh, and the ""romantic"" part, I could barley see in there it was so dark! more

This is the CRAZIEST coffee shop/cafe I have ever been to. They enforce a strict 1 hour policy. Buy a drink every hour or get out. If you walk in the door, you are forced to buy something instantly or get out. You WILL be harassed here. There is a man who walks around patrolling to make sure everyone has a full drink. They try to pass off cheap products as gourmet. Their prices are insanely expensive, $5.00 for a small chai tea. And it stinks horribly like cigarettes, especially upstairs! It's sad because this used to be a wonderful, magical place. Pros: great location Cons: mean bouncer, smells bad, bad drinks more

I used to come to U.G. before I moved away from Minneapolis. Stopped by there again last week, was pleasantly impressed with the decor. Did not stay, though, as they added a sign ""U.G. bans guns at these premises"". Let's see...it isn't enforceable legally or actually, but it does discourage the law-abiding and it also encourages anyone looking for unarmed people. My friend and I went to Plan B coffee shop instead. It is only one block north and does not have any such offensive signs. Cons: Hoplophobic more

Long, long ago (mid 90s) Uncommon Grounds was my favorite place to go on weekends. I was in high school and would go there with friends, drink tons of beves and play cards. After a couple years we were told we can't play cards... then they started harrassing you to leave quickly. Now they just plain blow. Not worth visiting at all, no matter the ""romantic"" atmosphere. Pros: Used to be good Cons: Nothing good anymore more

One night 5 of us were on our second or third drink when another friend joined us. She stopped at the table to drop off her jacket and the manager/bouncer was right there to tell her she'd better not ever sit down without ordering again. We'd spent probably $60 to $75 before she got there! Pros: location Cons: rude staff, substandard drinks more

A few friends and I each purchased an expensive iced chai, chatted up outside and began to wander back inside to purchase a second drink. At that time we were approached by a bouncer that yelled at us for spending too much time w/o a full drink. He said he had been watching us. Obviously he didn't pay attention to the clock like we did. He lost $20+ dollars that night (no second drink) and four customers for life. Isn't a coffee shop supposed to be where you can relax with a good drink and good company? You'll never find this at Uncommon Grounds. Don't even try. There are so many other coffee shops within the Uptown area that I would rather spend my time and money. Pros: nothing Cons: RUDE staff & manager, EXPENSIVE, terrible parking more

It was a great place four years ago. The staff was wonderful. They took pride in the place. Now, the staff doesn't know how to make a drink, the people are rude, the staff is rude, and the fact that i was asked ten times to buy another drink or leave was silly. I spent ten bucks on two drinks (poorly made with good product). They wanted me out two seconds after i was done. Bring back the staff frrom 2000, 2001, 2002 -- then the place might come around again. Pros: high quailty coffee, the old staff, the vibe Cons: poorly made drinks, current staff, managment more

Everyone knows that Uncommon Grounds has the best drinks, atmosphere, and staff in town. It's posted at the door ""Please buy 1 item, and no outside food or drink allowed."" The only people whining are the ones breaking the two simple rules. Non-customers are asked to leave when they don't buy Seating is for paying customers. Old unkind reviews don't reflect the current staff and should be upgraded. Smoking isn't allowed inside as in all public buildings in Minneapolis. There are 70+ seats available outside. This is the only coffeehouse to offer carpeting, velvet booths, chandeliers, candelight and cool music with your drinks. There's a ""host"" to seat customers as needed, and enforce the rules since it's so popular. Open 5pm to 1am weekdays, Noon to 1am weekends. If you enjoy class and cleanliness, this is your place. There's parking everywhere in back, along side, and many sidestreets Pros: quick service, best drinks, great staff Cons: ., ., . more

The coffee here is great, although expensive. But the service and attitude leaves a lot to be desired. If everyone does not order a drink, they ask you to leave. That's not a way to attract repeat customers. That turns me off - I'm not going there again. This sort of attitude is not going to help their business. Pros: Good coffee Cons: Expensive, Bad attitude more

I went here to meet up with friends before a movie and was approached within the first 2 minutes of being there and told that I was not welcome because I hadn't purchased anything yet. My friends had ordered 2 rounds before I got there. I understand that they have a business to run, but I wasn't even given a chance to order before I was singled out. It was my understanding that the person I was approached by was the owner or manager. I work in the service industry and can't understand how someone can treat their cliental with such rude behavior and feel that that is appropriate. I can honestly that Uncommon Grounds was an unpleasant experience and I do not have any intention of ever returning there. With as many coffee houses that there are in the cities, I'd rather be somewhere where my business is appreciated. Pros: location, location, location Cons: , condescending, snobbish more

What a perfect place to sip lattes with your honey... I love snuggling up with my boyfriend in a back booth, our faces just lit by a single flickering candle. Lounging on the wrap-around porch with Italian sodas and people-watching is the best way to spend a summer evening, in my opinion. The drinks are good, standard coffeehouse fare, although the food leaves much to be desired. However, if you're looking for an intimate cuddle spot, Uncommon Grounds is the place. Pros: Romantic ambience, Cheap drinks, Intimate atmosphere Cons: , No parking more

Uncommon is the best! It has a great atmosphere, unbeatable coffee and awesome workers. They are always there to make you laugh and help you out whenever needed. Pros: awesome employees, great atmosphere, loyal customers Cons: not enought parking, smoking more