So either JPH has changed their prices, or some people haven't been there in a while, because my coffee was like $2.50. Â Nothing arbitrarily expensive there.
Somebody told me this place had "good noms." Â I'll be honest, I had no idea what that meant. Â After going there, I still don't know what it means. Â I'm just not hip enough, I guess.
Large space, good coffee, a fine place to show up and engage in tabletop RPG battles of your choice.
Very good re-creation of this cafe/storefront. Great for writing a paper. Love the idea of being able to sit and drink coffee for a couple hours, and when it gets into the evening being able to switch over to beer.
Sandwiches are in the range of good-for-a-cafe. The roast beef sandwich is always very close to good, but usually has too many onions and not quite enough meat for the price. The tuna melt is very good, and has a strong lemon note that's just delightful. Coffee is quite expensive but always on the syrupy side (a high complement) and never bitter. They do great coffee here, and you'll pay to enjoy it.
My one complaint is that this place gets packed around the bar with local hipsters who try to turn the JPH into a catwalk. I come here to work or meet colleagues; being crowded and then scrutinized isn't on my list. On the flip side of this same observation it's a testament to the able owners and staff that locals feel comfortable and casual here, and continue to return.
Another few years and this will be known as a "must-visit" Madison location.
One last point: for the love of god stop playing Mumford and Sons and Kings of Leon on repeat. Hire a curator to pick out some good jazz, classical, and independent music.
Was in the Madison area for business. On the way to the airport, I stopped in at Johnson Public House. Okay, now they were impressive, even though they didn't roast. They had coffee that day from Intelligentsia (only thing they had on sale and since that's close, didn't buy), Madcap and Kickapoo. I prefer African to South American so had the one from Madcap (My apologies for not taking a picture so that I remembered what I had, I was tired and so ready to go home.) Anywho, they knew what they sold and how to make it and if I had had time, I would have tried more.
Review Source:I would say they got the Slow Coffee movement going on. No cheap coffee sitting in airpots for an hour or more.
French press, chemex, V60, lattes, cortado(my favorite),.....all worth the price.
Free wifi, chill baristas, laid back mellow music in the background, and can't go wrong with any of the sandwiches. Also can't forget the great selection of beers in the cooler. See that more and more in cafes.
I like how these guys take their coffee so seriously. With a chalkboard wall filled with different blends from all over the world, I seriously thought I had died from coffee overload!! With help from the barista, I ordered a Columbian coffee, which was served pour over style (one of the many ways to get your fix, also: french press, iced, etc.....). This was an intense experience, bold and so strong, that I don't know how I can go back to my reg pot of coffee. I want to try all the blends!
I liked the vibe of the place. It was like every demographic was there from super hipsters, white collars, college kids, and moms with kids. Next time I will def try out some of the noms: portabella sandwich, here I come! JPH has something awesome for everyone!!!
Upon entering, you are greeted by a hodgepodge of mix and matched tables and chairs. Â Sitting in these chairs are even a bigger mishmash of people-hipsters, wanna-be's, students, young professionals, even someone wearing MC Hammer pants and telling her friends they sell also a "male" version. Â It just seems to all work as JPH is "2 Legit to Quit"
They serve usually 3-4 choices of beans from Intelligentsia accompanied by 3 different brewing options. Â Never would have I imagined that I would engage in a conversation about what brewing method (pour over vs. chemex) would be most appropriate for the roast I selected, but I did and have no regret as the resulting coffee was incredible. Â
Yes, the prices are higher than other places but the quality and attention to detail that come with it makes it worth every penny. Â Check it out, you will be glad you did.
Oh the joy of liquid gold, kind people, and tunes to keep your toes a' tappin.
These people know good coffee. I filled my cup with their pour over Brazilian blend. You don't realize what you're missing in your mediocre cup of coffee until you try something as bold and flavorful as JPH's coffee. I took a sip and was like, "woah, this is how coffee is supposed to taste!" Ain't no Folgers, that's fo' sho'.
With about 4 rotating blends featured daily, they can recommend something for your taste. There WILL be a coffee for you, whether that be in French press, pour over, iced, or milky. And it will be great.
I nommed on the Sunday morning sammie: hard boiled egg, melted cheddar cheese, ham squished together by wheat bread. The kicker? A delicate caramelization of maple syrup on the bread, hitting both your sweet and savory palates. Why hasn't anyone ever thought of that before? Genius!
Love the smooth tunes, peeps from all walks of life, and the general "cerebral" attitude that makes this place a rockin place to hang and sip.
When you combine excellent music with great conversation, a superb roast beef breakfast sandwich, and a double shot espresso, cubano style - you get a 5 star experience.
I haunted JPH with a good friend the other morning, and spent two hours sipping espresso, trying my friend's excellent Rwandan coffee (black because it's just that smooth, no bitterness at all to need masking), Â and appreciating the busy atmosphere. Â I like bustling. Â I adore the community vibe this place has got going on. I have a crush, it's true - and it's for Johnson Public House.
I never am someone who considers herself an expert in anything, so when I asked the guy behind the counter to help me out with my coffee selection, he was all about it. Â He made some great recommendations and played a role in my being smitten with this cafe. Â From the outside it looks like a hole in the wall, some dusty relic with no relevance - but you step inside and the world opens to you. Â
And that caffeine! Â Truly the best I have had the pleasure of sipping. Â And it should be, it doesn't come cheap - my friends. Â I would have returned for the food alone, everything else is just icing.
A-OK for to go service only, but I can see how this place would be more enjoyable as a hangout.
First of all, I couldn't find a menu with prices displayed, so I had to order a little blindly. Â $4 for a small chai is more than any other place I've been to in Madison (this is my typical order). Â At $4 for the smallest size, I would expect to have organic local college educated milk or something.
The actual chai itself was adequate, although I prefer a bit more spice.
Since it was a pit stopped, I used the facilities. Â I was amused that the bathroom used a salvaged changing table from the 80s instead of the standard "Koala Kare" baby changing stations you usually see. Â It reminded me a bit of a basement bathroom in someone's house--randomly decorated and a bit chilly.
Now, for the outstanding part, it honestly seemed like patrons in the coffeehouse really liked being there. Â You could tell that a lot of people came on a regular basis to meet with friends or get work done. Â Good vibe.
tldr; I would consider coming back here with a friend, but bad choice for a pit stop.
Just go for the espresso. Get it in a latte or a mocha. I've only been here twice but each time the espresso has tasted the way espresso should taste: sweet and tangy. If you are an espresso lover like me and need to find a place to stop in Madison, do not waste your time with other places. Ignore the hipsters and get your quality coffee at JPH.
Review Source:Still a solid 5, but wish I could add a few more stars for standout service today!
1. They were out of cold brew and typically (I think) don't keep much ice around, so after taking my order the lovely gent ran down the street to grab a bag in order to get their normal pour over method going with ice down below. He strained the ice out and poured the cooled at this point brew into a cup with new ice. It rawked. I want more.
2. Took with me a sammie to go and grabbed greens along side. This is so dorky but check it out: Greens were nicely placed in a recyclable cup w/ lid and the dressing was resting on top in it's own condiment cup. I dressed that puppy, capped it, shook, and boom, it was a little like being there minus the hip vibe and melting pot, no cornucopia of passerbys.
Sorry to be a hater, but I tried this place based on the Yelp recommendations. Â Problem was, I had just tried the Johnson Brothers coffee (no relation to Johnson Public House that I know of), and it was like drinking the Devil's sock water after drinking a glass of God's pure, melted glacial ice.
Terrible.
Short of it is that I have come to distrust the coffee houses that have the baristas prepare the coffee, drip-style, in front of the customer. Â To a place, I have found the end resulted (1) expensive and (2) disappointing. Â That is true of JPH: nice Baristas, but the end result was bitter, watery with absolutely no redeeming flavor. Â Sanka anyone?
The upside is that the Baristas were very friendly, and they were playing cool music. Â So a star for that.
Since my last review was over six months ago, and I've probably been averaging 4x/week here up until my departure from Madison a month ago, I thought it would be prudent of me to write an updated review of JPH. Â
Yes, my opinion of JPH has changed a bit. Â It's even more awesome than I thought it was back in February. Â Why the change? Â I've had the privilege of finally trying some of their sandwiches. Â Like their brews, the sandwiches never disappointed. Â The green eggs and ham breakfast sandwich is probably my favorite. Â While most places would used a fried egg, JPH incorporates a hard-boiled egg in its breakfast sandwich, and it works all too well. Â With the egg, ham, pesto, grilled onions stuffed in between Batch Bakehouse bread and grilled in a panini press, what's not to like? Â But what I still appreciate JPH for the most is their preparation of their coffee. Â Intelligentsia Venice used to be my second home. Â I've had some great cups of coffee there, but I can honestly say that Kyle and company do Intelligentsia better than Intelligentsia does itself! The same can be said about Handsome, another guest roaster that often makes appearances on JPH's guest roaster lineup. Â
For myself, a guy who's had caffeine intoxication every day since I arrived in Seattle a month ago (too many good roasters here), I still can say that I have a preference for Kyle and JPH's drinks over just about everything I've had in Seattle and Vancouver. Â
Also can't say this enough. Â Kyle and his crew are some of the coolest people around!
If you love good coffee, this is where you should be. Â They always have a few coffees to choose from (mostly Intelligentsia) that rotate pretty frequently. Awesome cold brew and espresso too. The baristas are super talented so if milky drinks are your thing, expect to see some beautiful latte art.
Review Source:If you think you can make a better peanut butter and jelly sandwich at home, chances are you might be wrong.
I found JPH the day after my boyfriend moved to Madison, and have loved it ever since. Introduced me to Intelligentsia coffee. First day there two of the baristas approaches us with our coffees wanting us to rate them since they have poured them in different styles. For some reason though the JPH coffee tends to be a little too acidic for me.
The highlight really is their food. Any sandwich that you can get there is a miracle. I don't know how they do it. I'm a sucker for the peanut butter & jelly, but their breakfast and tuna are also a favorite. When I used to visit on weekends at first I'd go work at JPH. Â But I find it a little uncomfortable with the awkward chairs and tables. Also they have a nice selection of beers if you are working there late and need something to calm you down ;)
Impressive coffee house in this smallish city. Just trendy enough to feel fancy, yet still comfortable to stay the whole afternoon. Attention to detail--- this place could go toe-to-toe with most places in Portland or Seattle. If you're into coffee and find yourself in Madison, make a trip to this place.
Review Source:I live three blocks away from this spot, and could not be happier to have JPH as my local coffee shop. The lattes are fantastic, and one of my favorite sandwiches of all time has got to be the Sunday morning breakfast sandwich, which has ham, egg, cheese, and just a touch of maple syrup. OMG. My only gripe would be that this place ain't cheap, but it's totally worth it.
Review Source:Such a rare find in Madison! And to think that it was totally by chance that my friend and I even discovered this little gem on the East side.
We were in the neighborhood because we wanted to try Sophia's bakery for brunch. Unfortunately, Sophia's was closed for the day, so we begrudgingly headed back to the only open restaurant/cafe within walking distance: JPH. As soon as we caught a whiff of the freshly brewed coffee and took a glance at the menu, our frowns turned upside down. It was instantaneous. Magical even.
I got a flat white latte and a sunday breakfast sandwich (egg, cheese, ham, & a touch of maple syrup)... who would have thought that combination could taste so good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Â I also love how they brew each cup of coffee to order. The baristas have truly mastered the art of coffee making!
They take a while to prepare the food, but it is definitely worth the wait. There's also plenty of interesting art/furniture around the cafe to keep you busy as you wait. (:
Patrons of JPH are very low key, and the establishment has a hippy-esque/laid-back feel (sans homeless people) that makes me nostalgic for the Berkeley coffee shops (yay cafe Med/Milano/Strada) that I used to frequent.
If I go missing on a Sunday morning....I'm probably holed up at JPH with my laptop and a steaming cup of coffee!
Johnson Public House (JPK...if you're cool) delivers a great coffee (Joe if you're manly) experience. Â Full of hipsters and strung out college students, you can get one of a vast array of different blends of Joe as well as preparations (btw, French press is your friend). Â Wi-fi ensures that as you sip, you will be engrossed in your work/play/whatever. Â Decor is old and dated, but maybe that is the allure for the crowd. Â Food is very good, with a limited menu...the breakfast sandwich had some nice twists and the granola with fresh fruit and yogurt one of the best out there.
So, get your hip (also known as cool) on at JPK. Â Bring your iPad/laptop/abacus and leave your inner jock (stud, athlete) at home. Â Now if only I could get a pair of skinny jeans to fit.
Phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal.
You know a place really hit all the high points when you walk out saying that it is a MUST VISIT destination whenever you return to the area. This place is that good.
From the breakfast sandwich, with perfectly crisped fresh bread complete with Wisconsin cheddar and the perfect hint of maple syrup to the presentation of their hand-crafting each of your drinks while you wait (this is what you pay for when drinks are $3-$6 to those who are complaining of the prices on Yelp) to the fantastic craft beer selection, complete with Bells Hopslam, a small selection of Ale Asylum, and 5, count em FIVE offerings of Three Floyds beers (Arctic Panzer Wolf the highlight of the bunch) while we were here, this place is just great.
They brew excellent Intelligentsia coffee (a product of the owner being from Chicago, one would surmise), provide free internet in a chill, laid back setting perfect for anything from a hangover brunch to cramming for finals, provide an incredible selection of different coffees (and methods to brew the coffee) and teas, and they bring the drinks and food to your table as soon as it is ready, with a smile. What more could you possibly want out of a combination coffeehouse/breakfast place/Starbucks with craft beer type establishment?
We will absolutely be back, and we will be recommending this place to everyone we know visiting the area - this place is that fantastic. Not to be missed.
Let me begin by saying that I have no objection to paying $$$ for a cup of coffee, provided that the beans, the atmosphere, and the locale (i.e. city) justify the cost.
Today I went to the Johnson Public House for the first time and ordered a medium coffee. The barista then said, "that will be $5.40." This astounded me. I've had coffee brewed using the Chemex method and even more inventive ones in San Francisco and other cities and never paid over the $5 mark for a cup (or even close).
So I ordered down (i.e., a "lesser" coffee and smaller cup size). $3.40, the barista quoted. Then I saw that the Johnson Public House does not accept credit cards for amounts under $5. The barista suggested I either buy one of the two pastries available for sale or a bottled water (the irony of a shop that peddles free-trade, high-quality coffee and sells bottled water can't go unremarked). I thought, "If I am not going to pay $6 for an item I actually did want, why would I pay $6 for items I don't want?" The reasonable response, if you are a business that needs support as much as the Johnson Public House probably does in order to sustain itself, is to say, "Okay, we'll accept your credit card this time, but next time, you need cash, because each transaction costs us X amount." I could, in fact, have paid the CC fee in change if asked, if that is the real issue.
This coffee shop has barely changed in its various iterations. It is dark. The furniture is second-hand and cheap. There are scant outlets. It is not decorated well enough to justify luxury prices.
I dig this joint. They feature the Chemex brewing method, which is rad. Plus Intelligentsia beans can't be beat. They're a scosh light on the seating, and outlets can be hard to come by. But you don't get this hip by emulating Starbucks. The baristas are all super friendly, and they even know what they're doing! What a revelation! In a college town, the fact that so many craptastic cafes with terrible baristas exist is beyond my comprehension; but JPH nails it.
And one last thing, what good would a coffeehouse be without internet? These cats have the most reliable internet on the Madison coffee scene. Hands down. Best internet. There's nothing I hate more than rolling up on a coffeeshop only to be greeted by an internet connection thats up and down more times than... you fill in whichever metaphor your mind desires... I mean, this isn't 1997, folks. We aren't on "Friends". People don't go to coffeeshops to read "People" and gossip with each other. We're there to stare at our individual glowing screens and gossip *about* each other in silence.
I'm continuing to enjoy JPH.
Very good, higher quality/priced coffee and pastries. The breakfast sandwich is bomb and i would happily argue that they have the finest prepared cup of coffee in Madison, if not Wisconsin.
While some have labeled this place pretentious, i have always had great interactions with the owners and barristas. In regards to the "pour over" vs. already prepared coffee and their prices, you must remember that this business is not run on the quantity over quality concept (i.e. Starbucks, Pete's). They pay a premium for their products too in order to serve the best of the best, so they must charge more. Some people see it fine to pay $100 for a bottle of wine. While that may not be something i would ever do, i can respect and understand the reasoning behind purchasing such a luxury on occasion. Their coffee is the same way. It is the best you can buy. Thus, It is more expensive than the rest. If that's not your thing, then don't drink it. Just don't knock them for caring.
long story short, if you like quality coffee and a chill environment, give Johnson Public House a shot (no pun intended).
5 stars for the coffee, 3 for the food. Â They have a GD CORTADO?! Â Haven't seen that since Barcelona. Â Coffee is really, really good - Madison - Top Tier. Â A bit slow though...please take me back to Seattle where an espresso drink from order to in-my-hand takes less than 5 min. Â
We had some of the breakfast sandwiches on the last visit and they were tasty...just a bit, ho-hum.
I like what they are trying to do - but I think there are a couple flaws.
First, everything is fairly expensive for Madison. Coffee is around $4 per cup, pastries seem expensive, and coffee beans per lb. are pricey.
Second, it seems just a bit too pretentious. My roommate asked for a coffee (she's not picky) and they said "Well, we just don't have coffee here... we make every cup to order" in a fairly snooty tone. And they weigh the water.... This isn't Blue Bottle.
But - the positives are that I think it's a cool space with good decor and the coffee is pretty good (albeit expensive). I'll come back.
When I was going through caffeine-withdrawal my first night in Madison, Johnson Public House came to my rescue!
I had an Americano made with the Ethiopian beans, and it was incredible - Great crema, and very fruity. I typically drink my espressos and coffees black anyway, but this cup especially deserved to be enjoyed completely unadulterated.
The atmosphere in there is also great. Cool art and music.
Awesome coffee, indeed. This place seemed way too high brow for me the first time I went. I didn't know each cup was a pour over (should have read the Yelp reviews first), and the barista was not helpful at all. That being said, I've definitely changed my mind about the place. All of my baristas since that first time have been friendly. Some will give you their recommendation without you even having to ask if you're having trouble deciding.
Cool place to study. Not too loud at all. I wouldn't do it every night because a cup of coffee is close to $4, but I feel lucky I live so close to JPH.
As the former owner of "In the Company of Thieves", I can tell you first hand that I did not put very much effort or passion into the business for the last 2 years of ownership.  Without giving personal detail's  I would like to express my regret in acting so poorly.  Many of the negative reviews will forever remind me of that regret.
Moving forward, the best decision I made was to sell the shop to Gwen and Kyle Johnson. Â They are doing a fantastic job with Johnson Public House. Â The ambiance is inviting and the Barista's are all very friendly and well trained in the art. Â The food menu is limited, but all very well prepared, and anyone that would expect a larger menu in such a place really doesn't understand the space and limitations that JPH is working with.
They upgraded some permits to allow the cooking of eggs on premises. Â When I owned Thieves I had to order eggs precooked for my breakfast sandwiches, which coming from a culinary background is downright embarrassing.
I was skeptical at first with Intelligentsia being their sole coffee roaster, as I am a Kickapoo loyal, but I've been pleasantly surprised with the quality and consistency. Â Again, it helps that the barista's are very well trained. Â Along with excellent espresso drinks, they also specialize in pour overs, and individual french presses, which are right up my alley. Â Â
The beer and wine license they added is a huge plus to the Johnson st. hood, as don't really have too many other options to mellow out with a cold one, let alone a place with free WI-FI.
All this new stuff is great, but by far the most important addition is their passion. Â Unlike myself, Gwen and Kyle are in it for the long haul. Â They are friendly, down to earth business owners, and a great big breath of fresh air for the Johnson street neighborhood.
I wish them the best of luck, although I'm pretty sure they won't need it.
It was a pretty daunting task turning Company of Thieves into a worthwhile establishment, but they accomplished that and then some. This place is fantastic! They have a great tea selection, they are the only place in Madison that serves Intelligentsia coffee, and their food menu is small but great. My favorites are the PB & J which has fresh berries on it or the Chocolate sandwich with Nutella. The atmosphere is also great featuring really interesting artwork, a really fantastic place to get work done or just read. I also have heard that they will have outdoor seating soon, which I look forward to.
A perfect addition to the neighborhood!
If you had asked me to design my the ideal business to take over this spot, I would have come up with the JPH. Â As a neighbor, I can't tell you how happy I am that they have finally arrived. Â And if the business they have been doing in this past month is any indication, I'm not alone. Â I almost don't want to write this Yelp review because I don't want it to get any more crowded!
The Public House is warm and comfortable -- has a great vibe for doing homework or sharing sandwiches. Â I haven't had a chance to check out the beer selection, but I imagine that this summer the space will turn into somewhere I want to have a drink and catch up with friends.
It's true the coffee takes longer than Starbucks, but that's because they brew each cup to order. Â Seriously. Â I didn't even know that was possible. Â And the barristas (and the owners, who are often behind the country) are more than happy to fill you in on the process and why it makes the coffee taste so good.
(Plus, they put surge protectors into their electrical outlets so now more people can plug in their laptops.)
I have often wondered why the majority of coffee shops in Madison seem to have so little interest in producing truly excellent coffee. Â While I still wonder, Johnson Public House runs contrary to this current in most every way. Â Their barristas understand the importance of each shot, of producing the perfect place between foam and hot milk which is the basis of every good cappuccino. Â Their beans could be used in the best of NW coffee shops and the owners are in the finest tradition of unpretentious Wisconsin. Â Their food smells and looks excellent, but it has yet to reach my palette.
The bottom line: their coffee is the best I have yet to have in Madison. Â They best Ancora without thinking about it. Â I feel like I am home in Portland, OR when I step inside.
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