This past Sunday, my husband, a friend and I went to Phoenix for coffee and bagels. I was really excited because the reviews indicated that we could expect a Brooklyn style bagel in a great ambiance.
The ambiance definitely lived up to expectations! Â The space is really fun and well designed. Â I could have lazied around in there all day reading the paper or chatting with my friends. Â This is the kind of coffee shop that reminds me of college in Austin... just this is perhaps cleaner and a little less "divey." Â (which is a good and bad thing).
The service was a little disappointing. Â We ordered 2 bagel sandwiches and a plain bagel with cream cheese - fairly simple orders. Â We ended up waiting around 30-40 minutes. Â 2 of our items were ready in about 20 minutes (which is still too long for a bagel) and we waited an additional 15-20 for the 3rd. Â While the wait was frustrating, it was a bummer for my friend because he just had to sit there and watch us eat. Â We aren't jerks and would have waited for him to get his food but were running late. Â I shared some of my sandwich with him though :)
The coffee was great. Â I'm not too much of a coffee connoisseur but I enjoyed my iced coffee with soy. Â Unfortunately, the bagels were really disappointing. Â The bagel with cream cheese just came with a side of the cream cheese in a little plastic cup. Â The bagel was dry and dense and lacked any of that amazing, mushy bagel texture. Â The bagel sandwiches had good stuff on them but again, the bagel left much to be desired. Â
I really liked the look and feel of The Phoenix and am hoping we were just there on an off day. I'll go back and try it out again and HOPEFULLY write a more positive review next time!
My wife and I were passing through Tulsa early in the morning and needed to get some caffeine. Â I'm so glad we found The Phoenix! Â Fantastic atmosphere, beautiful library to sit in, and the decor was spectacular throughout. Â My espresso was good, if slightly over extracted, and wifey loved her tea. Â We plan to stop here anytime we're passing through Tulsa. Â A+.
Review Source:The Fattening of the Goose
Once a promising beacon of innovative coffee decors, the Phoenix is gradually becoming a hob-snobbery of pretentiousness, unresponsiveness, and - worst of all - nickel and dimin'. Let me be clear: this review is based upon my changing experience at Phoenix since its opening, not the quality coffee, ambiance, space, and food they currently offer.
When I first walked into the Phoenix, I marveled at its potential. Named after the mythological bird symbolizing rebirth, the Phoenix is iconic of the Tulsa revitalization movement spearheaded by the likes of Blake Ewing. The space itself is amazing. As you enter, you are bathed in a glowing array of light emanating from inverted lamp fixtures strewn across the ceiling; your fingers can trace walls lined with bookshelves; and you are comforted by the smell of paperbacks and boiling bagels. But, best of all, they are equipped with a small bar so you can grab a drink with a friend. All the amenities for good-fellowship and deep conversation. Perfect.
Unfortunately, the place is a fattening goose slowly becoming a lemon. On the surface, it runs smoothly and is immaculate in presence. Underneath, I sense a dwindling enterprise more concerned with quick dollars rather than strong community. Businesses are made of people, not bricks. Lately, I have not felt as personal connection to the place. The Barista's take drinks with friends late at night while I wait for ten minutes to get a coffee. I tried to enter their beautiful library one day only to have Blake Ewing himself curtly say, "Hey guy, we are in meeting. Do you mind?" Upon my most recent visit, I was informed patrons must now buy things on a regular basis to access the Wi-Fi. Understandable to keep out nonpaying people, but now students studying, novelists writing, or readers jamming to online music must dish out money every so often just to access a web page. It is sliding from perfection to annoyance.
Probably worst of all is the poor customer service. While I do not love Shades of Brown, CHOCS, or even, I hate to say it, Starbucks, I at least know I will get consistency. Every time, all the time, these places are prompt, connected to you, and able to make the correct order. They look at you, smile with you, and are with you. For some reason, however, Ewing's establishments seem to place less emphasis upon quality personnel. I do not want to generalize to all their employees - some are excellent - but it does appear to be lax in their standards for hiring and performance management. How is it the cream is always empty, the service always slow, and the staff interested more in each other than the customer? Worst of all, how is that the owner himself so quickly tells people to get out of his presence? If you are having a staff meeting, don't you think it would be better to hold it at times or in locations when the space is not in use by customers? Or, maybe its silly me, and the "customer is always right" mantra has been burnt apart in the Phoenix's resurrection.
It has potential to be really good, but my espresso was really bad. I'm guessing it was barista error as they have a Synesso and the beans looked quality.
They use intelligentsia for their drip coffee and that tasted pretty good. Not great but good. Not sure what beans they use for their espresso drinks.
The Phoenix itself is quite nice. Nice space, nice ambience, and good baked goods. It just needs a little work on barista training and proper coffee making.
This place has real promise.
The Phoenix has opened up on historic 6th (Pearl) Street and is part of second-wave Tulsa revitalization projects that began in the Downtown area. Located next to Centennial Park and the new 6th Street Farmer's Market, this place has real promise.
When I visited it was late afternoon and several people were there doing all sorts of things! Studying, eating a late lunch/early dinner, drinking delicious speciality coffee, reading in the "library" section*, sharing a beer, playing card games, and even taking engagement pictures. And even though this place was positively hopping with activity, the mood was deliciously mellow.
The drinks and food are named for Tulsa landmarks (reminiscent of The Collective) and literary works. I enjoyed The Pearl while I sat under the glow of midcentury, colored lamps (suspended from the ceiling!), and read.
I cannot wait to go back and try more than their coffee!
*Note on the library section: This might be my favorite part of The Phoenix. Through a backdoor that leads to the bathrooms, is an adjacent room called "the library". This is a quiet section filled with people who are just looking for a little peace. If I was still a student in Tulsa, this would be my go-to after 5pm, grab a beer, and get cracking study hub.
In a word- inviting...
I just moved from Seattle and I was so stoked to find a coffee shop that reminds me of home. The environment is laid back, the staff are friendly and helpful. The vibe is really rad. The decor is super awesome!!
I also like that there is a bar too- Lawd knows I love a cocktail!
I got myself a skinny latte, my go to- and let me tell you. It was stellar. The espresso was perfect and just everything about my drink was on pointe.
My friend got a sandwich- I can't remember the name- but it had pesto on it and it looked and smelled amazing!!
I will be making the Phoenix a regular stop- either by myself or with friends. It's nice and cozy and a great place to hang out and have some amazing eats and drinks :)
I absolutely love this place!! I love to go here and crank out some homework, read a book, chill with friends or family, or just enjoy a sandwich and a drink.
I have never had one of there alcoholic drinks, but I have had multiple coffee drinks from this place. The Phoenix Mocha is basically a mocha drink with a little bit of cayenne! It has a spicy kick to it, which is good, but I had never had anything quite like it! I've also had the cappuccino, which was well made! However, I normally order a chai latte! I am a huge chai latte fan! It has been great every time! Unfortunately, last time I went I ordered a dirty chai and it was luke warm when I got it, which was kind of not very appealing. I will say that they were quite busy last time I was there, so I will cut them some slack.
I've also ordered a sandwich there, but I cannot remember which one!! I will say that it was good, so I'm sure most of their sandwiches are good! I got mine on a croissant, but you can get it on a bagel, or bread, or whatever. The croissant was really good though!
The place atmosphere is pretty good. It can get loud when it is busy, but they have a library/reading room where you can relax and read or do some work in a little bit less noise if you want. Also, the fact that the Phoenix is a coffee shop/bar/cafe is nice as well! This makes it an even more enjoyable place at which to spend some time.
This is probably one of my favorite spots to hang out at in Tulsa. It is in a part of town that is supposedly up and coming (which means it is slightly run down), but the Phoenix is a very cool, nice place! Definitely try it at least once! I'm sure you will want to come back!!
I'm thinking I need to stop in this month for the Guinness milk shake they are serving this month to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! It looks so good!
So stop by and have a drink
I have been there twice since they have opened. Â As with any new business, give them time to figure out the weaknesses. Â Yes...to slow...but, I am looking for quality food and a good cup of coffee and this was excellent and well priced. Â
The salads look amazing and I cannot wait to try one, so that will be next and I will write a review.
I'm obsessed.
I think they've only even been open a month now, but this place is a home run for me. Â My first visit was the day that both of their registers went down. Place was really busy too, so staff seemed stressed from the technical problems, but they were super sweet and apologetic. I got the Phoenix mocha (spicy cayenne mocha) and a cheddar jalapeno bagel with cream cheese. Even with a packed house and broken registers, it didn't take long to get my order. Â It was confusing at first that they bring you your food but call out your name at the bar to pick up your drink? I'd rather just pick up both on my own, Panera-style.
The drink was awesome and had a pretty latte-art heart in it. Â Thanks for that attention to detail. Â =) Â The jalapeno bagel was spicier than I expected, but that's not a bad thing in my book!!
I came back about a week later for girls night out. Â The bartenders were a lot of fun and made me a fantastic White Russian with a shot of espresso in it. Â Great musician playing that night and just a great vibe to the place. I'll definitely be back for more!
The service was horrible, we wanted to stop and get coffee here tonight, as soon as we walked in one of the employees came up and pushed us near the door and informed us they where closing at 8 for a employee meeting, and that we needed to leave, it was nearly 15 minutes till 8. Sorry but this place is horrible, I won't be back.
Review Source:Followed the Phoenix on Facebook and was too intrigued to not stop in on their opening day. The coffee is some of the best I've ever had! They have created such a unique and cozy atmosphere and have a huge library for you if you just want to sit and read all day. I'm thoroughly impressed with this place and will be back often I suspect.
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