Killer ESP

I skimmed through some of the negative reviews and I don’t understand what some of these people are complaining about. This place is small, deal with it. If there is no room then you best try your luck another day because it will definitely be worth the repeat attempt. And even if there is no room you will still be satisfied with a beverage or treat to go.

Originally I really liked this coffee shop. Fun environment, and good coffee. The pies are really tasty, but slices are overpriced.
I would love to rate it higher, but the last FOUR times I’ve gone, there literally is nowhere to sit. Singles with their laptops hogging every table. I’ve tried both during the weekdays and weekends and it makes no difference. The whole point of going to a coffee shop is to be able to sit down and relax. I go across the street now to Misha’s where there is always a place to sit.

I really wanted to give this place 5 stars but I couldn’t. It’s small but I like the atmosphere. They use great beans for their espresso and have great pies too. Their pastry selection is lacking but the biggest complaint I have is their coffee skills. I ordered a cappuccino and it came in a mug reminiscent of the large mugs from the Daily Perk of Friends fame. I asked the barista if they had a smaller cup but she told me all drinks come in the same size mug.
I couldn’t believe that answer. Also there was no milk design, which isn’t a big deal but froth art gives you an indication of barista skills in making a drink. I consider myself a coffee snob and was looking for a local spot but I guess I’ll continue to drive to baked and wired for a great cappuccino. But if you like to make your own coffee at home then they do sell great beans for take home.

Favorite local hangout! Excellent espresso (highly recommend the cortadito, cappuccino and ANY of their lattes). They have gluten-​free food options, which is a plus for me! Like Sugar Shack Donuts (another local favorite!), the music played here is usually a mix of indie alternative/​pop/​electronica with some acoustic thrown in – definitely my jam! Huge thumbs up to the girl working the coffee bar with a STRFKR shirt on :) The environment is cozy and eclectic with large, comfy couches and chairs, rustic tables, interesting art from local artists on the walls. there is also a patio out back with chairs for extra seating. This is an excellent place to come hang out, wether your activity is work, studying, chatting or people watching. Highly recommend Killer ESP!

Top notch. Barista was friendly, latte was delicious, space was warm and inviting (albeit small), and overall just had a great vibe. I live in DC so this is quite a trek out to Alexandria via metro for just coffee, but frankly I would come again with a book and hang out for a little while.
For those from the west coast/​rocky mountains/​southwest/​etc. this coffee shop will feel right at home. Unlike coffee shops in the district which are sterile and commercialized, this feels like a true hangout place.

I had about two hours to kill in the area, and it was cold, and raining, and pie sounded like exactly what I needed, so I set off down King Street for the pie place I always pass by on the bus.
Killer ESP was definitely not what I expected, and I wasn’t prepared for the boho indie vibe going on. I thought they were going to be a sleek trendy sort of dessert place, but that they certainly were not. They had the menu colorfully sketched with chalk on the wall behind the register, offering different kinds of sweet and savory pies, as well as quiches. They also had cases of Julia’s empanadas, and of course sorbet (that looked a lot like gelato) in the front.
I asked the girls working what their best pie was, and they both, along with a consensus from a nearby patron, that the Baltimore bomber was numbero uno. They described it to me as a chocolate and vanilla pie with cookies in the middle. Umm. Yesss.
The one slice was 6 dollars and change, and although it was a large slice, that’s pretty steep. Maybe not for the area, I don’t know, but I thought it was on the pricier side. It was also not totally what I expected either. I was thinking creamy diner style pie, but it was more of a bread pudding consistency that was like flaky and substantial throughout. It was tasty though, but not exactly how I prefer my pie. When you took your fork to it, chocolate oozed out, which is never a bad thing and I got where they were going with the cookie reference. It was tasty and the flavor was enjoyable, but it didn’t quench that pie craving. The crust was definitely good — very flaky and not overly sweet. I’d revisit.

I don’t understand what other customers are so excited about. While Killer ESP wasn’t terrible, it certainly wasn’t memorable either. I ordered a white chocolate raspberry and it was pretty much tasteless, didn’t taste any raspberry flavor. I went on a cold day so I was dying to have something hot, the drink was barely warm (forget about hot). My friend ordered Turkish Apple tea and had to wait quite a while for TEA! (even customers that ordered after us were helped before my friend finally got his tea). the tea was pretty good and I do like they have quite a wide selection of teas.
While it’s not their fault, do keep in mind it’s a tiny place and it gets pretty busy (beats me why) and there’s always that one person who’s taking a 4 person table all for himself and his laptop.
I don’t really see myself going back. For the drink I tasted, a Starbucks will suffice.

I alway ask the barista to surprise me with a tea flavor I have not had– never dissapoint– what else not to love about this place? And yes «God Listen To Slayer» \m/

This place is narrow but it uses its space very well. I never once felt claustrophobic even when it became crowded and we were sitting at the bar since it was packed. The layout flowed very well and the vibe was very hipster. They also have a house dog that roams around — a very quiet small older Boston Terrier who loves treats. The owner had treats for him to eat. There’s enough seating for couples and small groups, they even have a small outside patio.
I ordered the mocha latte and it was top notch. The chocolate was definitely semi-​sweet and I loved how it had a slight chocolate bitterness. My friend had their cinammon cider with cayenne pepper and she loved it. She told me she’d be back. I also had to try their gelato since it was calling my name. The workers were very friendly and helpful. I mixed two flavors and I urge anyone going here to try it out. I combined their homemade spicy Green Tea and the Chocolate (I forgot the name of their dark chocolate). It was to die for! It was sweet and spicy and the tea flavor hits your palette at the right time. One of the best coffee shops I’ve visited in a while.

Good place to get a pour over in Old Town Alexandria. They have a current selection of Stumptown beans. So I would give them five stars but the Costa Rican pour over I got was very bitter for Stumptown beans. Not sure if it was a real pour over since I wasn’t able to observe the batista making my drink.

Came here with the family. Great atmosphere… I love trying new independent coffee places andcthis is one of the best. The nutella latte is to die for and my daughter’s mocha was delicious… and nothing was too sweet!

As you approach this café, the signage seems a bit cryptic. As you enter, you feel the warmth of the area envelope you. A modest and modern-​type café, this location, relly excels in providing variety in foods, and a standard (yet quality) drink menu. The nutella drinks are well made, yet the novelty of licking a spoon is what makes this experience. The feeling that you are at the center of this café, and given extreme attention is excellent. Toward the evening, this place becomes a bit more social. If you want to study, try before 5pm. If you love your pie, they stock a variety of Dangerously Delicious pies (shout out to the original Baltimore vendor).
Tip: Don’t try to get a pie from here the day after pi-​day. They will likely not have any in stock.
Tip: try the empanadas, macarons, and lick the spoon.
5-​stars for the ambience and quality of ingredients. Still a little improvement needed on the capuccino makeup — but not deficient enough to reduce the rating by a star.

Great coffee served here, although sometimes the quality is inconsistent. All times it is good, but sometimes it is amazing. Thankfully, never bad.
ESP serves up Julia’s Empanadas as well as Dangerously Delicious Pies (a la Baltimore and H street fame) as well as various pastries from different vendors. I love the empanadas and the pies, both savory and sweet.
Great spot for coffee in Old Town

Three words: Espresso, Sorbet, Pie. Three more words: Dangerously Delicious Pies. I was ecstatic when I found out upon moving to Old Town that the coffee shop down the street sells these delicious pies. I could previously only get a taste of them in DC, but now I can walk down the street to grab a full SMOG or Baltimore Bomb to last the week!
Suffice to say that Killer ESP isn’t your average coffee shop. It’s got loads of personality, the food is delicious (try the empanadas), and the environment is cozy (albeit a little cramped at times). Come for the coffee — Stumptown out of Portland, OR — but stay for the pie. :)

The baristas are super friendly which is totally what makes this place for me. The coffee and pie is amazing, they play great music, and they have the comfiest couches everrrrr.
Honestly the vibe here is so great. So is the coffee. I don’t know which is better? It’s pretty small inside, but they make really good use of the space so once you find a seat you don’t feel super squished. Right in the middle of Old Town with lots of street parking. Get the cortado! it’s amazing!

Great place for coffee. Place is a little small. They are known for their big stuffed pies and coffee. Looked at Unilocal and ordered the top 2 Nutella and which chocolate raspberry and they didn’t disappoint. If I’m ever in the area and need coffee, I’m ordering the same thing

Where the hipsters are brewed.
This marks my third visit to Killer ESP. In the times I’ve been here, there’s always some type of vendor inside. Whether live music or like last night’s tarot card reading (too bad she left before I came back to the table). The experience isn’t necessarily «killer» by definition, but it’s definitely one of the go-​to cozy coffee spot in Old Town.
The décor runs on the darker side, and I like that. It makes it perfect for a romantic caffeine run, or to focus on your work. They update the arts on the wall fairly often because I’m seeing different arts each time I walk in! I love it.
I hope that the service staff can be a bit friendlier, though. Every time I walk in here, I never feel like I’m genuinely welcomed. Although the coffee and the atmosphere is warm, the service is quite the opposite. Did I walk into Dick’s Last Resort? Last time I checked, I didn’t.
Not going to comment much about the coffee — they’re great. They know how to make the proper flat white, and I love that they have several milk options to cater to everyone. They also have an extensive choice of teas, so if that’s what you’re into, plenty of choices for you!
I’ll definitely come back to Killer ESP again, as I switch between other coffee shops in the area, like Misha’s. Maybe next time I’ll take a large half-​smile with a side of welcoming whip.

Just stopped in for some coffee– a pour over decaf with almond milk. They use stumptown, which surprised me as I am a NYer. I sampled 2 gelato flavors– matcha green tea Oreo (no Oreo to be found) and Elvis peanut butter (mainly banana). Everything was good. They offer many gluten-​free and vegan options, and they sell pies from Dangerously Delicious in DC.
Atmosphere– standard hipster coffee shop in a brick row house. Dark and intimate. Seating in the front and back.
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars, but since many items are not house-​made, I went with 3. Local is great, but maybe check out the original sellers.

I was meeting a friend for lunch at a nearby restaurant and all day leading up to it, I was having an internal struggle whether or not to stop in beforehand since I wouldn’t have time afterwards. «Why torture yourself knowing you shouldn’t ruin your appetite?» «But when is the next time you’ll be nearby to stop in?» I finally decided to just go for it.
Seeing all the delightful goodies displayed before me as I walked in made my mouth drool. An entire multi-​tiered case dedicated to various empanadas, a display box of bright colored macarons, a fridge stocked with Dangerously Delicious Pies, and hanging plaques of delicious sounding espresso drinks. Damn. Because I have no will power whatsoever I ordered a Nutella Latte and a chocolate hazelnut macaron. Yum. The latte could have been just slightly warmer but it was smooth and light. The macaron was flakier than others that I’ve recently enjoyed but it was nonetheless tasty and just the perfect 2 – 3 bites of heaven.
I don’t know when I’ll be back but now that I know what I’m missing, I know it’ll be quite soon.

Hip coffee joint in downtown Alexandria. We needed some coffee fuel for the 3-​hour drive back to my friend’s house and this place came highly recommended.
ESP is packed with lots of goodies from local establishments like Julia’s Empanadas and Dangerously Delicious Pies as well as a large selection of coffee-​centric gifts and gadgets. Some of the featured empanadas were the Chilean Beef, Chorizo, Spinach & Mozzarella, Jamaican Beef and Vegetarian.
Since I already had dinner, I selected some of the drip over coffee and the pecan tart. What an amazing pecan tart… what a treat! It was warm and soft and perfectly sweet with a delicious butter crust. Coffee was smooth and delivered that much-​needed kick.
Coffee menu features quite a few different roasts and blends from all around the world and more than a few specialty beverages including the Nutella Latte, the Salted Caramel Latte and the White Chocolate Raspberry. There is a nice selection of housemade gelato and sorbets to choose from too.
ESP has a cozy living room vibe, complete with couches, dining room tables, a breakfast nook, games, exposed brick walls and lots of artwork.
Great place –not to be missed!