Cosi

This Cosi has its operation down well.
I was promptly and well greeted.
The ordering process was easy. Although they have different process than the one downtown I normally go to. Here you order at the register. The one downtown you order where they make the food. Small adjustment.
The server promptly served my food.
Good spot.

Cosi is now becoming my favorite lunch spot. With this location being right across from Ballston metro station there was ample indoor as well as outdoor seating. First time at this location and I was offered a Cosi loyalty rewards card! After visiting my usual location I mentioned to the cashier that they should have a loyalty program for as many times as I frequent that specific location and the guy just laughed it off. Not sure if that prior location doesn’t accept Cosi rewards or he didn’t know about it but this location rocks and I’m so appreciative that I was asked.
For the program, every 10 food or drink purchases you receive 1 food or drink item for free plus email goodies and what not.

Great service and food for a quick bite to eat. Loved their tuna melt. Friendly staff.

I was excited to return here for breakfast after my last visit, but was let down with the service. I never understand why you would put new employees on during morning rushes or high peak times. If you are, have them prep or do something simple. Everyone that ordered after me was served first-​even a family of 4. My order was wrong twice. I won’t be coming back

Usually every Sunday I stop by for a bagel and coffee. A few weeks ago they got my order wrong they corrected, second visit I waited 15 min just to get a bagel with cream cheese until I went to ask and the manager inform me he never got the ticket. Third time today Sunday again waited 10min for a bagel and crème cheese same story manager did not had my order, the place was empty how can they manage this I will never come back Panera Bread is just down the street. The manager came and gave me a free bagel next visit. This place is not managed properly, luck of customer services and communication!

I was excited to return here after an awesome sandwich I took on the go a few weeks ago. I was disappointed with my return :(
The bread on the sandwich was stale!
I also got a salad that they assured me did not have too much dressing… And it was drenched… Should have known better though.
Bummer.

When there’s so many good local restaurants, why go to a chain like Cosi? Well, there’s one reason– the s’mores. Cosi is the only restaurant I can think of that can satisfy your s’more craving. They bring out a platter of all the fixings including your own personal fire to roast those marshmallows. If you need a bite to eat, eat local, but if you have a sweet tooth, had on over to Cosi. It’s right next to the Ballston Metro so it’s easy to satisfy that craving and then hope onto the Metro.

NOT SAFE. My wife and child got harassed more than once by the vagrants that they let loiter inside.
We used to go to this cosi because it was convenient, however we found UNSAFE. In the colder months, this Cosi contains generally at least 2 – 3 vagrants at any one time. It is nice and warm inside, I don’t blame people wanting to get out of the cold.
However, my wife and son were harassed by one of these guys, to the point that she should have called the cops. Thinking it might just be a one off occurance, my wife went back a few weeks later and the guy was there again… and again harrassed her. He joked about «stealing her and my son». Obviously, hearing that was extremely scary for both wife and son.
This Cosi location needs to be mindful of the safety of their customers and not let unsavory people just hang out and harass innocent people in their establishment.

Good bread products like bagels and sandwiches. The cold caprese sandwich was excellent though I would order it with a little more balsamic. We had some bagels the next morning and they were very good too.

This is a review JUST for catering. Debbi & John are legit professional caterers! They are on time if not early, always bring a touch more than what I need, & the pricing is beyond reasonable, especially if you’re on a budget in the DC area. The food is perfect for my engineering group who don’t always eat as healthy as they should, but Cosi breakfast is a great blend of bagels, yogurt mix, fruit & plenty of coffee. I also used them for lunch & their pesto chicken on the bagel is delicious. Even if there is a sudden need for coffee lids, they come instantly.
Reliable good catering is always a challenge & these guys have raised the bar.

Went here for breakfast with some friends two weekends ago. It wasn’t busy at all… we were the only table there besides one other. Everyone was in the mood for a bagel… or squagel, I should say. I thought the whole squagel idea was pretty clever! Most of my friends ordered squagel sandwiches but I just ordered a squagel with cream cheese. But as we were waiting for our food I’m not sure if there were suddenly a ton of call-​In orders but it took forever. My squagel took the longest to make and I felt bad making my friends wait that some of them even finished their items before mine even came out!
I also ordered a caramel latte. It was OK. I mean it had caffeine in it but it wasn’t properly mixed. Too bitter and not enough caramel sweetness which was sad.
We were starving and eating at Cosmo served its purpose. The staff was super friendly, but don’t think I’ll be a regular here.

Quick service, but not a very clean restaurant and the food was lackluster. I love the Cosi chain generally and I have to say this was the most disappointing Cosi I’ve been to. The ones in downtown DC are much more preferable. I was very hungry when I visited and ordered a Chicken Caesar salad with a side of wheat bread. The salad wasn’t very fresh and it was drowned in dressing (which helped mask the wilted lettuce taste, I suppose). There also wasn’t very much chicken.
I thought I’d previously reviewed this place, but I guess I haven’t. I had previously visited to order a smoothie and also thought it was only OK.
It’s located right across the Ballston metro station and bus terminal, so it has that going for it. I doubt I’ll be visiting again anytime soon. Ballston has a lot of other (better) restaurants. Panera in the Ballston Mall is a much better option.

Our family ate here for our last morning at breakfast on our vacation. Prices were extremely reasonable and we enjoyed everything we had. Baked goods, yogurt and granola, breakfast sandwiches/​wraps. Their unique bagel called a «squaggle» was a fun way for my daughter to enjoy her breakfast sandwich.

My experience started off bad and turned out good.
I called and ordered a Chicken Margarita Flatbread Pizza. I went to pick it up and didn’t open the box before walking back to my office. When I got back to my office I opened the box and the pizza looked awful (not appetizing at all, missing ingredients, cheese not melted). I called and told the manager what had happened, and how disappointed I was with my recent lunch purchase.
The manager apologized and then HAND DELIVERED me a fresh pizza to my office. This gesture really made up for my negative experience earlier that afternoon. 3 people walked past my desk asking where I got my lunch because it looked so good. The manager really went out of his way to apologize, when he didn’t have to.
For this reason I will be returning to Cosi. They have shown that they truly value every customer.

I’ve always had sort of a soft spot for Cosi. I like the bread, the size of the salads, and the fact that they have s’mores. My go-​to item is the turkey and brie sandwich, minus the honey mustard, plus red onions.
This location is clean and friendly with seats inside and out. They now have a shelving unit where they put the online/​pick-​up orders — or was it always there and I never noticed?
The greatest thing about this location is that if it’s too hot or the lines for the food trucks are too long, I can just head inside and get something yummy.

Went in to this Cosi to grab some iced coffee before a meeting. Decided on a large, mainly because large items tend to come with more of the item than mediums or smalls. Boy was I wrong. Turns out, at Cosi, the size of a cold beverage actually refers to the ice they put in it. For almost 3 dollars, I got a large cup of ice with a few ounces of coffee poured over it. For a few dollars less, I could’ve received the same amount of coffee poured over substantially less ice. I’ve attached pictures of my $ 3 coffee-​flavored icee so you can see for yourself.

How I heard of this place: Years ago, when I would visit my sister we would stop by Cosi for a Margherita melt: basil, tomato and mozzarella cheese on fresh, house-​made flatbread, with house-​made pesto spread.
Type of cuisine: «From our hand-​tossed Signature Salad to our Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Sandwich served on delicious warm flatbread, to the comfortable, urbane and contemporary atmosphere, Così is more than a restaurant. It is a constantly surprising, always delightful experience… At the center of Così is our hearth, an open-​flame stone oven prominently displayed in each restaurant, reminiscent of a comfortable gathering place where people have met for centuries to enjoy good food and conversation. Our signature flatbread is based on a two millennia-​old recipe, similar to the breads first produced by the Romans. Così’s sandwiches are made to order with fresh ingredients and our own, distinctive sauces and spreads, nestled in our signature flatbread. Our salads are equally surprising, tossed to order. Rounding out our innovative menu are a variety of delicious soups, bagels, our unique flatbread pizza, gourmet beverages and desserts. Something for everyone to enjoy any time of day. Starting out as the marriage between a gourmet espresso bar and a sophisticated, eclectic café, coffee is in Così DNA.»
Ambiance: «Our look and feel was first inspired by a small Parisian café — a warm inviting spot where people liked to go for coffee, spend time with the community and of course, enjoy a great sandwich. There is an immediate connection with Così that so many feel when they first walk in the door. You’re surrounded by a sophisticated, modern and warm atmosphere complete with interesting music from around the world, inviting you to relax and savor the innovative flavors of our menu. Così offers a premium convenience where you always feel welcome. At Così, we have created a culture that is both guest-​centered and performance-​based.»
What I ordered: On this venture, having been craving buffalo chicken for a few days, I decided to try something new — to me and the Cosi menu: Buffalo Bleu ($ 7.95), buffalo chicken and shredded Romaine lettuce with a bleu cheese spread. My husband, and dining companion selected the Pesto Chicken Melt ($ 7.95), the whole reason we made our way down the block to Cosi), chicken tossed and coated in house-​made pesto, with melted mozzarella cheese, and a sun-​dried tomato spread.
On a return visit, June 14, 2012: Chris and I were tired after a long week at work, and Chris’s 28-​mile bike ride, so we decided, rather than stay at home and cook, we will go get massages and make our way to Cosi for dinner. We started with the shareable Smoky BBQ Chicken ($ 13.99), a slightly spicy grilled BBQ chicken with smoked Gouda, red onion, sweet BBQ sauce and fresh cilantro. When our chef asked, «Would you like to buy one get one free?» how could we refuse? We also chose the shareable Trifecta ($ 13.99), with sausage, bacon, pepperoni, shredded mozzarella on a fresh tomato sauce.
What I loved: As always, the pesto stole the show! It’s hard to go wrong with pesto on fresh baked, thin-​crust, home-​made flatbread, warmed to order and a pesto that is hard to beat.
Why I loved it: Being at Cosi reminds me of visiting my sister in Arlington, enjoying a cozy meal on one of a number of personal, sofas in the Court House Cosi, a cup of hot espresso beverage in hand, and a perfect sister reunion.
Cost: Average to high ($ 6 – 9 per sandwich)

This is the first Cosi I’ve been to out of NYC and let me tell you, Cosi friggin’ rocks in VA!
Why?
Because they have a full bar at this location! Yup. Wine and beer choices to go with your soup and sammy.
I haven’t been hitting their bar during lunchtime, just standard stuff for me. I had their Italian Wedding Soup for lunch one day this week. They gave me a huge piece of Cosi bread too. The cashier pronouced it Eye-​talian wedding soup, it made me laugh. It was pretty good, one of my favorite soups.
Speaking of soups, they have at least 10 choices. I’m a soup person, I can eat soup 12 months out of the year. I thought their soup as well as their coffee are spot on.
I like this location, if you want to drink a beer and have a sandwich?
Cosi has got you covered!

The pros here are the atmosphere, the location right by the metro station and the squagels!
I dropped in here for some fuel before hopping on the metro. I was visiting the area, but had been to this location a few times before when I had previously worked not far from here. The experience this time was much what I had remembered from past experiences. The ordering process is a bit awkward and the prices are a bit high, but the food was enjoyable (especially the bread) and the atmosphere is super relaxing and a perfect place to lounge for a while and study or read. They were serving a seasonal Pumpkin Chipotle soup that was particularly good (but close to $ 5 for a small portion).

Perfect place for a clandestine meeting before work. Not too obvious, not overly discreet. Close to bus lines, metro and easy enough to escape by foot. Dam* good Vanilla Kiss Latte, +soy, –dairy milk.
Will be back for additional covert encounters. Or maybe not, since now you know about it.