Genuine Joe

I have been coming to GJ’s for a while now and i absolutely love it! The seating is comfortable and the décor is cool with some very diverse art! They have great tasting coffee, which is all i drink, and the pastries are always good, especially the Harvest bread. The restrooms are clean. They have 2 rooms other than the main dining area and you can rent them at a very reasonable fee. Great idea on their part! They have ample parking and plenty of electrical outlets for everyone. The staff is awesome and have a great sense of humor! I have been to other coffeeshops, mainly Epoch and Monkeys Nest, but GJ’s is my absolute favorite! I would highly recommend this place. Great job guys!

Sunday morning, no breakfast tacos for you! No breakfast either. I munched on a blueberry scone and earl grey tea. It was eerily quiet here, given there were 4 or 5 other customers. No music overhead, just the humming of their refrigerator.

The place is not clean !!!
My first time to this place. Good first impression all around. Staff was pleasant and friendly and the coffee, while not outstanding, was above average. The breakfast taco was home made and really good.
Then I saw something that just turned my stomach. Both Baristas in turn walked outside to greet a friend who arrived. There they talked to their friend and petted and played with the friends dog. Both, in turn, came back inside and began serving customers again including handling pastries — no washing of hands!!!
No excuse can be made for this behavior.

I came here because it was the highest rated coffee shop near me at the time, and I’m very happy I did!
There’s quite a bit of parking behind the seemingly-​small coffee shop, so I parked behind the shop and walked in. The inside is colorful and full of character with a short but sweet menu above the register area. There were quite a few people there working or reading scattered across the mismatched couches and various tables and chairs.
After perusing the menu, I chose to go with an iced soy dirty chai tea latte because of the clever sign they had up (I don’t exactly remember it, but I recall it played on the «dirty» part of the order). They charge an extra eighty cents for soy milk, which is the most I’ve ever had to pay for it, but it was alright because I really enjoyed my drink! It came in a long tall glass and was mixed well, although I would’ve hoped for a bit more of the chai flavor.
They have two other rooms besides the main one where you place your order, similarly decorated. There’s a single-​stall bathroom that was very clean, which I appreciated!
I’m happy I stopped by, I’d definitely come here agian!

I LOVE Genuine Joe! If my friends let me choose, I usually pick to go here. I love the atmosphere. The staff are super nice and welcoming, and there are separate spaces to explore. Most of the chairs are comfortable, and the place never gets super loud. They have my favorite chai latte in town — creamy, rich, not too sweet, not super spicy. Also, they are an overtly LGBTQ-​inclusive business, which I appreciate. And they offer space for community classes and groups. What’s not to love?

This spot is situated at the edge of the Crestview neighborhood, though there were as many cars in the lot as people, so I can’t be sure that it’s a local haunt, especially being off a major thoroughfare (Anderson Ln), and not at all friendly to walk-​ups or bike commuters. When it got to the fifth minute of looking for a place to lock up, I almost left, feeling pretty awkward having explored the entire perimeter of the building before entering. There was no one on the patio, so I stealthily parked there, not that there’s signage saying otherwise, but I did feel defensive, which is why I ended up sitting outside. I probably would have made this choice regardless, as it’s eerily quiet inside despite the bold décor, and dim, but I liked the variety of seating options: couch, high table, low table, stool ponied up to the window… and a private room that can be reserved for meet ups. That’s a special feature you won’t find elsewhere. I knocked off a star because my drink was actually pretty bad, but the baristas were flustered from needing to make a bank run, so I helped them out by paying in exact change, and not mentioning that my latte required 2 sugars and cinnamon to taste like more than almond water. What redeemed the visit fully was that someone asked to join my table, it being the only dry one outside, which left the impression that the clientele feels really comfortable around each other, and with themselves, enough to talk to «strangers!»

Way laid back coffee shop with a subversive edge.
I was recommended this place by a gay friend, who said friends of his opened the place years ago and this was his favorite place to go when he lived in Austin. I didn’t notice much in the way of gay pride though. This mostly just looks like a very lived-​in, cozy coffee shop with worn and comfortable chairs.
The menu isn’t huge, but the house coffee rotates and what I had (something from Guatemala) was flavorful. They have a few food items like muffins, breakfast tacos, and sandwiches. My cranberry muffin was a-​okay.
Snarky notes here and there might be off-​putting to some, while giving others a chuckle. The punk in me loves the huge sign in the parking lot facing their neighbors warning customers that «our neighbors tow!». The former business owner in me thinks, we there goes any business you might’ve gotten from them and their customers.
Loved the smooth bossa nova playing quietly in the background and the almost library-​quiet pervading the place. It made an excellent spot to get some work done. It’s not a big place, but there’s a good amount of seating options and almost always an available electrical outlet.

Its a coffeeshop. Good, but not outstanding. Decent service, decent coffee, a patio, soft couches, fast wifi, and the bathrooms were clean. I would definitely recommend it, but I wouldnt drive across town to get here, thats for sure.

Grungy, very slow service from bored girl. Quiet and still inside. The half-​and-​half was just kind of unceremoniously open on the counter and I had no idea how long it had been there in its box from the grocery store. Pretty decent iced coffee. I felt sad in there.

I have enjoyed there coffee for years. Good coffee, great people and it has the Austin vibe.

Their coffee is the best I’ve had so far in Austin. More importantly, there’s a great vibe. The people who work here are really sweet.

I love it here. The atmosphere is perfect to work in, and there is plenty of comfortable seating. The coffee is good, and the pastry selection is good. It can get a big cold in the winter, and the wifi can drag. When that happens, I have to pick up and go. But Gen Joe’s is usually my first choice these days.

I’ve been to Genuine Joe a few times and have had a wonderful experience each time. The staff is always helpful, efficient and kind. The Chai is the best I have ever had — I go out of my way to get it because it’s so wonderful! They also have a selection of gluten free cookies and treats, which is great as I don’t eat gluten. And the atmosphere is very Austin — laid back and funky. I think it’s a terrific coffee shop.

I really like the service it was very nice and the people here were so helpful with all my questions that i had with their menu. Affordable price and very instagramable pictures!

Really nice people, just enough space. It’s cool to chill here and socialize (or not socialize if that’s your thing). My only problem is that I don’t like the way they make a café au lait. I’ve had two made by different people and they just aren’t very good.

This is a great little Austin coffee shop. Small and intimate setting. Great coffee. I live in the neighborhood so I come here all the time. They have the nicest workers. Very cool people. Very hip place.

Eh. I found this randomly while trying to find a place to work from for a few hours.
The wifi is slow. It was very crowded (1 person per table, people had the same idea I did). So that might be why.
I sat outside and it was very noisy and smelly. It’s off of Anderson Ln. and next to a Mex restaurant. But there was also scents of dog poo and trash.
Parking lot has spaces though so that was nice.
I will try and find another place in the future to work from…

Best everything!!!
I love the ppl that work here.
I love the drinks they whip up here.
I love the Austin vibe here.
They totally support local artists, and they are very much worth a visit in!

I like coffee shops, and this one makes me feel right at home. This place makes me feel like I’m back in Cali, and I like that. I think a guy was even working on his screen play. Austin is a pretty cool place, even for us liberals.

Got the three way mocha everyone keeps raving about on here, and after choking down half, gave up and pitched it. It was way too sweet. Couldn’t even tell if there was coffee in it, just tasted like straight syrup. It was not good.
Décor wise, the place is trying way to hard to look Austin-​y and hip. I found it obnoxious. Staff was unpleasant. I don’t have any desire to give them another try.

Pretty neat little place, has a «hole in the wall» vibe that I enjoy. Had the Toffee Nut Latte and was pretty impressed :) The staff was very nice, also.
I’m sure I’ll be back.

I am sitting in GJ right now drinking the worst Americano I’ve ever had in my life. It tastes of water and brown. I didn’t know that brown was a flavor, but I know this flavor now. I am tasting it. I long for ignorance of it.
Thanks Genuine Joe.
Love and Kisses,
Another Joe

Having been in recent need of somewhere to do some thinkin’ and tea-​drinkin’, Joe gets the 4 stars. However, as I don’t drink coffee anymore, this review may be a little misplaced. Again: I don’t drink coffee. Theirs could be great. It could suck. I do not know. It smells pretty good. Mainly I drink tea and eat their gf/​vegan stuff.
GJ is open a healthy chunk of the time. They have ok wifi. Their tea selection is ok. They will give you free hot water refills on your tea of choice. They’ve got ‘all fruit’ smoothies, sodas, water, some of the flavored syrups. They have a nice bunch of gf/​vegan pastries, as well as some premade sandwiches and salads in a cold case. The barista service has always been cordial, if slow when the line gets busy. I don’t blame ‘em — if the mgmt knows they only need X baristas to sling my tea, I am not complaining.
The crowd at GJ is mellow, and the music (often of a song-​driven nature) is usually at a respectable volume such that you can get work done here if working-​at-​coffee-​shop is your thing. There are almost always people here toiling away on their notebook computers; the regulars here are beginning to look like barflys to me, except they stare into computer screens and eat biscotti instead of liquoring and staring at televisions. I did see one guy leave after a few hours and then come back and eat half a pizza in here the other day, so somebody respects their regulars.
In summer the a/​c is adequate, cozy in the fall/​winter. They have two meeting rooms where you can pay to have your group gather for a variety of things. The rooms, like the rest of the place, are fairly funky Austin /​ramshackle décor, so when I say «meeting rooms», do not expect perfectly climate-​controlled spaces with motorized drop down screens for your powerpoint presentations. Seating comfort is hit or miss, depending on the chair needs of your rear. There’s a small patio out front by Anderson Lane without much shade. There are a couple of mini bars with barstools where you can change up your sitting or standing technique, if you are computing, and lucky enough to score one, which is nice.
Don’t be misled by parking in front, where there’s only 3 spaces + a handicapped space — you can park in the back lot. I’ve never been here when it was so full that I’d have to park on a side street, but you could probably do that if you needed to… for now.
I thank you, GJ, for being my go-​to coffee joint in the area. (Others may suggests Monkeynest, which does several of the consumable things better, has sorbet! and is open ²⁴⁄₇ — but their a/​c is crap, they are often maxed out in seating due to the burgeoning population of the Burnetty area, and have live music 3 – 4 days a week, which I find is not so good for the concentrating).

I’ll give it 3 – 4 stars since has meeting space. but coffee/​food. barely 1 star.
Coffee isn’t all that + stopped buying pastries when I saw flies flying (and dead) in the case.
Haven’t been in a few years.

This place won me over with their Honey Nut Latte. The perfect fall beverage for those who don’t always appreciate the pumpkin spice (although they have that as well) and it is great hot or cold. Although it is a popular establishment, they have ample parking in the back and the line moves quickly. Their coffee is a bit on the pricey side but I have found all my drinks to be worth it. Don’t expect a lot of smiles and fluff from the staff. But if you any sort of competence and sense of humor, you will find the staff is far from rude.

This has been my neighborhood coffee shop since it moved in. Yay for living down the street.
And here I thought it was a well kept secret! Of course anything near Sunrise, and Enchilada Y Mas is sure to get a ton of foot traffic.
Firstly, I’m a dirty heathen and don’t actually drink coffee often. I LOVE my tea, though, and they have Guayaki Yerba Mate which is so good, along with two coolers of other goodies.
The décor to me works. It’s inviting and feels comfy. I think Epoch has set a standard for stand alone coffee shops, and while this is similar in it’s approach it’s still unique enough to where it stands out to me. The music is always subtle but keeps up with the feel of the place, and never overwhelmingly loud to where it’s distracting. I don’t know how often the art is changed out but it’s all local artists and is usually pretty badass! I don’t know if they cater to a theme but it’s always pretty cool.
The baristas are some of my favorite and combine the right amount of snark and sass. This obviously is personal preference but it feels right to me. I like some sass with my tea. Hah.
It’s probably cause I’m from Austin but I appreciate the myriad of non-​chain coffee spots. I feel like, again, Epoch set the standard, but all the one’s I’ve been to seem to have their own self identifying features. If I ever dip into a Starbucks — I’ve probably got some invasion of the body snatchers going on with me.
Sass and Tea really, though. :)

This is a great place to be lazy! I came here after lunch with my friend. It was such a gloomy day and we wanted some coffee and just a place to hangout. I actually opted for some of the local Buddah’s Brew Kombucha and my friend a Chai Tea with espresso. The place was busy but we were able to snag a seat in the smaller room. We hung out there for a bit and then noticed there was some space open in the bigger room. We moved out there and flipped through the Austin Chronicle.
They have wi-​fi so they it would be a good place to work, school work or catch up on stuff. There’s tables or couches whatever fits your fancy. Grab a cup of fresh brew and hang out.

I absolutely love authentic Austin joints like this.
Starbucks is great for convenience and rewards, but Genuine Joe’s is, well, genuine.
It is decorated in a way that never leaves you bored. If you’re offended easily, I still recommend you go there for the damned good coffee.
I had the Honeynut and he had the Three Way. Amazing. They also have Casa Chapala breakfast tacos. I was very happy for that on a Saturday morning.
My mentor program was able to reserve the large room off to the side for a meeting, with min $ 25 purchase (for the whole group!). That was a steal of a deal.

I’m a huge fan of the grungy, hipster coffee shop. However, to pull off grungy, hipster coffee shop, the place has to be secretly very clean and serve a mean cup of coffee. Genuine Joe falls short of both requirements. There were multiple flies buzzing around inside the café, and the bathroom seemed to double as a storage unit. My latte looked and tasted like drip coffee microwaved with half a cup of milk but with the price tag of a well-​made latte topped with latte art.
For people who just want a place to get some work done or to experience the don’t-care, hip Austin vibe without going downtown, this place can fulfill both goals. There is plentiful indoor and outdoor seating with mismatched chairs, and the clientele isn’t the loud chatterbox type.