The Coffee Tree Roasters

Nice little coffee shop in Bakery Square. I just ordered a decaf to go while I shopped. I was a little intimidated by all the techies typing furiously on their devices.

Chain coffee shops aren’t usually my jam, but this store always has my brew!
At any time, this location is never too busy but has a decent amount of customers, allowing you to visit quickly and have a great experience.
Most of the baristas are very friendly and willing to share some info about the blends and cold brew.
One of my favorite delightful things about my visits are the stickers at the register… usually left to cover the opening on your hot beverage, but what I use to jazz up my coffee cup. Another is the water pitcher for customers that they have on the coffee prep counter – you can always use a water to hydrate after you drink some coffee. It’s the small things!
The selection in the snack case usually looks pretty good, some things looking fresher or more homemade than others. Do yourself a favor and try the banana bread – delish!

I’ve been working here a lot this year due to the favorable atmosphere.
1. The space is ample, comfortable, and clean. There are some «rush» times with Google and other businesses nearby, but in general, this store has a nice, steady flow that never keeps you waiting too long or prohibits you from finding table or a spot to sit. Also, I dig the chairs and couch and the fireplace. All those huge wooden community tables at Starbucks stores are not comfortable. Plugs are plentiful. The store is usually spotlessly clean as are the bathrooms.
2. The staff is professional. I wouldn’t go so far as to say friendly, but they do their jobs efficiently, and I’ve never seen an unhappy customer.
3. The drinks are good. I’ve never had a bitter or burnt coffee.
4. The food is good. Bonus points for the gluten-​free: they carry Gluuteny products!
All in all, CTR-​Bakery Square is a great option for a place to meet for coffee or to get some work done.
Just don’t take my chair – I like the one in the corner by the fireplace!

Their matcha latte is the best. I stop here exclusively to buy this drink, when I am in the area. It is authentic, and the staff are nice, too.

This place is wonderful!
Yes it’s coffee, and yes it’s delicious!
But why 5 stars? Options, and locally owned! Buy local!
Plus this place has a tin of snacks and food! They all seem healthy, GMO free, and delicious! If you can do it, fewer chemicals in your body is always a better option… And we support places who believe in this!
The staff is friendly, accommodating, and the outdoor patio is nice!
If you are staying at Springhill Suites walk the extra 100 feet cross the parking lot, and actually enjoy your morning coffee!

Don’t bother ordering espresso over ice with extra ice. I was told I have to have it in a tiny water
cup «in order to prevent the ghetto lates»
When a customer is paying for the most expensive coffee that is retailed, why not accommodate?
I enjoy sipping the espresso as the ice melts and enjoying my drink.
But then to hear the employee complaining in the back how «they are sick of these people»… Try working for Starbucks where you have mass volume and your expected to multi task instead of playing with your bra strap behind the counter.
I asked for the manager, he said the same thing… But now tried to be smart explaining how small espresso shots are and they will fit in this Dixie water cup we give out when people ask for free water.
Clearly the company designed the price of said beverage for the size cups … Not the mouthwash size cups you grabbed at Costco.
your business plan should include cream and sugar… I’m sorry I wanted two tablespoons of cream in my $ 3 beverage!

To stop by here on my way to school, I have to make a big detour. I know it’s a waste of time but I can’t cut off myself from coffee tree. When I need to improve my mood, I try a cup of coffee here.
Its vanilla latte is really soft but clerk doesn’t catch my intention so often. Yeah. My first language is not English so I had to practice and practice to get my coffee.
Like this, There are barriers to stick on coffee tree but I don’t give up yet.
So, I want to tell Coffee Tree staffs this: Next time when I go there, please be nice to me: D Don’t forget an Asian girl desperately looking for her «vanilla latte».

The baristas were confused and looked very tired (they weren’t unkind though, just very dry and tired). There were two of them working at the time, and even though there weren’t too many customers, they seemed to be very busy and less attentive to the customers’ experience.
The major reason for the measly 2 stars is that they have NO WI-​FI. It says that they have «green-​light wi-​fi», which I’ve seen before to be reliable. I couldn’t find it once I sat down with a coffee. I gently asked which wi-​fi to use, and one of the baristas (she seemed new) glanced out the window and gave me the name of the hotel across the parking lot. It was, of course, too far away to work.
They are very disorganized. Their coffee is average, nothing spectacular. Their tables were covered with crumbs. They don’t have enough power outlets. Are they serious about business? I wouldn’t bet on it.
I walked across the street and came to Panera’s. Their staff is kind, their shop is spacious, and their wi-​fi works.

This place is not my favorite CTR, and CTR coffee is not my favorite; therefore, by inductive reasoning I can’t give this branch more than 3 stars (is that right?). Anyway, this branch is located in the beautiful Bakery Square and the building is unique in that it is its own separate entity right dab in the middle of the parking lot. Once inside, the shop itself feels very open, which feels odd in a coffee shop because there are no cool nooks and crannies to nestle into to find your own zone for working or chillaxin with peeps. That being said, the people here are very nice and the coffee is pretty good. Worth a stop in if you’re to/​from the gym here or doing some shopping.

I like this location of CTR. I like stopping by after I go to the gym (if I am lucky enough to get a parking spot) or before a Trader Joes run. Their coffee is fine, as are their lattes. Nothing spectular. But, during the winter, the Hot Apple Grogge is divine!
The worst part about this location is the parking situation. It seems ridiculous to have to park in a parking garage when you just want to grab a quick coffee. People never pay attention/​obey the hybrid parking signs, so even when I am driving my hybrid, I still normally can’t get a decent parking spot.
They do have a selection of gluten free options, which is nice. They carry Umpqua oatmeal as well as some gf bars and a few treats from Gluuteny.

CTR is your Pittsburgh-​local Starbucks alternative. They roast their own beans which is great, but my own impression is that they’ve been at it for so long that they’re stuck in the prescribed-​profile roasting philosophy. That may be a misconception, but when/​wherever I see a Dark Roast option, I get that impression. Plus, they seem to be roasting in larger bulk that I would expect one to be able to produce using a true-​to-​bean method.
[Stepping down off my coffee high horse] This location in particular is a great stop if you’re racing out of Pittsburgh on Penn Ave trying to hit the turnpike before rush hour or waiting for your wife to finish her business at Anthropologie [ you know, like you do ].

Very friendly staff and great coffee. I like supporting a local company, especially when the product is such high quality. This is a very relaxing place to meet someone for coffee.

I have mixed feelings about coffee tree roasters. On the one hand I really like that they roast their own beans and that they are fresh. On the other I don’t feel those beans are top notch. Other coffee shops might buy other roasters beans but they are a higher quality and just plain taste better.
The locations that I have visited are pretty cool and feel comfortable but I can’t get past that there are better coffee shops around the burgh if you take the time to look.

Great place to relax and hang out with friends, read a book or just get some work done on your Palm Pilot or listen to your Dell DJ. Nice hot drinks and atmosphere. The only problem was their WiFi wasn’t compatible with my Prodigy internet service…

This seems like a really cool place with the floor to ceiling windows that roll-​up when the weather is nice. Nevertheless, I give this place 3 stars for a couple reasons. First, the hot chocolate (my drink of choice) was a bit dull tasting. Second, finding seating when the weather sucks is difficult. I hear the coffee lovers do enjoy this place though. Check it out and see if it’s for you.

Ugh. I’m so sad. There is nothing fresh that comes out of their frozen drinks. If I want juice blended with ice I can do that at home. And save myself 4 bucks.

Despite the fact somehow my Café Caramel was almost $ 6, it was scrumptious (I think she must have charged me the wrong amount as I have never paid that here before and I come here often— I was in a hurry for work so I did not get to ask questions).
Minus the not so friendly staff, I think they have some of the best bevvies in town so I still need to give them 4 stars. The last three times here, I had the same cashier who just was not pleasant… the barista however, was amazing.

I’m a big fan of Coffee Tree. Their coffee is great. service has always been friendly, even when it’s super busy due to events at Bakery Square. It’s great in the warm months when they open up the roll-​up door. Their Frozacino beats that other popular frozen coffee drink ANY day.
I would give them 5 stars except for these points:
— Never any seating at this place, particularly in the winter when outdoor seating isn’t available.
— No changing table in the rest room.
— I don’t like how the condiment bar is on the opposite end of the store from the pickup counter. That just doesn’t make sense.

I love local businesses, The people who run The Coffee Tree Roasters have a great business going. I admit I love Starbucks, Caribou Coffee, Crazy Mocha, and all the others, but Coffee Tree Roasters has the best coffee in the city. Their French Roast is over the top, syrupy, smokey sweet notes with a bold but not bitter flavor. I love to order a French press of their French Roast and sit down with the City Paper and kill an hour.
I’m not much for the foo foo drinks like frozen frappa cappachino with 3 shots, low foam, extra wet, blah blah blah. I do on occasion, mostly in summer month enjoy Iced coffee. At Coffee Tree they have the best. They double brew their Iced coffee so it stands up to ice. I get it with sugar free vanilla syrup and soy milk. As good as a milk shake without the calories, fat, and guilt.
They have great employees here, and the one on Beverly Rd. in Mt Lebo.
Great bakery showcase, the lemon pound cake doesn’t quite match the Starbucks lemon loaf but the coffee wins, hands down!

I like friendly Baristas! Probably because I used to be one and know that if you’re a friendly costumer you’ll have a nice, smiling friendly Barista on the the other side of the counter. At least, you should have!
So the Barista here, totally friendly! We chatted for a bit while they were making my iced chai latte. Chatting and coffee shops go together like cookies and milk. You gotta have both to really enjoy the experience.
My iced chai was up to my chai standards. I knew right away it was the good chai concentrate and a great balance between the chai and milk. They win, I win… we all win!
The coffee shop has a pretty large area to set up shop if you’d like to work or meet with a friend over coffee. I can’t wait for Bakery Square to grow so more people can enjoy this Coffee Tree location.
And next time, when I’m not in the chai mood, I’m ordering one of those «gallon» iced green teas. You may be peeing a lot after… but I’m sure it’s totally worth it and refreshing!