And I haven't for a long time - it's much easier for me to budget & see where my money is going if I credit/debit everything.

So GJ has this sign suggesting that you spend more than $5 if you're going to use a credit card or debit card. That's fine, suggest away. I don't think that you're allowed, when you sign on with a company to accept CC/Debit, to set a minimum amount your customers -have- to spend. I think virtually all of them make you sign an agreement saying you can't enact a policy like that. Workaround? Suggest it!

I virtually never am spending over $5. Their drinks are pretty affordable (and good!) compared to Starbucks. But sometimes I just want a plain coffee. The cashier hesitates, like she's not actually going to ring me up. "We suggest that you spend more than $5 on a card."

Yeah, I can read that. And I know that. And I don't want to spend over $5 today, or get a 'GJ card' good for $10 worth of stuff (meaning I have to come back), or upmarket my drink order to get as close to $5 as possible, or frankly, deal with the attitude from your cashiers because you're trying to work around getting charged for accepting Mastercard or Visa.

Either ACCEPT credit/debit cards or don't. Don't push your trying to work around the issue onto me.

I have a lot of friends who go to GJ all the time, and I always try to steer them somewhere else, now, when I'm meeting up with them, just because it's so much easier. I don't want to have to stop at a cash machine to meet people for coffee. And while the joe is good, it's not good enough to warrant the hassle.

Love the environment! Funky, comfortable, friendly staff. Unfortunately the coffee, tea and food all stink. My husband has a rule of thumb - if you walk into a coffee shop and it doesn't smell like coffee, it probably won't have good coffee. He's right in this case. The coffee is Folger's quality w/ Starbuck's price. The ice tea weak. The food I've eaten is tasteless and dry. Major bummer since I love the place.

I love Genuine Joe. Go there often. Excellent coffee. Try the Obama Mocha! Friendly staff and comfortable, warm, home-like atmosphere. Recently improved free wireless internet.

It should be noted at the onset that this review is coming from someone who recently toured most of the so-called best cafes in Austin. I can knowledgeably say that Genuine Joe edges out its competition with ease... and loads of atmosphere. If pretentious baristas is your thing, you will be disappointed as the entire Genuine Joe staff is outgoing and willing to help you instead of ignore you, ie. too-cool-for-school Flightpath on Duvall. A friendly & helpful staff - what a concept.

For an inviting and warm cafe, Genuine Joe gets it right in every way: powerful and consistent wi-fi, enough room for all, and outlets for your electonics-jungle galore! No wonder there are so many regulars.

Mucho Kudos to G.J. See you there.

I was super excited when this coffee shop first opened right when I had just moved to Hardy Drive two summers ago. It was about a one-minute walk to Genuine Joe's from my house. The staff were always really down to earth, the customers seemed pretty chill, and the coffee concoctions are pretty interesting and yummy. It's a real house that they turned into a coffee shop, so you kind of feel like you're at your aunt's house or something. I like the patio out front; it's a great place to meet someone for a date. I'm sad that I moved, but I'm only about a 10-minute drive away now.