Grumpy’s Cafe

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD would someone PLEASE open up a real coffee shop and ice cream parlor in Riverside??? This place is G-​ROSS and S-​CARY! I live in Riverside and I simply cannot force myself to go back here. If you are in the mood for a nasty, powdered chai latte that is reminiscent of generic nescafe — go for it.
Or if you like bubble gum ice cream and rainbow sherbet with hot fudge that looks like it has been sitting out for a month overcooking in a pot one would use to do a bikini wax — mmmmm, this is your place. As for toppings for your ice cream, they will riffle through an assortment of dirty gladware containers piled up on a little cart with random sprinkles and crumbled oreos that look like they have been sitting around a few weeks longer than the hot fudge.
But never fear, they also have stale muffins from BJ’s wholesale club and an assortment of horrifying jewelry in a pastry case that you wouldn’t even buy for old Aunt Nelda — the Aunt who re-​gifts everything for every occasion. I don’t know what this place is trying to be, but NONE of it is working.

So I was looking for a good coffee shop in Riverside and this isn’t it. It a ice cream/​coffee shop combo. It may be a good place for some but not me but i do hold my coffee to a high standard and this place fell short.

Grumpy’s is a local business that has been around in Riverside since I was a child. I have many fond memories of going there with friends or family to get ice cream as a special treat way back when it was in the Arcade Building. The Peterson’s ice cream is truly delicious, but I admit that I haven’t gotten ice cream here in years. However, I’ll break down my most recent trip to Grumpy’s in a pro/​con list:
PRO:
–Very friendly service! I called ahead to make sure there was free wifi (there was) and when I arrived there, the woman at the counter handed me the wifi password on a piece of paper with a smile.
–The ice cream. Even though it’s been a while since I’ve had it, it is truly delicious and is much better than Baskin Robbins or Cold Stone. This is the real deal!
–Prices. I think they’re reasonable, especially for a non-​chain mom and pop place like Grumpy’s. I’m happy to pay to support this wonderful Riverside business.
CON:
–No music playing. If Grumpy’s wants to be a café-​type place, then having some background music is essential. If I hadn’t had my ear buds in, I would have felt extremely awkward sitting in there for hours.
–The day crowd. As I have discovered, you get a unique crowd of people during the day when other people are working. When I go to a café, I like to work undisturbed and don’t want people to start conversations with me. I know this is something Grumpy’s can’t control, but it’s worth mentioning.
–My tea. There were tons of little bits of tea leaves that had seeped out of the mesh tea ball infuser. I had to use a napkin to try to wipe the little pieces out, but to no avail. I ended up throwing most of it away.
–The mugginess. On this particular day, the door was propped open because of the claustrophobic humidity inside. Maybe they just haven’t broken out the air conditioner yet.
Minus the tea, none of the cons really matter too much in terms of just stopping in for a quick drink, bite to eat, or ice cream; they only matter for those who like to sit down and get to work. I’ll stick to Starbucks or Caribou Coffee in La Grange for my café ambiance work environment, but I’ll certainly return to Grumpy’s when I’m craving ice cream.
Note: Grumpy’s also sells a bunch of cute items like bracelets, etc. I didn’t get the chance to browse them, but I’ll definitely check it out next time!

I was excited to stop in here while in the neighborhood after reading past positive reviews. Yet Grumpy’s Café weirded me out and failed most every café test that I have.
When I walked in, it was eerily empty. But for the barista leaning against the counter, there was nothing happening here. This was further highlighted by the complete absence of sound… no music or anything. It almost felt wrong of me to walk in (after all, what coffee shop is silent?).
The menu on the wall was vast and unorganized, so in an effort to speed things along, I asked what sorts of blended drinks they had. What I eventually got was (I’m pretty sure) drip coffee blended with ice… and it cost four dollars.
When I came into the store, I had every intention of sticking around and getting some work done. But after being in the store for just a few short minutes, I had to get out of there. I will never go back.

Had some time to pass on a Saturday afternoon while waiting for the restaurant next door to open so a few friends and I stopped in at Grumpy’s Café to grab some tea before dinner. It’s a cute neighborhood-​y place that serves coffee drinks, tea, ice cream, and some light foods. Their tea selection is crazy! And I like that they’re all showcased right up front. Service was friendly and the free wi-​fi is also a great bonus!

Grumpy’s is a comfy little place that has good coffee, ice cream, and excellent service. We should have asked why it is called GRUMPY’S, because the staff and customers were anything but. When you are in the area it is worth the stop.

$ 4 for a little microwaved Celeste Pizza and a can of soda? That’s the «personal pan» special, folks.

I got a latte, it was tasty and the service was prompt. The best part is the location right in downtown. Great for a stroll through the park, but a little pricey for my everyday coffee beverage.

Awesome location. I love the ice cream (Petersons), and the coffee is great. Glad to know it’s still with us.

Grumpy’s serves premium Petersen’s ice cream — and not just «for the kids». .. they offer sophisticated flavors like cappuccino crunch and passion fruit sorbet.
We like sitting at the outdoor tables. There are lots of little touches, like the hanging floral baskets and the bucket of clean water left outside the café for thirsty dogs, that make a difference.
Grumpy’s is a «must-​do» while in Riverside.

I’m not a coffee drinker, but my husband is, and he loves Grumpy’s brews. I, on the other hand, am a tea drinker, and his chai is about as good as it gets.
Come Grumpy, Go Happpy!!! (-;

Grumpy’s has finally reopened in his new location and I can finally get a good cup of coffee in the morning. I like the fact that he has about 5 or 6 types of freshly brewed coffees to choose from and he also has a great selection of hommade pastries freah everyday. It is also a great place to meet neighbors and to keep up with the local news and happenings among residents. The owner is always friendly with a great sense of humor. I hope his new location works well for him.