"I got a chagaccino for $7.50 + tip and was surprised at how extremely sweet it was. This wasnt the fault of the barista, just that the powder was very sweet. I tried to ask if it could be remade with less sweetener/powder, this was my first time asking for a drink remade so I was pretty nervous. The barista seemed super rude and agitated (even though the store was practically empty and so she shouldnt of been overwhelmed by anything) and said thats just how the drink was. I asked if milk could be added to it to make it less sweet and then she said there's a creamer right next to me. I tried adding creamer but realized id have to add an absurd amount to make a difference in sweetness, so I politely asked if she could add milk. She slid the carton over to me and slammed the cap onto the counter- like what??? My sibling came up and asked again and she again refused to remake the drink with less/no powder, but gave a refund when my sibling asked for a refund... which I used to get myself a drink with less sugar. Lol."

"Poindexter Coffee has long been one of my absolute favorite coffee shops in Iowa City. The atmosphere is delightful — creative, and comfortable, with a wide variety of tables and seating options that make it a superb environment for working, studying, playing Games, or meeting up with friends. It’s also in a fantastic location- easy to access From both the Pedmall and the street- and perfectly themed with a fun, quirky charm that sets it apart from other cafés in town. For the first several years, Poindexter was my go-to spot — truly a place I loved coming to for both the coffee and the vibe. Unfortunately, over the past year or two, there seems to have been a change in management, and with it, a major shift in the culture of the shop. The current staff are consistently unfriendly and disengaged. They don’t greet customers, rarely smile, and often give off the impression that patrons are an inconvenience. It’s disheartening to walk into such a beautiful, inviting space and feel unwelcome. It’s honestly disappointing, because Poindexter still has everything a fantastic coffee shop needs — ambiance, location, design, and quality beverages — but the customer service has completely lost its warmth and hospitality. After four years of being my favorite local coffee shop, I now find myself dreading the experience of going in. I strongly encourage Poindexter’s leadership to invest in customer service and interpersonal skills training for the current team- Anet barristers that actually like people. Iowa City has many competing coffee shops where baristas are genuinely kind, friendly, and engaging — qualities that make all the difference. With the right staff culture, Poindexter could easily reclaim its place as the best coffee shop in town."

"Pretty bad… space is kinda nice, but they seem clueless on coffee. Couldn’t tell me origin of the drip and when I ordered a Cortado they asked if I wanted a 4oz or 8oz. I was so confused. Espresso was sour and under extracted. If you need a place to study this could be nice, but don’t drink the coffee."

"I stopped into this café today and was shocked to witness a customer being refused service simply for wearing a political hat. The staff told them they wouldn’t serve them because of it. Regardless of anyone’s personal views, it was upsetting to see someone turned away over their political expression. Cafés should be welcoming spaces for everyone, and this experience left me disappointed and uncomfortable."

"i really wanted to give this place a fair shot, despite having read the reviews beforehand…but sadly i concur with most of the other poor reviews. i asked the barista about allergens in a drink, their response was very snippy and cold, and seemed to be annoyed by me asking. i ended up ordering the samoa latte with soy milk (12oz) which somehow came to $7 before tip; while this seems overpriced already, i don’t mind splurging if the coffee is good. however, i ended up only having a few sips, as it was overly sweet and i could not taste the coffee. (and i generally do like sweet drinks). if i visit again, i’ll have to try a drink without syrup, however not sure if i’ll ever bother to visit again."