Clare’s Coffee Review- SaySo Coffee

By: Clare Buchanan

Today was one of those fall days in Winston-Salem that makes one weep. It was slightly overcast this afternoon, the air was light and crisp, and the remaining autumnal colors were faded just enough to create a striking picture of November in Old Salem. 

SaySo Coffee is about a five minute walk from campus, but it took me about fifteen minutes to walk down the street today because I had to stop at each individual building and take a mental, then physical, picture. Across the street from the Belo House is a little blue home with dandelion window shutters and a bright, yellow door. Every time I pass by this house, it’s as if the doors and window shutters burst open and consume me. I’m sucked into a theatrical vortex- paralyzed as I stand on the sidewalk, staring down the hill at this unbelievably darling yet unimposing dwelling- and I’m really not sure why. This house has become a character in my own life. Something draws me to it.

The end of November in Old Salem is not something I’ve quite experienced before. Last year, I was away for the holidays, and when I came back in early December, it seemed as if overnight a group of Moravian mice had strung up twinkle lights and evergreen pine lanyards accessorized with frosty pine cones, red ribbons, Moravian stars, and Christmas ornaments all around the Square. I now have the pleasure of witnessing in real time the “Christmas-ification” of Old Salem. Wreaths are being hung on doors and oranges are being dried and hung in the windows with baby blue, juniper berries and mistletoe. The Home Moravian church has put up their Moravian star, which hangs idly in the daytime but burns bright at night.

This is all to say I was in an extremely good mood this morning as I made my way across this beautiful little fairytale village I call home- headed to SaySo Coffee to get myself a hot vanilla latte and review it for the people of Salem College. 

I will admit my mood took a turn for the worst upon entering SaySo Coffee.

Here is my review of SaySo:

SAYSO COFFEE

• Walkability: 0.3 of a mile from campus. A very delightful walk.
• Order: Hot vanilla latte with whole milk. (They didn’t have 2% milk. The first sign something was deeply wrong.)
• Price: $6.42 (There are no words.) 1/5 squirrels.
• Taste: As I was waiting in line to order, I found myself looking around at this understated coffee shop, thinking to myself how delightful the space was. As I was taking in the wall art and plant life around me, I wondered to myself why I didn’t come here more often. I ordered my hot vanilla latte and looked at the screen to pay and then realized why I don’t frequent, much less pay a visit to SaySo Coffee. My hot vanilla latte was almost 7 DOLLARS. 7 dollars. We are nearing LA and DC prices, my friend. This is a danger zone. I did not move to Winston-Salem, NORTH CAROLINA to pay for an overpriced latte I could have gotten in Silver Lake or Georgetown. After begrudgingly paying for my latte, I brooded in the corner and hoped the latte I was about to receive was the best f-ing latte I’ve ever had in my entire life. Spoiler alert- it was not. The taste of this bean was somehow the worst bean I have ever tasted. I couldn’t decide if the coffee was watered down or if it was made too strong. It was sour. Not bitter- like how coffee should be- it was sour. And it wasn’t the milk that was bad- it was the bean. Which is downright disgraceful. If you’re wondering how in the world SaySo Coffee could get away with this highway robbery scheme of their’s- they charge an extra dollar for syrup. If I’m going to be charged an extra dollar for syrup- I better be able to taste it. 2/5 squirrels.
• Ambiance: While the price and taste of the bean was less than favorable, the ambiance of SaySo Coffee is really delightful. This is what makes it even more depressing that they can’t make a decent cup of coffee. The decor is simple, but bright and colorful. The plants bring some extra life into the very wide, open space of the shop. The chairs are comfortable and the natural light is warm and inviting. The art on their walls is emotionally moving and delicate. It’s a shame that I will never be stepping foot in this institution ever again, because I rather liked the spot by the window. 4/5 squirrels.
• Customer Service: The baristas here should start wearing black ski masks with black and white striped long sleeve shirts because they are modern day burglars and I was ROBBED!!! The baristas here are nice enough- they will look you in the eye and charge you almost 7 dollars for a cup of coffee- but I will not be fooled again. 3/5 squirrels.

I know I am very opinionated about my coffee. I have no idea how to even begin running a for-profit business like a coffee shop. I also know I know nothing about making a cup of coffee. I have never even touched an espresso machine once in my life- because I don’t need to. That’s what coffee shops are for. However, my criticism should be taken very lightly. This is by no means a call to action to boycott SaySo Coffee- but it is a warning, in a way. SaySo Coffee, you have such great potential. Please be better. 

Signed, 

-A self-titled coffee connoisseur who also happens to be a broke college student and cannot afford to pay an extra dollar for syrup that virtually does nothing to help the coffee bean crisis you clearly seem to be having.