text: I have to say that I was pretty intimidated to try Cartel about a year and a half ago simply based on poor service reviews and threats of hipster judgmentnnWhen I want coffee its because I am beastly I just woke up I am not looking like the hottesthippestnicest person in Tempe I mean I never look like that but when I NEED coffee I need to dose myself in a safe and secure environmentnnSo I went to Cartel expecting the worst I ordered Iced Toddy To keep my order neutral and cheap It was okay Pretty fing good in comparison to xtreme bean my only other Toddy experience I branched out into soy Lattes because I like to get some protein in the morning I knowlatte for breakfast are not I a pillar of healthnnNO ONE judged me when I would order my soy latte with sugarfree vanilla in it NO ONE I have gotten some jokes about it but who gives a fuck It is I am being a yuppie suburban bore when I order it and I know it and I do not give a shit if they know it I love them for keeping me in check anyways How is a kid from Tempe supposed to know anything about coffee That is not my business As the customer it is our business to try new things as suggested by the people who is lifes work is coffeennSo I tried an americano by suggestion Its DELICIOUS GET ONE IcedHot whatthefuckeverjustgetone I go here for an americano EVERY SINGLE DAY OF MY LIFE except when I am out of town and I bemoan the lack of Cartel even when I am in Los Angeles Mighty City of Intelligentsia Which brings me to another point the LINESnnIf you are looking for a McLatte they exist It is called McDonalds They are everywhere Cartel is not a run inrun out kind of place They are offering a luxury item as well as an experience You would not go to a spa and bitch about your facial taking too long If you want to see lines go to Intelligentsia during the midday rush and you will immediately appreciate what Cartel is doingnnFor serving the entire ASU community with outstanding coffee minutes sounds about right For a drink that is delicately crafted from bean to cup is just right For a locally owned company successfully competing with corporate giants you might as well just go and give a deserving shop your money nnAnd if you are nervous about being judged by the hip kids who look like they smelled a fart recognize that they are only posing with their macbooks and modern literature and are too vain to break character nAnd if you are nervous about being judged by the baristas try SMILING at the people who are SERVING you because you remember how hard it was to deal with customers before you got your middle management salaried job rightnnI love you Cartel