Friend's Cafe - New Brunswick

Great food. Prep work could use a little refining my jalapenos were sliced SUPER thick and uneven. But won't stop me from repeating. It's not ready finding a dog friendly cafe. The staff is amazing. Keep up the good work ?

Had a great coffee and bagel. Awesome vibe and thrilled I stumbled across here on my travels.

Not very friendly, I must say. Don't waste your time or money here, at the very very very very bottom of my list for New Brunswick Dining, and that's seriously saying something. Everything is disgustingly overpriced. Went once and will never return- and will also implore anyone who ever even mentions it to stay far away.

I am so upset that I feel compelled to write this review right now. I have been a loyal patron of Friends for many years now. I am a senior at Rutgers and have spent many wonderful afternoons at Friends cafe. I know all of the familiar faces and even am very friendly with some of the kind baristas. This afternoon, my boyfriend and I decided to do our work at Friends outside. We arrived, I placed an order, and began to do work on our laptops. My boyfriend placed his bagel and coffee that he brought from the dining hall on the table. We then were interrupted by who I assume is the owner of the cafe, a man who I have seen at the cafe countless times. He stated that the bagel must be thrown out or put away as there is no outside food allowed on the premises. I completely understand this and if I was a business owner, I would have made the exact statement. We complied with his request and my boyfriend removed the bagel from the table and stood up to throw away his coffee. The man then came over to us again and began explaining how my boyfriend should go inside and place his order if he wants to sit at the tables outside. He then began stating that this is common knowledge and that we would NOT be allowed to sit outside unless my boyfriend purchased something as well. Note, that I had purchased both a sandwich and a coffee at this time. He also stated that there were multiple signs all over the cafe which stated this. I have never once seen a sign in friends cafe that states I MUST purchase an item to sit inside or outside. Personally, I think this is absurd, especially in a coffee shop which attracts college students who enjoy finding peaceful places to do their work. I asked him if it was absolutely necessary that my boyfriend purchased something even though I had purchased two items and he stated YES. He stated the cafe was not a library to which I replied I would like a to-go box for my sandwich because I was starting to become irritated by his demeanor. I am so infuriated at the way my boyfriend treated, but also the way I was spoken to as a paying customer and someone who has been extremely loyal to this establishment for YEARS. I always felt friends was a welcoming space, especially for college students, and I never recalled seeing a sign stating an item MUST be purchased in order to enjoy the space of Friends cafe. As someone who has spent a considerable amount of money at the cafe, I am sorry to say I won 't be returning. If the owner is so adamant about his clientele purchasing an item in order to sit, he should place SEVERAL, LARGE signs up promptly. Never once have I been shooed out of a cafe for not purchasing a product. Perhaps some people will disagree with me, but I feel I need to voice my opinion. I 'm disappointed in friends and I truly expected a more welcoming atmosphere from the management.

We took our dog Jaxi for the first time last weekend for his birthday and it was great. Food service and atmosphere were all great!!