Groundswell Cafe Saint Paul

Making noise at 1340 Thomas Avenue in Saint Paul for nine years it was by a predictable line that visitors at Groundswell were greeted on Saturday, the Coffee Shop with a conscience no longer just a hipster hangout but rather a gathering place for all sorts including elderly couples and soccer moms with their kids in addition to the hirsute Ipad cohort.

Laid out across two rooms and acting as a non-profit space since inception, a collection of local goods to purchase lining walls and shelves with proceeds supporting a variety of local services, it was not until 2013 that Groundswell added a kitchen to supplement what many already considered some of the Twin Cities best Coffee, the appeal undoubtedly growing henceforth though the process of expediting still remains an issue as both Food and Beverage are ordered from the same single access point.

Taking seventh place in the queue than would soon swell to more than twenty, a ten minute wait at 8:40am nearly tripling by nine o’clock and never seeming to dwindle even as all seats sat filled, it was approaching the counter only to find out several Baked Goods were “still in the oven” that an order was crafted, $3.20 Drip Coffee in a mug smooth but not particularly noteworthy given the price while a seasonal Muffin fortified with Sweet Potatoes beneath Almond-Orange Frosting was merely decent as the lateral edges were significantly dried out in comparison to the bottom and center.

Moving next to Banana Bread also offered on weekends as French Toast, the spice profile and density both reference standard with either Cloves, Cardamom or both adding complexity atop Cinnamon, it was just as a plate from the kitchen arrived that teeth pierced Groundswell’s heralded Minnesota Cookie, a bit of flex from edge to center yielding a lovely combination of flavors and textures sweetened lightly by Honey with occasional bitter-sweet pockets of Cranberry.

Admittedly remiss to pass on Cornbread French Toast, three previous stops since landing at MSP and more to follow unfortunately necessitating a bit of restraint, it was on the recommendation of several that brunch culminated with the famous Earl Grey Waffle, the levity of four quarters not only welcomed but impressive as both Cornmeal and Tea Leaves were perceptible in equal amounts beneath Whipped Cream, Blackberries, Honey and tangy housemade Lemon Curd.

Lovely place! Great service, food, drinks and atmosphere. I'm definitely going there again! Also a nice walk from Hamline campus.