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Some things I like, and some things I don't.
Let's start with what I think is the most important aspect of a self-described "coffee house"... the coffee. I have had my two staples at Hob Nobs so far so this is by no means an extensive or expert opinion. These drinks were good. The mocha was almost $5 but I would feel more comfortable paying about 3.50. The espresso in my Americano was pretty stinkin good. I have to say, though, that both of these - based on taste alone - are much better over at Fair Trade. (I'm sorry. I don't know what it is. There's just some magic drug they put in it.) This is not to say Hob Nobs is bad. Not by any stretch. It's good high quality joe. And the other aspects of Hob Nobs are what make it so attractive. Read on...
Let's talk food. After reading the previous comments I will say I could care less where the food comes from be it Costco or elsewhere. Everything I've had has been beyond delicious. I've devoured the Plantation Chicken salad multiple times already.
The ambiance is my favorite part of this place. There is so much room! If you can't find a place to sit you probably haven't been to the other rooms yet. Oh and there's outdoor seating! The music changes from day to day ranging from just the radio to live acoustic guitar. My suggestion: Let the staff make some playlists. I predict success! =)
But the true gem at Hob Nobs is the friendly, warm, and welcoming service I've received every time I've been there. I'm always greeted promptly and with a smile. The staff is quick and attentive. Good show!
I wish I could give a 4.5 because I am thoroughly impressed by these guys.
Not a bad place. I headed to Hob Nobs today to meet a friend for some catch up and sustenance. It was fairly easy to find though parking is a real chore and the signs seem to indicate that only the spaces *directly* beside the coffee shop are for Hob Nobs and that the ones beside the other building are not. Still not sure about that. However, it did also indicate that somewhere on the other side of the road, additional parking existed also.
I didn't have coffee, but I did have a chicken salad with mandarin oranges and pecans that was delish and almost too much for me to eat at one time and on the recommendation of the staff a coconut and lime Italian soda, which was a brilliant and refreshing flavor. Also, thank you. I now have the lime in the coconut song in my head.
Wifi was a definite must and well appreciated and I loved the artwork and decor. The table we sat at was the perfect size for both of us to be on our laptops and eat and work. The music being played was a reminiscent flashback and just at the right level to still enjoy and have a conversation... well until the group of toddlers and tweens arrived. We were soon overcome with tables being pushed together all around us and loud noises. I wish someone would've given us a heads up or informed us a party would be happening. We sadly packed up and headed outdoors to the patio, which ended up being nice.
First off I haven't had Hob Nobs coffee. I go for the Veggie Mon sandwich.
Delicious!!! It is served with a pickle and slaw. I was a vegetarian for awhile and ordered the Veggie Mon. Now, not a vegetarian and I am still ordering it. Filling, and you don't feel weighted down going back to work.
Hob Nobs has totally reinvented that Hobbit House. You can find a room to yourself or sit in the main room. They have interesting artwork on the walls and under your glass covered table.
Parking is limited but I believe you can park west of the restaurant in the doctor's office parking lot.
I have seen posters for live performances at Hob Nobs but have yet to attend, but good to know.
Outside they do a good job decorating for the seasons. Pumpkins, reindeer, etc.
Hob Nobs has or had a great front counter barista there named Mikey. I haven't seen him in awhile but he remembered my name. He anticipated my order. He was the man. He made a connection with all of the customers.
I will try the coffee one day.
this place has had a total 360 make over a la "divine design" since the willow house departed and hob nobs took root. it's still the same house, it just looks like a really chic, modern, bookstore meets downtown urban cafe. with tons of light shining in to warm you up as the weather starts cooling down.
i've been here on two occasions and ordered food on both, as well as an iced americano and regular iced tea. the first time we grabbed a table inside and my friend and i split the vito's favorite in a wrap. it was $8 of pure italian deliciousness. packed with lettuce, tomatoes, salami, ham, and much more. it was huge, a half was more than enough. the side of cole slaw had pepper in it which gave it kind of a kick that i've never experienced in a cole slaw before. the second time i went i had the greek wrap which wasn't as good as vito's favorite but still packed a kick ass greek punch.
the coffee is good, i was chatting with the [assumed] owner and he mentioned he gets the beans roasted especially for him from the cave creek coffee company. it was brought out to my table with cream and sugar and was perfectly bitter with a hint of sweet earthiness. the iced tea was average, it's not brewed cup by cup but they charge you like they do.
they close at 9 during the week which sucks, because i procrastinate til it gets dark and then trip out into study mode, and have a hard time finding a good place to grab a bite, cup of coffee, and focus. i find it to be a laid back place to get work done and bust out that 10-15 page research paper you put off until the day before it was due. FOCUS. get off yelp, and get to work!!!!!
*note: for those who live north of mcdowell, you have to go one block south of mcdowell and use that to get around to 3rd ave which is a one way street going north. the parking lot on the southwest corner is open to hob nobs customers as well as the parking lot directly behind it.
Lets review what's important in a coffeebar. I like to use the acronym CAFE: Coffee, Atmosphere, Food and Energy.
Coffee: The coffee at Hob Nobs is pretty good.
Atmosphere: Hob Nobs is a chill and comfortable hangout that kind of has that Central Perk feel.
Food: Hob Nobs has a good variety of items on their menu. I went for lunch and enjoyed the chicken salad while my date said her turkey sandwich was delicious. The deserts looked great, but we split a cookie so I'll have to go back to try other things and let you know.
Energy: Hob Nobs has a good vibe and super friendly staff.
I will be back, especially since Hob Nobs is light rail convenient. Not a bad walk from the McDowell station. Head west on McDowell, Hob Nobs is about a quarter mile on the south side of the street.
This is my neighborhood coffee shop. I deplore Starbucks, and am very glad to have an alternative within a 5-minute walk. They do a great job with coffees and teas, and my espresso snob husband says they pull a good shot. They also have great pastries, cookies, etc. I don't care for their food, but that's not really why I go there. Service is friendly and generally fast.
I have been hearing about this place from friends for a while and have never stopped in. I had a business meeting and my associate suggested we conduct it at hob Nobs and I agreed. Parrking was a bit of a pain and I had to circle the block twice to finally find a street spot 1 block South but made my appointment on time at noon. I was immediatly impressed with the building, interior and exterior decor and general ambiance. I met my associate at a comfortable front room table and ordered a black tea. I found it pleasantly unusual that they had live entertainment (singer/guitarist) on a Tuesday at noon. After my business was completed and I parted with my associate I looked around the place and enjoyed what appeared to be a revolving art exhibition, browsed the food selections & menu and decided that this would be my new meeting place for casual business & social engagements.
Having never visited Hob Nob's previous incarnation -- The Willow House -- I cannot compare the two. However, from what I've experienced in comparison to what others have written about The Willow House, Hob Nobs is da' bomb. (Okay, I know what I just wrote is really cheesy, but I just had to -- I can't pass up an opportunity to flex my rhyming muscles!)
The place, for some reason, reminds me of the coffeehouse from Frasier. I think it is the dark wood, craftsman style bungalow feel. Very reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest, especially Seattle. I really like that warm and cozy vibe, and Hob Nobs pretty much has that covered. They kept the look and feel of the place like an actual home. There is a living room area with a more formal feel, a nice sitting area with leather couches and chairs around a fireplace, and then some nooks and crannies in the back for those wanting a more intimate and secluded setting.
As far as the coffee, I'm not much of a connoisseur of the stuff, but it was okay. Nothing really special -- I have had better -- but it was decent. They've got other stuff too -- pastries, sandwiches and yummy chocolates from a company called Belle Fleur Chocolate.
The other nice touch is their live music offerings. A friend played there the other night, and despite the sound being a little so, so (not sure if it was his amp or theirs) it was a lovely setting for hearing some local and visiting musicians perform their stuff. I'm always on the lookout for cool places to hear up-and-coming singer/songwriters, and this is one more place I can put on my list, as well as enjoy a cool, cozy and creative atmosphere.
I would put this place at 3.5. This place's high points are it's great renovation. The inside of this place is awesome and homey. I could sit there for hours. I also love the use of local art to adorn the walls. This place just has a good feel about it.
The flip side is probably that they are a little pricey. This is bad considering some of the local shops that have better food and coffee at better prices. So, all in all, this place is a good little stop for some pretty good coffee and comfort.
With the mystery user Paul having deleted his "review" ... and with a return visit I'm adding a star to my previous review.
The coffee is still nothing to crow about (try Conspire for the best coffee in town IMHO) but my sandwich was pretty good (but over priced).
I just SOOOO want to love this place it almost hurts.
Well the interior is stunningly beautiful and it's much improved from what was in the venue before (the dirty hippy coffee shop).
Well after seeing "Paul's" glowing review of a place that hadn't even opened yet, I really feel like… Read more »
Have you ever had this happen to you in a coffee house:
Me: "Hi."
Barista: "Hi."
Me: "I'd like a decaf soy latte, please."
Barista: "Why?"
Me: "Why what?"
Barista: "Why do you want decaf?"
Me: "Because I want to actually sleep tonight."
Barista: "So you actually like the taste of coffee? You don't need the caffeine?"
Me: "Correct."
Barista: "That's weird."
Me: "Why?"
Barista: "Coffee's for caffeine. Without caffeine, well, I dunno."
Lady behind me: "Yeah, like really, what's the point? *rolls eyes*"
Me silently: "WTF is this place?"
---
So this episode wouldn't have been so bad if, once I sat down on a couch to relax with my coffee, I hadn't immediately spat out my first sip. That had to have been the worst espresso drink I've ever had. In the world.
Which is too bad. Because they've done a great job cleaning up Willow House and turning it into a good, clean, non skeevy joint. I also appreciated some of the cool local art on the wall and table tops, and the much better outdoor area.
But man, being slammed by two people for ordering decaf at night and then being served a cup of rancid?
No thanks.
So here's the thing.
I reallllllllllllllllllllllllly want to like this place, especially after they left muffins in our lobby as a gift to the residents in my building. Hob Nobs had a really great marketing idea - leave free samples and thier menus in the lobbies of local residence buildings - and the residents will appreciate the free food and visit Hob Nobs. Genius. I'm in.
The muffin trick worked and the next day Scott S and I visited Hob Nobs. Scott had a tuna sandwich and a cherry fritter and I had a bowl of steel cut oats and an iced tea.
The tuna was pretty good and the oats were decent too. The best part was the maple syrup they gave me for the oats. YES! The iced tea was actually kind of yucky at first but the re-fill was good. The first serving must have been the bottom of the brew or something.
I don't know why I wasn't feeling this place though. I think it's the limited menu. I live down the street so I'm sure I'll be back.
Free muffins make you do funny things.
Friendly - The most important thing to me. I have been here a number of times and have always been greeted with a smile and enjoyed great food. The atmosphere is great, the nooks are comfortable and the art is colorful and fresh.
Best sandwich ever! It was $10.50 or so for just the sandwich and a small ice tea though.
Okay, i have to tell you, I got the caprese sandwich. I have not tried the other items on the menu. So I changed my star rating to 3 and after I have sampled a few more things i will let you guys know.
Don't want to be misleading!
Let me be honest. I'm kind of a snob. Maybe that's a dramatic statement to make, I don't know ... All I can say is I never had an interest in going to the old Willo House, which to me looked like a run-down old shack. OK, there it is! Judge me if you will!
I stopped into Hob Nobs on my way to Tucson with a colleague who needed a pick-me-up. Having already had my coffee that morning, I tagged along with the intention of leaving empty-handed. That did not happen.
Everything smelled so delicious, and the environment was warm and cozy ... I ordered a chai tea.
While the barista made our drinks, my colleague was chit-chatting with someone else who perhaps was the owner, or at least the manager. "Waffles?" she asked me. "Oatmeal?" She had a huge grin and was clearly joking with me. The staff member/owner/manager said, "the oatmeal comes with bananas on top."
"Bananas?" I asked.
They laughed at me.
"Well," I said, "If I can take it to go and actually eat it in the car, I'll have some."
He made my oatmeal with butter and brown sugar, then topped it with sliced bananas and strawberries. I then added a splurge of half and half.
It was the best oatmeal I have ever had.
I'm so glad this corner has been revived again--though I never got to try Willo House. The biggest plus for me is that this place is only like a 7-minute walk from my work. I met a friend here for lunch a couple weeks back. I had their walnut chicken salad. The portion was pretty good for the $8. But the chicken had a tuna-texture I wasn't expecting. But the greens tasted fresh and there was just enough dressing for my preference. I haven't tried anything else beyond a chai latte which was pretty standard. Some of their pastries look good but I wonder if the muffins are from Costco.
I give this place one star for atmosphere. Each seating area is decorated a little differently. Love the stain glass and the blown-up photos of spots around Phoenix as table decorations. This place really does feel local and one of a kind.
Paul Barzda is the general manager (see: http://www.downtownpho...), so I'm betting that 5 star first review from Paul B. was written by the new management.
Anyhow, I went there for the first time today. I wasn't expecting anything like Willow House, but I was still hoping there would be something worth visiting once and a while taking up their old location. I didn't get that. Instead I got a coffee shop stocked full of pastries from Costco, many staff behind the coffee bar (all with name tag/plates), only disposable utensils and cups made of Styrofoam-type material.
I'm pretty disappointed with the latte I had. They were out of anything smaller than a 16oz cup to put it in, so it ended up being mostly soy foam. It also took a very long time to prepare for such a well (too many?) staffed bar.
I did enjoy the wood floor and the stained glass that was all over.
If you're looking for a quick blah coffee on the run or an over priced pastry or sandwich practically from Costco, than this place is a pretty good bet.
Otherwise I'd pass.
Feeling good about this place after my first visit. It's definitely a big change from the smoky Willow House with the bathroom bathtub grotto (a Bohemian feel I actually liked). Not all change is bad though and the elbow grease put into it has gone a really long way.
I like the tall tables with adequate laptop space. Living near Roosevelt Row, it's nice to have an alternative to Starbucks' not-free Wi-fi. The spaciousness was also welcome. A dozen people were on laptops and I felt like we all had good elbow/legroom.
My regular coffee was sufficient and the staff I ran into was pleasant.
Really 2.5 stars:
For no particular reason, I was walking, and walking, and walking. Hours. At some point, I realize that I am exhausted and hungry. Just there is Hob Nob. Great! Exactly what I need---just someplace to crash. At its entirely cute. Things were totally stacked in their favor---I really wanted to (and still do!) want to like them!
How in the world can this go wrong?
First, there seemed to be like fifty zillion employees tumbling over each other, so disorganized. (Seriously---there were, what, two customers in the store. Not sure what the disorganization was about.) Second, the coffee. The second they pulled out the cup they were going to put the coffee in, I just knew there would be a problem. I mean, coffee really does taste better/worse in particular types of cups. On top of that, the coffee was rather watery. Okay, food comes. On a plate that reminds me of big hair and shoulder pads. But that's being picky. And, I taste the salad---really quite awesome!!!! So, I'm now thinking to myself, just don't think of it as a coffee shop, and its really quite likable. Until I bite into that crouton. Burnt. And another one---burnt again! ......
Seems like this can be a really great place, with some tiny twists. They have a great base----great atmosphere and the knowledge to make food. But, until then....
PS: Owners, please don't write to me asking me to come back, etc and rewrite my review. I hate when owners do that after you've given a less than stellar review.
Coffee houses are supposed to be a good place for talking politics, but in Central Phoenix there's recently been some intrigue in which coffee houses have themselves been the subject of controversy. With apologies to Charles Dickens, call it "A Tale of Two Willo(w) Houses." The intrigue began years ago, when the Willow House opened at the corner of Third Avenue and McDowell Road. The location, a quarter mile west of the McDowell Road / Central light rail station and within walking distance of the Phoenix Art Museum and the Burton Barr Central Library, is a natural for a good neighborhood coffee house. Ironically, the original coffee house there took the spelling of its name from the willow tree, rather than the adjacent Willo historic district. Still, it was seen as a natural enrichment of a neighborhood full of charming houses but few gathering places.
During its lifetime, the Willow House had its fans and its critics, but in early 2008, the coffee house decided to relocate from the McDowell location to another site on Van Buren near the state government complex. That was a risky move and the new location unfortunately closed a few months after opening. At the same time, back on McDowell, fliers were being distributed announcing a new Willo House (spelled this time like the neighborhood it bordered) coming soon to the former location of the Willow Hose. After a lot of chatter and speculation in blogs and online discussion forums about possible legal battles over confusingly similar names, it was announced that the new coffee house on McDowell wouldn't be Willo(w) anything, but instead "Hob Nobs." Hob Nobs has extensively renovated the building and essentially rebooted the coffee house with a new look.
Anyone who thought the old Willow House was too grimy or too smoky should be grateful for the improvements made by Hob Nobs. The remodeling accomplished two seemingly contradictory goals: opening up the space to fill it with natural light while simultaneously breaking it into numerous distinct spaces, each with their own role to play. The foyer by the Third Avenue entrance has high tables and stools, making it a great place to open up a laptop or a newspaper. The living room facing McDowell is more a of an area for lounging and socializing. To the right of the foyer, some smaller rooms are great places for groups what want to talk or work with a bit of isolation. The outdoor seating is nice on sunny days, particularly for customers visiting with their dogs.
Of course, all of the spaces have been repainted and cleaned up. A changing selection of work by local artists makes the space seem artsy but not necessarily edgy. Even the tables have art on their surfaces -- usually pictures by local photographers -- embedded under a protective cover. The place is definitely cleaned up in comparison to the Willow House, but maybe a bit too much. One of the charms of nearby coffee houses like Fair Trade Cafe is a stack of mismatched ceramic mugs for those who wish to avoid disposable cups. Likewise, Lux has tastefully disorganized shelves full of reading material, games, and even toys for the kids to keep things interesting. At Hob Nobs, little is left to chance, and maybe that takes a little away from the Bohemian spontaneity a coffee house is supposed to have.
The slightly corporate, spic-and-span feel is evident at the counter too. While most coffee houses offer a few bottled beverages for customers who don't like coffee or tea, Hob Nobs has a soda fountain -- something not found even in Starbucks. It might go over well with customers who like their caffeine sweet and carbonated, but it seems a little out of place in a coffee house. The coffee beverages and tea are all fine, but the foam cups they're served in don't do the drinks justice. For those imbibing on site, ceramic mugs would be not only a better match for the liquids inside, but also a nice environmental gesture.
Hob Nobs serves a light menu of food suitable for breakfast and lunch. The food is usually good, although seldom extraordinary. The lunch selection include a half dozen sandwiches and an equal number of salads. A caprese sandwich pairs well-textured mozzarella with herb focaccia, but the winter tomatoes inside are more about crunch than flavor. This is a reasonably good sandwich, but it's not going to put Pane Bianco out of business. The accompanying cole slaw is nice, though -- tart and not at all soupy. The baked goods for dessert or snacking all satisfy, but again they're not really distinctive enough to be the main draw here. Hob Nobs excels in terms of creating a clean and comfortable atmosphere with free wifi. It's a great place to spend a few hours working online, chatting with friends, or just reading and relaxing. If hunger strikes while doing any of the above, it's also a decent choice for a light meal, but probably not a place to visit solely as a dining destination.
I'm torn regarding Hob Nobs. I almost wish Yelp had half star ratings (even though that would be a cop-out). Here's the thing, I felt that Hob Nobs was pretty good, but not quite impressive enough for the full 4 stars.
The building (apparently there's some history to it that I'm unaware if) itself is nicely set up. I was there on a Sunday to study and try the place out. I found seating right away, which is sometimes note worthy at places like these. The setup of the building has it divided into rooms, which is clever. It allows those in one room to be somewhat separated from the rest of the building. When you're studying, this can be hugely advantageous.
Eventually, I decided that the coffee just wasn't enough. It's decent coffee, better than other places I've been. I ordered their turkey sandwich. About 5 minutes later, one of the very pleasant staff brought it right to my table. Minus the silverware, but I suppose you can't have it all. I was pleased overall. The turkey and Gouda were sliced to the perfect sandwich thickness. Everything was fresh but, again, it was good, just not impressively so.
Later on, I realized there was live music playing in the main room. Since we were so far in the back, it drifted in quietly, unobtrusive. I really liked that.
I'll probably go back to Hob Nobs eventually. It's certainly worth at least one visit (I've already recommended it to others as such), but since it's almost 30 minutes from me, I don't know if it's somewhere I'll find myself frequenting often.
WTF is a "batista"? Paul?
I was never a big fan of the original Willow House, so I was pretty excited to see them remodel the building. The remodel is gorgeous, and the bathroom is no longer alone or scary!
This place is definitely catering to the Willo/Roosevelt upscale crowd, and honestly it's a little too nice for me to want to hang out there on a regular basis. It just doesn't feel like someplace I can completely relax.
The espresso was ok- not the best i've ever had, but definitely not the worst. The lemon cake was tasty, but I get the impression that the desserts are not made on site.
The food menu looks good, and the chef assured me that the soup was made fresh every day. Maybe i'll try it for lunch sometime, but I won't be in any hurry to do so. $7.95 for a sandwich with no side better be something special.
My BF and I finally decided to stop by and check it out. I was'n't expecting Bohemia but damn!!!!! @ least some good service....(that didnt happen)
With 3 staff members behind the counter , one would expect to be greeted kindly.( that didnt happen) it took about 7 mnts to be acknowldged , What a let down! This place is too "corparate feeln" for me if you know what I mean. If I wanted that corparate vibe with good service , affordable prices kinda place then Im going to stick with QT!!
Hob Nob's Coffee House and Gourmet Deli is what has emerged from the dust and smoke that once was the Willo House (one "w", not two). Willo House was a Phoenix landmark beloved by many for its tremendous coffee, well-worn couches, and memories of Mary McCann's Poetry Slams--and loathed by others for its unmistakable smoke stench and vocally hung-over clientele. So, like many CenPhos, I felt saddened when I saw the "closed" sign hung on Willo's door earlier this year, and I've been watching for this coffee interloper to open its doors. I've been hopeful that we'd find a new funky midtown establishment to add to Phoenix's growing reputation for goodness.
Feeling emboldened and optimistic after voting on November 4th, Baby Oli and I stopped into Hob Nob's for a morning caffeine treat.
Let me begin by saying, holy moley, they got the smell of smoke out! I thought for sure that the odor of cloves and American Spirit would have permanently saturated the building's core. In fact, there was not much at all inside to remind me of the Willo-that-was. They've knocked down walls to widen the space inside and painted in warm hues . The place now has what you might call "a décor." They said good-bye to funky and eclectic, and hello...hmm... Pottery Barn?
I ordered an iced chai tea and a chocolate pastry. The chai was a chai, and the pastry was yummy, but not OMG-eat-here-this-instant yummy. The sandwich and salad menu looks awesome with sandwiches boasting of roast sirloin and "the finest long line caught Albacore tuna center cut all white meat." They also have some pretty impressive looking hand-made chocolates.
I'm not going to lie, I do miss the old, lovingly run-down, Willo style. Hob Nob's felt a little too Scottsdale to me. I may be 100% wrong on this, but I don't think the owners of Hob Nob's are Phoenicians. The man who made my Chai had clearly never been to--or maybe even heard of--the original Willo, and wasn't interested in any jovial chit chat about the old locale, they spelled "Willo House" incorrectly on their take-away menu, and the place simply doesn't have that Phoenix feel.
Regardless of the Scottsdale vibe, I will go back to try those sandwiches, or maybe to test out their springy couches and fire place while grading essays. I'd love to toss them one more star! Fingers crossed that they'll relax a bit and make the most of their great location!
Hob Nobs is completely unrecognizable from the old Willo House... and you know what? That's ok. Let's be honest. The Willo House coffee really wasn't very good, and the service was pretty lacking. So I'm over it.
On to Hob Nob... it's a really lovely remodel, if a little slick and glossy. I thought the coffee was very good. I haven't been able to eat there yet, but the menu looks great, if a little pricey. Pastry selection seemed a little small too, especially as coffee shop= guilt free decadent eating in my mind, so I want some outrageous and fatty desserts to choose from.
Local artwork on the walls, with some pieces that I really loved. The tables each have a different SUPER cool picture of Phoenix. Very nice service, and I believe they said they'd be offering 2 hours of free wi-fi if you are a paying customer.
I've been twice now, and I liked it ok... I just didn't LOVE it. It took me forever to write this review, as I don't have anything bad to say about it at ALL, but for whatever reason, I just can't bring myself to rave about it. It's not especially homey, somehow, even as nice as it looks. I'll have no problem going back next time someone says "hey let's go to Hob Nob's", but it's just not my first pick.
Here's hoping that they DO find the perfect crowd that does love them though, and I really hope they succeed.
Liked the Caprese salad and the Cajun chicken. Cool place to chill.
I know this place wants to establish itself a a full service Coffee house and the cute little bistro seems to be also successful serving sandwiches and deserts - and for that I like it so much better than Zoe's Kitchen down the street.
Getting to Hob Nobs is a bit complicated. It's located on a one way street (headed North). Parking can also be a bit of a pain. The parking lot next to Hob Nobs is small but there is another across the street - but it's easy to miss so you need to be vigilant.
The bistro has outside seating making it a lovely place to meet friends and hang out -especially this time of year. Inside are lovely wood floors and lots of light.
I had the Carver Sandwich for lunch which somehow didn't live up to my expectations. The roast beef seemed process and the of feta and cheddar was awkward for me. I looked longingly at my friends sandwich. She had the Smokey Joe sandwich with Turkey and Bacon -- that looked fresh and yummy and I'll try that next time.
I say - give the place a go.
I do enjoy this coffee shop, though admittedly it has largely subscribed to bohemian bloodletting since emerging from the former Willo House. They still present photographs, paintings, sculptures and more throughout the cafe, most, if not all, for sale. The clientele has changed, as has the interior. Regardless, it's still a nice place for coffee. For those who haven't been, it's set in an old house on the southeast corner of 3rd Avenue and McDowell. Personally, one of my favorite activities is to start here for coffee and take a walking tour in the area. It's one of the few neighborhoods in Phoenix with historic homes from the 1920s, which seem to be untouched by the authoritarian overlords of homeowner's associations so popular in suburbs. I could be wrong, as I don't live in the area. But, to stay on topic, the menu is a bit pricey but Hob Nob's has retained the Willo House's cozy, neighborly feel, though yes, over a few short years it transitioned from hippie to yuppie.
I was surprised to see that Hob Nobs was not getting good reviews by my fellow yelpers. My wife and I visited them on a brisk Saturday morning and had a great time. We were really happy to see how beautiful the remodel came out. We had visited a while back when it was the Willow House and the remodel was seriously needed. The wooden floors are beautiful and everything was comfortable and very clean. The coffee was decent and the food selection is limited but awesome for a small coffee shop. Don't try the verve energy drink though...you could choke a horse with that small can of canine venom. Prices were good 6-7 bucks for a sandwich and 2-4 for a tasty beverage of your choice.
I haven't tried the coffee yet, but the sandwiches are mmm-mm tasty! A little on the pricey side but there is value to be had in fresh ingredients. The VooDoo chicken salad was a refreshing (and spicy) take on an old standby. Not creamy and textured almost like an olive tapenade, it was piled liberally onto whole wheat bread. The Smokey Joe turkey sandwich was solid as well, boasting thick slices of crisp bacon. The high light was definitely the Tortilla Chicken soup. A thick, savory broth with fresh veggies and chunks of white meat topped with tortilla strips and sour cream. Hob Nobs is a welcome, if somewhat pricey, choice for a mid town lunch.
Can you make me a venti skinny soy splenda no sweetener half caff cappucino with no foam in a grande cup while I explore plebian society while visiting from Mesa? The Willo is so edgy isn't it?
Paul B misspoke of his Baristas as "Batistas", I'm surprised nobody noticed. Funny, you know what… Read more »
Daily Drink Specials!
Phoenix, AZ
Thanksgiving eve Special $9.95
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Coffee & Tea
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Coffee & Tea
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Coffee & Tea
Glendale, AZ
Category: Middle Eastern
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Greek
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
Quick and convenient coffee bars along the light…
It's not easy to find places to study. Believe…
Central Avenue from Downtown, through Midtown, to…
