Butler seems like a happening place for coffee shops within the northern Pittsburgh area. Mac’s Route 8 Café is further down the road, going south, from the main street cafés I have already visited. Seems like a fun little place so I was excited to check it out.
Location: This café was easy to find and follow on google maps. The building sneaks up on you when traveling south but is labeled very well. The neon green sign on the buildings side shines bright, almost illuminating, from the street. The parking lot on the side has many spots to choose from and easy to access. Can’t really miss it.
Rating: 5/5 …due to easy to find and easy to access
Trick/Tip: Slow down when you are coming up to the building because the ledge of the parking lot has a steep bump. Unless you do not care about your front bumper or alignment of your car, then don’t slow down…you’re welcome
Ambience:
Light: There was a lot of natural light that came in from the front wall of windows. The ceiling lights illuminated the rest of the shop making the whole place bright and inviting.
Rating: 5/5 …due to adequate lighting that left no corning unlit.
Trick/Tip: There are tables in the front next to the windows if you are a person who likes natural light. There are only about 2 tables there though so either get there early to claim your table or don’t expect to get a seat there…you’re welcome
Seating: There was no outdoor seating to this shop and the indoor seating consists of all the same tables and chairs. No variety, just square wooden tables with 4 wooden chairs per table, but there were plenty of tables to go around.
Rating: 3/5 …due to no variety but plenty of tables to choose from
Trick/Tip: You order BEFORE sitting down…you’re welcome
Sound: There was a lot of chatter from the many customers in the shop, some ordering and some sitting down. The staff was talking with one another from the back to front and talking with customers. No music was playing but you barely noticed due to the friendly chatter around the room.
Rating: 3/5 …due to only chatter and no music to fill in the void in the background
Trick/Tip: Bring your own music if you are coming to this place to do work, but if not this place is great to go with a group of people to hang out and talk. Maybe not a date but definitely a hang with friends or family kinda place…you’re welcome
Inviting: The atmosphere with all the friendly chatter made this place feel fun and welcoming. The staff all had smiles on their faces and were talking to one another and the customers. Gives off a great vibe.
Rating: 5/5 …due to great atmosphere
Trick/Tip: No awkwardness at this place. So go, hang out, bring friends, and enjoy…you’re welcome
Drink/Food: This shop was more of a dinner in my opinion. It had regular coffee and decaf as your only two options for coffee. There were a lot of food options from breakfast food such as muffins to eggs and also lunch options such as sandwiches and soup.
Rating: 2/5 …Only two options for coffee but a variety for food.
Trick/Tip: This is definitely more of a dinner place and would be a great place to go on a Saturday or Sunday morning when you just want to roll out of bed and get breakfast somewhere. Oh and there is a 5 dollar minimum to use your credit card. So, bring cash if you plan on getting something small…you’re welcome
Overall, I rate this coffee shop 3/5. Even though I loved the atmosphere of Mac’s Route 8 Café, it was not really a “coffee” shop. Misleading. This place has great food options though and would be a great place to go to hang out with friends or family on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Don’t expect to have coffee options if you are just driving by for some coffee, unless you like just regular in the pot coffee.
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