Java Shack

My favourite place in the whole wide world to eat! Good Job on making your food so delicious and the staff are so friendly

I am surprised at some negative. comments. I have been coming here since they opened. There is very little staff turnover, a good sign. The last 2 employees that left did so because they moved out of town. There are lineups at lunch also a good sign. Yes, the food is great and it is obvious they are proud of what they serve. Find me another coffee shop/ restaurant like that. Great food, great service, nice people!

I work in the Tyee Plaza and was running late for lunch, so I went to Java Shack and stood in line. I just happened to look into the kitchen and there was the cook wiping her nose and playing on her phone. I walked right out and go a can of soup from Shoppers. If i wanted snotty fingers on my food i would let my kids make my lunch.

I have read most of the comments about this place and I thin the owner or his workers are on here talking it up, some of the things that have been said are 'soo' fabricated and detailed that only someone in the company could be saying such things. So i'm doing laundry at the tyee plaza and i decide to go to the illustrious 'java shack' I go there, open the door, walk in and on my right through a window to the kitchen I see some girl sneeze, adjust her hair with her hands, scratch her face and then proceed to cut a sandwich and put onto a plate for a customer. That was disgusting. There was a line up, I had to pee and blow my nose so I went to the washroom. The washroom had no toilet paper, it reeked like urine and there was a smear of poo on the back of the toilet seat. I was disgusted, I turned right back around and walked out to the front counter. I ordered a coffee, some young looking hippy girl who was all strung out, looking like she was up all night served me. She had deer caught in headlight eyes with a grinding jaw. Was not friendly at all. I left, drank half the coffee and threw it out once I though of the poo on the seat again. Never again java shack............Tim Horton's over you any day

Ego owner who thinks he is too good for most people. Phoney scene, just trying to grease you out of your money. they buy all their stuff at Superstore,

I can't believe the Shack would get a negative review. Line ups are an indication that people want they are selling--you want fast food there is a McDonalds down the road. There is a good vibe and the staff are nice folks. The Eggs PolyEny (poached eggs on polenta roulade) is amazing... my favourite breakfast out by far!

Ordered a Roast Chicken Sandwich to go... was EXCELLENT, it was loaded with lots of veggies, which I loved as it was like having a full meal. Yes, it was more expensive, but as long as it was all good quality, fresh, wonderful bread, WHICH IT WAS, I don't mind paying almost $10.00 for a sandwich. Keep up the quality and great food, and I will try to get in more often. I have already recommended to my neighbours to go in for lunch... Keep up the good work, thanks for sticking together and keeping things natural.

I work at the Tyee Plaza. The Java Shack has never disappointed. The veggie sandwich is to die for....their soups are always fresh and homemade and delicious. I wish I could make soup as good at home! I've not had anything there that I didn't love.

if you want to serve fruits at least fresh not old and dried out
service is very poor and unpleasant and you don't get what you paid for

sucks food empty place ugly decor and bad service

I work in the Tyee Plaza and love going to the Java Shack. The food is fantastic and fresh, definitely homemade. The soup..omg to die for. ) I will admit sometimes it is a bit slow but honestly, it isn't a fast food restaurant so what would you rather have? Maybe you could call ahead if you know what you want? Just a suggestion. I love recommending this shack! )

I have been a customer of the Java Shack for over a decade now. It has evolved into offering a larger menu since they moved. The food is excellent. All homemade and fresh baked on the premises. Portions are generous also. It is the only coffee shop that I recommend to customers. However.... every person that I tell about the Java Shack I warn them that the service isn't always with a smile. I have seen them be rude on many occasions to customers. I understand the whole lunch rush scenerio.... but service with a smile isn't always the norm here. If it's not right, we'll make it right... not necessarily unfortunately. Overall opinion is great food but the service wouldn't pass muster at most customer service oriented business's!

A plug for the Java Shack in Campbell River
I feel it is absolutely necessary to give a plug out to the Java Shack in Campbell River. First and foremost it is a very funky and very good place for meals and coffees. If you like Starbucks this place will blow you away.

Now the reason I wanted to tell you about this is the service. Great. I recently sold a beautiful log home on the waterfront on Quadra Island. The Java Shack is directly across the street from the ferry terminal and on several occasions I have went across to the Java Shack while waiting for the ferry. This particular day about 10 days ago I was on my way over to do a walkthrough of the home I sold and it was raining heavy. I ran across to the Java shack for my coffee and to ask them where I could buy an umbrella close by. Besides the great cup of coffee the owner went to his office and brought out his own umbrella and wanted me to have it. He wouldn't take anything for it. Of course on my return trip across I stopped by and dropped it off for the next person who forgot their umbrella on the way over to Quadra. Just don't see this kind of hospitality ever day. I encourage everyone who reads this to stop by the Java Shack. I asked the owner to send me a bit of a history on the business and you can read this below.



Hey glen,

It's Chris from the java shack in Campbell river. I was told by my staff you were looking for a little info about my shop to put on your site/blog. Well, we've been in business for the past 12 years, 3 of them in our present location. I co-own with by business partner Kaylene. We're fully hands on, making all of our products ourselves, believing everything should be made fresh and not from a pre-made store bought mix. We use kicking horse coffee (number one organic coffee in Canada) and we happen to be their biggest cafe account (meaning we do the largest volume of all their cafe accounts). We are a very personal kind of shop with most of our customers being repeat dailies whom we know by name and/or drink. We do breakfast and lunch with a somewhat small but exceptional menu, with some rather original items. We've become well known for the quality of our food as it is all fresh and nothing goes on the menu that isn't less than outstanding. We're also a sassy bunch of brats in here and there is always a great deal of banter and humour being thrown around, from both customers and staff, which makes for a rather entertaining if not quirky ambience here. If you hang out long enough you'll eventually get sucked into it! We're also big on family and you'll quite often see our kids hanging out with us in the kitchen or trying to punch numbers in the till or maybe playing x's and o's with the customers (or occasionally having a time out in the office!).

Well I hope that helps and now I must be off to make more muffins?. Let me know if you need anything else and hope the umbrella worked for you.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays?

Cheers,

Chris

Wow. Reading some of the negative reviews makes me think that it's someone trolling and deliberately writing bad reviews due to a grudge. The Java Shack is fantastic. The best burger I have had anywhere. Likewise for the chicken sandwich. The soups and baked goods are fantastic too. Best tasting food in town.

I went in and was treated nicely at first, then I was brought a dirty dish and I complained, then it was all down hill from there. It was as if I committed a serious crime, I got nothing but dirty looks, and terrible service after, food was OK but not worth the terrible treatment!

sucks and rude, cold food cold service

Food is awesome! Their veggie sandwich is wonderful. Coffee is stronger than other businesses. The girl at the cash could have been a little less interested in service, but the girl making the coffees was wonderful!

its a joke place its not even a food, you guys know what you doing?

I was treated very poorly, I had to wait forever, and the food was not what I ordered, I didn't even get to eat, my lunch hour is short and I really was very upset with the whole Java Shack Experience, the Coffee wasn't bad

Altho service is sometimes slow because they are so busy, especially when the ferry comes in, the food is excellent! Fresh, tasty and presented well!
We make a point of stopping in!
Kara

poor service and a gas station food

Whats the deal with people talking trash about the java shack? Come on now, you gotta wonder why someone speak such blatant lies. An opinion is one thing but I mean, most of the negativity been written is just totally rediculous. Its all love anyways guys, keep up the good work and forget the naysayers. Peace!

I was sent to the java shack as a recommendation from someone I work with. It was busy but the lines moved quite quickly. My only problem is that the woman taking our order was too busy talking to the other girl working and didn't hear that we wanted the procutto on the grilled cheese. When we approached the counter with the sandwich asking why there was no procutto, we were treated rudely, they then opened the grilled sandwich, stuck a little procutto in it.. and gave it back to us. Not OK guys.. unfortunatly the soup was delicious but the service was not, so we have not ventured back.

it was ok, Not my favorite place but not terrible either. service sucks food normal

sorry to hear that your polleny was not to your liking. in the almost three years of serving it, we've only had literally a handful of people who do not like it (mostly due to not liking polenta). would have been great to know what you felt was wrong about it and perhaps we could have re-made the dish for you or changed something about it for you. direct feedback is always welcome as we dont always have time to check with customers. please feel free to talk with anyone in the kitchen or with the owners, chris and kaylene, if something is not to your liking. we do strive to produce the best, most consistent products we can, each and every time we make something, but dont forget that we are only human and mistakes will inevitably happen.

as to the comment about

The Eggs Polleny Was awful and incorrectly made, I've had better at fast food resturaunts

Merry Christmas to the staff ..... Stan Clark

too rude and bad service, food is not that great,,be more elegant please, and not the eye rolling things.

Comfortable, friendly with excellent food. Fresh baked muffins, sandwiches and soup made with really good ingredients. The coffee and tea is the best in town.

awesome. Thank you Java Shack for being there for us. Great food, great service, happy upbeat atmosphere........like fine wine, it gets better with age.

cheap processed meat

Ahhh the Java. The Finest Coffee/Cafe in Town. Both the coffee and the food are always made with love. The Eggs polleny is stellar, and so are the wholesome, fresh baked goodies. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The staff are all cool cats. Its also the unique, little things that make it such a sweet spot(Not to mention the location and view). With all the greasy spoons in Campbell River, the Java Shack is a saviour to the more healthy conscious crowd and sets the standard for other cafe/restaurants in town. By the way, we named the goat

I think Java Shack is a wonderful place with the best food around. I absolutely love your Eggs Poll-eny and it is my mainstay. Everything about it is perfection- from how it looks to the most icredible combination of flavours and textures - the fruit, the eggs, the polenta, the sauce, the potatoes - ah, heavenly. And today I tried the granola and it is the best I have ever had. So keep up the good - no, make that incredible work. I have many things yet to try and look forward to conquering your menu. Also, the staff is great and I like putting an animal on my table as I await my feast!

I think Java Shack is a wonderful place with the best food around. I absolutely love your Eggs Poll-eny and it is my mainstay. Everything about it is perfection- from how it looks to the most icredible combination of flavours and textures - the fruit, the eggs, the polenta, the sauce, the potatoes - ah, heavenly. And today I tried the granola and it is the best I have ever had. So keep up the good - no, make that incredible work. I have many things yet to try and look forward to conquering your menu. Also, the staff is great and I like putting an animal on my table as I await my feast!

I think Java Shack does Campbell River a great and unique service and is the only coffee shop in town that is comparable in its quality and energy to larger city cafes. The staff do a great job, smart, fast, reliable, present. Great espresso coffee and home made baking. All the food I have tried there has been good and generous and there are plenty of smiles from the servers who work like crazy to keep up with the rushes. I am very thankful for the Shack.
My only suggestions would be to cosy up the space more. I like the addition of the bamboo blinds, softens the light. Also, I would suggest whole milk be available as 2% is a bit thin and takes away from a good tea or coffee in my opinion.
thanks much

THE PEOPLE WHO WROTE THESE LAST TWO COMMENTS,CLEARLY, ARE JUST PLAIN STUPID AND SHOULDNT BE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. I'M SURPRISED YOU WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO NAVIGATE THOUGH THIS SITE. THE SHACK IS FANTASTIC AND SO ARE ALL OF ITS STAFF AND THE GREAT PEOPLE WHO FREQUENT IT ON A DAILY BASIS, AND JUDGING FROM HOW BUSY IT IS, THEY HAVE CLEARLY DONE SOMETHING RIGHT!

I would not recommend this place to anyone .

funny empty,not my style of place bad service and fast food

I am a frequent flyer through the Java Shack restaurant, and I would recommend this place to anyone. I've always received great service, great food, and a great atmosphere. They have friendly and personable, and the culture is great. I look forward to my next visit.

Best java shop in town! More than just coffe... breakfast, lunch and great service!

Competent, intelligent, and beautiful staff, combined with a clear love and cultivated taste of delicious and wholesome cookery, as well as the skill and knowledge to know what a good cup of coffee should taste like, blend completely with a superb location and a welcoming and home like environment that fosters colorful and interesting conversation amongst friends and strangers alike.

We're all allowed our opinions, its just that some of our opinions are far more applicable than others... naysayers and snooty aficionado's of an ignorant concept of class and service should cringe here.

Friendly atmosphere and excelent staff. Kicking Horse coffee is fantastic!

perhaps you could elaorate on terrible service.

I own a local fishing charter company and bring all my clients here for breakfast and use Java Shack for catering my guests lunches.........not sure what any of the negative feedback is about. This place is first class! 100's of my guests rave year-round about the quality that is provided by Java Shack. Some people of Campbell River just don't know good food and coffee when they taste! Keep up the good work guys you're bringing the culture that we need in Campbell River!

terrible service, dirty, playing with your hair is not a good sign while you serving food,people can see you.ok coffee and food

I was given terrible service, Good Food and average coffee

WICKED FOOD, WICKED COFFEE! GREAT ATMOSPHERE.. THE STAFF WILL MAKE YOU FEEL AT HOME) THE NEW BURGER IS AWESOME!

plain food nothing to die for daily diet.

There is plenty of food, and it is all made fresh to order... There is no fast food, but the sandwiches will give your mother a run for her money, and the soup is to die for. The coffee is high quality, a little stronger than normal. They also sell the best brownies, and other assorted snacks. and have a full breakfast menu that is served until 11.

people have taste and its not the best coffe shop in town the food is normal and nothing special or some of it jt just a shack trying to be in the back
nothing special normal snaks and that is java shack
food has to be food and snack stay snack as java snack

Great coffee, great food, great service and great atmosphere - yes, Campbell River does need more place like th Java Shack

the java shack makes the best coffee in town.... the food is to die for... and the staff is the best around.. good job java schack )

The best coffee in town, great tasting healthy food in a chill environment. Campbell River needs more places like this.

Oh by the way- the java shack has moved- they are now at 1041 shoppers row- in the old dukes location- right across the ferry terminal

Disregard callaloo's comment. The Java Shack is well above average, better than most than you'd find in the big city. The food is homemade, the atmosphere is casual and relaxing and the service is friendly and personal. A Campbell River gem.

Great coffee and excellent staff!

this place sucks! The food Hah! What food! The service is terrible and the decor sucks! A big lame mess, even Dukes is better