Francesca's Dessert Cafe

01/18/12

Absurd no outside food/drink policy

by mbpittsjr at Citysearch

I've been going to Francesca's for years. I've gone there frequently to study or socialize with friends. Today for the first time I brought my own tea with me - yerba mate, in a traditional gourd, with an accompanying thermos of hot water. I planned on buying a snack to go with it.

I was informed that absolutely no outside food or drink is allowed, even if I'm going to order something else. This is ridiculous, because if I'd bought a piece of cake, plus a cup of water, that would have been fine, but a piece of cake plus my own tea is not permissible.

I told the person working that I've been coming to Francesca's for years, but I'd be happy to take my business somewhere else. Her response? "Fine, go right ahead." So I went down the street to Madhatter, and they had no problem with my tea. Guess I've found a new place to study.

03/07/11

Unimpressed.

by Roguefemme at Citysearch

I've been there twice in as many weeks, and both times asked for apple cider - which is on the menu. Both times they were out of it. Either stock it or take it off the men, but don't keep offering a product and not having it. I don't foresee going back a third time.

01/29/10

no real food

by cdbackslash at Citysearch

they don't offer much real food and staff have forbid having outside food so long-term cafe visits aren't great if you require nutrition. its also a pretty dark cafe except for two window tables. Service is usually nice but today's barrista was officious.

• Pros: location, slow pace, different seating
• Cons: no real food, dark, brewed coffee not the best

12/11/09

SERVICE IS CRAPPY - FAT BITCH WORKING IN FRONT

by mbz02 at Citysearch

There was really no other way to describe the woman the woman working there that was extremely rude.

As a consequence of her rude behavior, I will no longer patronize this establishment.

I had arrived there around noon, and placed an order. I guess it was before this particular ugly cow's shift because at around 2:00, as I was leaving, she asks if I was going to order something. She proceeds to tell me that I have been there for 'hours', and that she is going to have to ask me to leave. The hell? I have seen people there for the whole day, and haven't ordered anything. Not only that, I was telling her I was leaving anyway.

I mean, I am sorry that she is not only fat and ugly, but there is no need to be a rude bitch on top of that. I know it must her to wake up and look at that face in the morning. Yes, you all will probably recognize her ass when you walk in there because she looks like an offspring of Shrek. Wait, let me take that back, because that is an insult ... to Shrek. Shrek looks way better than this bitch. She is tall (huge), has really frizzy hair, and looks like she has been hit with the ugly stick a couple of times.

The only reason they have lasted this long is because of the location, and they can suck a lot of money out of Duke students. The food is overpriced, and the coffee isn't that great. I would suggest going to the place next door.

• Cons: SERVICE

07/26/09

If you want ice cream go to ben and jerrys around the corner

by 34000547 at Citysearch

The coffee is good. The ice cream is bad. The service is worse!

• Pros: coffee
• Cons: ice cream, service