It seems like the bad reviews come from butt hurt ex-employees or the like. They seem to have a score to settle. HOWEVER, as a consumer who loves coffee, there is no better place to get it. The atmosphere is relaxed and serene and the coffee is amazing. Be warned that if you get coffee here, all other coffee will not taste as good. Thumbs Way up.

I've been buying coffee exclusively from Barry for about five years. He knows coffee, how to choose it, how to roast it and how to brew it. There is absolutely no better coffee to be had anywhere. Don't be put off by a few negative comments you see here, remember that people who are satisfied are much less likely to post a review than those who have an issue. If you crave superb coffee, look no farther than Coffee Coffee in Salem. Highly recommended

We love to go up on Fri nights for their "coffee tasting/open house". It's great to watch the coffee roasting process and hear Barry's stories about growing up learning about coffee. More than once we left and forgot to pay, once I got all the way home before I realized it, and when I called to say I was coming back they were very nice and said not to rush out but it could be taken care of on our next visit. I was already part way back so I went ahead and they just joked with me, not cross having to wait to finish the days reciepts, they were quite nice about it.
We have had spinach pie a few times and they always rave about the cook and his talent. We have had sandwiches there which were nice, fresh, 'homestyle' and just plain yummy.

Part II:

They breathe down the employees necks making them feel incompetent, aggravated, and some, very nervous. They are quick to point fingers and blame things on anyone who isn't them. When I left, they were blaming the Hippo incident on a fellow coworker, when they called to say they were quitting, the owners told them it was my fault. A customer came in today to buy a pound of French Vanilla and Barry told them it was fresh roasted yesterday, when it's been on the shelf for a week. When I called him on it he told me I was wrong. When I called Lynn on the soups in the article and told her the cook would be furious, she said it didn't matter. Their baked goods are store-bought and passed off as their own. I refuse to work for liars. These people are unfeeling and cheap. They lost 3 of their best workers today, one will not be coming back from her trip at the end of the month, and doubtless the other two will leave. Next time you go in for a sandwich, know you could get it at the deli, for better quality and taste, for half the price and you'll get it from a person who has a spine.

I worked for this company for the past month and quit on the spot today. The owners of this place are cheap liars who scam customers out of their money. An article was posted in The Hippo today about the business and in it one of the owners takes claim to over 200 soup recipes, stealing them from the cook (who is one of the kindest and most generous people i've met. The owner and her husband do not even make their own lunch, the cook makes it to their perfect request, I served it, the other owner would complain about how it was burned, and I would clean up their mess. When the cook wasn't in, Lynn (an owner, Barry (the other owner) Lynn's husband) made the lunch and then I would clean up her mess in the kitchen. Their "fresh ground cocoa" is store-bought. I have never seen a bag marked "cocoa beans" in there, ever. They are so cheap they buy misc. meat and cheese ends to save $1 it would have cost them to get normal sliced. They always had us keep the doors open because it got too hot so flies would get in and sometimes fly into, and get lost in, the refrigerator. They only turned the AC on twice in the months of May and June thus far. The employees checks are always bouncing if not directly cashed at their bank and hours are mysteriously deducted from paychecks. Their son comes in for lunch daily and they treat him like dirt and tell them he isn't wanted. It's horrible and sad.

the people who own this business are rude I been in twice will not return always bickering at each other with customers in the establishment. Pastry is store bought and not made on premises as stated,and is stale, food is also under par. They leave the doors open so the place is full of flys..Coffee is no better than other others in my opinion.

their pastries come from the supermarket/bjs, and are dried out like they've been sitting out for a week. the atmosphere has an aura of depression as soon you walk in. cheap futon couch...they're coffee tastes cheap. cheap cheap cheap. oh, and don't let them tell you they have the best cocoa in the world. hey don't. it probably comes from market basket or something.

My review does not speak for their coffee but instead their integrity.
I spent weeks working on numerous interior projects required by code for the business to open from late 2011 to very early 2012 and have only been paid 30% of the money owed and due. After numerous attempts to contact them and work out a payment plan it has come down to this, writing the shameful truth to the Patch, the Better Business Bureau and soon it looks like small claims court. I can't recommend them on principle. I have to be able to look some one in the eye and respect them before giving them any of my business.
It simply comes down to common decency to communicate and set forth a path like progress payments in order to do the right thing and avoid embarrassments like this. As a contractor for 22 years, I can state with high regard that I have always been paid, never levied a complaint against any one before and has never had complaint levied against me or my company. This doesn't feel good doing this but its deserved

My wife and I stopped in for coffee, don't hesitate to drink it black, and had great coffee and great conversations. Definitely worth a visit.

Excellent coffee, great location and comfortable atmosphere. Free wifi too! Much better than other coffee places to sit down, have a coffee and open up the lap top. I highly recommend their house roast and breakfast sandwich. They serve lunch too. I have not tried the lunch yet but if the quality of the coffee and breakfast are any indication, I'm sure lunch will be very good.

I met Barry and Lynn a year ago and have been hooked on their coffee even since. Barry really knows his stuff about coffee. It's the best tasting coffee I have ever had, and the only kind I will drink. It's organic, it's not acidic, just very rich and flavorful, and doesn't keep me awake at night. go watch his roast it's really facinating. We love our Friday night coffee tastings..

This is hands down the best micro-roasted small batch coffee you can get in the area. The owner knows his coffee beans, and only buys the best. Longer, smaller roasting batches equals non-bitter, rich coffee you can't get from a chain. People drive hours to get coffee from this place, and it shows.

IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT COFFEE AND YOUR HEALTH, THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU!

I have always drank my coffee (Dunkins mostly) with cream and sugar. Since switching to Barry's coffee, I am now drinking it black. No cream or sugar.

Here is what I've noticed: (1) My morning coffee doesn't interfere with my appetite (2) Lower caffeine levels in Barry's coffee means no palm sweating or afternoon coffee "crash". I have no trouble falling asleep at night like I did before I switched. (3) Saving money not buying as much cream, and I do not go to Dunkin Donuts anymore. While the price per pound is higher than commercial coffee, it is organic, which means I'm not drinking "pesticide tea." Worth a few extra bucks to live longer, I think.