Raw Deal

0 (0 reviews) · $$$$ · menomonie · Strict-vegan verified

Fully vegan

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Editor synopsis · 0 reviews

Diners overwhelmingly call out the signature dish as the must-order. The vibe reads as vegan restaurant — service is consistently described as warm and unhurried. Common gotcha: queues form at peak times — go early or late.

Excerpts

Pretty cool place, lots of coffee and smoothie options. Kombucha and beer on tap. Baked goods and bagels. Books and games and lots of seating for folks who want to sit awhile. Some of the seating is on a second floor area overlooking the rest of the shop. I just had a black Americano but it was delicious. Drank it while exploring the Devil’s Punchbowl a bit

We stopped in to grab a coffee on our way through town. They had winter farmer's market going on so it was very busy and kind of noisy. Didn't matter for us and I love that they've opened their space for the artisans. Coffee was ok. Would stop again if in the area.

Raw Deal used to be a reliable go-to in Menomonie, but it’s been slipping for a while now. The prices keep creeping up while the quality and variety of the food actually feel like they’re going downhill. At this point the bagels are basically the only thing I trust to be consistently good, everything else is hit-or-miss. Service is the biggest letdown. Most of the baristas act like they’d rather be anywhere else unless you’re one of their friends or a known regular. Even when it’s dead in there, expect to wait 15–25 minutes (or longer) for a single drink. You’re rarely acknowledged when you walk in, no “we’ll be right with you” or even a quick nod, which makes the slow service feel even worse. The atmosphere itself is decent (cozy, lots of local art, etc.), but opening at 9 a.m. on Sundays kills a lot of the weekend vibe. If you want a coffee shop that actually feels welcoming and efficient on a Sunday morning, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Sadly, it’s gone from a favorite to a “only if I have no other options” kind of place. 2/5.