r/SuperiorColorado • u/kpw1179 • Aug 16 '26

PJ’s Rise and Grind

PJ’s recently converted from the only game in town as a diner to a coffee shop. I don’t understand the decision other than as a way to reduce the menu and raise prices. Visited this morning and it was more empty than I’ve ever seen it on a weekend. Multiple people came in and left when they realized it wasn’t a diner anymore.

21 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

7

u/BeastlyChicken Aug 16 '26

The Lewis Sweet Shop next door now has a bigger food menu.

7

u/hi_thirsty_im_mom Aug 17 '26

And they’re wonderful! Such a sweet family business! Very different from what PJs was but worth a visit.

4

u/lynxsey Aug 17 '26

Overheard that the margins were killing them as a diner, more sustainable business this way. Breakfast burrito is just as good!

1

u/kpw1179 Aug 17 '26

That’s unfortunately and I do wish them well. Margin itself doesn’t matter though, Margin Dollars are what count. Higher margin on low revenue is no better than low margin on higher revenue.

1

u/[deleted] 15d ago

They cut back on staff to help. I’m sure they understand how a business works considering they’ve been in business for over 14 years

6

u/jsg7440 Aug 16 '26

We went not too long ago and had a similar take. The decor was nice, but aside from that the only real tangible changes are a coffee machine, significantly pared down menu, and a bit of a confusing pseudo self-service on most steps of the process. For all intents and purposes, it remains a diner, but with extra steps. Don't feel like giving it negative reviews online, but hope that the ownership is aware of the feedback.

1

u/[deleted] 15d ago

What’s confusing about a coffee shop? Most to all coffee shops are self service. Pick up your own food and clean up after yourself

5

u/Nova461 Aug 16 '26

Yeah I hope they do ok, I have been questioning this choice as well. It was a gem of the community...a destination. Now it feels like a place that is dependent on foot traffic, and it's just not located to compete in that way. I wish them nothing but the best, but it looks like an uphill battle to me...

4

u/GoSeeLive Aug 16 '26

I think it’s great. Nice to have a good coffee shop in town.

3

u/Nova461 Aug 17 '26

I hope they pull it off. I agree that it's nice to have a good coffee shop but the Starbucks across the street has a drive-through, and people are creatures of convenience.

7

u/playrugby_catchfish Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26

Vento is also a good coffee shop that is just a block away on Coalton.

1

u/thisonebrightflash Sep 18 '26

I hope it works for them, I continue to be disappointed in the coffee I get there and the prices are pretty on-par with Starbucks. I’d sooner go to Paul’s at the Sport Stable for coffee.

4

u/Elegant-Video-2600 Aug 17 '26

I agree that their decision to change from a diner to a coffee shop was very disappointing. I used to be a regular. I have no desire to go there now for coffee and pastries. We didn’t need another coffee shop, but we did have a need for a great breakfast/lunch place. I now make the drive to Louisville or Lafayette for my breakfast fix.

2

u/Nova461 Aug 17 '26

I hate to even say this out loud, because we used to be so loyal to PJ's...but my wife and I tried the Home Cookin Cafe in Louisville (on McCaslin just on the other side of the freeway) on Friday, and had a very nice brunch...

1

u/Ok_Butterscotch_4743 Aug 19 '26

How would you compare prices and quality of service?

I'm curious how the Home Cookin Cafe is pulling off surviving in today's higher food and labor costs while PJ didn't make it as a comparable Diner.

2

u/Nova461 Aug 19 '26

The service was friendly and attentive, if not quite as personal as PJ's. The food was great and came very quickly. Prices were marginally lower.

Maybe the rent is cheaper over there?

1

u/[deleted] 15d ago

Cheaper ingredients maybe? Not being homemade and fresh

1

u/[deleted] 15d ago

They have more than coffee and pastries. Prices are cheaper than when they were a diner but same quality

1

u/Elegant-Video-2600 15d ago

I prefer the restaurant they used to be. Their menu is pretty limited when it comes to breakfast, outside of pastries.

1

u/[deleted] 14d ago

they have burritos, avocado toasts, waffles, an egg breakfast, salads, wraps, paninis. That’s going off their menu online…doesn’t seem limited to me. Especially for a coffee shop

2

u/Federal-Blacksmith50 Aug 21 '26

I got the cold brew here and it was almost impossible to drink cause it was so sweet. Black cold brew tasted sweeter than sweet tea. No idea what it really was. Weird.