I live in Cave Creek and frequent Cave Creek Coffee Company. Yes, I'm a local and the service is hit or miss. Sometimes they are super friendly and sometimes they make you feel like you are a bother and they would rather you leave. I don't think it has anything to do with me being a local though.
The coffee and atmosphere make it worth it. You can sit on the porch outside or on a leather couch inside. I love going there after a hike and the breakfast burritos are the best.