While I'll outright admit that I'm not a coffee guy in general, I'll also admit that I love Cartel's iced toddy, and for a man who doesn't enjoy coffee to be semi-addicted to a toddy it must speak something to the quality. The atmosphere is calm and inviting, it's nice and dim and really welcoming on warm days, and they have lots of comfy chairs and games to play if you aren't there to be productive.
Cartel has somewhat recently opened a small brewery at this location, which of the brews I've tried have been good, not great. There has never been anything wrong with a beer I've had here, it just hasn't been killer... and if you aren't doing something new or spectacular, why do it? Cartel's chai is a wonderful and refreshing drink and while I've had a couple of misses with their pastries, most have been tasty.
Cartel is simply an institution in Tempe at this point. And while it isn't perfect and sometimes the line is crazy, it is a great place to sit and hang or grab a nice drink for the go.