Outstanding coffee and competent baristas. They always have four or five freshly brewed coffees to choose from, and there's usually one really special coffee out (Yirgacheffe, Harrar or other African beans). I regularly catch the barista checking the carafe levels to make sure everything is hot and fresh.
The coffee here is for people who know and love great coffee. I agree that this is the best and most reliable place to get a great coffee in Madison, and it's really cheap. A 16oz is $2. Ancora Coffee (another specialty roaster cafe in town) can also be great, but it's more expensive and not quite as reliable. I've been to EVP a lot and have never been disappointed--because of the three or four coffees they have out, one is always stellar.
About me: I've roasted coffee at home for the last 7 years and own two professional espresso machines along with two pro grinders and a lot of other equipment, so it's rare that I find cafes that can pull off better coffee than what I make at home. In fact, I've only ever found one or two that can. EVP is one of them.