Earl's Grocery has helped to revive this section of Elizabeth Avenue, and it's a great addition. The location is very convenient- I typically ride the streetcar from Uptown (the stop is right outside Earl's) or sometimes walk. Its quite fun to sit by the window and watch the streetcar trundle past along Elizabeth.
I like the interior and vibe of Earl's it is very welcoming. I've had coffee here before, but this was my first time eating here.
Coffee here is very hit and miss- sometimes bitter and dark. sometimes mellow and enjoyable. Lattes and cappuccinos are also inconsistent- sometimes the espresso is watery and bitter and the milk is poorly steamed- not impressive.
On to the food, the selection is very good, a lot of options. I ordered a meatball hoagie. The staff were friendly but so slow- taking their time to do basic tasks, like pressing buttons on the register. The sandwich has very big, and looked like a big mess on the plate. It was supposed to come with crusty bread- more like soggy bread. Overall the food here is meh. But it is nice to sit here and watch the world go by.