I work with people looking to open cafes/trailers/restaurants. 90% of those people have never worked behind a bar or even made a drink. I hear "I like that you do training, because I know absolutely nothing" very often.
A huge sticking point is when I bring up equipment costs. They're always hoping they'll build the whole bar out for the price of the grinder I recommend. I recommend Simonelli and La Marzocco mostly. Those two manufacturers have always worked, parts are easy to get, and maintenance is minimal with the right water and PM.
FIVE people in the past month have mentioned this machine because they found it on Webstaurant. I don't know Estella, but the price point is way below Simonelli, which is my budget-friendly option. I don't have a great reason to steer people away from Estella other than the red flags I see online.
Baristas and Techs – have you worked on this machine? How did it compare to other machines you've experienced? Are they easy to work on? Are the components trash or decent?
Should I continue to advise them toward other manufacturers or just be cool with a budget-friendly machine that'll get the job done?
by workshopmonk
Dining and Cooking