Queens’ Robot Baristas Brew Up a Storm

Queens is buzzing with robotic baristas this February, as Astoria’s new café, RoboBrew, redefines coffee culture. Last night, I watched a sleek arm named ‘BaristaBot’ whip up a latte in 90 seconds flat—no tip required. Owner Tariq Evans launched the spot to cut costs and draw tech-curious New Yorkers. The menu’s simple—espresso, cappuccino, cold brew—but the bot nails it every time. Customers gawk as it steams milk with eerie precision. It’s NYC’s caffeine fix, future-style.

The tech’s a hit—RoboBrew’s packed since its soft opening, with lines out the door by 8 a.m. Evans, a former coder, built the bot himself, tweaking it to handle NYC’s picky coffee snobs. A touchscreen lets you customize—extra foam, oat milk, you name it. Last week, it churned out 200 cups in a day, outpacing human staff. ‘It’s fast, clean, and doesn’t complain,’ Evans laughs, sipping his own brew. Astoria’s never seen a rush like this.

Not everyone’s sold—laid-off baristas picketed yesterday, calling it a job-killer. Traditionalists miss the chit-chat and human touch, though the coffee’s just as good. A glitch last night spilled espresso on a guy’s shoes, sparking laughs and a quick mop-up. Critics say it’s cold efficiency over soul, but the crowds don’t care. Nearby cafés are scrambling, some slashing prices to compete. Queens loves a disruptor—this one just doesn’t sleep.

Evans plans to roll out more bots across NYC if the pilot pops. ‘This is the future—get used to it,’ he says, tweaking BaristaBot’s gears. The experiment’s a gamble, but it’s paying off—sales doubled projections already. Love it or hate it, RoboBrew’s brewing a new chapter for the borough. Swing by Astoria—your latte’s waiting, no small talk included.