Coffee Chain Tells Congressman ‘Don’t Ever Come Back,’ Triggers DOJ Probe

The Department of Justice is investigating a New York City coffee chain that promotes “radical hospitality” after it threatened to refuse service to Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman over his views on Israel.

Poetica Coffee, which operates seven locations across New York City, mocked Rep. Goldman in a Facebook post Sunday, refunding his purchase and declaring that it does not serve “genocide enablers.”

“Hey, Congressman Dan Goldman, we see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee. Do you see how it doesn’t taste like genocide juice? Or are you still having a hard time telling the difference?” the coffee shop said, posting a picture of Goldman at a Brooklyn location. 

“See, here at Poetica, we don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between.” 

On the company’s website, Poetica boasts “radical hospitality” that’s “rooted in the Uzbek tradition where the guest is sacred, the books are unbanned, and the door is open to everyone.” 

But the company struck a markedly different tone when addressing Goldman.

“Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away. We issued you a refund—we don’t need your money (it’s probably coming from AIPAC anyways). Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don’t ever come to Poetica,” Poetica said on social media. 

As of Monday night, the post was still up on Facebook, and it provoked a fiery response from the DOJ’S Civil Rights division. 

“Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin. These actions are not only reprehensible, they’re potentially illegal,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said. “The Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation, and will bring an enforcement action if warranted. 

The @CivilRights is aware of the denial of service taunts to @danielsgoldman by Poetica Coffee in Brooklyn.

Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin. These actions are… https://t.co/reOawYeEzU

— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) June 22, 2026

Goldman – who is locked in a tight reelection primary – responded to coffee’s social media post. 

“I am sorry to see this post,” he said in a statement. “The barista could not have been nicer to my 7-year-old daughter and me — allowing her to use the bathroom even though we had not purchased anything.

“I made sure to buy a coffee in return for her kindness. I hope you at least make sure she gets the tip that she deserved,” Goldman added.

On Tuesday, Democratic voters in New York City’s 10th Congressional District, which stretches from Manhattan’s East Village into several affluent Brooklyn neighborhoods, will decide whether to renominate Goldman. The pro-Israel Democrat faces a tough challenge from his party’s far-left flank, which has pledged to take a tougher stance against AIPAC and U.S. military aid to Israel.

His leading challenger, Brad Lander, the former city comptroller endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has made his criticisms of Israel a central part of his campaign message.

Mamdani declined to comment on the incident, according to the New York Times.