Jungle Java

Waited ten minutes for someone to let us in. The place is filthy. Food and sticky stuff caked on the tables and chairs. Yuck.

Been here a few times and it keeps getting worse.
Jungle Java should have fresh java at all times right?!
Nope had to wait for coffee. At least I know it is fresh. The bathrooms are always in need of cleaning and I yet to see one employee clean or sanitize the tables… will be the last time we come here.

Fun for the kids, but a bit small and overcrowded at times. They don’t really follow through with the posted rules I’ve noticed.

I’ve always had a great experience here. Food is good. Coffee is good. Great, friendly service and accommidating. It’s raining today and for $ 7 my daughter is happy to play.

Decent place to go to in winter for kids to play is the good.
Bad is its falling apart, beyond dirty, thought the dust bunnies might eat a small child.
It is like a jungle in the way some of the kids act. Worthless parents not paying any attention to their monsters is even worse.
Have seen many small kids get hurt buy kids way to big and old to even be on.
The coffee was okay but the food we had at bday party was nuked and gross.
Staff is hit or miss but to be expected.
Sanitize kid promptly when get home to avoid SARS or worse lol.

There is definitely a less-​than-​fresh odor that hits you as you walk in. The coffee is appropriately-​priced with free refills. I had already been warned about the horrible food by my friend, so I didn’t try anything. She really disliked the salads, noting that even though they sound good they’re made with crappy iceberg lettuce. I felt like most parents were attentive on this visit. The restrooms had numerous stalls that were clean. Not a bad option when the weather prevents you from outdoor play.

I wish they had these in South Carolina where we live, but great for when we are in town visiting family! Kids run and climb the multi layered jungle themed climbers, while adults can relax on couches or at tables. Food and beverages can be purchased at the counter. Toddler section available and separate from older children area. Great for birthday parties. Remember your socks!!!

$ 8 a kid to pretty much play on one giant play structure. No parents pay attention to their kids, nor does anyone seem to care. The turkey sandwich my boyfriend got was not good and his daughter had the chicken nuggets and realized it wasn’t cooked all the way through after she ate some, that went in the trash. The kids had fun because they got to run around like crazy, but didn’t seem too clean and I wouldn’t go back.
Stick to Chuck e cheese, Jeepers, Dave and Busters or shoot the McDonalds or mall play set for that matter for free… Just seemed gross a little to me… And yes I was up in the «jungle area» and seen every inch of that place.

I had heard great reviews about Jungle Java, but they left a lot to be desired. The admission is outrageously overpriced, as well as the 7−11-esque food they serve. Their smoothies were pretty good, but it took nearly a half hour to get them after placing the order. Coats and shoes are left in an area where anyone can walk off with your kid’s nicer coat or shoes. While the entryway is suppose to be heavily monitored (a sign says «you may not re-​enter!»), people were walking in and out, including children. The infant section is boring and monotone, so much so that my almost 2 year old refused to be in it. The kid’s play area seemed to have a lot of features and my kids loved it, but it is very dark and hard to supervise your children while they are in there. Overall, my experience was very blah, but the kids (minus the baby) had fun so I guess I can’t complain. Will we be back? Perhaps, but I have no plans in the works to do so.

LOVE this place. It is definitely nice for the kids who need to run off energy. I took my 9 year old niece and she could have stayed all day and played! Good food and coffee selections. The toddler area is also nice for those walking babies that are still too small for the big play structure.

Came in for my daughters preschool meet and greet, both of my kiddos had a great time. It is a great place for the kids to run around and get the sillies out. But everything everyone has said is very true. Noticed a few parents not really monitoring their kids. A few kids were not playing so nice so I ended up steering my 3 yr old in another direction. Eventually she found her school friends and ended up having a great time. As long as you monitor and or play with your kids here it can be a fun time.

It was just ok. I don’t have kids but went with a pack of them and they seemed to enjoy it. It was safe and relatively clean. The windows were filthy but the play area seemed to be well maintained. It was nice that they had a separate area for younger kids. The «java area» left a lot to be desired. I guess they didn’t feel that there was going to be a big crowds the day we were there so they decided to leave half of the chairs flipped on the table like 6^th grade. The staff was less than enthusiastic the one girl at the counter seemed to have no desire to be there. The food was plain not good. I got a muffin. Now how do you ruin a muffin you ask? Keep it in the case for 3 days. It was old and crumbly. They have bagels with no toaster. Whaaa? The coffee drinks looked decent. I had tea which was tasty. Prices seemed reasonable. Overall I would give it the big MEH!

This location has really gone down hill. I first was here in 2008 and thought it was a great place. Over the years, the place is getting pretty dirty and run down. Some of the kids here play pretty rough and their parents don’t say anything. It’s not Jungle Java’s fault, but some parents are too busy on their phones or computer and not watching their kids. I don’t think we will be back.

Everything D.K. and Karen K. have written about Jungle Java is absolutely true. While my kids love coming here, I loathe my experiences.
The two areas are completely not monitored. Kids who are clearly too old for the toddler section come barreling through there. Parents are nowhere to be found. The main play area has multiple levels and depth too it that it makes it difficult to see your kids. Just listen out for your child’s individual cry and you’re up. Generally speaking, this place is ridiculously loud and chaotic. We would go when we knew the crowds would be the smallest but the crowd eventually trickles in. I’m not opposed to kids have unstructured fun, but when the place starts to get busy, the kids all run into each other and it’s a disaster.
The adults here can be just as annoying. So focused and glued to their smart phones to pay any type of attention to their kids. Not to mention the way too inappropriate phone conversations that we can all hear. Yeah, we heard you – loud and clear. For me as man, I get one of two reactions. I either get treated like a pedophile or like a piece of meat. I had no idea that so many women were out trolling. Uncomfortable and flattering at the same time.
Jungle Java for some reason wants to be a restaurant and a coffee shop. Why? Stick to beverages and light snacks instead of trying to sell me nachos and pizza. While they have a nut free menu that I can appreciate, the food is all heat and serve and highly processed. No thanks.
We were told they wipe the whole place clean every night to eliminate surface allergens. Great! That’s not really true. The actual teen employees let on that they wipe the tables everyday and not the playing equipment. Bring the wipes good people.
Single visits can be a bit overpriced. If you live nearby and plan on visiting often, perhaps consider a multi-​month membership. You can also have a kid’s party here. Outrageously priced package deal for frozen food and a Kroger cake.
I like the idea that this place was going for but it falls short in concept and execution in too many ways. A $ 400,000 franchise tag should be better.

My kids have always loved their time here but unless we are going for a birthday party we won’t be back because:
1. The security protocol is a joke.
2. The place does not look like its regularly cleaned. That means germs galore.
3. The staff hides. I waited fifteen minutes once to finally get someone to take a coffee order. That was my last time ordering a drink there. Yuck.
4. I hate to say it but the ambience is very jungle like, as in the kids run around like savage animals and most parents aren’t really watching their kids. That means that if you’re trailing your kid you become «the playground monitor». No thanks.
5. For the price you pay, this place just isn’t worth it. You should get a rebate for the cold medicine you will need to purchase about 3 days later…

I brought my 3 year and 1 year old to Jungle Java and I will NOT be returning.
For starters, this place is NOT safe for the smaller crowed. Parents obviously think this place was a free babysitting service and instead of play with their children, they are busy on their lap tops and Iphones. My children were knocked down several times by bigger kids who were out of control! The «toddler zone», was just an extension of the Big Kid zone as no rules were enforced. This place was dirty, and the food was overpriced. The staff was not helpful at all and did not enforce the rules at all. If you want to have fun with your wee ones, I would try Boogie Babies in Rochester and for the Preschool crowed Detroit Kid City in Southfield or Rochester Play would be much better options.
However I do recommend this place for teenagers. All sexually active teens need visit the zoo, I mean Jungle Java at least once, I bet after 20 minutes everyone will be scrambling for birth control. You can thank me later.

This place is a nightmare. Screaming, out of control kids, inaccessable play structures for adults, nothing for children who are too old for the baby area but too young for crazy town. Adults sit sectioned off from children who behave like wild animals in… a jungle, if you will… and can’t see the action. IT’s smelly, wild, and offers little for parents. Compare to Detroit Kid City, or the former Kiddie Klub and then you realize it doesn’t have to be this way. Seriously.

Fun for the kids, yes. But dirty!
The floor was sticky and covered with crumbs and the bathroom toilets were full of poop and/​or toilet paper, and the middle stall (which was clean enough to use) didn’t have a working lock so I couldn’t use it.
They are also inconsistent with sign in/​out, which is a safety concern. And not smart business practice, considering the sign-​in page is where you release them of liability.
I contacted the company to let them know of my concerns and they essentially said that I was wrong.
We will not be returning to this location.

I hope I don’t offend anyone with this analogy: Jungle Java is just like a dog park. Basically, it really depends on parent/​owner supervision. Either everyone gets along great and gets their energy out in the process or your dog gets out with a few scratches and tufts of fur missing.
There are two areas where kids can play. The one for older kids is this huge structure where the kids can climb and run around. It’s much bigger than the ones at McDonald’s or Chuck E’ Cheese. Because I have a little one, I let him run around in the toddler area. Two small slides and a few plastic animals to climb are enough to keep him happy and busy for at least an hour. The nice thing is that the structures are built so that parents can join.
Now here’s the thing that sucks and is annoying for me. I think the toddler area used to have a sign that asked for only kids younger than 3 or 4 to be in there. It’s not really enforced. Sometimes it’s not a big deal. Some older kids or kids with special needs are in there and are fine. Other times, a group of 5 kids that are much older will run from the big kid structure and chase each other into the toddler section, basically running down any small child who is still learning to walk. They’re taller than the slide, yet will still push the babies who are too slow in getting up the steps for the slide.
I was just there a few days ago where a group of kids who were probably about 10 years old ran into the toddler area whipping each other with what looked like broken jump ropes. I was kind of in my own corner with the baby when I hear a mother screeching. I turn around to see one of the kids using the rope like a horse bridle, riding the other girl’s back. She was strangling the horse girl with the rope and the horse girl was trying desperately to pull the rope off her neck. I have no idea who the mother’s child was; the rider or the horse girl, but she yanked the rope from the girl and then yanked the rope from all the other kids in the area. They ran away scared. It was kind of funny to see.
One of the girls who ran my child over earlier, asked me if I could chase her. I politely said that I had to watch my own baby but maybe she can ask whoever was with her. She said her mom was too busy working to play with her. She brought her laptop to do her own work. This kind of made me sad but I guess I get it. Some parents come here to drop their kids off and ignore them for a few hours. I dunno. I can somewhat sympathize because it’s nice to have a place for your child to get their energy out and for you to relax, but you have to somewhat monitor what’s going on. I don’t hover around my toddler but I try to play with him.
The girls who work there are young teens who don’t monitor or discipline kids kicking each other in the groin… and quite honestly, I don’t think it’s their job. So, my take on it is that Jungle Java is a fun place where you can play with your kids and get a snack. It is also a place where a-​hole parents who can’t deal with their own kids will just plunk down the money to have an hour or two to forget that they ever had kids in the first place.

This could be a great experience for a family. However, the staff appears to be completely miserable. Each person is timid and not forwardly helpful. For the past few years I’ve been a customer I have experienced blatant rudeness, not to mention some racist treatment (the girl behind the counter would not serve me because I was with my husband who happens to be the same race as her). I would never accuse anyone of this unless I was sure. She put me in tears before I left which was ridiculous! I won’t be going and will spread the word to avoid this place.
Not sure why the staff is so unhappy but management should do something to curve this type of behavior.
Best,
A Nearby Resident