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Alamo Square Cafe
Category: Restaurants Sandwiches Sandwiches [Edit]
711 Fillmore St(between Hayes St & Grove St)
San Francisco, CA 94117
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA
(415) 447-8636
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6:30 am - 7 pm
Sat-Sun 7:30 am - 6 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Alamo Square Cafe
Review Highlights
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"Free wi-fi and the staff is awesome." In 4 reviews -
"Good coffee, delicious soy chai latte." In 4 reviews -
"Coffee, veggie bagel, and fresh squeezed orange juice." In 3 reviews
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Caitlin B.
San Francisco, CA
5/10/2012
Love this cafe.
I came here when I had locked myself out of my apartment, and my phone had just died. All in all, I was in quite a good state of mind. I ordered a coffee and then asked if I could use the phone. He was so sweet and said that I didn't even need to buy coffee to use the phone. I had to call a couple of people and he let me use the phone as long as I wanted :) Then he told me he had an iphone charger I could use. He stayed past closing time to let me charge my phone. I don't know what I would have done without his generosity.
I had the coffee and it was good as well, but that didn't even matter to me given the kindness. I believe that this generosity speaks to the character of the cafe. Support the Alamo Square Cafe! -
Review from Liz C.
San Francisco, CA
3/7/2012
I've lived in the neighborhood for a couple of years, and have grown to wish this place was more reliable. I have had food service jobs in the past, and while I completely understand that mistakes happen, I am looking at the big picture, and I have gotten subpar service here consistently.
Quality ingredients are not enough. You must also move at a normal human pace and actually get orders right. Maybe I have really bad luck, but they regularly mess up my extremely simple orders and/or take way too long to complete said order.
So I've learned not to go there if I'm in a rush since they took more than 10 minutes to make an iced tea and made me miss my bus twice. That's fine, ok. Lesson learned. But what I can't get over is how they have forgotten a main ingredient about half the time I order.... As in forgetting the smoked salmon on a lox bagel.
It's really disappointing that I don't feel like I can order to go, because if I walk away I might discover that the most expensive ingredient is missing and I'm out of luck. To boot, they just aren't that nice. I don't expect a parade, but jesus, a half smile wouldn't kill you.
I guess I'm down to just going there on my days off when I don't feel like walking to far. Such a shame. -
Review from Joshua B.
Plymouth, MI
Maybe it was an off morning for the staff at Alamo square, that being said- not one smile from either employee or hint of "happy to serve you".
However the drinks, food, interior, and location were exceptional!
Drinks- good coffee and great orange juice if you like pulp.
Garden bagel NOW that was something to write home about.
Why the three stars then? Felt unwelcome from the lack of a friendly morning welcome of any shade from either person behind the counter.
If you are a worker at this cute little cafe'- a smile goes a long way.
That is all.
Oh yeah and a smile on that mug of yours won't kill ya....
My bet is it was an off morning. Really cute place but won't return here myself. -
Review from Carlos F.
Bakersfield, CA
4/29/2012
One on the best kept secrets in SF. Great food and good service. I'll be going there next time I visit family and friends in the city.
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Review from Tony P.
Highland Heights, OH
2/21/2012
Everyone is right about the cozy atmosphere. This is a good place to go if you got stuff on your mind and need a place to chill. I had a tuna sandwich there and it redefines what I thought a tuna sandwich could be. It was so delicious.
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Review from James P.
San Francisco, CA
10/28/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Good coffee, delicious soy chai latte. Bagels and pastry are fine. Nice looking cafe, good music playing. Can usually find parking ok, and the prices are fair.
Now one of my regular morning breakfast stops. -
Review from Erin P.
San Francisco, CA
7/28/2011
I am in love! Love!
Usually, I get my daily Blue Bottle, my weekend Four Barrel, the occasional Philz, and I don't bother frequenting smaller coffee shops. My rationale, "Why? When I can just walk a couple blocks...and get Blue Bottle?" I am a coffee snob.
I live right down the street from here...always walk by it...and see people working inside. It looked a bit grimy from the outside and I never thought to check it out.
Earlier this afternoon I just wanted a cafe to get some work done. My roommate said to check it out.
My requirements for an excellent working cafe are:
1) free wi-fi
2) ample table space
3) lots of outlets
Too lazy to walk, I decided to give this place a try after checking out some yelp reviews and being surprised at how overwhelmingly positive they were.
Indeed, this place not only had 1) free wifi, 2) ample table space, and 3) lots of outlets but 4) pretty darn good coffee and 5) SUPER friendly service. Alamo Square has exceeded my expectations!
AND they were playing Ugly Casanova on the speakers. They got taste, too! Five stars for the win. -
Review from Graham P.
Oakland, CA
12/29/2011
I second each of the other great reviews. Place has a real cozy feel, but is magically never too crowded. They have two wireless networks, so if one is ever down the other is working. Their prices are great for the area - highly recommended.
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Review from Christine I.
Carrollton, TX
8/24/2011
My development team's office is a few doors down and they introduced me to this little morsel off the beaten path. Overshadowed by the plethora of restaurants on Haight St., this one shouldn't be passed up by local or nomad.
The Mediterranean Plate is wonderful; their dolmas are delicious. Sometimes they have a tendency to be a little too tangy, but these were perfect. Their hummus is basic, but flavorful and great with their warm pitas.
Doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside would be a great place to hang out and work or study. Definitely will be back when I'm in town. -
Review from ruggy j.
1/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
When you just need a quick cup of caffeine without the usual pretentiousness that seems to be commonplace at most coffee shops in the city, Alamo Square Cafe is a pretty safe bet. The brew won't be giving Ritual or Four Barrel a run for their money anytime soon, but it will do the trick.
It's a real quiet joint, so if you're looking for a place to study or read the paper, this is it. -
Review from Laura f.
4/16/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Quiet, out of the way cafe a block from Alamo Square. I noticed they have books in the cafe to read, an interesting garage sale/library sale type of books that are fun to leaf through. Coffee, veggie bagel, and fresh squeezed orange juice..yum!
opens at 7 am too! -
Review from Tim B.
Fremont, CA
8/24/2010
You don't see alot of "quiet" cafes in SF that are truly QUIET. I don't mean library quiet, but rather the sort of place where you don't have to scream at your companion to be heard.
This place is one such spot.
It's literally a neighborhood cafe surrounded mostly by residences and on a not-so-busy street. There are a number of books on the shelves to enhance the intimate cafe feeling, the menu is written brightly and colorfully, and it seems like a good place to go if you just want to relax with a simple beverage on a lazy Sunday.
Food? Pretty good. My friend had a salmon and avocado panini, while I had a turkey number. As we were on a walking tour of SF, I opted for water rather than coffee.
Service is quick, prices are reasonable, and if I lived closer to this place, I would probably go there when I have work to do.
Perhaps I'll drop by again when I'm in the neighborhood. -
Review from Alyssa F.
San Francisco, CA
6/16/2010
There are days when I wake up and feel like every person that talks to me sounds like a World Cup stadium full of Vuvuzelas. In case you happen to have the same South African Horns Blaring Sorry Can't Hear You Syndrome, the solution is coffee from your neighborhood cafe. In my case, Alamo Square Cafe.
I like coming here in the mornings because its not too busy, and the people behind the counter don't make unnecessary small talk (see above). I'm not cold hearted, I just have priorities. And my first order of business is to forget that I am awake at 7AM.
The bagels are quite delicious. I would highly recommend the everything bagel paired with sun-dried tomato cream cheese. It's cheap and perfect for what I need in the early morning: FOOD IN MY MOUTH. The coffee is nothing to write home about, but it's pretty good and it does a perfect job of making the Vuvuzelas quiet down. (Though I'm pretty sure that sound will forever haunt my dreams).
There is also free WI-FI and lots of seating in the mornings along the walls. There usually isn't too long of a wait for your coffee and food item, and while you wait it feels very cute and cozy.
I'll be seeing you tomorrow Alamo Square Cafe, horns blaring and mouth watering. -
Review from Sean S.
9/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place is two blocks from Alamo Square, and a great place to stop if you have huge huge luggage and you're trying to get to your friends flat.
They have free wifi, and a very chill no-stress stay-as-long-as-you-like atmosphere here too.
I did not mess with the espresso (ok I did, but I'm gonna concentrate on the positive). However the hummus was quite good, and pita was fresh. -
Review from Mark A.
6/24/2009
Salmon, avacado, and creme fraiche on a toasted panini - $8.50.
Day-old, yet delicious, consistently moist apple muffin - $1.
This is truly as good as it gets. -
Review from Eduardo C.
Sacramento, CA
2/15/2010
A pal and I were going to meet up with another pal but we were a bit early and so we allocated our free time at Alamo Square Cafe. We also needed a caffeine boost and restroom break.
When we were looking for a place to spend our free time we didn't know exactly where we were going to keep busy. We happened upon Alamo Square Cafe and went in because the place looked cozy.
When we went inside I immediately liked the small space. After we ordered our drinks we settled down and took a more immediate inventory of the cafe. There were books all over and plenty of newspapers and magazines to read. The front of the cafe had some nice mini bay windows at which were a couple of chairs, which made the spot perfect for people watching.
I had their espresso which was something I would drink everyday as an afternoon pick-me-up. It wasn't anything spectacular but something that would serve well as one's standard everyday drink, which, I think, describes this cafe, a place you go to everyday because it's decent quality and it's comforting. -
Review from Iain T.
Berkeley, CA
Updated - 2/4/2010
OK, I may have been slightly wrong about the Alamo Square Cafe.
As a home worker two times a week it's very nice to pop out and pick up a good lox bagel for brunch, and the service speed has picked up remarkably. Good quality salmon and bagels too and a nice newspaper selection to read while you wait.
Plus, although it's the bane of my waistline, yesterdays muffins and cookies are on sale for $1. It takes a harder heart than mine to turn down that kind of steal.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/22/2009
A sandwich shop just around the corner from home is a really nice thing to have, but I've doubts… Read more »
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Review from Andrew G.
Union, NJ
8/1/2010
Not too bad of a place...small and quaint. Location is very nice, as my buddies and I just visited there after seeing the Painted Ladies. I had the tuna panini with black pepper and lettuce and it wasn't bad at all. Tuna was fresh and the pepper gave it a nice kick. Prices are affordable, but at the same time, the food didn't do anything to distinguish itself from other panini's or wraps I've had before. In other words, it didn't make me say "Wow this was great!"
Overall, 3/5 and not bad food at all. I would recommend it for someone who wants a nice little lunch in a quiet area of San Fran. -
Review from Jason B.
Updated - 5/30/2009
4pm was fast approaching and I still needed my morning caffeine. A late night dancing to the beats of Chuck Love parlayed into a late wake-up from a deep slumber. Journeyed to the marina for some best friend/sis brunch eats, now needed a little fix on my way home. Was still thinking about the great sandwich I had here last week, decided to pop in for some java.
While I probably won't remember the coffee in a few days, it totally hit the spot. What I will remember is the barista confirming my nonfat milk and sugar vanilla syrup requests, as well as offering to hold the door for me as I was exiting with way too much in my hands.
Good coffee. Great service.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/24/2009
Walked by here today and was surprised to see the Fillmore Grind was no more. In it's place, the… Read more »
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Review from Adam B.
San Francisco, CA
5/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
I'm glad I found a great coffee and sandwich shop with free wi-fi near my new apartment. It's small, but the two times I've been it hasn't been a problem to find seating.
I loved the smoked salmon avocado panini with herbed cream cheese, tomatoes, and cucumbers on a tasted focaccia. Last time I had a chicken caesar panini, which was also quite tasty.
The coffee is quite good as well. It's not quite as amazing as blue bottle or philz, but it's cheaper and you won't have to wait half an hour for it. -
Review from Casey C.
San Francisco, CA
3/18/2009
Amazing new addition to the neighborhood. Finally, a real sandwich shop just a block away! They also serve coffee, which my neighbors rave about.
New owners, new food, new decor.... You may know this place as the "Fillmore Grind". Old Mike used to own the place, and I was there on the night we gave him an intimate going away party. 10 neighbors, old Mike, whiskey and funk music. I was sad to see him go, but let me tell you, the new owner who is also named Mike has made some MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS. His chicken salad sandwich is good enough to write home about. I mean it. Fresh toasted ciabatta bread and homemade EVERYTHING.
He makes his own tabbouleh and hummus, both delicious, and at a very affordable price: $5.50 for a sandwich that was so big it fed me for two consecutive nights. I am so excited to finally have a place to buy prepared food in our tiny neighborhood on the hill. Grab a sandwich here before going to Alamo Square, and you can see the pretty Painted Ladies while eating a cheap and tasty lunch from a homespun San Francisco neighborhood shop. -
Review from Xica D.
Oakland, CA
9/28/2009
FREE WIRELESS
A nice refuge from the Divisadero cafes. Great tunes on the radio. -
Review from Preethi C.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Ugh, I don't want to blow up the spot but at the same time I love giving props where they are due. I love this cute, quiet, little neighborhood coffee shop. The coffee is really good, and the other day I had a really good veggie bagel sandwich here. It's also a cute place to hang out if there's a table available.
Listed in: Lower Haight, Divisadero…
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Review from Amber R.
San Francisco, CA
5/3/2011
I love this place! Best soy chai latte in the city. Free wi-fi and the staff is awesome. It's a small quiet place great for studying. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because the hours. They close at 7pm I believe. I wish they were open later. Besides that, they're awesome!
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Review from Blu M.
Los Angeles, CA
10/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
Wifi. Decent coffee. Nicely volumed mood music. A nice quiet coffee shop.
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Review from K F.
San Francisco, CA
3/29/2009
A great, great addition to the neighborhood. We will always miss Mike, but the new store is great. The coffee is top-notch and lunches are fantastic and at more than reasonable prices. Pick up the Mediterranean plate. And bring your computer along as they've got the wifi.
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Review from phil a.
San Francisco, CA
11/16/2010
I love this cafe. Great owner, great employees, good coffee, tasty sandwiches, and great neighborhood--a block from alamo square.
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Review from Melanie L.
San Francisco, CA
4/10/2010
I live around the corner so I've been here several times. Cozy, a good place to work or read, and a very friendly owner. I've never ordered more than a bagel or a muffin to eat so I can't give an extensive food review but I can say without a doubt that the owner makes the best mochas in the neighborhood...including all the cafe's on Divis.
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Review from Stephanie D.
San Francisco, CA
5/21/2011
Great service and their Orange Juice is the best in the city! Sweet, dark and pulpy. Go for the large!
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Review from Wes B.
Benicia, CA
4/23/2009
The only reason it didn't give it a 5 is because of the mediocre service, but the food was amazing. We just ordered a bunch of it and everything was great
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Review from Mac B.
San Francisco, CA
8/4/2010
I really want to love this place as it is right outside my front door. But I have been burned three times now...that's right...I went back after being burned twice. For some reason they just can't seem to get the orders correct. I ordered a sandwich without mayo. The guy told me there wasn't mayo on the sandwich and when I got the thing, it was missing all the veggies however the mayo was still there. That was the second mess up on a sando for me. I have also had them mess up my wife's Mocha order but I fault her on that for wanting a soy sugar free yada yada yada.
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Review from Randel K.
San Francisco, CA
8/9/2009
Just moved in to the neighborhood and have already found my new hangout. Great breakfast bagels, sandwiches at lunch, smoothies, fresh-squeezed orange juice and no pretentious attitude, all at a reasonable price. The owner and staff are friendly and always make sure there is fresh water and treats for the dog. Good WiFi connection, so I can hang out and work or just chill.
