Blue Bottle Coffee Co.
Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley315 Linden St
(between Gough St & Octavia St)
San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 252-7535
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Wi-Fi: None
222 reviews
Neighborhood: Cole Valley
"I'm actually shocked Crepes on Cole isn't more consistently given 5 stars. Wow, are people that picky about a place that has such good…" read more »
644 Reviews for Blue Bottle Coffee Co.
Blue Bottle started off my last I heart SF day, complete with trip to Palace of Fine Arts and Stinson Beach. Sometimes this city gets me down, and I need a pick me up. Well, Blue Bottle came through for me last Saturday and I realized maybe I should start my day more often with them, and I'll be a happier person. I don't mind the lines, it goes fast and everyone is friendly and happy, hello it's Blue Bottle, they're all feeling like me.
Thanks Blue Bottle!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I've been drinking coffee since I was a little kid. Well, I started with Sanka and moved up. Surprisingly, it did not stunt my growth. Or maybe it did, in which case I might've reached my ideal height of 5'10. Today, I'm kind of ok with being shorter since the professional beach volleyball career I envisioned for myself back then did not pan out.
Even though we always had coffee in the house and at Frank's Deli (RIP), it was never fancy coffee. To this day, my parents enjoy Taster's Choice the most. When my mom comes out here and I try to take her somewhere notable, she'd rather have those individual packets of coffee already laced with cream and sugar from the Korean market. While I don't drink it, I find it comforting that she's consistent.
I am a bit more picky about coffee but it's the caffeine I really need. The taste is almost secondary but I have to admit Blue Bottle is wonderful. The drip coffee, the iced lattes and the doggie treats Ishi enjoyed were great. Unfortunately, the service is not always so pleasant and I like it better when people are nice to me.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (4)
Cool (3)
A for product. A for niche. It takes a special kind of jackass to wait 20 minutes in line for a drip coffee that then takes 20 minutes to brew per cup. Blue bottles customer base consists mainly of jackasses who alternately: 1) park illegally in front of driveways watching as people try unsuccessfully to get out of their driveway to go to work, without moving their cars out of the way; I have had to go to the line and ask whose car it is before they will come over and move their car so I can get out; 2) bring their belligerent nasty dogs to a public place with loads of kids and other dogs where they can attack freely; 3) stand around in the alley after they have bought their coffee as though it is a junior high school dance.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
When I was much younger, my teachers thought I was suffering ADD or some sort of hyperactive disorder. Little did they know that I was merely suffering from coffee buzz courtesy of the Starbucks down the street from church and the wads of Tasters Choice packets from the Korean grocery store. With an older sister drinking coffee like water for her late night cram fests, I became immune to drugs as I had COFFEE. As my fellows Asians can tell you, for some reason we love Tasters Choice.
As I grew older, my tastes buds became more developed and no longer was I a slave to the burnt flavor of Starbucks. In my quest for the perfect bean, I've invaded so many friggin' coffee houses (p.s. I heart Intelligentsia and Illy but Alterra's got my heart in Wisconsin) I thought I couldn't get any shorter.
In comes Blue Bottle Coffee after a 3 course meal at Stacks. Thank you Blackberry for Google Maps 'cause I wouldn't have believed this location without you. In a little alley with only a garage door to protect it from the world, it's literally a to-go kind of place. I applaud them for the creative use of space and the idea is kind of cool, but there's nowhere to sit.
The prices are decent, the cookies are tiny and inventive but the crema on these babies made me want to write a review. First taste made my mouth sing. The only bad thing about this place was that they don't grind the beans for you. Oh well-still love you though.
L
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Blue Bottle is to me as crack is to druggies. Their coffee is literally to die for. From their New Orleans iced coffee to lattes and cappuccinos, there is no comparison. They also have miette cookies that are tiny bites of heaven to complement your scrumptious cup of java loving. It is worth the wait, don't let the line deter you. The baristas are pretty adorable and sweet too. I hope there is blue bottle coffee in heaven. Thank you for being around the corner from my house!
During pride I did my solemn duty as a gay and hit up the Castro during the chaos that is Pride Weekend. I quickly found myself in the only Castro bar that I frequent - Lucky 13. Okay, so it isn't really gay in the strictest sense of the word, but they ARE in the Castro, so you've got to give me that.
Amid the free popcorn, good tunes and generalized merriment emerged Drunk Steve (aka Hipster Steve). I had been playing the "stare at you to figure out if you are the only other queer guy in here" game with Drunk Steve for a while until he finally told me to make sure I say hello before I leave. On my way out I said hello and Drunk Steve slurred "I want to get to know you, I'll give you the best blow job of your life."
Well, that guaranteed a date. We exchanged numbers and a few days later arranged to meet for coffee at Blue Bottle. A wise decision as the only things I knew about Drunk Steve is that he gave good blow jobs. Considering that Drunk Steve could have also been a psycho/murderer (good blow jobs non-withstanding), I decided to meet Drunk Steve in typical craigslist/internet dating style, somewhere public and with easy escape routes.
Blue Bottle's alleyway location seemed perfect for my needs.
The macchiato (the coffee with which I judge all coffee shops) was overextracted and far too bitter. Also, my barista overfilled my tiny mug with milk giving me a sticky saucer. Perhaps my expectations were high, but I've had better coffee in lots of different places. I will try again as per the excessively good Yelp reviews, but another bad coffee and it is gone.
Pros: Drunk Steve = Not a Murderer!
Cons: Still haven't found out about the "Best Blow Job Ever"
The People's Republic of Blue Bottle. I consent to the propaganda and agree that they have the best cup in the City . . . sometimes!
I drink their drip exclusively and it can be divine, depending on what blend they're brewing. I've never actually figured out which one I like. I should probably do that. They do hang a little sign that says which way the wind's blowing at a given time.
But the fact is that sometimes they're brewing something other than the ideal cup. It's good even then but why not make the best cup when you can?
I find no problems with the lines or the service. Face it, there will be a line. Don't cry, it moves fast. They don't always smile when pouring. They usually do.
These people are some SERIOUS coffee people. Fantastic! I had a latte to go. What a fantastic cup of joe.. The flavor of the beans rode my tongue like a tidal wave, and stayed there longer than an unwelcome in-law. Just straight up WOW.
The line was long, but it moved reasonably fast, and the blue decor was very cool in a environmentally conscious way. I liked the look of it, and I thought running a coffee shop out of a garage was kickass in both concept and execution.
Speaking of garages, did anyone notice the Fort Knox garage door across the street? That thing closes like it's protecting the First Family; it's AWESOME. Hell, it's worth visiting BlueBottle just to see that thing open and close! Somebody should get a video and post it on YouTube.
All in all, very San Francisco, phenomenal coffee (and I mean the coffee is literally a phenomenon), a cool vibe, and the Garage Door of Power all in one place.
Werd.
PS - Cash only!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
*BlueBottle Coffee review, take 630*
**clap!**
So, what else can I say that 629 others haven't said?
Let's see...
Great coffee/espresso? Check!
Great location (read: close to my house)? Check!
Artisan presentation of my latte every single time? Double check!
Friendly baristas, no matter how busy they are? Check!!
Yummy snacks to accompany aforementioned latte? Ch-ch-check!
Relatively inexpensive, freshly roasted beans to go that will make perfect moka pot espresso? Check!
Hipster coffee without hipster attitude? Yes! Chickity-check-check!!
Guess I got nothin' new to add!
*that's a wrap, people!*
People thought this was:
Useful (7)
Funny (6)
Cool (6)
best mf'ing latte in my life. one of three places in SF where I can actually still get a buzz from the coffee.
This review is not for the location but for the wonderful droplets of heaven i brew in my apartment each morning.
I ONLY buy my coffee beans from Bluebottle and Ritual Coffee Roasters.
I am a coffee snob.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
i love the coffee at blue bottle.
YES there are long lines, but they move fast.
the staff has never been anything but gracious, and i strongly disagree at the review calling them "lazy".
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Caution: The following review is written by a non-coffee drinker. Read at your own risk.
I thought it perfect to drop by for some famous coffee while I was out shopping in Hayes Valley. If it weren't for the sign on Gough, I totally would have walked passed the narrow alley that is Linden.
A steady line had formed, but it wasn't long. The kiosk was literally just a store-front without any seating, but people didn't mind just chillin' on the streets.
I got a drip coffee for $2 and it wasn't too bitter, though I did spike it with some sugar and half&half. I love how they served the coffee at a temperature that wouldn't scald your tongue (get a clue, Starbucks).
And, of course, I was uncontrollably jittery for the rest of the night and my head was all in a fog.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
I had a latte from this location and was happy. The coffee is smooth and good. The line was a bit of a wait but I had a friend to keep me company. This place is run out of a garage front so don't expect to sit down and enjoy cafe society.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (3)
Cool (5)
Things I take seriously:
Local businesses: Hookers in Taiwan don't do me any good.
Businesses in alleys: Where else would Mr. Peltzer have found a mogwai?
Coffee: Mess up my coffee and I will shank you.
Coffee culture: The bean breeds revolution.
Bluebottle has the local business thing down. They're the sort of local that has spread all over the Bay, but whatever, they're homegrown. Bluebottle is in an alley...one that the cast of Friends would have hung out in, but an alley nonetheless. Bluebottle holds alchemical secrets to the perfect brewing of coffee. If there was a hotel that charged by the hour right next to this place, I could set up a perfect experience. Also Bluebottle is, at best, ancillary to coffee culture.
Bluebottle has the craft down, but that's all it does...create a product. The story of coffee is about ideas brewing in the minds of caffeine fueled patrons. It's about providing a space for free thinkers and bad art. A little stand doesn't cut it. Bluebottle provides the beans for places that provide the substance. For that, I salute them, but the fifth star is for those who join the cause.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (3)
Cool (5)
Great coffee, especially the New Orleans iced coffee. (But there's no seating if that's what you're looking for--go to their Mint Plaza location for that).
Can't believe I haven't reviewed Bluebottle yet...
I love getting a perfectly fresh cup (plus a bag of beans to go please!) before heading over to Hayes Green for the perfect start to a relaxing day.
Lattes are fantastic, and the New Orleans iced coffee is even better!
Make sure to take this detour on any lazy (or not so lazy) Saturday morning.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Oh sweet mystery of life!!!
I have been a Barista on and off for a total of 3 years. I would not say that I have an advanced palate, but it is a little picky.
Blue Bottle is the best I have had thus far. I will keep this brief so I can post on the Blue Bottle pages, but let me say that their cappuccinos are heaven in your mouth.
I am not much of a coffee connoisseur... went on account of 'he said she said' messages about this being good local coffee spot...
Intriguing coffee garage - easily missed if not particularly looking for the place. Simply had the expresso at the bar - was very strong rich and creamy -- i wish i added a lot more sugar. That's how I like it! Would be back for more!
What do you do immediately following a fasting blood draw? In my world, it involves massive quantities of caffeine.
St. Hubbins volunteered to play SF cabbie for me the other day, so I thought it was time we check out Blue Bottle for his trouble. I was secretly giddy with anticipation, since my luv has been steadily developing mad roasting and extracting skillz over the past few years and has made significant investments in the kind of coffee-related equipment that gets the typical hubby banned to the garage. We currently don't have a garage. Brilliant man, that one. So could Blue Bottle outshine my favorite roaster/barista?
I found it little odd to see a line out into the alley/street at 10:30am on a weekday. But this stuff is somewhat legendary, so we were up for a wait, if necessary--meter maid be damned. The line moved quickly. Mr. Contractually-Obligated ordered a double-shot espresso for the initial test. We both pretended not to watch the other for evidence of a reaction. Strange. No involuntary eye-closure. No secret toe-curling. No blatant moans of approval. It was politely received. The subsequent cappuccino was good. The mocha, at $4.50, was pricey, but made with Recchiuti chocolate (which I'll give in to always) and was not the least bit sugary. You know that baby was mine-all-mine. My sweet requested a sip, which I reluctantly gave up. SHARE? What the hell was he thinking?! I did like it, but I didn't consider it plan-a-pilgrimage great.
We brought home a half-pound of the Hayes Valley Espresso beans roasted just two days prior to set us up with a little home-extracted wakey-wakey before heading out to a concert that evening. The Zen master gave the beans 8.5 out of a possible 10. It did make for some nice cappuccinos.
Overall, this is very good quality coffee, served skillfully, efficiently and cheerfully. I would make it a regular stop if it was close by. Minus one star for not being served by a hot, naked barista in the comfort of my living room. Trust me, it just tastes better that way. ; )
People thought this was:
Useful (9)
Funny (9)
Cool (9)
It's no Espresso Vivace (in Seattle), but it's the best in the city. I'm tempted to dock them a star for lacking a Blue Bottle Webcam so I can see how long the line is before walking over, but I don't think that's a standard I would expect other places to live up to so I shall not. :-)
1 Previous Review:
-
04/22/2008
Amazing coffee, amazingly slow.
But come to think of it, I don't want them to speed up.People thought this was:
Cool (1)
Disclaimer - I don't drink coffee very much.
A friend of mine in London is crazy about Espresso. So as a house gift when I went to visit him, I brought him quite a bit of BlueBottle espresso from this shop. He loved it.
Also, they have really good iced coffee. *yum*
The drip coffee is spectacular - worth waiting in line in an alley for. The espresso drinks are equally great, and the kind and indulgent barista taught me how to make a leaf in my cappuccino foam, and that's just super cool.
The only place I know with better coffee than Blue Bottle Linden, is Blue Bottle by the Mint.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (6)
Cool (6)
Yea Yea Yea...I know
Since moving to the city from Seattle I have noticed that certain places have a ridic amount of reviews, but this is my morning coffee shop and therefore I feel entitled to Yelp about it....plus I feel I have enough coffee cred to do so as well (I did live in the Emerald City for three years).
I stick with the Drip or Americano....nice, consistent pulls, fair crema, and perfectly adaptable to my cream and sugar explosions. There is occasional barista eye candy and at other times there is straight up rude attitude, but I can take most anything people can dish.
Oh and the little peanut butter cookies from Miette....little bites from heaven...I swear God endorses both BlueBottle and Miette...yep...simultaneously!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
OVERRATED.
word. i get it. love dank coffee, but this spot can be such a freaking scene, filled with thirty-year-olds holding little dogs on a leash, talking about internet gossip on their iphones.
i guess it's just the hood and i'm glad the spot's raking in cash hand-over-fist, but if i walk by and see the line has more then 6 people in it (which means i'm going to have to stand around that scum for ten minutes) i'll probably go and get perfectly passable from any of the other cafes in hayes val.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
Came here during Capsule. I was a bit irritated with the line at first. A line?! To get coffee?! Plus, everyone in SF crazes over Peet's and I think Peet's sucks. So I was thinking Bluebottle Coffee would be the same. Boy was I wrong!
I got a latte. It was yummy. The art is really cool and they do it so quickly. And the thing I like most about this place is that you don't need to worry yourself with temperature. They don't steam their milk piping hot like other cafes. They steam it to the perfect, ready drinkable temperature.
Yum, Yum, Yum.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (4)
Cool (5)
Finally got around to trying this the other day! Best latte I've ever had? Probably. Eager to come back and wait in line for 30 minutes behind groups of smug hipsters with perfectly sculpted "messed up hair" and skinny jeans, complaining about their financial hardships and "the man" while waiting in line for 30 minutes to fork over more than $3 for a cup of coffee (irony, anybody?), again? No , thanks. Give me a cup of Philz over this place any day!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
The iced coffee is cold steeped for 10 hours. And it keeps you going and going for just as long! Yum yum yum yum.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
04/23/2008
I braced for the disappointment. How can Bluebottle live up to the hype?
It's good. I admit -- I'm… Read more »
Maybe cause I've significantly cut back on my caffeine intake, but this coffee fucked. me. up. And I'm the kind of person who loves me a good upper. I got shaky sick for the rest of the day, as well as my law school student studying coffee fiend friend. Eh, maybe we're just weak. It does taste good though.
Love in the form of a latte.
Fortunate enough to be staying with friends who live mere blocks from this blessed caffeine peddling garage, I had the pleasure of enjoying Blue Bottle during a recent weekend visit. Although my family is staying on the Embarcadero during our trip to SF later this summer, I'm already plotting out how many times I can go back in those 10 days. A girlfriend claims that it was Blue Bottle that sealed the deal on her move from DC to SF. Now that I've tasted it, I will admit to pondering the same thing...
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (4)
The coffee here is STRONG. Given its location and the clientele I've observed, this is where you go if you're a yuppie that wants to get wired but have qualms about smoking crack or meth... actually, that's a pretty dramatic comparison, but the kick from their individually brewed coffee cups is narcotic.
I had it once and I was peeing every 20 minutes for 2-3 hours and could not fall asleep until 3 hours past my usual bed time that night (and I had this coffee at around 10am). I also could not hold a thought since the caffeine had my brain moving too fast.
For other people I talked to, this place is great. Maybe they get espresso drinks or just have a high tolerance for caffeine (as I have in the past). Whatever it is, it's not for me.
Finally, there's no place to sit and that line takes forever.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
It's not that the coffee tastes horrible, it's everything else about it that ruins it. The long lines, the lazy staff, the high prices. There is a fairly new woman who works there (apparently an unbelievably bitchy assistant manager) who ruined my last coffee because she was chit-chatting with her co-worker and didn't listen to my order. Such a long wait too...then I had to wait an extra 7 minutes for the re-do.
The last good time I got coffee was when the guy with the gray hair made it (a year ago?...he's long gone). Since then, it's amateur city. The coffee is lukewarn, almost cool actually. Takes *forever* to get your order. Attitudes abound, they seem to have very high turnover. I don't mind waiting on line, but when I get to the counter I expect what I ordered. Beware of putting a tip in their huge tip jar before you receive your coffee, you might want it back after they mess up your order and then get mad at you for asking for what you really ordered. Seems fitting Blue Bottle is located in hyper-pretentious Hayes Valley. Their location on Polk Street closed almost immediately. I don't know why, but there are a lot better cafes all around them. In Hayes Valley, there are none. Perhaps that is why they have such sucky attitudes.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Nothing satisfies this girl like a nice big cup of piping hot, freshly ground, brewed coffee first thing in the morning.
Until recently, I've been going to Starbucks for my daily fix before work. While Starbucks is still my favorite coffeeshop, Blue Bottle coffeebeans is quickly gaining a spot in my heart.
My floormate at work, Scott, used to supply a small group of us with wonderful coffee everyday, well...twice a day. He had left a month ago and I have been fortunate to 'inherit' his coffee grinder. To keep the coffee tradition alive, we decided to buy some Blue Bottle coffee.
When we got to Blue Bottle, we couldn't decide which beans to get. The staff was very friendly, asking for our preference and recommending the beans that he thought we would like. We ended up getting 2 bags because they both sounded really good.
So of the 2 beans we got: Bella Donovan & Giant Steps, I love love LOVE Giant Steps! It's sooooo delicious! It's very dark and chocolatey. And just smells wonderful!!!! I love it!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
I've had Blue Bottle coffee at Tartine Bakery, and always find it delicious so I was pleasantly surprised to find this coffee stand tucked away in an alley (Linden Place) in Hayes Valley. And it is just that, a coffee stand, no bells and whistles, no tables or chairs, just a coffee stand where you can get gourmet coffee at its best. Standard for me of course is the soy latte, and just like at Tartine, here at the coffee stand my drink is beautifully crafted with a flower pattern on top resulting from a skilled mixture of frothed milk and coffee (if I can figure out how to do this myself, I could be rich). As there was not an obvious place to sit, I ended up taking the drink (along with assorted pastries purchased at nearby Miette) and sitting at a different sunny sidewalk cafe to enjoy the delightful experience of delicious coffee and artisan pastries .
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
Hands down amazing if not the best Lattes in town. It's made all the lattes I've had after them taste like watered down fake milk.
Friendly staff, doggie biscuits and they sell coffee beans too so you can make then at home. I wished I lived closer to this place because this is where i'd be every morning before going to work.
I like Blue Bottle because you don't need that cardboard waffle strip that prevents you from burning your hand. I think the rule is, if your coffee is so effing hot... that you need an extra layer of cardboard between the cup and your calloused hand, maybe you shouldn't pour it down your esophagus.
I don't know when companies started serving coffee blistering hot because they noticed people were just going to dump a ton of cream in it, but it was a sad day for coffee everywhere. I blame big dairy for this, they have deep pockets and must have a great publicist. And if you are the kind of person who says "Hey, I take my coffee with 2 sugars, and a 55 gallon drum of white liquid fat in it, but I will be pissed if it's not served to me hot afterwards....," then maybe coffee isn't the beverage for you.
And I don't like to point fingers, but I'm looking at you Peet's. Stop pandering to the 2 percenters just because you're magma is served in in every Whole Foods. Cool it... literally. And Lavazza, you have the word "lava" right in your name, you are not even trying to hide it.
Good coffee is complex, nuanced and meant to be enjoyed just like a fine wine, and I rarely...nay, seldomly pour cream into my wine. Blue Bottle is great because they don't punish their customers for enjoying their coffee black....and beautiful, the way god intended. Oh and it also tastes good.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I walked the dog by this place maybe 3 months ago and was thrilled to see the crowd it attracted and the SF friendliness of a local place. I remember pre-dot coms when this city had mom & pop coffee shops all over. I am glad that I finally got back to this place.
I guess it doesn't shock me that some bitch about yuppies and freaks but that is part and parcel of living in a city...get over it people. The alley is kinda cartoonishly urban in that there is graffiti all over but there are a few Melrose (WeHo) style shops and a mixed crowd milling around. One could think they are walking through a Mouseketeers "urban" set before they rap about sunny days and ice cream. Nevertheless, I think both sides of the clientle spectrum try too damn hard but that is another story.
The thing to really yelp about is not the line nor the location but rather the product, i.e. the coffee. Pretty damn tasty! I did a meeting outdoors with this as our stop off. We sat in the Octavia park and held our meeting over a couple cups of coffee.
The coffee was smooth, well balanced and very flavorful. I am suggesting this type of meeting again!
There is only one way to make coffee. Finely grind carefully roasted, gourmet coffee beans, transfer the ground black, powdery substance into a paper filter, drop said filter and its contents into a ceramic cone, pour extremely hot water over the grounds, allowing the liquid to fall into your mug. Imbibe, with a smile. These guys get it!!!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
How I laughed when I heard tell of this oh-so-precious-little coffee stand, their seemingly too-fussy methodology and, naturally, the over-compensating, trendy, and probably extra-snooty clientele. How could I ever take such a thing seriously, let alone pay nearly 4 bucks for an espresso (that includes the tip for the poor oppressed working class barrista forced, like a performing poodle, to endure the humiliations inherent in this clearly sinister capitalist sideshow.)
See that guy standing in line behind 7 other coffee fanatics? That's me, a crema lapping fiend who, whenever I find $5 in my jeans runs down to Linden for a fix.
The drip coffee, too, was a revelation. I haven't tried taking the beans home, but once I scrape up the cash, that might be the big plan. My own little Bluebottle stand right in my kitchen-- only slightly less like an alley with more comfortable seating. But for the espresso, they'll always have me for a customer.
