Buster's Coffee

4.0 star rating
144 reviews Rating Details

Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Coffee & Tea  [Edit]

1006 Mission St
South Pasadena, CA 91030
(626) 441-0744
Hours:

Mon-Wed 6:30 am - 7 pm

Thu 6:30 am - 8 pm

Fri 6:30 am - 9 pm

Sat 7 am - 9 pm

Sun 7 am - 8 pm

Price Range:
$
Accepts Credit Cards:
No
Parking:
Street
Outdoor Seating:
Yes
Wi-Fi:
Free
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Review Highlights   

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"LA METRO FRIENDLY: Use Mission Gold Line Metro exit." (in 24 reviews)
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"and of course the FOSSELMAN's ice cream is kick ass." (in 27 reviews)
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"It also offers free Wi-Fi to the masses." (in 5 reviews)
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144 reviews in English

  • Review from Sarah P.

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    • 0 friends
    • 8 reviews

    South Pasadena, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/22/2012

    I have been coming to Buster's since they opened 25 years ago and I was 6 years old! I love their coffee; it is not painfully strong, like Starbucks coffee, which gives me the jitters!

    Their pastries are delicious, and the ambience is very relaxed. Everyone who works there is very friendly.

    I love sitting out in the sun at Buster's to read, chat, or work. The only issue I have with Buster's is that there are always smokers sitting outside, and South Pasadena is supposed to be a "no smoking" city, with all businesses posting "no smoking" signs. I wish this were enforced at Buster's, because I often have to move inside or leave because of smokers.

  • Review from Sophia C.

    Sherman Oaks, CA

    3.0 star rating
    Updated - 2/4/2012

    Oi...their peanut butter cookie and chocolate brownie was overly sweet. What, sweets that are overly sweet, how can that be?

    It was good, I'm not complaining, but I guess I should have bought a large sized milk to wash all that sugar down!

    Was this review …?

    1 Previous Review: Show all »

    • 4.0 star rating
      1/31/2012

      Definitely a place to relax and curl up to a good book with a latte or heck, even Fosselman's ice… Read more »

  • Review from Jon R.

    South Pasadena, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/19/2012 8 Check-ins Here

    Great for a date!

    Nice decor, great ice cream/shakes, good coffee/lattes, sweet location (within crawling distance of Gold Line station).

    Staff is really chill too! All around good coffee shop!

  • Review from Winnie H.

    Covina, CA

    3.0 star rating
    12/13/2011

    Pop Quiz:  You're riding the Metro Gold Line and suddenly have a craving for ice cream.  What do you do?

    Hop off the train at Mission Station in South Pasadena and head to Buster's.  It's the triangular building next to the train tracks.  The place is a quaint coffee shop that serves Fosselman's ice cream so it's pretty easy to get a caffeine and sugar fix in one spot.  I usually like to take my ice cream cone for a walk down Mission St. to window shop.  It's good to enjoy simple things once in a while.

  • Review from Wasin L.

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    • 22 friends
    • 58 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    3.0 star rating
    11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Stumbled across this local neighborhood gem a few years ago when my sister and I were craving tuna sandwiches are were looking for a place that had decent ones.  And since then, Buster's has been the place I come to for my sandwiches if I'm too lazy to make my own! (Which isn't all too often though since I do enjoy cooking actual meals)  I do find myself stopping by here when I am waiting for a friend that uses the Metro line to commute. Buster's is conveniently right next to the Mission street Gold line stop.

    The sandwiches here are pre-made and wrapped ready for order, but it doesn't mean they're not fresh.  There's a good selection to choose from.  I really like the tuna, roasted turkey with cranberry, Italian, or hummus but the rest on the menu is good too.

    Want something to drink with your food? You can get coffee, tea, smoothies, or even frozen yogurt but your order might take a while to come. Buster's is also known for offering Fosselman's Ice Cream but I personally don't see what the big deal is. I'm from Alhambra and the original Fosselman's Ice Cream shop is down the street from my place, so I've had their ice cream a numerous amount of time growing up. It's good, but it's not something I'd go out of my way just to come get.

  • Review from Jessika L.

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    • 30 friends
    • 49 reviews

    South Pasadena, CA

    3.0 star rating
    12/13/2011

    When I'm running late, I hop over to Buster's and let them make my coffee--BIG soy latte, please!

    The staff is always friendly and quick and they make a pretty good latte.  

    Their oatmeal is pretty good too.

    It's nice to sit out front and people-watch if you have the time as well.

    I always wish that they would just take debit cards instead of having to do the funky atm thing....

    Really nice to have a good coffee shop nearby.

    If you're in So. Pasadena, don't bother with sub-par Kaldi, hit up Buster's!

  • Review from JE M.

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    • 1 friend
    • 2 reviews

    South Pasadena, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/20/2012

    Great spot. Great coffee and ice cream. Super friendly staff.

  • Review from Poachedeggs g.

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    • 54 friends
    • 189 reviews

    Orange County, CA

    5.0 star rating
    12/6/2011

    One of the BEST ice cream! - forgot the name, but it's the one with the darkest brown color. Goes perfect with a waffle cone! The ice cream is from Fosselman's in Alhambra :)

    Yays
    ice cream
    ambiance and decor
    location: quaint area
    free wi-fi

    Try
    expresso
    frozen yogurt

  • Review from Bill W.

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    • 65 friends
    • 28 reviews

    Monterey Park, CA

    5.0 star rating
    1/9/2012

    Cheap food, great ice cream.

  • Review from Matthew C.

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    • 47 friends
    • 71 reviews

    Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    10/12/2011

    The appeal of this place is hard to underestimate - it has that precarious blend of small town American ice-cream shop and Seattle influenced coffee hub, which is probably why it brings in just about every demographic from South Pasadena and Pasadena (re: all ages and bourgeois). From too-cool-for-school Art Center hipsters to entire squads of AYSO soccer munchkins and their moms, you'll find 'em here. And given the frequency the Pasadena area pops up in feature films, expect it to inevitably feature in some sticky-sweet romcom.

    It works equally well as a place to read (except when the kids be goin' crazy on that sugar high) or as a place for small meetings and conversations. And they occasionally have live music, which is always a plus.

    While the coffee drinks are well made and will hit the spot, it shines more as an ice cream parlor. The Italian Ices are awesome, as are the shakes and smoothies. The one ingredient that glues these all together is, of course, Fosselman's ice cream. Oh them Fosselman's.

    It's a South Pas institution and given the rehab of the Mission Train Station area, it will be for quite some time. Bring a date, 'cause its super cute, intimate and a great place to Pasadena people watch.

  • Review from Jenna C.

    Pasadena, CA

    4.0 star rating
    10/18/2011 1 photo 1 Check-in Here

    Although I'm an anti-sweet coffee girl, I'm really excited about fall and ordered a pumpkin latte at Buster's Coffee this past weekend.  My boyfriend and I each ordered the large single-shot, nonfat pumpkin latte for here.  

    The barista was nice, but it took a little longer than expected.  No big deal, I wasn't in a big rush.  When he brought the lattes to the counter, I was surprised to see that they were in tall glass cups.  THey were a little hot to handle, but oh well.  

    I didn't have cash, so I gave him my ATM card to withdraw money from.  He handed me the pin pad and I entered my PIN... So you can use ATM cards, they just have an ATM machine below the cash register.  

    The lattes were pretty good, and the outdoor seating was nice.  It's not a super busy area of Pasadena (on a Sunday afternoon at least), but there's enough to look at and people watch.

  • Review from Mike S.

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    • 3 friends
    • 32 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    5.0 star rating
    10/22/2011

    I've now lived in LA since 2005.  Man, had I known of Fosselman's ice cream sooner, I certainly wouldn't have waited six years.  

    My god, wow.  Their Mocha Almond Fudge is somethin' else.  Seriously.  Beyond bomb.   I'll have to check out Fosselman's retail location.

    But anyway, Buster's is very charming.  The neighborhood is great.  We were there to scope out a possible move from West LA to South Pasadena.  

    Buster's has a great location in some sort of mini-downtown.  All the shops seem to be independent and good quality.  

    Buster's has an upstairs, downstairs, and outside seating.  They have wi-fi for those so inclined.  (I've never understood studying or reading anywhere but at home, but that's just me.  I'm not a coffee drinker so that probably plays a role.)

    Buster's is priced very reasonably.  I wish I could tell you more about other menu items, but all we had was ice cream and a chocolate chip cookie which was good.  Er, I should also mention that they have cold water and cups available away from the service area.  That's much appreciated.  Nice touch.  I hate having to ask for water at cafe-like places.

    Even though we didn't try much else, who cares?  From what I could tell, it's primarily an ice cream shop.  And in my view, a damn good one, as good as it gets.

    Five stars.

  • Review from Ching T.

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    • 1611 friends
    • 900 reviews

    Whittier, CA

    4.0 star rating
    8/14/2011 4 Check-ins Here

    Old school charming coffee, ice cream and dessert house that you JUST can't miss driving up and down Mission.  In fact, its probably the very first thing you notice when you tear your eyes from the beautifully landscaped and lush surrounding area of the Mission Metro station http://www.yelp.com/bi... because Buster's distinctive red brick wedge shaped building is so obvious!  

    I don't see many places that look like this, on the inside, in LA anymore.  Not even any of the famed ice cream fountain places like Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain http://www.yelp.com/bi... or even long ago Farrel's Ice Cream (remember those?) looked like this.  It's authentically quirky, colorful, organic, health conscious, community oriented, handmade to order...it's just kitschy cool!

    Buster's has become one of my fav's to while away an afternoon people watching upstairs while sipping on my soy milk honey iced smoothie or enjoying a scoop of Fosselman's ice cream.  Love the FREE WIFI here too!

    NOTE:  Use of DEBIT CARDS only accepted in addition to cash and there is a $10 minimum with use of Debit Cards, but you get your change back in cash.  There's also a 75 cent surcharge.  :(

    LA METRO FRIENDLY: Use Mission Gold Line Metro exit. It's literally in front of you right across the street from the Metro Station.

  • Review from Amy S.

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    • 100 friends
    • 178 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    9/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here

    This is a really cute coffee spot in Pasadena! Right off the train tracks (which runs often) and across from a dope little bookstore that sells records and used books.

    In the mood for Coffee or Ice cream? Have both! Buster's features plenty of flavors of Fosselman's Ice Cream and generally good coffees and lattes. It's no Intelligentsia - nothing like that. Buster's is a mom and pop, old-school chill little nook that's a great meeting place for people in the community and families.

    There's plenty of outside/inside seating and an upstairs area for more private conversation or jamming out on the computer.

    2 hour street parking around the neighborhood.

    Thanks for the recommendation from my friend, Pasadena local, Connie!

  • Review from Marissa B.

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    • 23 friends
    • 285 reviews

    Marina del Rey, CA

    5.0 star rating
    8/26/2011

    Super cuuuuuuuuute coffee hangout that my friend and I went to today!

    Guy friend & I shared a veggie quiche, I had a chocolate frapuccino, an almond croissant, but because of my big eyes could not finish the foods, only my drink. Funny, I know.

    This was THE greatest place to people watch, there was a hottie who was a gentleman asking me if it was OK to tie his dog by my chair outside, while he ordered inside. I was gracious and said yes of course(inside, I was thinking hopefully we will meet again LOL; what a classy, polite,charming, & thoughtful guy). They say a pet is just like their owner and the dog was well groomed, handsome, and cute...aaah I digress! =)

    I loved how nice the manager was when taking our order. Excellent customer service here, charming, quiant, cozy, friendly. My friend and I went upstairs to check the place out and found more tables to sit and we had a nice view.

    I definitely plan on being a regular here....They have free wifi, so next time going to bring my laptop! Loved it here this morning! =)

    But the icing on the cake today? There was a film crew and lots of gorgeous everything LOL....

  • Review from Tim E.

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    • 434 friends
    • 762 reviews

    Arcadia, CA

    3.0 star rating
    8/8/2011 2 photos 1 Check-in Here

    I'm not much of a coffee drinker though I like coffee candy. We were at Mix & Munch last Friday and my friend mentioned they have Fossellman's so guess what we did.

    They had limited flavors but that's all good and we sat their watching the Metro coming down the street and the flowing of cars whiz by. This place is a cool place just to hang out and chill. We chilled out on the bench and shot the sh*t.

  • Review from C V.

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    • 14 friends
    • 27 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    12/6/2011

    My favorite coffee shop in South Pas. Used to come here on a regular basis for their coffee, smoothies and ice cream, all so good! Good place to hang out and read a book.

  • Review from John A.

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    • 1174 friends
    • 118 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    5.0 star rating
    7/1/2011

    Busters is part of the Bajadena Landscape. I have images etched in my mind of times in the not so distant past spent with cone or cup in hand waving at the engineer. Or crossing over mission as the last of the July 4th Parade heads down toward Garfield Park and me I grab something smooth and cold so that I may follow. It was such a hot July 4th upon arriving at Garfield Park there were more kids waiting to be dunkees than dunkers. Or sitting on the cushion seat in the window brewing a pot of Darjeeling, as the drops blop blop on the awning, then down on to the sidewalk, on to the gutter, flowing, rolling, going down the Arroyo, down to the Sea.

    This small coffe and ice cream place is my favorite destination when going for a walk. The coffee drinks, sandwiches and pastries are all first rate, and the ice cream and soda fountain is great when I want a treat. They serve Fosselman's ice cream, and make all sorts of fountain drinks. It's also a great place to take the kids for a treat at the weekly South Pasadena Farmers Market.

  • Review from Xing M.

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    • 33 friends
    • 43 reviews

    Alhambra, CA

    3.0 star rating
    11/25/2011 1 Check-in Here

    They serve Fosselman's ice cream.  Good place to chill on a sunny day.  Didn't get to try anything else.  Will update my rating next time when I actually try out other items on the menu.

  • Review from sabrina l.

    Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    7/22/2011

    We only got the Fosselman's ice cream here but I love mom and pop coffee shops. We had already eaten brunch and Mike & Anne's down the street earlier but it was a hot day so we topped it off with scoops of ice cream. I got my daughter a strawberry ice cream, I got the Jamoca Almond Fudge, and my cousins split some other flavor but I can'r remember which one.

    Since we got ice cream from another establishment and not Buster's, I guess this review useless for those who drink coffe.
    But it seemed like a nice hang out spot minus the metro trains that pass through which can rather noisy as the bells ring when the gates come down.

    The place was pretty busy so I take it as a good sign.
    Parking can be a pain in this area but if you take the metro, then it's convenient.

  • Review from Leilani R.

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    • 40 friends
    • 68 reviews

    Pasadena, CA

    5.0 star rating
    8/19/2011 1 photo 6 Check-ins Here

    Growing up in small town South Pasadena there are a handful of places that are icons. Fair Oaks Pharmacy, Hi-Life, Carmine's.... and then there's Buster's!

    Buster's has been a long time hangout for the locals, and for good reason. Its a cute little tucked away place that is perfect just to have a cream soda or sundae and have a long afternoon chat, or go upstairs and study or read a good book. Now that the Gold Metro Line has a stop right near it, its easily accessible to those who aren't locals.  

    Buster's is dog-friendly, they have a dog bowl for water if you go inside and ask for it.

    Food here is awesome!!! I love the assortment of treats they serve using Fosselman's ice cream, which is the best in the San Gabriel Valley. The smoothies are such a manna from heaven when its boiling outside and you just want to sit down and take a break. My daughter loves just having an ice cream cone, my son loves the italian sodas and my dog loves to just have her water and people watch.

    Coffees and cappucinos are very good too. Their assortment of baked goods and desserts in the window case are always fresh and takes a huge amount of will not to buy more than one when I visit.

    I have always found the employees there to be fast and friendly. Hugs to the guy who made my iced strawberry smoothie the other day who patiently hunted down the hidden jug of orange juice and then added extra banana to my drink. You made my day!!

  • Review from Janet P.

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    • 269 friends
    • 227 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    5/18/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Serves Fosselman's ice cream, which is great to eat while walking around and exploring the little stores nearby.

    In addition to the ice cream counter, you can also get coffee and sandwiches.  There is some seating available on the ground floor and more upstairs.  

    One nice perk about coming here with kids is that there are some benches outside the store, and you can sit and watch the Metro train going by at regular intervals.

  • Review from Pippi L.

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    • 73 friends
    • 81 reviews

    South Pasadena, CA

    4.0 star rating
    7/20/2011 4 Check-ins Here

    Buster's is one of the many highlights of South Pasadena. The owners have obviously carefully maintained the overall aesthetic and cleanliness of this cool little much-more-than-a-coffee-shop-stop abutting the Mission Station Goldline metro (unlike nearby Kaldi, which has a beautiful location and SO much potential, but never appears very clean). And I'm so pleased to see that Buster's added more tables outside along the side of the building where there is generally more shade as well as a view of the metro passing by.

    Their coffee, espresso, and food are all consistently good. My personal favorite is their Italian sandwich!

    This is the type of family owned shop that brings unique identity to little So. Pas and keeps one attached to their town.

  • Review from Chris B.

    Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    6/16/2011

    "Foodlatio" (Palatable 140 character reviews blog):

    Your color is loud, your building is shaped funny, your food choices are odd but you are still loveable. You are the Grimace of coffeehouses.

  • Review from Chris G.

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    • 46 friends
    • 2 reviews

    Glendale, CA

    1.0 star rating
    3/8/2011 1 photo

    Horrible Service!! I went in for an iced green tea latte, and they dropped a green tea bag into cold milk, and handed it over...

    I said, ummm what's this?

    And the bitchy employee responded, "what?? Are you expecting Starbucks!?"

  • Review from Ray C.

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    • 101 friends
    • 91 reviews

    Princeton, NJ

    4.0 star rating
    6/21/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Heard a lot of great things about it and came here for the first time...it was pretty cool! I love trying small coffee shops (even though I frequent Starbucks).

    Service was friendly and the Fosselman's ice cream is pretty good. It's nice because it's quiet, there are lots of tables, and it's in such a cool area next to Heirloom, Mix n Munch, and the Metro station.

    Definitely coming here again to try some more of their drinks... I didn't have my computer, but free wifi is definitely a big plus

  • Review from Tyler C.

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    • 45 friends
    • 12 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    6/26/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Great little spot to have a cup of coffee and a pastry, and relax in a beautiful area of South Pas. Prices are a little steep and they are cash only, but the service is good, the atmosphere friendly and comfortable, and they have free wi-fi.

    Nice to sit along Mission and people watch and take a stroll after your cup.

    Highly recommended over many of the other coffee spots around.

  • Review from Mac M.

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    • 28 friends
    • 68 reviews

    South Pasadena, CA

    3.0 star rating
    10/20/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Lattes are warm, service slow, coffee and treats are good.. Great meeting spot, easy to find, easy to get to, bright and sunny spot.  wish their servers were not so much asleep at the wheel.

  • Review from Michael L.

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    • 0 friends
    • 96 reviews

    Warrenville, IL

    4.0 star rating
    11/3/2011

    Great coffee spot on a great street in South Pasadena filled with wine stores and little shops. Busters has many different drinks and they always are made really well. They have ice cream here too but I've never had any, looks pretty standard. There is a small area with tables downstairs and an area upstairs where there are usually people on their laptops. They have wifi but you will have to bring cash. They don't take credit/debit and they have some kind of old school ATM sitting on a rack on the wall.

  • Review from J S.

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    • 1 friend
    • 12 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    1.0 star rating
    10/8/2011

    There's so many things that Buster's has going for it - a fantastic location, good coffee, and a quirky/quaint atmosphere.

    But all of that is overshadowed by the rude service and the people (or maybe it's just one guy that others have referenced) who work there that make you feel like you're putting them out by ordering.  This has happened to me on more than one occasion, so I've opted to go elsewhere.

  • Review from Kat G.

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    • 8 friends
    • 57 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    5.0 star rating
    3/26/2011

    Yummy reasonable priced soy vanilla latte
    +
    90's alternative that reminds me of middle school
    +
    Two floors with lots of tables
    +
    Close to the Gold Line  AAAAANNNNNNDDDD
    A clean bathroom (yes... they are NOT extinct ppl)
    =
    I think I just found my new study spot. :D

  • Review from Pilar D.

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    • 115 friends
    • 128 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    3.0 star rating
    1/10/2011 1 Check-in Here

    This place was really cute and right off the Gold Line in a nice, quiet neighborhood; Busters and the area have a really nice character and small town feel.  I came here on a Monday after work so the coffee shop and the area were pretty quiet.  It looked like the neighborhood shuts down pretty early, but Busters was open.  At least until 7 pm.

    There were only a few people at Busters by early evening.  The shop had an upstairs area with more space to sit down.  Patrons looked like they were local.  The whole atmosphere was pretty laid back.

    I love, love the atmosphere.  This is a good place to meet up with friends and maybe do some work.   However, I must say that the seats are not too comfortable, at least not the benches against the window upstairs.  No large comfy chairs.

    Also, though the bread pudding was great my mocha latte was just ok.

  • Review from Jose L.

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    • 108 friends
    • 246 reviews

    Fontana, CA

    3.0 star rating
    10/5/2010

    There's a southern part of Pasadena?  Did they have a civil war?  If they did, I can understand it'd be over Fosselman's Chocolate dipped strawberry ice cream.  

    I earned that ice cream fair and square when I finished working over 12 hours at the on-location set of "Love Bites" on the hottest day in Los Angeles (9/27) ever recorded since weather was...um..being recorded.  One hundred twelve degrees Fahrenheit in my face!

    The "North" can keep their crummy Colorado Blvd, charming longwithstanding bars, Paul Fleming Chang's, diagonal crosswalks that stop traffic four ways and talks to blind people, and fake faux (that means 'real') stores situated in buildings that have been there since the late 19th century - or well before some of those companies were even born (I'm talking to *you* Pottery Barn).

    Buster's Coffee is a great date spot, so nyeh! to you, "North" Pasadena.  It's

    -near the Gold Line,
    -there's a 2nd floor,
    -got fresh baked goods,
    -plenty of coffee,
    -cheery helpful staff and
    -within walking distance to other cafes, a yoga studio, a sewing shop, costume shop, and a pop culture collectibles shop that sells 50s posters and classic tin lunchboxes.  

    Put THAT in your corn cob pipe and smoke it, "North" Pasadena.

  • Review from Diana I.

    Los Angeles, CA

    3.0 star rating
    7/13/2010

    I love this area of South Pasadena! Mission St. has so many quaint stores and eateries! And it's easy to find free 2-hour or 3-hour parking nearby.

    They have free wifi here so you can bring your laptop to lounge around while sipping on your coffee or enjoying your Fosselman's ice cream cone. But it's not that quiet, or it wasn't the last time I went because there were a lot of kids running around so I don't know if I'd ever want to study here...

    I tried their turkey & cranberry sandwich. I was a little sad to see that it was pre-made and packaged already. The guy just unwrapped it and put it on a plate for me, but overall it tasted pretty good. But then again, I'm a huge fan of the turkey + cranberry combo so I might be a little biased. Their iced mocha was pretty delicious too, but next time I want to try one of their hot drinks! They have a pretty good assortment of baked goods too.

    *CASH ONLY! But they have an ATM machine inside for your convenience.

  • Review from Lily Y.

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    • 129 friends
    • 100 reviews

    Cerritos, CA

    4.0 star rating
    7/1/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I finally got the chance to try the coffee here. It's a cute place on Mission. They have coffee drinks, smoothies, ice cream, and sandwiches. I tried their iced mocha and it's AMAZING! I like it a lot better than Starbucks. It's not too sweet, and you can definitely taste the coffee. :)

  • Review from Vicente L.

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    • 0 friends
    • 10 reviews

    South Pasadena, CA

    5.0 star rating
    8/26/2011

    An institution that strives for greatness. South Pas's finest coffee, folks. and the pastries, oh gosh THE PASTRIES. berrrryyyyy cobleeerrrrrr has me writing nonsensically. great ice cream selection, right by the metro station for a quaff before adventures or a post-lunch cafecito. Staff is super friendly, the ambiance is cozy coffee house with some socal chic, and everything is reasonably priced whilst being unreasonably delicious.

    also my cappuccino was freaking delicious today (8/28/11)

  • Review from Chrissy L.

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    • 22 friends
    • 77 reviews

    Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    1/21/2011

    Busters! A throwback to the ice cream parlor days!

    I LOVE that Busters 1) is right off the Mission Goldline stop 2) has a selection of goodies - ice cream, cookies, sandwiches, and my favorite bread pudding 3) has their own space upstairs for study goers like me to congregate 4) has a clean bathroom.

    I wish there were more outlets and more/bigger tables for studying. I wish they took credit cards (it is only cash). Sometimes it gets really difficult to study because of the afternoon teeny boppers arriving after school - but hey its a cool hangout for them too. Just avoid between 3 and 5 if you really want a quiet chill place to study.

  • Review from Jonathan T.

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    • 193 friends
    • 298 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    4.0 star rating
    8/18/2010

    The Short and Shorter of IT:

    a) Very Homey Joint with Kitschy Art Deco and 50's Decor, and decent coffee.

    b) Premade Sammiches arrive all wrapped up RIGHT AFTER YOU ORDER THEM--no typical indie coffee house slacker wait times!

    c) Said Pre-made Sammies are HUGE, and of above average taste (though not the best i've ever had by any account). The french baguette bread is nice and chewy and a bit crunchy, just how i like it...
      My 'Hummus Sandwich' was stocked with lettuce, tomato, avocado, raw carrots, and, luckily, not overwhelmed by the sprouts. you know how so many places go medieval with the sprouts!?! ;O0

    d) A negative 'quirk' of the joint is that you are forbidden from using the wi-fi downstairs, forcing one to make a harrowing climb up steep creaky steps to the 2nd floor in order to blast off into cyberspace!

    e) The negative turns into positive as you relax at vintage 1950's tables with sparkly vinyl chairs watching the hustle and bustle of Mission St. South Pas go by. Ok, well there's not much hustle and bustle save for a MILF or three and some old pruney ladies but hey, i'm here to work, not for the scenery, yo! :O)

    f) Me likes watching the Gold Line Light Rail chug on by, whee hee!

    g-ee!), the peeps who work here are friendly, not crabby non-plussed types like most of the hipster downers i encounter in silver lake/echo park...how refreshing!

    DONE.

  • Review from Randy M.

    •  
    • 73 friends
    • 317 reviews

    Los Angeles, CA

    5.0 star rating
    8/4/2010

    The Minutemen's guitarist, D. Boon, once said "Every block in every neighborhood should have a band on it."

    This is how I feel about places such as Buster's.  Every neighborhood should have a coffee shop like this.  It's a meeting place, an art gallery, a reading room, an office extension, and of course, a coffee and ice cream shop.

    Buster's is a community center disguised as an ice cream shop. It's the kind of place that you go to unwind after a particularly stressful day or to wrap up a weekend afternoon of site-seeing, shopping or just being outdoors.

    Really, there really isn't a lot that can be said: Buster's is a simple, humble establishment that has found its niche and does it quite well.

  • Review from Cindy W.

    •  
    • 141 friends
    • 220 reviews

    Monterey Park, CA

    4.0 star rating
    6/27/2011 1 Check-in Here

    As rare as quality food is in fast food restaurants, is just as rare as the abundance of cute independent coffee houses. Minus my disappointment in their business hours, I am enamored with this little coffee "house" at the corner of the train station.  This is a place where you come and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, grab some pastries, have lunch, pop out your laptop and enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

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