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CK Cafe
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Coffee & Tea, Restaurants [Edit]
109 Yale AveClaremont, CA 91711
(909) 624-1184
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 12 pm - 12 am
Sat-Sun 10 am - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
31 reviews for CK Cafe
Review Highlights
31 reviews in English
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Review from Yajaira O.
Fontana, CA
1/24/2012
When you walk in there are jars with lables and there are these what seem to be balls of dried stuff. Then you pick the flavor of tea that you want, you pick up the jar and give it to the person on the counter, then they ask you if you want honey or not.
CK Cafe is a cute place. It is a nice place if you are on a date or you if are just trying to chill. The first time I went to CK Cafe my girlfriend took me. Although the lady that was behind the counter was rude and unpaticient, I was taking forever to pick my tea ball , other then that the place is cool(: I like it. -
Review from Nino M.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
1/3/2012
The only reason I keep coming back is because of the tea and amazing chai latte. The owners are so rude. Don't ask for water cups, extra hookah coals, or anything for that matter. They are assholes. The hookah is harsh and pretty much is cheap for a reason. It's a hole in the wall place which adds to it's appeal but the owners ridiculous rules and lack of manners will sure turn some people away.
Ck survival tips. Order flowering teas or hot chai. Buy your own hookah and avoid the dirt bag owners at all costs and you are sure to have a good time. -
Review from Ji O.
Upland, CA
9/6/2011 3 Check-ins Here
hidden gem
best place to go with friends and sit and talk
love their selection of teas and you can also get hookah here too
one downside is that they charge for coals -
Review from Amy K.
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
CK Cafe used to be Nick's Cafe, where there was merriment, live music, poetry readings, etc. CK Cafe is your strict aunt's house (with hookahs and crummy murals). The first thing I noticed when I entered the patio was the posted list of rules, which included that anyone who comes in must order something immediately, aka no waiting for your friend to arrive to make sure your drink doesn't get cold; that if you hang around for a while, you'll have to order something else; and that if you're using electrical outlets for anything except your computer, you'll be charged. This is what brings in customers? There was also no music playing over the speakers, which made CK even more sterile. Jessica H. and I got soy hot chocolates, which were ok, I guess, and chocolate chip cookies out of a container that looks like it was purchased at the local grocery store. The biggest draw for CK appears to be its tea selection, which is probably 40-50 kinds (thus meriting my second star), including a bunch where the dried tea flower opens up in your mug of hot water, like some alien beast. Maybe I'd want to go back if I liked tea, but in the meantime, I hate to say that in the Village, I'm going to choose a corporate chain over an indie store in the future; at least at Starbucks, I don't feel like I'm going to be scolded/booted any second.
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Review from Kathreen A.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
8/23/2011
First off..I've been here a few times..usually the service is just mediocre and I have no idea why I keep coming back..maybe I was just hoping it would get better but this last time was the absolute worst!
Walking in the lady helping was too busy to get off her personal phone call to help. Instead she took my order inbetween her convo. I ordered a tea with boba and of course she forgot the boba and my friend ordered a Thai tea with boba which she just pulled out from the fridge. (drinks..get one star..definitely not the best)
We then decided to try out the hookah..I go to hookah bars often and love it. This was the first time I had to sign a waiver and give my id to be held while smoking. as we were sitting with out terribly tasting drinks..she walks out with a portable stove and the same charcoal I use when I smoke at home (no idea why the hookah here cost so much) she then puts ONLY 1 stick on the portable stove and barely let it get hot. Puts the hookah ON the table between my friend and I then puts the charcoal on top then looks and warns "you break anything u buy it" -_- my friend and I look at eachother and we're just shocked. The hookah lasted 30 minutes and was definitely horrible. No body should even waste time with hookah here and instead head to casablanca.
Overall..a ridiculous experience. Lesson learned. Not going back ever again. -
Review from Van D.
Irvine, CA
6/15/2011 1 photo
This place is definitely a hole-in-the-wall!! They have this special tea. It's shaped as a ball and when you put hot water in it, it blooms ;) faaannccy!! right?? My favorite is the peach lily, and I ask for honey!! It tastes AMAZING and refreshing!! No complaints on the product....
HOWEVER!! The place looks dusty and dirty, and sometimes there are hobos here. The chairs are so far from the table, I feel like sitting there would give me bad posture. The service is beyond horrible. Sometimes they're sitting there and you're waiting and it's like they're freaken blind. One time I was sitting there waiting for my drink and she basically FORGOT ABOUT ME. I was trying to kill time, but by the time I got my drink, I had to togo it... WORST OF ALL is that their hours say that they close at MIDNIGHT... and on multiple occasions I get there at like 11 or something, and they're like we're closed.. or you have to get this to-go cause I'm leaving... ughh wtf is that???
And... They do a hookah thing outside. So the air is pretty polluted too... but if you're into that, I guess you'd like it?? -
Review from Jin N.
Claremont, CA
7/22/2011
On one hand, the location of the place is nice, but the establishment itself could benefit from regular cleaning or at least a bit of sweeping. Otherwise, a fairly pleasant ambiance. On the other hand, the customer service there was less than courteous and only half inviting. I do not support businesses that treat their customers with anything less than civility.
1 Star for the satisfactory drink and another for the locale. -
Review from Kristen C.
Burbank, CA
4/23/2011
This place changed to CK Cafe? Really?
I is sad, I used to know this spot as Nick's Cafe and this was where all the "hipsters" and "locals" went to. (It's somewhat tucked away).
Are they kidding about the $20 charge if say you're charging your cellphone? Tell me it's just part of the grumpy vibe. Whatever. -
Review from Tyler R.
Chino, CA
11/27/2010
A hole in the wall if I've ever seen one.
I usually go for coffee, but people come here for the teas. Arrive in the evening and you'll find a grumpy old asian man working, and he just looks like he's fit to be tied! There's also a strange array of artwork painted across the indoor walls, and apparently you can rent out hookah pipes that are smoked in the cafe's quaint outdoor patio (no doubt people are smoking more cigarettes and weed here than anything else). This place is open past many of its neighboring competitors, so you'll often find night prowlers here, many of whom are waiting until the cafe's 12 a.m. closing time to plan their next move.
Don't get me wrong, there is a relaxed and charming atmosphere here that many cafes attempt to acquire. Although a slight bit bizarre, the curious environment here draws in the creative and deviant crowds who encapsulate the aura that is the CK cafe. -
Review from Michael E.
Fontana, CA
8/23/2011
My first and last time being here. The lady behind the counter was stuck on the phone while trying to take my order and I could already tell the service would be terrible, not professional by any standards...I got a Thai tea w/ boba and this is the first time I've seen Thai tea come pre-packaged out of the fridge and it didn't taste great. This is also the first time I've seen someone have to sign a waiver and give their ID in exchange for hookah. I thought that was pretty outrageous...
The outside seating area isn't appealing whatsoever. The chairs were uncomfortable, the tables were off balance, and both were pretty dirty. There were signs on the surrounding walls with very strict rules for their customers. I can't remember all of them but the ones I can remember said something like: "you can't charge anything besides laptops" or "no outside food or drinks or we'll kick you out" and my favorite, "if you don't have a drink, we'll kick you out." Definitely didn't make me feel welcome.
The hookah was terrible and cost more than it should have. The weak, smoke shop bought coals were barely heated on a portable stove and placed on a poorly maintained hookah that was on the table in between my friend and I instead of safely on the floor where it should have been.
I'm a big fan of killing time and relaxing at coffee shops and I love smoking hookah but this place, which was supposed to have both, made me want to leave as soon as I got there. Never coming back. -
Review from Yunicia S.
Chino Hills, CA
4/16/2010
So me and my boyfriend wanted to try a new coffee shop or just a place to study. We found this place called CK cafe that got pretty good comments on yelp and so we decided to give it a shot!
The place is kinda hard to find but once we found it, it looked pretty cozy. When we order the drink, I can tell the Asian lady has poor English that i can hardly understand. She also has a very bad attitude with a stinky face!!! Anyways, i got my house coffee in a tiny cup that cost around $1.50 which was alright. My boyfriend got a ice coffee latte which was okay too. After a while, i ask for a water and she just gives me a short answer like "bottle, one dollar" and i was like okay..... so there is no tap water?? Then my boyfriend wanted some hot water and when he asked the lady for some hot water, she looked at him with a really bad attitude and say "one dolla!" I don't get how the ratings for this place got 4 stars. I feel like everything here except wifi is charged!!!!
my conclusion is:
the place is kinda dirty
drink is alright
wifi is free
attitude is SUUCKKKS!! -
Review from Johnny N.
Los Angeles, CA
Seriously, did everyone drink the CK koolaid? The main reason why CK does as well as it does is that it's open later than the other coffee places in Claremont. The coffee's really mediocre, as are their other drinks (boba milk teas, etc.). The shop is pretty crummy too, truth be told... I hate to say it, but it seems like most who hang around CK are there "to be seen... but are 'too cool' to care" (you know who you all are!). Inside you can see the potential but for some reason it's always muggy and hot in there.
But I go because it's the only place after 10pm to go for coffee. And sometimes when I do go, I wish that I had just stayed at home. I'd definitely take Last Drop over CK if given the choice... heck, Coffee Bean would get the nod from me if they were open late.
(Oh right, which reminds me... the last time I went in there, they didn't serve us because their clock said it was midnight. I pointed out that their clock was 15 mins fast and it was really 11:45pm according to, well, everyone else. Result = no service. Weird, right?)Listed in: Most Overrated
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Review from Phu N.
Pomona, CA
9/22/2009
Are you a resident of Claremont, CA? Do you live in a neighboring city? Have you heard of a couple of Taiwanese entrepreneurs named Calvin & Kathy [Hmm... CK?]? Do you love hot tea served in a translucent kettle?
If yes, yes, yes! is your answer, you might have come across this place hidden behind an alley somewhere in the Village East. Don't worry. This is place not-so-sketchy. Even, I go here. Rather, It's a place destined for regulars. Warning: you must afford, as Mrs. Kathy advertises, "[The] one dollar minimum for everyone! (or else get out you worthless dirty, loitering, artsy, punk bum." If you have enough nickels and dimes, you can become a regular too!
On the inside there are some comfortable couches, along with some old nifty board games you can access for free. Outside in the patio, there are plenty of chairs and tables. A cool place to hang out with your friends and/or converse with friendly strangers. -
Review from Ade M.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
7/12/2009
I always hit up this cafe whenever I'm in Claremont for boba or coffee. Hidden behind a sports bar with it's own private lot, CK Cafe is the perfect place for late(r than Starbucks or other generic coffeehouses) night studies or just hanging out. Their location, as other reviews have stated, may be hard to find for newcomers, but there's an easy entrance to CK's private lot on 1st Street. Personally, I find this cafe's location to be awesome; since the patio faces out to the parking lot, there are really no outside distractions.
CK Cafe's boba is amazing to my life. There are very few boba places in the surrounding areas that are even semi-decent, but CK's bubble makes me jolly. The tapioca balls are perfect, firm yet soft and chewy. The coffee is pretty good, too. A notch above Starbucks quality for you coffee connoisseurs. The variety of teas that they have are also superb, but I've only ordered tea from this place once or twice.
What sets this cafe apart from other coffeehouses in my mind is the service and hospitality that Mr. Pong and his wife exude. They genuinely care about their customers and do remember orders if you're a regular. The ambiance of this place is pretty cool, too. Random night and Alice in Wonderland murals with comfortable chairs all around. The outside patio includes a canopy and plastic chairs with tables and ashtrays. You'll often find Mr. Pong smoking a cigarette here.
The age range varies, but there are usually more college kids around just hanging out and chatting. This presence is probably because Claremont Colleges are down the street. There are also professors sitting inside, usually talking to each other and enjoying a cup of coffee.
Free wireless, board games, books, and lots of random munchies such as chips and cookies but no real 'hot' food items, as they don't have a kitchen. I always like being greeted by Mr. Pong, too. Great cafe overall. -
Review from malalai f.
Ontario, CA
2/19/2011
If i could give this place a 0 i would. The owner is rude, the papers posted everywhere with ridiculous rules are annoying and the conditions placed on simply just stepping inside the store are a turn off. I'd rather be ordering tea from the 7-11.
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Review from Monica V.
Pomona, CA
7/29/2009
CK's has always been that alternative cafe to Starbucks Coffee in the Claremont village, a haven of the more "interesting" and semi-sketchy crowd. But don't let that thwart you away.
What I like about this cafe is that it's not as noisy as the corporate cafes (no loud blenders, door fans, and hyperactive air-conditioning), there is a lot of space, couches, large tables for work space, there's free Wi-Fi, it's open until 12 midnight, and aesthetically it's interesting (more at-home). There is also an outdoor patio. They also have really good tea. The Coffee Bean and Last Drop Cafe are the only other places with Free Wi-Fi in the Claremont Village(s), but CK's is more spacey.
What I don't like about CK's is that the owners can be hostile depending on the weather, most of the blended drinks are made from a base of what tastes like high fructose corn syrup, food coloring, and preservatives (but you can NEVER go wrong with the tea =]), the hookah is subpar, and they will seriously harass you for bringing your own water bottle--even if you bought several drinks from them. So make sure not to visibly bring any drink or food products from outside.
I go for the free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and open-late factor (and the tea is good) at the expense of hostility. Pick your poison, or shuffle your cards.
Also, there's Open-Mic nights on Thursdays, which is pretty cool.
Yes, it is true that you have to buy a drink if you want to chill there, or you will be verbally attacked. Queenie will come after you. She will. But it's their business, so people should understand that at least. -
Review from Frances T.
Claremont, CA
4/11/2011
I have been going to this place for 7-8 years. I still love it even with the grumpy old owners because that's just the way they are with all the weird going to their cafe. I love their tea drinks and their kids (who are much nicer) that help run the cafe. I love the Alice in Wonderland painting and the big space, and how quiet it is. I will always go to this place as it's a childhood place for me to go for drinks and boba.
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Review from Lindsey R.
Upland, CA
9/19/2008 1 Check-in Here
I have found it. My saving grace in the wretched Inland Empire (sorry, peeps).
A cafe that is open past 7pm or 10pm WITH free wireless? Che Madonna, ragazzi!
The people who work here are so sweet and I can tell they've established a great relationship with their customers because it's mostly a young crowd, and they always say Hi to them and visit with them as their hanging out. They've definitely made a very student/young adult friendly cafe here.
They have everything from coffee/tea/smoothies/boba to cookies, pastries, snicky-snacks and cold beverages. They're herbal teas are wonderful. I got the Dragon-Jasmine Tea and it was a little bulb, then when they dropped it into the hot water, it blossomed into a flower!
Insanity!!!
That with a drop of honey-bellissima! It's a huge mug of it too. They have open mic on Thursday nights and are open until midnight. Fabulous. This is exactly what I need for my studying purposes. I am just so happy and grateful that CK Cafe exists! The only rule, is that you have to make at least a $1 purchase (a bottle of water is a dollar) and that's it. There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Great place to hang out, when not studying and the weather feels good.
**Oh and P.S. If you're like me, and couldn't find the damn place because you're driving all up and down Yale ave and don't see a sign for CK Cafe (I've been searching this place for a few weeks now)...well it's behind all the other shops in the private back lot. Just an FYI. -
Review from Rhea B.
Pasadena, CA
7/11/2007
I haven't been here in a while, but back in the day, this used to be called Nick's Cafe Trevi, because it was once squeezed into this tiny space next to Harvard Square Cafe. Years ago, it had damn good baristas who made a mean cup of joe. As a teenager, my Mod boyfriend and his scooter buddies would meet here for a cuppa and a smoke, then zoom off on their shiny Vespas. But I digress.
I'll be back later this summer and give you an update of CK Cafe. RIP, Nick's Cafe Trevi. -
Review from Ryan D.
San Diego, CA
9/29/2008 11 Check-ins Here
CK is the best coffee shop I've been able to find in the area. I'm heart broken that my first years at the claremont colleges were spent not knowing this place existed. It's hidden in the parking lot behind heroes. Mr. and Mrs. Pong are incredibly friendly and always remember what you want to drink(I guess if you go there a lot like I do at least). Mr. Pong will always come have a cigarette with you and is very nice but will kick your ass at chess. They recently started taking credit and debit cards. Like everyone else has said they do a fun open mic night on thursdays.
They just recently established actual business hours and put in a new sign to prove it. They even have pretty cheap hookah.
Overall its a great place to go have a cigarette and coffee and do some work or bullshit with the other patrons and remember if you are really daring challenge Mr. Pong to chess.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Maddie M.
Upland, CA
10/3/2010
I love this place, I go almost every Thursday for thier open mic.They have great Thai Tea bolba and awesome sweet Hot tea. The atmospher is great very relaxed and chill. Definatley a place you should check out!
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Review from Nicholas B.
Pomona, CA
12/9/2010 3 Check-ins Here
I love this place. This place is located in a back alley in the Calremont Village. Its kinda a shabby place but the drink are great here. I always get the cookie mocha frape wich is always good. Ordering can be kinda a pain since the people who run it dont speak english all that well so you have to take the menu and point to what you want. The drinks usually come in two sizes Big and Bigger. Great place to run in grab a drink and go and also to sit back relax.
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Review from Juliette M.
Pomona, CA
8/18/2010
I only come for the tea and they are good. Any of them with jasmine or peach have been the best I have tried
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Review from Kevin D.
Claremont, CA
9/7/2007 4 Check-ins Here
Went there yesterday with some friends. It's pretty hard to find because it's in an Alley. I've visited the claremont village for as long as i can remember but I didn't know that it was a totally different place at night. They have boba. My friends told me a cool asian guy owns the place and he's really friendly. That place is a good place to hang out because it has books and board games you can use or you can just sit and talk with friends.
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Review from Lorraine L.
Los Angeles, CA
2/22/2009
Cool cafe. We made a pit stop here on our way to Mt. Baldy. It has a chill vibe, and looks like a cafe I could find in the Mission in SF. It has a mash-up of random furniture, free wireless, and even a bookshelf with some random books and board games. Their menu had quite the variety of drinks including Boba drinks and some munchies too. I had a soy latte which was well-made, and surprisingly not too bitter. Nice place, if I lived in Claremont this would definitely be my spot to do a little work and get a little caffeine fix.
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Review from Seth G.
Claremont, CA
8/24/2008
I have been going to CK for the last six years. It has good tea, coffee (better than Starbucks) and smoothies. It is as sincerely unpretentious as it gets. They are also open later than any of the area coffee shops, which tend to close around 10:00PM.
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Review from Joe J.
Pomona, CA
4/19/2007
They stay open relatively late, and the space is cool. Coffee's okay. Service is okay.
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Review from Nathan B.
San Dimas, CA
10/9/2008
Used to be Nick's Cafe Trevi like others said, back when starbucks was only a "good idea." Its changed now, and just like all the other cafes. No refills on regular coffee... no french press... no style... no artists grouped in the shady corner... but the location holds a place in my heart. RIP Nick's.
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Review from SorPor c.
La Verne, CA
4/18/2008 3 photos
It's pretty chill in there, I like to hang out with fds there, and usually, i'll study over there b/c they open late and have FREE wireless there, their "rule" is everyone comes here have to buy something... i think it's understandable coz they are doing business. Drinks are not expensive at all, have the best boba I ever had! Great place*
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Review from suthee t.
Chino Hills, CA
11/21/2008
Good tea, good place to sit and relax. thanks for free internet it's very helpful when I needed it. I will be back soon!!
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Review from Christian R.
Claremont, CA
12/4/2009
Bad hookah. Ok tea. Comfy couches. Crappy tea pots that break.
