Loading...
- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
First Street Coffee Exchange
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Food Bagels Coffee & Tea, Bagels [Edit]
1211 1st StGilroy, CA 95020
(408) 842-1340
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 5:30 am - 9:30 pm
Sat 6 am - 9:30 pm
Sun 7 am - 8 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
29 reviews for First Street Coffee Exchange
Review Highlights
29 reviews in English
-
Review from Phoenix G.
Mountain View, CA
11/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great coffee and espresso drinks!
I was skeptical of the sandwiches at first, but i've had 2 different wraps now and they were fresh and delicious! -
Review from Vanessa G.
Gilroy, CA
8/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This coffee shop is def 4 stars!
I'd never been here for the food but got a sandwich today & it was so good. A friends had the sandwich & soup & said it was great as well.
This is a local mom & pop kind of shop and attracts lots of peeps. But is never too busy when I go in, plus!
Try the mexi-mocha or the polar blast, love love love. Super yummy coffee & now that I know, food too!
There's wifi here & magazines & fluffy couches...I've seen an array of peeps, having little coffee meetings & homework sessions and the like...a must try if you like coffee and the coffee house vibes.
**I will say tho, the service isn't on par. They are not the smiling kind or overly peppy which is annoying anyway, but a warm vibe or attitude wouldn't hurt either. They have a younger staff (read: high school kids) & aren't too 'aware' of customer service & how it effects the shops reputation. -
Review from Mike T.
San Martin, CA
11/10/2011
I really like the easy going and relaxed atmosphere. The staff easy nice and friendly. Added bonus is the internet connection over wifi was actually pretty quick.
-
Review from nana r.
Hollister, CA
8/19/2011
Before taking my dog to the veterinary clinic next door my son and I dropped in for a bite and a drink. My son looked at the menu on the wall and ordered a egg sandwich on a bagel. There was no description on the menu board, so we assumed it was an egg on a bagel. When we got it I opened it up and found ham on it. I told the cashier we didn't eat animals and asked if she could have another one made. She smugly asked if I wanted her to take the meat off. "Uh-No", I replied, "I could do that myself, could you make another one please..."
Then the woman asked if I expected it to come out of her pocket!!
What? Really? I pointed out the menu board didn't say anything about the meat(or cheese) on the sandwich. If it had I would have asked her leave it out. DUH! Ever heard of customer service? I'm new to the community, and thought I found a new place to hang with my family. But I guess I'll have to keep looking :/Comment from Konni T. of First Street Coffee Exchange 10/4/2011
First of all I would like to send you a sincere apology for… More » -
Review from alex c.
Gilroy, CA
7/16/2011
I love this coffee shop! Love the sign out front saying VETERINARY COFFEE. (There's a vet's office next door.)
Super clean nice bathroom and no code or key hassles to use it.
Has a lot of "regulars" who hang out there - that's a sign of a good place.
Great coffee and pastries. They do sandwiches and stuff too.
Starbucks over by Nob Hill had the copz ticket a guy I know for smoking a cigar there, now he hangs out here - not all the time, and he sits at the outermost table, and I think his cigar smells good. Cigar-smokin' ex-cops on ex-cop bike FTW.
This is open to a decently late hour, but doesn't seem to have the late-night panhandlers that the S-word down the street does, since it's not right next to 2 supermarkets.
Just a very good, cool, neighborhood hang-out place. -
Review from Melie S.
San Jose, CA
9/3/2011
Love this place. Great coffee and quick yet friendly service. The honor system for drip coffee is a lifesaver on rushed mornings. Minus one star because some of the younger staff can be irritating when there's no one supervising them. Otherwise, it's the best around!
-
Review from Andrea C.
8/3/2011
Studied here a few times and i enjoyed it. The environment is cool, staff friendly, plugs along the wall for your laptop, and the drinks/snacks are good. Had the iced white mocha and i loved it!
-
Review from Thomas G.
Gilroy, CA
9/12/2011
If you like coffee and the coffe shop vibe........i'd say this place is it. It has outside seating, it is quite ambient with cozy seats and friendly staff.
-
Review from bumbucha l.
Salinas, CA
I love their Iced white mocha!!! It's what I get when im at starbucks, and when I came here again i decided to try theirs and I'm a huge fan now. It's better then Starbucks. I love this place.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
6/7/2011
I ordered the Mexi mocha espresso? I cant remember the name but it was Good! I also got a slice of… Read more »
-
-
Review from Daniel W.
Gilroy, CA
1/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
Ok, it's Tully's coffee but you know what? I don't mind Tully's coffee at all (nor do I mind Starbucks coffee for that reason). In fact, I don't really understand people's hangups with who roasted the beans. I have been an espresso-drink person for the past 15 years and I can honestly tell you that if you put seven different espresso roasts in front of me that I would not be able to tell the difference in quality and i'd bet you wouldn't either.
That being said, I do care for the ambiance and clientele of a coffee shop and First Street Coffee has both of those things covered. This is where I dislike Starbucks and opt for a private shop like this one. The customers are not as... what word do I want to use here... stuffy? First Street coffee seems to have great customers and there are plenty of places to sit down and sip a cup of joe with some friends or to just sit and read a book (of which they have a library of). The place is not overly lit but has enough light to accommodate reading. I rather enjoy the more dim aspect of this place over the bright and cheery Starbucks down the street.
As far as coffee goes, First Street Coffee has a wide variety of roasts to choose from and their espresso drinks are great as well. I have yet to have a 'bad' coffee at First Street Coffee.
To top it all off, they offer free wi-fi which is always a bonus for those of us who work on the internet.
The only complaint I have is that they close too early on Sunday. It's understandable though as they are a local business with only a handful of employees. -
Review from Yeh K.
San Jose, CA
6/1/2006
One of the better coffee places in Gilroy. They have a excellent (and strong) iced mocha. YUM.
They also offer free wireless internet access. -
Review from Bill J.
Menlo Park, CA
9/2/2006
This is a very nice spot. Roomier and more homey-comfortable than Buckstars and doesn't suck the marrow from locally owned businesses.
Recently it has changed hands to another local family with offspring and their friends making up the employee base and neighbors and friends the clientele.
They do everything as good as the others and don't make you learn coffee-tech jargon in order to make a purchase.
Quickly becoming a rather eclectic music venue, with single artists, Jazz, Christian Rock, Jugband, and various other genre types dropping in or scheduling ahead of time. The new owner says to look for this to continue.
They still offer wireless internet access and often there will be a dozen people in there surfing the web AND talking to each other. -
Review from Lily R.
10/18/2009
Love to spread local love.
When I am in Gils, I always have coffee here. I have been coming here pretty consistently and I am always greeted with a smile and have my coffee made in a jiffy.
Try the zebra or Mexican mocha.
If you have time to relax, they have free WiFi and lots of magazines and board games to play. -
Review from Sarah M.
Gilroy, CA
8/7/2010
First Street Coffee has a very nice atmosphere, with nice baristas and yummy drinks. My favorite is the Cookie Monster Shake. I don't believe it's on the menu anymore, but it's an oreo cookie drink and they all know how to make it.
If you need a place to meet for a school project or for you and a couple other friends to talk, this is the place. They have couches and board games as well. -
Review from Drew M.
Gilroy, CA
1/15/2007
A very roomy and comfortable coffee place. I have dropped in there a number of times when I have a little time to kill. The free WIFI is great, and one of the reasons I stop in.
There are always several locals in there chatting, and it seems like a very friendly and welcoming spot.
The coffee is good too! -
Review from Rachel M.
San Jose, CA
10/5/2008
Meh. It's Tully's. Of course it's better than Starbucks, but not by that much.
I've gone there twice & each time my drink has been saturated with coconut syrup. Dude, I said just a little...as in one pump.
It's also extremely loud in there, at least for a coffee shop. If you & you're little emo cronies are gonna scream out your conversation to feel important/be noticed, please take it outside. Not a good place to study. -
Review from Marlee S.
Gilroy, CA
Updated - 2/28/2008
The BEST coffee house in Gilroy.
Its a million times better than Starbucks.
If you go there, order a funky monkey.
It's bombdiggity.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/28/2008
First Street Coffee house has the BEST coffee ever.
10 million times better than the million… Read more »
-
-
Review from Ryan M.
Gilroy, CA
12/6/2010
This place is the best. The environment is so much more relaxed than Starbucks and the coffee/drinks/food taste better. The staff is really nice. They will bring your order right to you wherever you sit. In my opinion, this is the best place in town to study and get a drink. I wish they had some more snacks.
-
Review from Sarah C.
San Francisco, CA
2/6/2008
Yummy coffee and good atmosphere. Theres always people planning meetings here or just enjoying their drinks, but maintains a good vibe. And free wi-fi! What more could you ask for? Starbucks may be quick, but this place is what living in a small town is all about.
Only 4 stars though because the staff is so young...kind of disconcerning. But then again, that was me when I worked in high school, so I shouldn't be so judgemental.... -
Review from Scott M.
Gilroy, CA
9/1/2010
The only reason I have gone there is for the Oregon Chai. No other coffee shop uses it. I will continue to support local coffee shops. I just wish they would use coffee other than Tully's.
-
Review from Robert P.
Ojai, CA
1/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
A sweet place with nice people in the rural town of Gilroy.
-
Review from jimmy a.
Gilroy, CA
7/4/2011
great place great coffee awesome staff
-
Review from Scott C.
Gilroy, CA
4/2/2009
Often stop by for a coffee to go. I really like the fact that they have a variety of fresh brews to choose from and it has self-serve if you are in a hurry. Just fill up your cup and drop the money in the tray.
-
Review from Sarah W.
Gilroy, CA
6/21/2008
Great coffee, love their Italian Sodas, but most of all like their fruit smoothies they make. You can pretty much pick whatever flavors you want and they'll make it for you. The atmosphere is great, probably because it is locally and privately owned. I don't think it's super special or anything but cozy and a nice place to go. Plus, they have free WIFI.
-
Review from Presley A.
Gilroy, CA
6/2/2008
The place has a good vibe and service as well. Nothing too out of the ordinary for a coffee shop but quite nice none the less. I have to say, their Italian Sodas are fantastic. Everything else is good, not great, but good.
-
Review from Danielle C.
Gilroy, CA
6/26/2009
Love going here way better than Starbucks. Love the little family owned businesses that make Gilroy, our small town.
-
Review from Brown G.
Royal Oaks, CA
7/13/2009
i want to believe in it too. i luv coffee. dedicaded 5 years of my life to working with it, by choice.
the beans i took home wer excellent. the young man that helped me pick them out was very knowledgeable and curtious. the guy that mademy drink.... eghhhh.
please, stop hiring kids that have no genuine interest in coffee. the punk kid didn't know how to make drinks, wasn't nice, and made me a completely different drink than what i paid for. then i had to watch him be really curtious to his buddies that came in and pretty much just hung out like you were intruding on their space. i hated my experience. i hated my coffee. but loved the first guy and the beans i took home.
PLEASE hire better staff! and get fresh MUFFINS! -
Review from Maureen H.
Gilroy, CA
4/26/2010
GREAT atmosphere. Lots of tables, a few couches. Always lots of locals socializing here. Only thing is... the coffee is just so-so :( I got a funky Americano (tasted like tea??), and although they're convenient, I'm not a fan of self-pump carafes - last time the signs were switched and I accidentally got a raspberry flavored coffee which is just wrong. Also the self-serve cream is a pump-carafe and it always pumps waaaay too much. But I love me some local business and I recommend First Street Coffee. Besides, I'm probably a bit of a coffee snob, and I'm drinking tea now anyway so it's all good!
-
Review from Amanda C.
Gilroy, CA
7/25/2009
The only coffee shop I'll go to in Gilroy!
