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Guerilla Cafe
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
1620 Shattuck Ave(between Lincoln St & Cedar St)
Berkeley, CA 94709
Neighborhoods: Gourmet Ghetto, North Berkeley
(510) 845-2233
- Hours:
Mon 7 am - 2 pm
Tue-Fri 7 am - 4:30 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am - 4:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
342 reviews for Guerilla Cafe
Review Highlights
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"Blue Bottle coffee in the french press is great." In 82 reviews -
"the eggs are perfection (you must loved poached eggs." In 55 reviews -
"The spicy hot chocolate was good too." In 8 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
342 reviews in English
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Review from Rachel N.
Updated - 5/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Over the past three years, Guerilla has snuck its way into my heart as a great place for brunch in Berkeley -- yes, it gets cramped and the menu isn't massive; however, what you do get is guaranteed to be really tasty and full of unexpected flavors.
A fruit bowl sprinkled with cinnamon and lemon zest? Yes. Gorgeous salad with halved blackberries and succulent olives? Double Yes. Oh, and a bowl of smooth hummy? Absolutely. For heathen meat eaters, they also do a lovely prosciutto plate.
Service can be slow, but the coffee is banging (Blue Bottle I adore you), so caffeine up and prepare to fight bitches for a table while you wait for your delectable eats. Also, with its counter space, GC is a place that's also perfect for solo dining, as well as casual dates.
Brunch for 2 is generally around $20.Listed in: So I Secretly Like the East…, For the Casual Nosh, Gorging Myself in the Morning, Caffeine Me.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/21/2009
Adorable cafe on the border of Berkeley's "gourmet ghetto"---stresses local, organic food, as you… Read more »
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Review from Consumer X.
San Francisco, CA
5/4/2012
Came here Wednesday morning at 9:15am with another person. There was a small line so we refrained from ordering food and just ordered a hot chocolate and coffee so we can be sure to make our 10am appointment across the street. 20 minutes later I got my hot chocolate. My companion continued waiting and waiting - for his REGULAR coffee. 10 minutes later, he got up to ask about his coffee only to see, as he approached the register, his coffee was sitting there under the drip contraption on the counter. Barista noticed, apologized and handed him his cup of regular LUKEWARM coffee.
1 star for a tasty, albeit, lukewarm cup of coffee and a tasty hot chocolate. 40 minutes for two drinks? No thanks - never again. -
Review from Ira S.
Berkeley, CA
4/22/2012 4 photos
Spicy chocolate is! Med breakfast hit the spot too.
I recall that the servings seem a bit small, but the food is very good -
Review from Marius K.
San Francisco, CA
4/20/2012 14 Check-ins Here
Pros:
- superior coffee (Blue Bottle)
- very nice range of coffee preparation (from European, to Latin American)
- ethnic feel (like you're on vacation)
- fresh, excellent food (if you sit at the bar, you can watch your food being made)
- real coffee cups/glasses (no paper waste)
Cons:
- still have to order at the register (instead of ordering at the table)
- limited seating
Conclusion:
- a local, relaxed, ethnic coffee get-away for people who enjoy coffee culture outside the US
If you've traveled and experienced coffee culture outside the US, you'll enjoy Guerilla as their atmosphere differs from typical chain coffee shops. Emphasis is on authentic, simple coffees from around the world, and enjoying them slowly out of real cups (or glasses, depending on the coffee) without typing away on your laptop... all of this in a small, intimate setting with a great variety of music.
Food is made fresh in front of you (if you're sitting at the bar) and ranges from breakfast to paninis... and very fair price I might add.
Whenever I want to tune out and feel like being on a short vacation abroad, or just have excellent coffee in a cozy setting, I come to Guerilla. -
Review from Jen L.
4/4/2012
This review is based on their coffee offerings alone; I've heard great things about their food and can't wait to try.
Blue Bottle over Philz for me for sure BUT for some stinking reason the coffee IS sour and so are the people at the cash register. We've been here on several occasions, and this has happened each time we were there - both the bad coffee and the bad service. Maybe we're not cool enough?
I do like their cubano though and would go back for more - maybe because the condensed milk masks the sour coffee? I deno man. -
Review from Jamie F.
Berkeley, CA
3/16/2012
Coffee
Iced soy mocha
Waffle of the day
Cinnamon challah toast
In a word: I'drathernot
I came here on two separate occasions. For the first, I neglected Philz and stopped by to grab a cup of coffee, since they serve Blue Bottle coffee. Wow. My cup of coffee was souuurrrrr. Blech. So I asked them if I could get another cup. The guy and girl behind the counter whispered some things and gave me a cold look, and oh-so-kindly offered to press another batch for me. I took their offer and waited for a few minutes while they newly french pressed some coffee for me. And blech. That cup was sour too. Maybe it was because of the soy milk that they gave me. It really was forming clouds in my coffee. I didn't complain anymore though because they apparently did as much as they could. I thanked them and promptly left for Philz.
I ventured to GC a second time to try their breakfast with a girlfriend. At most, it was whatevers. I forgot how much the waffle and toast cost, but I distinctly remember feeling that it was not worth it. The soy mocha was pretty yummy (I didn't dare try the coffee again), but I don't see how you can really mess up a soy mocha anyway. We actually had ordered some poached eggs too, but didn't realize until I got home that they had never given them to us. Boo.
Summary: If you want coffee, go to Philz. If you want breakfast/lunch, go to Crepevine or Gregoire's across the street. It's much more worth it. -
Review from Luisa L.
South Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
4/26/2012
Kinda obsessed with this place, great coffee (blue bottle), simple menu with a great breakfast selection, super casual, cosy and friendly. Love their granola, waffles and poached eggs, they also have a yummy breakfast croissant if you get there early enough! Definitely one of my favorite places in the neighborhood.
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Review from HedonismBot S.
Oakland, CA
4/10/2012
The coffee here is okay, but I was very much turned off by the ÜBER-HISPTER atmosphere. They should have a sign outside that says "Mustache must be this ironic to enter..." I like my lattes without the extra helping of more-hipster-than-thou attitude, thank you very much, and so I shall not be returning.
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Review from Allie G.
Berkeley, CA
2/22/2012
No, really. Literally as good as it gets. There's a coffee shop next door to it that looks newer and has fresh wood and chairs and shit outside, and a bigger crowd, but those people just don't know. THEY JUST DON'T KNOW.
Guerilla Cafe: home to Blue Bottle Coffee. Do I have to go on? Do I really need to go on?
I'll go on.
Espresso, cappuccino, the french press pot. That's all you need to know, besides knowing (and you already do) that the quality of the product is the most important factor. I mean, come on, what are you doing in Berkeley on Shattuck unless you already understand that?
Sillyheads. -
Review from Luthien N.
Oakland, CA
4/1/2012
Favorite Sunday morning breakfast place, especially when we luck out and get one of the 3 outside tables. Delicious Blue Bottle coffee, always a treat, and (almost) everything on the menu is perfect, especially the waffles and the Mediterranean plate (2 poached eggs, toast, feta, cucumber, tomatoes). I like the variety of polenta dishes they have, though I would steer clear of the one with eggs and gorgonzola cheese - the gorgonzola is way too strong and there really isn't any other flavor...one bite would've been alright, but a whole bowl for breakfast was terrible. Doesn't matter, though, because so many other great things on the menu!
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Review from Wendy N.
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is usually known as a breakfast/coffee shop but I went there last night to enjoy delicious Jamaican food. My friend who lives in the Gourmet Ghetto says that they have nights were they invite chefs in from other places. Friday night is the time for Jamaican food. They open the doors at 6:30 p.m. By 8:00 p.m., the place was packed. There are probably 4-5 tables plus counter space. After a longish wait, we were able to get in at the counter and both ordered the jerk chicken dish. We got to watch them make it in front of us. Served with rice and salad, it was very flavorful with the right amount of spice. I had sangria, which was not the best I've ever had, but then again, I'm not a big sangria fan. Since we had to wait a long time, they comped us some delicious shrimp fritters and the sangria so the bill came to $26!
It was a fun, casual place for down home Jamaican food - try it some Friday night!Listed in: FOOD!!
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Review from Papp J.
Oakland, CA
3/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Fucking off the chain good. Sangria sweet and sneaky strong. Sweet potatoes fries were so good i ate damn near two plates before i ate my jerk chicken. And no it didnt take long for me to get my food the fries were just that good. Jerk chicken plate full to the brim with food. Friendly staff and great food earned this 5 star rating. Well done
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Review from Tommy B.
San Francisco, CA
1/8/2012
Most definitely, without a doubt, Guerilla served me the smoothest, richest espresso I've ever had in my life.
This is not hyperbole.
Unfortunately, there is a slight downside here - as a result of happening upon Guerilla, I am wrecked because espresso from anywhere else now tastes sludgy or burnt by comparison. :( -
Review from Tamalyn t.
Oakland, CA
10/18/2011
Come for the coffee, but not the food and not the service. These guys serve blue bottle coffee and know how to make it. The coffee came up quick and was delicious.
But we made the mistake of staying for breakfast, and it was a disaster.
FOOD
Poached eggs were hardboiled
Toast with eggs was COLD and without butter
Waffle was COLD and flavorless
Butter, which we had to request, was ice cold. Cold butter on cold waffle and cold toast = sad situation
SERVICE
BF's food arrived 10 minutes after mine
Cashier/order taker = sullen
The menu has great choices. This place just needs massive quality control. -
Review from Ted R.
8/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Not a large menu, but they serve breakfast all day! This is a place to chill when you're not in a hurry... The challah french toast is tasty. Coffee delish. The revolution just takes awhile sometimes... Molasses is slow, but not nearly as slow as Guerilla Cafe's kitchen. At least you get nice service by kind people.
P.S. Friday nights a Jamaican pop-up restaurant appears here. I'll return to review that later. -
Review from Tim W.
wish i would have tried Philz next door...yes they use Blue Bottle but that does not mean they pull like blue bottle, while the coffee was OK, and these guys do a good job but just not what i was looking for. maybe it was my mood, i wanted to love it, but i just didn't. ever have one of those experiences?
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Review from Taylor W.
San Francisco, CA
10/23/2011
Full of sunshine just the way I love it and so open another new window and get to youtube, that's right if you want to know what I'm talking about .. " THGHTEN UP - ARCHIE BELL & THE DRELLS" is How you feel walking in there .............
Yeah I was there, didn't I call you? Before anything, the people there are ALIVE, they are not ROBOTIC. You know, some places you go and you want to like it but along comes the one that steals your thunder.
Either, wierdish or you wonder in your mind are they on meds or does their robotic body need oiling? WhichEVER, WHATEVER.
I never thought about it but maybe I' tm the weird one because i want to acknowledge you, say hi or just want to inspire, is that a crime?
Okay, I walk into Guerilla Cafe and I didn't feel this way instead i saw many smiles, friendly atmosphere , FAST service which I didn't care about speed I was impressed by your good vibes! I am so happy I found a place like this - with the coffee it was shotgun!! Blue bottle coffee why are you named like this? I just found the 4th best coffee in the BAY, so this is awesome - we need choices and spread ourselves to other area's.
I haven't eaten much there but I did see some other dishes i want to try out.. I already told about 8 people to come check it out.
ONLY thing, about my observance is HIGH PRICED,
MAKE ME WANT TO COME BACK SOONER, otherwise i will love it and do a hit n miss.
VIBES ARE GOOD BUT MY BUGET IS KING OVER ME, okay, I still feel this way " More Today Than Yesterday" Spiral Staircase ~ -
Review from Krystal S.
Berkeley, CA
3/3/2012
The atmosphere is good, the food is ok...
I've read people rave about how perfectly cooked the poached eggs are, but does it really matter? Not to me. I was not sure if they use good eggs or not, and I was skeptical about eating almost raw egg yolks.... And the salmon with french toast was so overpriced I don't even know what to say. Some salmon with cucumber slices and a few toasts for almost 10 dollars? I enjoyed the organic rooibos tea though.
I don't really drink coffee, so I cannot say anything about that. -
Review from shiori g.
Berkeley, CA
2/25/2012
They do some stuff right and some stuff not so right. Of course the coffee is good. The food is also tasty. Ingredients tasted fresh and the plate was nicely filled. I had the Mediterranean plate with feta, olives, cucumber, tomatoes, and poached egg with toast. Very yummy, I have to say. If food is all that matters in your decision to try a place, you'll enjoy the trip here.
I happen to add weight on other matters, because the best eating experiences come down to the extra stuff. The counter service was weak. It's busy, I get that. Take a deep breath, shake it off, and don't show it while someone is ordering. The other odd part is the food delivery. Dishes for three people came out at three different times, 10 minutes in between each dish. Making people eat separately at a table is not the way to go. I'll come back alone just to avoid that part. -
Review from Danielle T.
San Clemente, CA
12/11/2011
Literally the best soy lattes of my existence. Probably the best in the universe which is a tall order but likely true none the less.
My mom came to visit and she used to be a chef instructor in Montreal specializing in French cooking. She fell in love, we ate here almost every day of her trip.
If you're a veg, I highly recommend the Mediteranian Plate and the waffle. SUPERB.
Art and music is sweet. People are great.
Few words of caution: Don't go at high volume times, this place is SMALL. If you're in a large group don't go. I saw a large table put together once, but it's clearly not the place for a table of 6 or more. Service is great unless you go at busy times. -
Review from Erin G.
Berkeley, CA
10/27/2011
What I ate: Chicken tostada (take-out)
Visit date: October 27, 2011
First time? Yes.
Whoa. That was good. The boyfriend came over with a tostada. I didn't even know they had tostadas. The shredded chicken was moist and full of flavors, the guacamole cool and fresh, and the cabbage slaw was vinegar based (instead of mayo based) - how I like it. Even as take-out (or in my case I guess it could be considered delivery?) the tostada still had a nice crunch. O man, sooo coming back for more. -
Review from Mariel F.
Alameda, CA
8/21/2011
When I come here, I usually order their Soy Cardamom Infused Iced Cairo Coffee / Soy Spicy Mocha.
If I order food here, I usually order their Smoked Salmon Plate with 2 Eggs, Toast, Capers, & Cucumbers / Organic Polenta Porridge with Dates, Pecans, Organic Maple Syrup, & Creme Fraiche.
Good Coffee.
Good Food.
I enjoy coming here.
I definitely recommend going to Guerilla Cafe. -
Review from Kimberly V.
Washington, DC
9/6/2011
Yum. I can easily spend a lazy morning with a book having breakfast at Guerilla and then moving next door to extend my laziness into the afternoon with some Philz Coffee...
I have tried all the egg dishes at Guerilla and also had their Mediterranean plate. Totally awesome, good quality ingredients. I also like their Cubano- an espresso shot swimming over a pool over sweetened condensed milk.
Service is no nonsense, and there are usually limited tables available, but that is only because it is good! -
Review from Mailani w.
Seattle, WA
7/29/2011
I adore this place! It's definitely not for everyone, but Guerilla Cafe has catered to a niche audience offering engaging art, organic foods, unadulterated breakfast options, with strong espresso drinks.
This place is snug, but it works. Fun and uniting. I liked the roomy butcher block counter top that runs parallel to the open kitchen & espresso bar. The crew (minus the cashier), cooks, dishwasher/busser, barista/server HUSTLE their ASS OFF! Damn, they work hard, big-ups!
All food and drink orders are placed in front where the menu is hung just above the cashier. I stopped in late mid-morning, youngish-blond gal, borderline apathetic (hung over, stoned?), taking orders who was not tracking well. I ordered a cinnamon challah toast with two poached eggs, a nonfat Africano (essentially a cappuccino). She responded by telling me they don't make those nonfat. Really?
blond gal: "yeah, well lemme check. Hey we can't make Cubanos nonfat right?" (Barista shakes his head no).
me: "Oh no, I ordered the Africano."
bg: "oh. yeah, we can DO THAT. Ok so you want the cinnamon hallah and 2 poached eggs?"
me: "yes, please."
bg: "ok so you DO want the toast?"
me: "yes, the challah."
bg: "right, ok"
She rings me up, and gives me my placard sign.
Well, here is the good news. Delicious cinnamon challah toast, the poached eggs were perfect except I got two additional pieces of wheat toast with it. It became amusing when the bohemian chick next to me piped up and said she never got her Americano. Followed by the Asian couple behind us who politely inquired when their coffee would show up (they were almost done with their plate).
Oh dear... Let's all just close our eyes and see the proverbial fuck up at your current job or past jobs you've endured. *SIGH...gaawdd* Guerilla just cut your losses now! She is weighing you down honey. -
Review from Tammy T.
San Francisco, CA
10/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Awesome - especially on Taco Nights on Thursday! The best tostadas and street tacos I've had in a long time.
I'll be back. -
Review from Mari C.
San Francisco, CA
6/7/2011
Once upon a time, there was a little Gorilla Cafe that lived in Shattuck Jungle. It foraged for customers and community, and generally lived a peaceful and happy life.
Then one day, a competing Phillz Monkey moved in next door. The other jungle inhabitants were pretty sure the Gorilla was not going to make it, since Phillz has so much seating, such great coffee, and all kinds of WiFi. The road was looking rough for Gorilla.
But then, we realized that it's not Gorilla Cafe, its Guerrilla Cafe. That means exotic, sneaky, resourceful, and unconventional. Guerrilla storefare means attacking customers with a more beautiful interior, better art, and delicious food that Phillz just can't dish out.
If anything, it would seem that Guerrilla Cafe has thrived on Phillz overflow - all those looking for a place to sit with a cuppa java who can't find it next door. I for one am for saving the Guerrillas.Listed in: Hipster Dipster, Location-Specific Gems, Caffination Station
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Review from Allister D.
Sunnyvale, CA
8/22/2011 1 photo
I came here yesterday and finally got to order their Blue Bottle. The cafe is pretty small in size but the amount of people eating there is huge. Obviously.
The place is pretty neat. The seating is kind of like a diner. Theres a long bar and the menu mostly consists of breakfast/brunch type options.
The menu for their blue bottle coffee is pretty large. The service was pretty friendly. I can tell that the guy didn't know much but that's ok. One of the regulars recommended me to have their cappuccino. All I have to say is that their capp shits on my sbux. It's the coffee I tell you, nothing else. The way it was made wasn't light but it had that evil bite that was good enough to beat any others that Iv'e had.
The place is a bit too dark and dim and I wish there was more light but oh well? It doesn't stop a bunch of customers from entering this Guerilla jungle.
I'd come back for more! -
Review from Tracey T.
Berkeley, CA
11/13/2011
We like it! Good coffee, good grub, and nice folks.
Next to Philz conveniently. I would go back. -
Review from George A.
Berkeley, CA
9/2/2011
Berkeley is blessed with more than its fair share of wonderful cafés, and this is one of the top 2 or 3 for me.
Fantastic cappuccino, beautifully made, pretty looking, and tastes awesome. Makes you wonder how people still get their capp from Starbucks topped with 2 inches of tasteless foam.
Lots of originality and taste in every item on the menu. Great atmosphere and crowd. It's not a room full of internet junkies, people actually maintain eye contact and talk to each other. There's always art on the walls (look at it and buy it!). Great music too. -
Review from Vaibhavi U.
Berkeley, CA
6/9/2011
Tiny cafe with a lot of spunk in the gourmet ghetto!
They brew blue bottle coffee which is normally excellent. I think I had the 3 Africa's Blend? I wasn't a huge fan. Although I normally enjoy strong coffee, this one was unusually bitter.
The ambiance is different and has a really cool hipster vibe to it. The tables are limited and the whole cafe is a little narrow. They do have a food menu, and I can't comment on that since I did not order anything. Unfortunately, I feel like this cafe is a little upstaged by the Philz Coffee house nearby. Overall, I can see people coming here to grab a quick bite or a quick rendez-vous, but personally wouldn't want to linger here to study, etc for long periods of time. -
Review from Jennifer C.
San Francisco, CA
5/16/2011
I don't get it....
As an avid Yelper, I obviously trust Yelp's reviews. The first major demerit is that the staff just wasn't that nice. I know it's not the kind of place where people wait on you hand and foot, but I mean not even friendly, like, at all. I almost felt like they were hostile towards me.
In addition, the place is tiny and the line is long. The person working the register makes no effort to take orders quickly, or nicely.
The food was just OK, nothing to write home about. They don't really have a kitchen, just a machine that poaches eggs and a waffle maker. If you don't like poached eggs, too bad! That's all they do.
I also tried to order a sandwich at 11:30 and was told they didn't serve sandwiches until lunchtime. Ummmm....really?
Won't be heading back there anytime soon. -
Review from Mike L.
2/20/2011
Guerilla is like the perfect embodiment of what you would imagine a true Berkeley coffee shop to be like. Laid back vibe, funky beats playing overhead, inspired t-shirts for sale at the counter, a business vision with meaning, organic food products...and blue bottle coffee. Sounds like a winning, Berkeley combination to me!
By the time we reached Guerilla, it was stop fourth and final spot on our cafe hopping tour and I was feeling pretty wired at this point. Couldn't decide on which to get, but settled on the Cubano after hearing a couple of my friends rave about the one they had at our first stop of the day. I usually stick with the basics when it comes to coffee, but I have to admit that the combination of espresso and condensed milk was rather appealing. Wasn't too sure what to expect, but I was pretty content with what I got. The mix wasn't as overly sweet or creamy as I feared, and I like how the condensed milk rounded out the coffee. A little unbalanced at the beginning and end, but that probably had more to do with me not stirring thoroughly enough.
Unfortunately (for me), I didn't get a chance to try any of the food, but a few caught my eyes, especially their panini sandwiches (I love panini sandwiches!). Their brunch menu also has a couple of dishes that sound pretty good too, so I'll definitely want to come back for those...but preferably on a nice day. The size of the place is modest, so seating is tight and a little cramped, but they have a handful of tables outside for those that want to stretch their legs and soak in some sun. -
Review from Monica S.
2/7/2011
Last summer when I spent my first official season in the East Bay, I'd hit up Guerilla Cafe on those sun-drenched afternoons after grueling rides up Tunnel Road. A bunch of months later, I'm finding myself spending these recent sun-filled days at this north Berkeley respite - there's no spot that compliments the day quite as nicely as Guerilla Cafe.
Although I'm not a bandana-clad member of social reform, I make no haste in steering my revolutionary hunger to the cafe. Everything in this miniature space is carefully thought out. From the constantly rotating local artwork to the gear for sale to the sinful waffle of the day, Guerilla's seeping with style and sabor.
The menu's also small, but quality hits all the right peaks. For a easy brunch with superior coffee, a few outdoor seats or just an escape from all that's lame, Guerilla's the spot! -
Review from Melanie C.
Berkeley, CA
11/30/2011
Love the vibe and the mission... I wonder if I've been there on off days based on the other reviews though... Cold chai + kind of non-zippy soup..
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Review from Marshall B.
Oakland, CA
8/14/2011
After reading the reviews, I decided to check this place out. I am glad I did! I had a really nice experience here. Opted for the counter instead of table (I was by myself--I always check out new spots alone to really screen them). As far as the ambiance goes, it was immersive and pleasant, but not distracting (which is what I want in a cafe). Good music- it was something like afro-cuban jazz fusion, with some Erykah Badu-style R&B mixed in. The inside is colorful and the walls are decorated with stimulating oil on canvas artwork. Nice place to pass 2 hours on a Sunday.
Now the food--excellent quality. I ordered the cinnamon toast, 2 poached eggs and a cubano, attempting to sample many of their offerings (I didn't have room for the polenta, but was debating about getting that instead of the poached eggs). I cleaned my plate and ordered an iced latte to top it off. Altogether it was about $14 for everything. I'll accept that, since I left full and happy.
Only downsides might be the slight inattentiveness of the waitstaff (they are not really waitstaff, seems like everyone working behind the counter was doing barista, cashier, cooking and bussing). I had to really watch my orders coming out because they didn't seem to know who it was for. Not a deal-breaker by any means, just be aware of the food coming out of the kitchen.
They also have a bathroom which was small but clean and stocked.
I'll definitely be back here! If the quality stays consistent, I'll be a consistent customer. -
Review from C. B.
Davis, CA
6/22/2011
This place is great. It has a very relaxed, friendly vibe and it doesn't pretend to be overly pretentious like some other politically-minded coffee shops I've been to. I had breakfast here, as well as some delicious blue bottle coffee. We ordered two cups of coffee, an almond croissant, (2) single poached eggs with toast, granola, and smoked salmon. Grand total: $22. Not bad at all!
One complaint: it was really loud inside. I was having a hard time thinking, much less hearing. -
Review from Marion C.
El Cerrito, CA
8/5/2011
I want to love this place. My partner and I both had the polenta with fruit and nuts and honey. Holy crap was it salty. I even asked if it was meant to be and understandably they use the same polenta for the sweet and savory dishes but, really, hold up on the salt. I would not get this dish again and would recommend that if you want polenta- get it savory. My coffee was good but my partner's was blur bottle through a french press and cloudy as all get out. I'm GF but if I weren't, the waffle looked pretty tasty.
I would not say theirs is a friendly vibe, either. Not a smile or the slightest 'i am happy to be alive' energy. -
Review from Pat T.
Berkeley, CA
1/17/2011
One of my favorite places in Berkeley for breakfast or coffee (they sell Blue Bottle Coffee in 1/2 lb bags, too).
The food is great, the espresso drinks are too, and the staff is friendly.
Most tables seat 2. Good place to meet and eat, though I wouldn't recommend camping on a laptop here in the middle of lunch. They have a counter seating and a communal table too. -
Review from harsha g.
1/12/2011
Love the vibes in this tiny yet artsy cafe! Their coffee is simply perfect and the amount of serving was unbelievable. I ordered the cafe au lait and it was served in a soup bowl which took me forever to drink.Even after it was colder, the coffee kept being as tasty as it was when warm.
My friend and me walked in here after a heavy indian meal and we sat here nearly three hours just gabbing. The staff were a whole lot of fun extremely knowledgeable giving us samples of the soup they made, and the music they played!All along they were cutting fresh strawberries and apples and it was a delight to just observe them at work.
As evening approached, we walked to the cash counter and were asked to pay 2 bucks for the coffee and all I could do was smile widely!
A happy customer is testament to a happy business :D -
Review from Amiee H.
1/30/2011 1 photo
This place is so small and humble, really easy to miss if you aren't paying attention, so when you find it and try it, it's kinda like discovering a hidden treasure!
Food:
1) Today's special WAFFLE with fresh fruits (blueberries, pears, bananas): I can see why this place is known for their waffles! These are like the waffles from HEAVEN!!! I've been searching high and low for the BEST waffles ever and here they are! So close to home! Light and crispy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. It's thicker than most other waffles (which I LOVE!) so it's like the motherload of waffles! The fresh fruit on top was a great extra touch but I think the waffle was mMmmMmmm good just on its own!
2) Mediterranean plate: This dish came with poached eggs on top of hybrid wheat/white bread with feta cheese, olives, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I only got to try a little bit off my friend but it tasted pretty good. The egg was a little overcooked though, wasn't runny at all, but I think some people might appreciate and like it like that (but not me).
Service:
Basically you order at the counter and then you find your own seating and then they bring the food to you. It's almost like a fast food place, but a little more upscale. You even have to get your own water (which is in a huge jug near the back of the restaurant) so there isn't much "service" provided here.
Ambiance:
Really small and crowded but in a sense, it makes the place all the more unique and cozy. We were a party of three but we were still able to find a table. At first we had to snuggle up with a stranger and share a table, but then a table opened up and we were able to shimmy our way over and get our own table. But seating is awfully limited here so don't expect to be seated comfortably or have a spacious meal. The whole cafe gives off a "liberal", "artsy" and "sophisticated" vibe which I'm sure most Berkeley-ians appreciate.
Price:
The waffle was around $8, so it's a bit pricey for a WAFFLE, but I think it's worth it!
Overall:
If it wasn't so small, I would be totally down to camp out here and study the day away. Although I think I would definitely come back just for another good waffle!Listed in: Breakfast/Brunch!
