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Redwood City, CA
"Place is bomb, no doubt about it. Go in to the front room and buy beans in bulk, or head through the portal to the cafe in the back for a…" read more »
I'm running out of things to say about Peets.
Showing support has proven itself to be more daunting than I realized.
What can I say about this one? I don't get here much.
Historically I've stopped here whenst I used to rehearse in RWC or had jury duty. So jeez. I dunno.
The kids here are solid and down to earth. You ask for some coffee, they'll totally give you some coffee... weird, I know.
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I can't drink coffee and I don't eat pastries. However...
After a meal at Pho Dong next door my wife was craving desert. At 8:55pm, our options were limited. She wanted a cookie so I suggested we check Peet's because we were practically on top of it. With visions of Starbucks in her head (awful baked products), she reluctantly agreed.
Once we got to the counter the young man informed us that he couldn't sell us anything because they were closed. He then offered each of us a complimentary pastry or baked good. My wife selected a spicy ginger cookie and I politely declined.
She loved the cookie! I tried a small bit of it and it was ok, but the fact that it was a freebie and I avoided a trip to the grocery store made it that much sweeter.
Good on you Peet's, and go Bears!
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I got my morning coffee/breakfast from one of the bigger Peet's location in the city of Redwood City; or maybe the entire Bay Area. This Peet's is very convenient for riders on Cal Train, workers from surrounding areas and yes, high-school kids. (There is a High school one-block away on El Camino Real).
I came here at 7:30 am, and with no surprise there was a fat line with a large majority of high-school kids and the other people as I abovementioned. After a 15 minute wait in line, finally I got my usual 16 oz. depth-charge (a shot of espresso in the coffee for $2.50). My drink was very strong and effective for a struggling Monday Morning.
With the invention of Peet's Frappe drinks, high school kids bought a "super chug" size of the cold drink with a Mt. Everest-sized whipped cream on the top to start or end from their educational day. Kids would crowd around the barista and request and free-load more item(s) in their respective drinks. Do you often wonder why obesity has increased in recent years?
Assumingly class starts between 8-8:30am and ends past 3-3:30pm, those are times not to come for your fuel. Kids will dominate those hours for their "wired" frozen drinks.
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Great location in the center of downtown, right next to the Caltrain station.
You know, I guess that's all it really has going for it, except for the fact that it's Peet's.
Great location for a Peet's as it really add some umph to this segment of Broadway. Rather spacious with several comfy chairs and other tables rather spread out. Minus one star for having no WiFi so I can't sit there and write my Yelp reviews for establishments in the area -- that is, unless I sit near the window on a good day and can steal someone else's access.
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The downtown RWC location is spacious and clean, larger than the average Peet's. It feels safe too, since it's such a popular spot for RWC cops. They usually have children's art (from local school kids) on the walls. Lines can get pretty long in the morning but I suspect that's true for all Peet's. It seems like a nice place to sit with your laptop. There are two bathrooms.
I'm addicted to the lowfat ginger pumpkin muffins. They have a good amount of spice with no nuts or dried fruit. They're seasonal though and not sure how long they'll last.
It's close to the CalTrain station and parking usually isn't too hard to find. I sometimes go to the Starbucks in Sequoia Station but that location isn't as good as other Starbucks locations, plus it attracts a less appealing crowd.
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After reading Jordano's recent review for Peet's Coffee and finding out that their founder recently passed on, I thought I'd give my own props to the best coffeemakers in the bay area.
When I first moved to San Francisco, my roommate Earle introduced me to Peet's. He was a Peet's fanatic; it was the only kind of coffee he'd buy. I thought he was insane. My first impression was.... Jesus... this is like... drinking coal! I was still the kind of coffee drinker that Earle didn't consider a REAL coffee drinker - meaning, I didn't like it black. Taking the same "so-not-cool" approach as I did during my wish-i-could-erase-it "nicotine phase" (french inhaling, buying menthol or a generic brand), I drank Maxwell House. I used crystals. I liked cream and sugar. Earle didn't want to acknowledge we were actually roommates.
So yeah, it's true, I didn't like the taste of Peet's at first. It was SO STRONG. But after a few months, I was hooked. It has such a unique taste. There is something about being a Peet's coffee fan that makes you feel like you're in this hip club. It's like going to a Liz Phair show. You and all the other fans know how cool you are just for being there. That's right, baby.... we like it strong.... we like it dark... we know the good sh*t...
When I was working for an investment firm, years back, they announced one day that they'd be switching to Peet's coffee for all the employees. I have to admit... that's probably one of the reasons I stayed at that job longer than I should have.
The Redwood city location has nice people working there... at least, they did when I went a few months back. I remember being really impressed by the gal with curly brown hair who got my coffee but I didn't get her name. She was super friendly and helpful - without being annoying. It's a careful balance, especially when you're probably wired on 4-5 cups of leaded java.
Farewell Alfred Peet. Thanks for all the years of jacking me up on your fine, fine brew, and may you still have some way to enjoy it in the afterlife.
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Update: I just went in again and saw the same barista chick who was super cool the first time, and looked at her nametag - it was Jill. She's great.
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Now I didn't order anything on my trip in last night, but my sister did. I'm writing this review based on the barista's service - she was kind, very smooth with trying to upsell us to get additional drinks, and then offered us a free hot chocolate - we (three of us) had to kindly decline since we are all...*drum roll please!* lactose-intolerant - which I was kind enough to inform her of as I didn't want to offend her on why we didn't want free beverages and hurt her ego since we already rejected her earlier upsell.
Either way, this is a shout out to the barista woman who worked the night of 1/05 - thanks for being service oriented - trust me, we wanted the hot chocolate, but nature was rooting against it.
And how much do you love the kids art on the wall? Fingerpainting of self portraits inspired by.... VINCENT VAN GOGH? The portraits are hiliarious and so endearing that they look like cute clowns!
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One of the happiest moments in my suburban life was when this Peet's location opened near my house. (the other was when Whole Foods opened nearby).
The usual Peet's quality coffee and service. Great location and good size. My only issue is with the crowds. The morning line is often way too long and they don't seem able to keep it moving fast enough. I now do drive by's to see how the line is. If it's massive, I stop somewhere else on the way to work. Still, I'm happy they're here!
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The coffee is ok but the service is horrible.
They consistently perform badly.
Several times they charged me more and refused to change it. Few times forgot my order and had to redo it again.
And talking to other customers in the shop, some of them had similar experience, but did not want to walk all the way to Starbucks.
The customer service, speed and accuracy needs to go together if you are charging $3 and up.
This was the last straw, I am done with them.
I used to drink Peet's Coffee when they served it at Au Bon Pain and there were no Peet's Coffees on the east coast and in fact I didn't even know I was drinking Peet's Coffee, I just knew the cappuccino went great with a brie sandwich.
I found out I was drinking Peet's Coffee when Au Bon Pain switched to something else and I asked them about it and they told me it had been a special blend Peet's made up for them. I was bummed they switched until I saw a big, shiny new Peet's Coffee open up right in Harvard Square, which I was pretty excited about but in the end I never got any coffee there because the place was SUPER packed ALL THE FREAKING TIME. Those Harvard students have great taste in coffee.
Flash forward a number of years to me moving to Redwood City. The Peet's Coffee here is very nice, never too busy from what I have seen and it has a pleasant seating area. For some reason though, I never stepped foot inside until my bf and I had our FIRST DATE EVAR - WOOT WOOT!(tm) here on a rainy day in February. I think they should put up a plaque commemorating this historic event (or maybe frame his parking ticket.)
I give them five stars even without the plaque for having:
good coffee
convenient location
a nice seating area
friendly fellow patrons
and not being as ding-danged packed as stupid Peet's in Harvard Square.
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My absolute favorite coffee shop! I'm addicted to Peets and hate hate hate Starbucks. Traveling out of the area makes it more difficult to get my fix except for the Peets in La Jolla, which was my first Peet's experience, then the Belmont location and FINALLY the one here in Redwood City. I walk my dog there saturday mornings to find at least 3 other dogs tied to the trees while their owners are inside. Would be GREAT to have a couple tables outside as there is a great community feeling on Broadway now with all the new restaurants. The only bad things is Redwood City's new parking meters! Like they haven't raised the price of trash and water enough now they have to put parking meters in EVERYWHERE! It's really ridiculous and I refuse to pay $0.75 per hour, when there should be 15 minute spots for people who just want to run in and get a coffee.
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Peet's is the best coffee shop in Redwood City, hands down. I think Peet's is the best chain coffee shop around, being that its coffee is superb, and its pastries are all-natural. They source from places Whole Foods does, so you know you can trust the baked goods as being filled with wholesome ingredients.
Those two things make Peet's an easy winner. I do wish, however, there was a local coffee shop I could support, an indy worth my money, but in Redwood City, such a place does not exist. It's too bad.
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Peet's is my favorite coffee, and for over a year, I wondered when Redwood City decision-makers were going to bring one in. When they finally did, they put in the perfect location on Broadway.
I quickly became a "regular" and 90 percent of my cappuccinos were perfect (10 percent were made by baristas who must have been trained at Starbucks to top off with the airy non-existent foam). The staff was friendly and knowledgeable and I felt like they were happy to see me each time I walked in the door.
This place was nearly a 5-starer (those afore-mentioned baristas were slowly getting trained to make proper foam and the bathroom was clean on a more regular basis) until the new manager took over. She's unpleasant and lends a formal, cold touch to the once-friendly atmosphere. It doesn't feel like my cozy neighborhood coffee spot anymore.
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I prefer Starbucks lattes and $ to Peet's Coffee & Tea. Their service is slow and turnover rate high. But every morning my brother and I choose Peet's for their almond tea cakes and he likes their banana blueberry muffins (which sell out before 10am almost everyday). The almond tea cakes are butterlicious, really addictive. I get happy just thinking about them.
Great location--perfect for when IQ takes an unusual train and we have to pick him up at Redwood City instead of our usual stations. However, they need some outdoor seating, so Buddy and I can commune outdoors like we do at our Belmont Peet's, where Buddy is a featured guest on Sundays. I love the sofas inside and I've found the staff to be nice--I came in just before closing once and the register was down so they gave me my drink for nothing. In return they got a big tip.
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Redwood City must have over a dozen Starbucks locations within the city limits. The entire first year I worked here, any conversation I would have with a City employee would invariably start with, "So...any idea when we'll be getting a Peet's?" I apologize for my impatience, but I'm a Berkeley girl...I can't function without close proximity to a quality source of coffee. I have to say, they did a great job with this location. I love the design of this building and how they preserved the historic feel of the architecture. I also love its convenient location right across the street from the CalTrain station.
How do they manage to consistently make such perfect, creamy latte foam?
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The coffee, tea, and snacks are fine, but the service does tend to be slow. I find this Peet's ridiculously small - almost every time I've been in there people were searching for chairs. Free WiFi would be nice.
The second best Peets location ever! (the first is Dublin where Paul the barista will entertain for hours)
Great coffee...I suggest the non-fat small white mocha for cold days, and a medium iced soy white mocha extra foam for hot days.
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This is the latest Pete's to pop up in the Redwood City -- Palo Alto --Menlo Park corridor. This Peet's is by far the best of all 3. The employees make the best foam, it is open late and there are several comfortable places to work, read or hang out with friends. In addition it is right next to the RC train station. Grabbing a cup of coffee is simple and easy before you head to the train.
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Now that we've got bicycles, I've been riding with GF to her train-stop instead of dropping her off behind Long's, and this Peets is right next to the CalTrain bike lockers.
These folks know their brewing, fresh coffee, and also seriously BREW a fine cup of tea. Give yourself time to experience the kind of coffee that takes a moment or two to brew - here you won't be disappointed, or over-hyped on sugar dumped over stale beans like *some* places, ahem.
Bakery goods are brought in fresh, and are lovely and tasty as a snack, but I need something more substantive for a breakfast.
Friendly staff, comfy couches.
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I am a huge Peet's fan. And a huge coffee fan. I just don't understand why this particular location doesn't have the same amazing coffee as the others. And why is this one the closest to me? Why god why?! Bad luck I guess. I seriously drive out of my way to Belmont or downtown PA when I need my Peet's fix. The coffee is just not as bold and smooth, and it's a bit watery. I don't get it!
My favorite Peet's locations: 1) Downtown Palo Alto and 2) Pacific Heights. These two are consistently amazing. I also have to say that the employees at Peet's in general are consistently less friendly than those at Starbucks, so Starbucks gets some points for that. And I don't like Peet's Mochas-the chocolate flavor is rather unfamiliar.
All in all, Peet's is my favorite coffee house and one of the greatest things I've discovered since moving to the Bay Area.
The first day i stopped in they were really slow. I nearly missed my train. I'm not huge on Starbucks coffee, but those people know how to move, so i go there instead.
Since then, I've been back only in the evenings. They're quicker, but both times I've been they've been preoccupied with their closing schedule, even hours before it's time to shut the place. Not the best way to treat a customer.
I'm always disappointed when I come here. I like the location so much that I keep trying, but the interactions I've had with staff have all proved that they could give a f**k about me and my business.
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This is my new favorite Peet's store! There are 3 cool young guys that are very knowledgable about coffee. I consider myself a coffee aficionado and they taught me new things.
Since then, I visit them frequently and always feel excited to get my triple long espresso in a mug not a paper cup.
I like the kick'n it on the leather couches and i especially like sittin' on the little couch with coffee in one hand and my cute girlfriend in my lap. All I need is a laptop and I could be there all day.
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I have had 4 great cappucino's at this specific Peet's in 4 attempts. Not sure if they have the super star cappucino makers, but they are batting 1000. None of those pathetic merringue dollops on top of dead espresso. They know their craft.
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Peet's coffee finally sets foot in Redwood City: excellent!
It's a good -mainstream- alternative to Starbuck's.
The place itself is quite comfortable although it could be improved: the tables feel at the same time scattered and too crowed. One feels more like stepping inside a waiting room than a coffe shop.
The negative (and I'm sure it's just temporary) is the music they're playing. What's the deal?
They seem to be found of Wagner-like music, playing loud. Overall, it's very stressing and it's hard to stay, sip and or read for long. I went there twice and didn't feel like invading Poland so I left quickly.
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