Philz Coffee
Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: Mission3101 24th St
(between Folsom St & Shotwell St)
San Francisco, CA 94110 (415) 282-9155
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sat-Sun 7:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Free
327 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
"There is nothing to do but LOVE this place. From the decor, to the location, to the food, to the vibe, it's not just grabbing some grub.…" read more »
331 Reviews for Philz Coffee
When an interviewer asked Keith Richards about "today's rock and roll" he replied, with this gem:
"Man I never gotten past Robert Johnson."
That's how I feel about Tesora, Phil's house blend. Keith Richards never could find the bottom of Robert Johnson's heart, nor his soul. He just kept playing, and listening. He never needed anything more, because Robert Johnson's blues was his nightly muse. Tesora is my morning muse.
Jazz on Sunday - bright and cheery.
Beautiful bariste - I like them hipsters.
Mocha Tesora - sweetened just right.
Playing the "Spot the Strangest Beard" game with friends. You will have a field day with this one. There are so many to choose from...
Surfing the wireless interwebs.
Five glorious stars!
I will remember to snack/eat elsewhere. A vegan cookie is ~83.33% the cost of a small Mocha Tesora, and it was a little on the dry side.
As for the dogs, I read in another review that there was a recent ban. I am a dog owner, and even I don't mind that so much. If the owners of certain dogs who happened to make their way into Philz would actually take responsibility for them, it would be alright. It is NOT COOL, however, to tell your dog to get down, which essentially means laying its 50-pound body across the top of a stranger's bag, which may or may not contain something fragile inside. NOT COOL.
I love Philz [location-specific, as I have not visited the other two], even though I leave the place completely jittery from caffeine. Five glorious stars.
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Here is the breakdown of my Sunday morning coffeehouse experience, narrated by various body parts:
NOSE: Holy crap, what is that amazing smell? Let's get it.
FEET: No... I'm too tired from moving furniture yesterday. I don't want to walk anymore.
NOSE: Suck it up. You need some coffee and you'll be fine.
EYEBALL: Yeah, Feet. And I saw that there were couches in there last time you walked by. You and Ass can rest.
FEET: That is a valid point. Ok, let's go.
EYEBALL: Wow, this place is really arty and comfy looking. And the barista has beautiful eyes. I'm jealous.
STOMACH: Hey, get me one of those pastries. And some of that free mint for the picking. And whip cream.
THIGHS: No whip cream. Please.
MOUTH: WOW. I mean, WOW this coffee is good. I love the fresh sprig of mint in my Turkish coffee!
NOSE: See? Told ya.
ASS: Mmmmm I'm going to snuggle into this comfy, broken-in couch. How you doin, Feet?
FEET: Golden.
EARS: Dude you guys, I'm bored.
EYES: Don't worry, they're setting up a little jam session in the front window over there. They'll start playing in a few.
BRAIN: Note to self: body says yes to Phillz. Return frequently.
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Do you know what is NOT hip, cool, and irreverent these days? Making fun of hipsters! However, making fun of your siblings is always AWESOME, right?
My brother lurves the biking, but he assures me that he is in NO WAY a hipster. I take his word for this- blood thicker than water, you know. So I schlepped over to Philz on the 49 to deliver him his favorite bike lock that was accidentally in my possession (at least this time no one was SMOKING OUT at the back of the bus, but also the mariachi band wasn't playing, BOO!) as it was convenient for his journey from BART over from the land of stuffwhitepeoplelike.com, aka Berkeley.
Anyway I was a bit confused by the egalitarian/ chaotic lack of lines, also mesmerized by the shelves and shelves of different types of beans- I just got some iced coffee. Then I stared in disgust at VEGAN DONUTS.
If I ever have to go to hell, they will be playing the movie What About Bob in an endless loop and they will make me eat VEGAN DONUTS i cannot even COMPREHEND the disgustingness of this idea, do not even try to make me. OMG.
So. Brother insisted on sharing a vegan cookie- Let me tell ya, I had MUCHO trepidation and GUESS WHAT it wasn't that BAD!!
"HOLY CRAP this cookie isn't making ME VOMIT" I exclaimed.
"Yes, sister, vegan cooking really has come along way in the past few years," brother replies.
*blinks* "You realize that I could say something mean and cutting about you being a vegan hipster white person, but I am not because I am so NICE. Also this iced coffee is awesome."
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Simply the best coffee in San Francisco....
I've been there 2x today!
I agree, the coffee is REALLY freakin good! I was surprised that they charged $2.75 for a small but then I had a sip and I understood, it was one hell of a drink!
Another positive. They have free wi-fi and three computers for their customers to use, very cool.
Also love the chess set that's out, though I'm a terrible player, it inspired me.
Only drawback. If you're trying to work or want to read, it's a little hard. The music is loud and this is a place where people hang out. For a quieter space I would go to Mission Creek Cafe. But coffee and service wise, fantastic!
It's like Blue Bottle without the pretension, or Ritual without the attitude. Actually, it's like neither. It's simply the best coffee I've ever had. Bright and amazing and custom made, with mint if you want it. Simply the best cup in town, hands down.
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I have down graded my review as they have recently become anti-dog and do not allow dogs in their shop. They claim that it is a health issue but I checked and the SF health department says it is not them and is likely a Philz policy. I bring my dog everywhere including Safeway and other coffee shops like Starbucks and they have no issues.
Coffee that will change your life. I am not kidding.
BUT it will change your waistline. Cream and sugar in every cup tastes AMAZING, but damn if my jeans don't fit now. So, I temper my loves Mocha Tesora and Estastic Iced Coffee with a BANGING Mint Tea with a little honey. Soothes my throat after screaming at kids all day (at a day camp) and doesn't help me store my fat for winter.
Also, Phil is often about and he's a dream to talk to.
OH! And hit it up on Sunday morning to hear a delightful local band play awesome music.
Oh, Philz, you are a dream come true.
So, I'm a drip coffee person...no fancy latte shit for me.
Philz knows how get it right! When that little fella Phil (or some mission kid) slaves with the hot water, freshly grinding my coffee and swooning over my single coffee experience I will pay...
Now yes, I hear you $3.25 for a cup of coffee but I mean Phil knows just how much cream I like in my coffee, perfectly sweetened with the delicate balance of sugar & fresh mint...Totally worth every penny & catching an early bus to pick up a cup before Caltrain!
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I had to bump them up to five full stars because of the excellent quality of their product. Yesterday I stopped in for a large coffee but it was one of those days when one cup is not enough. At work I brewed a fresh pot of quality coffee, I won't name the brand. I put my own heavy cream in like they do at Philz and while it was miles above typical office coffee it was crap by comparison.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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06/23/2008
Philz is excellent coffee that is made one cup at a time as you order it, they grind the beans and… Read more »
[Great Northern waitress pours Agent Cooper's coffee]
Cooper: Wait a minute! Wait a minute!
[sips, sighs blissfully]
This is--
excuse me--a DAMN fine cup of coffee.
I've had I don't know how many cups of coffee in my life, but this is one of the best.
Agent Cooper would love Philz.
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I HEART Philz (only at this location though).
I miss great coffee... strong, flavorful, Italian or Turkish style. Americans have been deprived for way too long. I blame Starbucks teaching you all bad habits. And believing that espresso coffees are 'premium' (that's such BS - go visit humble little Sydney sometime).
So why do I love Philz?
... Because it taste like coffee
... Because the ROI of caffeine vs. cost per cup is on my side
... Because the girl behind the counter is too cool for school, but nice enough to dispense her nuggets of coffee wisdom
... Because I can sit on the recycled furniture for hours and discuss the meaning of life
... Because I took a then boyfriend there and it changed his life (then we broke up, that's another story)
... because I can pick up a little something across the road, at the Mexican baker, and take it into Philz so it goes with my strong wonderful coffee
That is why I keep going back, even though its in the middle of no where.
I've found a new local hangout during my days. They have awesome coffee and a fun staff. When I walked in and told them that I had a sore throat, someone at the counter recommended a custom herbal tea. When I got it, wow...what a flavor, and it was wonderful for soothing my throat.
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When I want real coffee with flavor and I've got the time, this is where I go. Probably one of the funkiest coffee shops this side of the known universe. The lounge area looks like a vintage furniture shop. They even have internet access terminals, like right out of 1997 or something...
I knock off one star because the staff can't seem to get it together enough to deal with the bewildered crowd of Sunday strollers that inevitably descend on the place, unable to make sense out of either the coffee menu or the "one cup at a time" system. They need to hire the soup nazi to deal with crowd control.
How have I not reviewed this place? I'm ashamed of myself. Really.
Philz is the kind of coffee-shop every neighborhood needs. It's eclectic, comfortable, cozy, and has some of the best damned coffee I've ever raised to my lips.
I remember trying it for the first time about a year ago. My roommate was a huge fan and gave me my first sip of a Philz "Mocha" Tesora and I was sold. Dark, smooth, perfectly-sweetened. These people know what they're doing with coffee.
Philz is also my first experience with the brew-by-the-cup method of coffee. They have a ridiculous amount of coffees to choose from, and I'm sure anyone can waltz right in and find something that suits their needs. But beware: the dark ones are strong. Hella strong. You'll be jolt-y for a bit, and you've been forewarned.
The atmosphere is ecelectic: mis-matched old couches and tables, random bits of furniture. Fliers for all sorts of going-upons taped to the walls and windows. Cleanliness *might* not be their thing, but it's totally comfortable. I think the place must have been a corner-store in a previous life...the big 'fridges on one wall suggest as much.
They also have People's (vegan) Donuts here. Scorsies.
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Move over Blue Bottle there is a new fedora wearing sheriff in town...name is Philz. I went out of my morning way to try this coffee and it was definitely worth it!
Soooo Good! That's the roast I tried- the name says it all! I will be back to try the iced coffee and the Mocha Tesora.
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Phill'er up, Philz!
This was one of my favorite cafes in the City! Love love the iced coffee here.
You've philled me up with your Philz goodness, baby.
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Best coffee I've ever had, I totally go out of my way for a cup whenever I can! I tried Bluebottle which everyone raves about, and it's hell of good, but it doesn't get me excited like Philz does. If you haven't tried Philz yet, DOOOO EEEETTT!!!
They've got something like 19 different roasts to choose from; each order ground and dripped one cup at a time. My favorites are the Soooo Good (a full-bodied, full-flavored light roast with low acidity) and the Mocha Tesora (which is, basically, a mocha. a fantastic one).
They will ask if you want cream and sugar. Say yes. They will then cream and sugar it for you. I advise you to let them handle it (even if you think you're this hot-shit hardcore coffee drinker who knows whats best for your coffee) because they know exactly what they're doing and they do a fabulous job of it.
BTW if you see a yellow-frosted donut in the pastry case, grab it! Something about the way that lemony frosting dissolves on your tongue is so refreshing and compliments any of the coffees really well.
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Philz is not regualr coffee people! Philz is at its own level!
Philz is art.... Tesora is really a treasure.... I treasure every sip of it.
The amazing blend of cardamom and Philz fine pick of beans in the Philharmonic is one of my favorite!
And the Silken Spendor.. ohh soo silky smooth.
And last time we went, Phil was actually brewing our coffee, and he received a thumbs up from the bf.
The bf didn't even drink coffee prior Philz, but now he's a fan :)
what can i say.....
the best coffee in the city, the lowest prices on vegan donuts that i know of...and they give you free mint in your coffee if you so desire. what is not to like/love/obsess about this place? sure...a small coffee and a vegan donut will knock the hell out of a five dollar bill, but with phil and his girls doin it up proper like mc hammer, you gotta pay the price, homey.
i wish the tables and chairs were a little bit more orderly inside, but i am usually sitting outside no matter what the weather is and people watching anyways, so i am not going to complain. i always tell myself i want to try all of the different blends of coffee here, but as soon as i walk up to the counter i automatically yell out my order of a small "greater alarm"...that ish will kick you in the ace, so it would be a good idea not to drink this after doing a bunch of coke or meth...just my opinion though, do what you want.
i will see you there.
Thanks to a recommendation from amiga Bevin, I ordered the ecstatic ice coffee. It was delicious. MM MM GOOD. It totally hit the spot after a casual stroll west on 24th in weird heat that San Frandisco makes. I took a 1 star away because it's ugly inside, and I am shallow.
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An Ode to Philz...
Philz makes me feel like a little girl.
Philz makes me want to run barefoot over Astroturf.
Philz makes me not shave on a Sunday morning.
Philz makes me laugh at pet funerals.
Philz makes me sing Moldavian folk songs.
Philz makes me look fat.
Philz makes me my very own cup of Mocha Tesora.
Blue Bottle reaches for my cajones, but Philz goes to my heart.
Believe it or not, last weekend was my very first visit to the original Philz. I've been to both Castro locations and the one in Mission Bay many, many, many, many times. The couches may have been taken, and the slacker-vibe kinda thick, but oh for the smooth, rich flavor of a handmade cup of coffee for $3.50.
COFFEE - 5 stars...so smooth I rub it on my...
AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...hippie-dippy, man
SERVICE - 4 stars...focus on me....focus on me
TOTAL - 5 stars...just comes down to the brew
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Ducked in randomly during the carnaval parade and discovered coffee nirvana!
If Casablanca was a coffeeshop in San Francisco this would be it...with its timeless vintage feeling...left half has plenty of comfortable seating...including lots of cozy victorian chairs...obligatory books and chess...well-maintained, perfect location for mellow metaphysical conversations...relaxed atmosphere and wonderful coffee aromas inside was a nice counterpoint to the parade.
The right side area is where the magic happens...about dozen people milling around waiting for their fix...breaking the code for proper ordering was difficult for me since I have been weaned on franchise coffeeshops where the order is taken at the register...the 20 choices of different varieties of coffee was overwhelming...when I mentioned my newbie status to the barrista she turned to an older fellow for recommendation...lo and behold, it was the namesake Phil Jaber...he directed me to order the #19 Tesoro (which appropriately translates as 'treasure' but I wouldn't have been surprised if had been called 'lujuria').
The coffee was brewed one cup at a time...rested on a long church pew while waiting for the barrista's alchemy (a couple minutes seems like an eternity when you are used to starbucks).
The coffee had a meniscal froth since the barrista violently shook the carton of cream before pouring it...when I was handed the cup of coffee I was immediately mesmerized by its intoxicating aromatic halo...this is such stuff dreams are made on.
Say what you will about making inferences from a single data point, but everything came together in perfect harmony for one brief moment while I savored what may very well have been the single best cup of coffee in the universe!
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The most fabulous hot chocolate in the world...yes, I have checked.
its a sipping chocolate..which means that you could go into a chocolate induced coma if you gulp this Guittard mouthful seasoned with cinnamon and marsh mellows too quickly....thick rich decadent good!!! The people who work here are angels. Beautiful and angelic children that deliverer this nectar of the Gods!!!
OH MY GOD YUM! and the small is enough to fuel you through your chocolate haze of a day...groovy couches that slouch in all the right places, trippy mags to enjoy, and the locals are real locals! not the shipped in extras that starbucks hires!! and OH YES...the coffee rocks too!!! One cup at a time...a good rule for coffee and life!! xoxo
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This is my favorite coffee in the world (currently), with lots of cream. It beats out my other favorite coffee (at McDonalds! yes folks- I'm the only person in the world who thinks McDonalds coffee is great! but think about it- McDonalds can make any supplier a billionaire so the coffee's gotta compete!) The only reason Philz gets 4 stars is because of the baked goods selection (I'm more into french pastries) Whenever I'm in the neighbourhood of a Philz- I get a coffee whether I need one or not! now that's a business!
Philz provided a much needed, good cup of coffee, before my dreaded caffeine- withdrawl headache set in.
The best way to start your day, and end it!
This is the real boost full of antioxidants and yumminess. My favorite, Philtered Soul. ah! :-D I say that I come, from east bay, into the city for coffee, then I stay for work. Enjoy!.
Seriously. Can you San Franciscans label the cross streets? I got off the 24 St./Mission BART stop and I couldn't figure out which was 24st and which was Mission. I took a stab (no pun intended) and headed east on 24 St. for some of this supposed coffee gem in Mission.
The interior is not the most welcoming, but it does have bathrooms and free Wi-Fi! The baristas make the coffee after you order so hold on to your pants while you wait. Bonus star for the hottie Asian barista that served me. Oh yes, my coffee had just the right about of cream and sugar (though I've never been asked for sugar while getting mocha).
And while I had hotness in my stomach, I head straight for Bi-Rite. Brilliant for that restroom journey afterwards.
I'll up one more star when I come here another time to test their other flavors and consistency. Don't be intimidated by the unique menu names; they have a key of what is in it on the bottom of the counter.
I actually spotted Phil when I visited!
It has been over 3 hours since I drank a cup from Philz and my heart is still beating really fast. Wow... what a great cup of coffee. Bought myself a bag of beans and am ready to continue fueling my coffee addiction. Woooohoooooo!!!!
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The coffee is strong but smooth.
The vibe is hippie but urban.
The tunes are diverse but cool.
The neighborhood is hip but divey.
The place is grubby but clean.
I like Philz.
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What makes a coffeehouse lovely:
(1) Quality beans.
(2) Great shots of espresso.
(3) Friendly service.
(4) Hot hipster bariste.
Philz has plenty of (1) and extreme amounts of (3), but sadly falls short in the (2) department. However, their drip coffee stands supreme, and the refreshingly authentic smiles I received can't help but warrant Philz five stars. Still, I crave the endless whooshing of steaming hot jet streams that could cause an explosion if handled improperly. Coffee is like sex, in that it's better when there's an element of sudden death involved...
And to the (4) - call me ;-D
UPDATE:
After repeated visits to the place, I am declaring Philz my go-to cafe for a Sunday morning. You will find me here henceforth.
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Interesting coffee! I went with a decaf since it was after 2 pm. And that last thing anyone needs is Sonam on coffee! It keeps me up the whole night! And then the next day, I am cranky!!!!
The taste was strange at first since it reminded me of drinking chai in India. I do want to go and try it again. Nice ambiance, Phil and his helpers were really friendly!
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Amazing coffee. I always have so much energy after a cup, but not in a crazy-person caffeine-binge kind of way.
Made to order cup by cup, so if you're in a hurry, skip it. And it's kind of dark and dreary-- not someplace I really want to hang out.
But the coffee is totally fucking amazing. I still haven't tried all the varieties, but I aim to. My coffee is always just *exactly* what I wanted. Plus they mix in your sugar or cream or whatever for you, which magically ends up tasting so much more incredible than had you done it yourself.
I have friends who come all the way from Toronto for Philz.
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Philz is in it's own category. You can't compare it with any other coffee since it is like no other. The aromas, the flavors and the buzz you get can not be matched by any other. At this cafe the coffee is the focus and everything else takes a back seat.
Not only can Phil serve you up a fresh steamy cup-o-joe with a freshly plucked mint leaf, he is also more than happy to provide advice and council on a myriad of subjects. From love advice to ego boosting (mmmhmmm, Phil thinks I'm pretty, and that's enough for me), to where to get the best hookah tobacco (Phil 'knows a guy'). Waiting for my bff to get off the clock the night me and my bf broke up, just counting the seconds until I could drink my sorrows away, Phil, upon hearing that we were gonna spend loads of cash on booze, insisted that we let him buy us a bottle and we could hash it out, right then an there. Awww, Phil, I love that you don't discourage my drinking, you just discourage the spending of money on drinking.
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5/30/08:
O wow! On the recommendation of Patrick M., I had to try Philz Coffee. I made it a point to stop by here before going to the 'See Jane Run' store. And what can I say?...This place, Phil, the barista, the coffee, and the menu were not a disappointment at all! I was too mesmerized by the drink options, so I asked the knowledgeable barista what was good here..."Everything!" Then Phil steps in and asked me where I normally get my coffee. I said at Peet's, and based on that, he told the barista to brew me the Jacob's Wunderbar- a medium brew with a hint of cream and sugar. I took the first sip and I loved it! It was smooth and sweet; I definitely could taste the strong-ness and fullness of the beans, but it wasn't too overpowering, it wasn't too diluted or too bitter...it was perfect. Every sip left a hint of flavor in my mouth that made me want to keep sipping. And for some reason, as I babied my coffee, it tasted better each time.
I'm definitely returning to try the Tantalizing Turkish and Tesora. Loved the homey, unique atmosphere ...definitely not your average coffee shop and they truly live up to their motto of "one cup at a time"
Sorry Peet, Starbucks, and Grove....I'm now in love with Phil!!
6/5/08 update:
Came back for the Tantalizing Turkish...mmmmmm!! The fresh mint was something new that I've never had before in coffee, besides in a mojito. Who would have thought to infuse coffee with an herb?? Brilliant because it added so much flavor!!!
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I'd like to maintain that my body is impervious to caffeine. I can usually drink a Venti Starbucks something-or-other at 11pm and fall quickly into a nice REM cycle by midnight. I drink coffee for the taste, mostly out of habit in the mornings when nothing wakes me up faster than the smell and flavor of a freshly brewed cup of joe.
But believe the hype. Right now I am writing this review in a serious caffeine-induced state of psychosis. I had a large Turkish coffee - cardamom is one of my favorite flavors ever, lucky me - and sipped it for the past half hour...and now I've got more bounce in my step than the Energizer Bunny on methamphetamines. They brew their coffee one cup at a time, which means it's FRESH fresh. Slow drip coffee has way more caffeine in it than a measly shot of espresso...and it shows after you've had a cup of Philz.
Tonight, I feel like cleaning my apartment, doing my laundry, sketching a few t-shirt designs, starting a new painting, crafting some earrings, organizing my books, sorting out paperwork, writing some music, deconstructing some clothing, choreographing moves for my next karaoke performance, updating my Filofax, defragmenting my disk drive, rearranging my closet, and then perhaps watching a Netflix movie that has been sitting on my coffee table for the better half of a month.
You may call it coffee, but I call a largel coffee from Philz "a cupful of motivation".
PS. I have also tried their Philtered Soul - it is also equally divine, just a touch sweeter than regular black coffee.
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I heart you Philz. The way I wake up dreaming of you and feel the need to scramble out of bed and take the half hour walk to finally reach you just so that I can moan ecstaticy after taking my first sip. mmm.. I am salivating just writing about it. Ok ok. I had to have my moment but seriously if that doesn't have you wanting to go get their coffee right now then I simply don't know what will. Besides the coffee, service is friendly and excellent, you can buy a fedora if you find your in the need, you can cozy up on a couch with a book or challenge someone to chess. How I love thee Philz. You are one of the reasons I can now never leave San Francisco.
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For this native San Diegan, this is my FAVORITE place for coffee. The service is great and the coffee is almost orgasmic. The atmosphere is pretty cool too.
I came across Philz while walking in the Mission district a few years back. My roommate was tired and I kept saying there was a coffee house down the street (eventually there was). We ordered our coffee, sat in an old leather couch and enjoyed the fresh air from all the plants inside. We felt rejuvenated (oxygen I think) and went along our way.
I miss Philz Coffee and can't wait to go back. If it means anything, this San Diegan highly recommends it!
