Pony Expresso Coffee House & Trading Post
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6:30 am - 6 pm
Sat-Sun 7 am - 4 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for Pony Expresso Coffee House & Trading Post
Review Highlights
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25 reviews in English
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Review from Marlene M.
Santa Cruz, CA
8/29/2011
We were looking for some good coffee on our drive north along Highway 49 when we saw the sign for Pony Expresso and were guided down the side street by their sandwich board sign standing in view of the highway (very helpful for us.)
The aroma was enticing and the space was inviting as we walked in. My husband declared the decaf he had to be the best he'd had in a long time. I succumbed to the temptation of a mocha, ice cream and espresso drink that was delightful.
The barista was very pleasant and efficient. -
Review from Samantha S.
Merced, CA
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
We were eating at the Miner's Inn when I asked our waitress if there was a Starbucks anywhere nearby. SHe said no, but guided me in the direction of the Pony Expresso. Boy am I glad she did that. I walked in and was greeted by a very pleasant woman. I ordered a large English Toffee mocha...which was BY FAR the best mocha I've ever had!!! Most delicious. The espresso was not burnt, like most other places. All around great experience and scrumptious coffee!
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Review from John M.
Camarillo, CA
1/12/2012
Expresso is a good place. Hip vibe. A little pricy, and their coffee was good for the area, but if felt weird pumping my own coffee. I figure for the price I want it to be brewed and poured for me. Guess I'm just a city boy.
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Review from Bernard Y.
Santa Monica, CA
11/22/2011
While working in the Yosemite area, I would pass through Mariposa often and discovered this place. It has all the makings of a great independent coffee shop. Good coffee, cool people, good munchies and a cozy atmosphere. The little-used upstairs lounge is a great resource as well if you need some relatively peaceful time away from everything. One of the gems of Mariposa!
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Review from Cath M.
7/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
It was Sunday and 7:30 am... moments away from Class 4 whitewater rafting and S.O. and I needed some caffeine pronto!
Thankfully we had reception around the area and found this place at the corner.
We walked in and a friendly dog named Boo (met the owner) greeted us. I got a medium soy mocha... forgot what the S.O. got... we talked and chatted with the dog's owner and then we got our drinks (it wasn't long a long wait...)
First sip: damn that's hot! I wish I could have asked for 140 degree instead of boiling hot... it was good coffee but by then my tongue was burned. I had to wait for it to cool down and it was that hot that I didn't even get to drink half of it before the rafting trip.
Anyway... a good spot to get your coffee on... but just be careful since it is really boiling hot water!Comment from Amy E. of Pony Expresso Coffee House & Trading Post 7/15/2011
We'll watch that more carefully, I promise. Sorry for the… More » -
Review from Becca W.
Merced, CA
7/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Some of the best espresso I've ever tasted! And I'm a Starbucks snob.
Their fresh roasted beans gives you just enough difference in each coffee cup to keep you wanting more. And their home baked good are a perfect pair for their espresso. I would drive 45 min just for one of their hand crafted drinks :) -
Review from Gina Q.
5/2/2011
Had a hard time finding this place at first. The map I had from the hotel and the chamber said this place was on 6th, but I ended up finding it while just walking around.
I walked in, and instantly I saw comfy arm chairs with people reading the newspaper and some tables and chairs. There were jars filled with locally made teas to choose from. The menu had reasonable prices for the espresso drinks. I ended up ordering a small Oregan Chai with nonfat milk. I hadn't had a Chai in a good while. The man who made my drink (I think was the owner too), did so quickly and asked if I wanted a sprinkling of cinnamon on top which I immediately agreed to. The Chai was served nice and hot, which was perfect on this cold overcast/slightly rainy day. The owner was very nice and I would definitely come back again. -
Review from Brinda J.
9/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Awesome coffee. What a cute place to relax and enjoy some great beans and tea!
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Review from Ted R.
Who doesn't love to find a killer latte on a road trip. Add in friendly service and then you know it's bookmark worthy. Great oatmeal and breakfast sandwiches too. That's five stars, pardner. And another reason to love Mariposa.
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Review from Dejah S.
Seattle, WA
9/14/2011
The latte could have used an extra shot but the oatmeal was spot on for our 7 mile hike at Yosemite. Everyone working there seemed really friendly!
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Review from Dave A.
Catheys Valley, CA
11/10/2011
Passing through Mariposa town and need a coffee or tea while you check your email? Turn at Pizza Factory right by Mariposa Art Park for a delicious house-roasted coffee, espresso drink, home-brewed ice tea or home-baked yummy snack. Free Wi-Fi, very comfortable place -- owners Bill and Amy run Mariposa's classic original and stylish coffeehouse. The best! Bring your kid to ride the mechanical pony. Turn off the highway when you see the green jeep parked by the side of the road that reads PONY EXPRESSO!
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Review from J. P.
San Francisco, CA
7/12/2011
On our way to Yosemite, we stopped in early on a Sunday morning (was it really only 6:30?) and were extremely pleased to find a cafe that was open(!) and that also made some delicious Americanos.
As an added bonus, the woman running the counter was efficient and very friendly.
Further, the decor of the place is very cute. They use some vintage pieces with a natural style.
Good find! -
Review from Jackie G.
Brooklyn, NY
3/4/2009
This place is great. Right off the main drag in Mariposa.
They have three tables and some comfy chairs. Free WiFi and yummy lattes. The whole place has a cozy feel and the ipod playlist that's been playing for the last hour and a half has been awesome!
They also have a few shelves of books that you can take for a $3-5 donation and fun crafts, dream catchers and home-made aprons that you can buy.
I'm currently sitting by a sign that says, "MOTTO TO LIVE BY: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, latte in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!"
I like this place ;) -
Review from Alley B.
Hayward, CA
I wanted to put this place in my pocket and take it home with me as soon as I stepped inside from the small porch with seating for smokers. Incredibly cozy inside and I am huge on coziness. Old, comfy arm chairs were strategically placed in little alcoves and an eclectic mix of art and kitsch decorated the brightly painted yellow walls. The barista was a young, fresh-faced woman with a sweet smile who whipped up the meanest hot chocolate that I have ever had. Normally I'm a latte girl but for some reason, all I wanted on this day was hot chocolate. Maybe it was being in all that snow up at Yosemite. In any case, Pony also has an ultra-cozy lounge upstairs with tons of gently and not-so-gently used furniture as well as wooden shelves full of board games. It's an extremely quaint little spot that you shouldn't miss if you're driving through Mariposa.
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Review from Ross B.
Catheys Valley, CA
3/20/2011
Warm cozy environment and Amy and the rest of the staff are great. This is basically the best place to get coffee in Mariposa. Highly recommended, especially for all you tourists out there looking for a good hometown Americana feel....
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Review from Matt S.
Sonora, CA
6/15/2011
Friendly staff. Amazing drinks. An upstairs area to hangout on your laptop, read a book, or play board games. My family played Monopoly for four hours here. It is very cozy and I would recommend this place to anyone that finds their way into Mariposa.
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Review from Duane H.
Concord, CA
10/4/2011
We stopped in Pony Expresso on our way back to the bay area from a Yosemite trip. The vibe here was stellar, and the people were amazing. Very helpful, and fun to chat with. I just got a few shots and a pound of whole bean Ethiopian to take home. Very tasty stuff!
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Review from Sarasai Y.
Venice, CA
9/5/2011
Bill E.'s coffee saved my life!!! For some crazy reason, I decided to go caffeine-free. You might ask why I'm writing a review for coffee...well, since I quit, I haven't lost the TASTE for it, and I had tried everywhere to get a good placebo. I just got resigned that I could ever find a good decaf, and thought I would just go about the rest of my days longing for the long-lost love affair I used to have with that taste experience *sniff*. BUT THEN...I tried a decaf iced americano at Pony Expresso...and I SAW THE LIGHT! The GREATEST ORGANIC DECAF I've ever had! OMG! Bill E. roasts all their beans, and traveled the world (maybe?) to find the best blend of decaf. He is a genius (everyone else there is amazing as well). Thank you Pony Expresso, you have given me a reason to live...
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Review from Jennifer B.
El Portal, CA
3/11/2011
The Pony Expresso is the best! One of the few independent coffee houses in the west. They KNOW how to make an Americano...even on ice. No chain does that right. Bill roasts coffee everyday in his awesome outdoor, self-made roasting device. And the beans are divine. The space is incredible and the company is always good. I am so happy we have them here in Mariposa. They truly make my day!
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Review from Sharon L.
Mariposa, CA
11/2/2010
I hadn't been to Pony Expresso since it relocated. It's still super convenient, but now lots more space. Find the Pizza Factory as you enter town, and it's just down that street. There's a public lot right across the street from it.
It's now two floors, with a few tables downstairs and more upstairs. Upstairs also has a tiny used bookshop, while downstairs has a yarn shop. A couple of couches and easy chairs too. Super clean and welcoming.
They sell breakfast sandwiches and pastries, along with the typical coffee drinks. They also now sell the reusuable cups. Wifi is free to any Sierratel customers. Customer service is grand.
They close early on weekends though...like around 2pm on sundays and 4pm on Saturdays, I think 7pm ish on weekdays. It's a small town (i live in it) so I understand this, but I wish it was open a bit later for hang out time.
I'll be back, and would highly recommend. -
Review from Melissa E.
Merced, CA
9/12/2011
Delicious coffee, unique atmosphere, and an overall social and comfortable place. So great~!
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Review from April B.
Valencia, CA
2/1/2011
What a great find! Excellent coffees, places to hang inside, outside, upstairs, comfy chairs,games, great art and great things to buy- baked goods, hand knit scarfs, bags- jewelry !! LOVE IT!! Easy to find- lots of atmosphere!! I will be bringing my friends back here again!!
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Review from Tony L.
Silver Spring, MD
3/17/2011
The Pony Expresso is everything an independent coffee house should be -- super-friendly people, great coffee and food, in a really unique space. I just had a delicious cup of soup (fresh, tasty soup available every day), and I'm headed down now to feed my addiction to their fresh-out-of-the-oven, made-from-scratch cookies!
Bill roasts the beans right out on the front porch in his custom roasting rig!
For out-of-towners like me, keep an eye out because this place is kind of tucked away, just off the main street behind a pizza place. -
Review from Jeff T.
San Jose, CA
7/4/2008
Pony Expresso has one of the best environments for a coffee shop in the entire US. Specifically, I'm talking about the amazing outdoor backyard deck, which is set in among beautiful trees, hills and fresh air. The 5 stars are for the hidden outdoor setting and Wi-Fi. It's a bit of peace back there to relax, surf, read a book, or invite your friends to hang out.
Pony Expresso has been around Mariposa for a long time, but they just moved to new location literally a few doors down. I traveled around the US for 8 months and visited countless high rated coffee shops, so you're sure to enjoy yourself.
I only had a iced coffee, which was great, but the pastries look good and you'll need to try the coffee to see if you like it. There are plenty of 5 star coffee shops for the indoors, taste of coffee/food, or outdoors from a people watching or alternatively relaxing environment perspective, so this should give you an idea of what to expect.
Have fun! -
Review from Lisa H.
Yuba, CA
10/11/2009
Moon over Cancun iced tea is really good! Good friendly service and open Sunday in this little town. Bicycling info if you talk to the right person, too.
