The Coffee Spot

I love coming here since the location on campus is so convenient and it’s a yummy, quick lunch that I can just grab when I’m in a hurry. They serve your usual café food consisting of sandwiches, bagels, pasta salads, pastries, and even falafel platters! I usually order either the Veggie Sandwich ($ 4) or Bagel with Cream Cheese, Tomato and Cucumber ($ 2.50). The service is fast and efficient, and you can usually get out within 5 minutes.
The sandwich comes with lettuce, onion, tomato, avocado, cucumber, red pepper, and feta cheese on a bread roll of your choice. They pack a LOT of veggies into the sandwich and some even spill out a bit when they slice the sandwich in half. Even though they don’t put any special sauce in the sandwich, the feta really adds to the taste and makes it super good. The bread is pretty much your standard roll, so nothing too special there. The portion size is pretty big, so unless I’m really hungry, I don’t usually finish the whole thing and save the rest for later.
The bagel always comes out nicely toasted and the seasoning that they put in the middle is delicious. Even though a bagel with cream cheese, tomato, and cucumber doesn’t sound that amazing just by the description, it actually is pretty scrumptious!
Great place to get a super cheap, filling meal!

Cheap, quick place to grab some food between classes or early in the morning!
I’ve been up for breakfast more often nowadays, so on my way to whereever I’m going, I’ve been stopping by to grab a breakfast bagel. I get the egg, ham, and cheese, and it’s perfect for those chilly mornings! The egg is fuffy and the bagel is toasted and crispy, just the way I like it (:
Only thing is that whenever I’ve come here for coffee, I’ve always been fairly disappointed. I always order white mochas whenever I stop by a café, and for some reason, their white mocha doesn’t have that same «kick» that other places do. It’s overly sweet (and this is coming from someone who likes sweet coffee drinks) and I don’t taste as much of the coffee flavor coming through as I would like. Same with chai lattes — they’re okay, but not as great as if I ordered from Peets or Milano.
Every now and then I stop by to grab a fruit cup too. Healthy and fresh snack, and easy to sneak into main stacks for a night of studying! I’ve tried the smoothies once, and they’re not bad!
Will be back for everything else except the coffee drinks!

super efficient
cheap, delicious, and friendly
i’m here everyday

the coffee spot has sammies, pastries, juices, coffee, etc.
drink: (L1.50)
–coffee pretty harsh, made drinkable by adding half/​half.
–thermos says «san francisco’s best coffee». doesn’t name brand
coffee drips:
–very friendly and fast service.

I usually order their sandwiches. Credit cards accepted if you order two things, or if the total is over like $ 5 or something, don’t remember which.
The Stars:
–The ingredients are fresh, the croissants are yummy
–I’m always full off of half a sandwich (which means I can save the other half for dinner yay!).
–They also make the sandwiches super fast.
The Bad
Why did I knock down 2 stars? Because 50% of the time I come here, I get some sort of bad experience.
–Messed up my order, even if I say it 2 – 3 times. One of the guys at the register has the tendency to not repeat your order.
–After messing up, they don’t apologize /​insist that I said it wrong the first time. Never fails to make my day.
The Bad in detail:
Usually they’ll forget to ask me what type cheese or meat I want on my bread. For example, I’ll tell them Croissant, Roast Beef, Provolone Cheese, No Pickles, and inexplicably the man taking the order will repeat everything except the cheese type to whoever is making it. I tell him again Provolone Cheese, and he again repeats the order to the sandwich maker, and again without specifying the cheese. And then I wind up with cheddar? Not sure why that’s the default cheese, but it always gets me annoyed.
One particularly annoying experience also involved getting my order wrong. After I had told the cashier he had messed up my order, the guy was like «Are you sure? You said Turkey,» which was hilarious because when I first ordered, I said everything twice because I was afraid they’d screw up my order (irony hurray). And after correcting him again, he looked at me impatiently and was like «Turkey is just as good, trust me, just take it.» No apology, nothing. Thanks man!
I feel like most of their problems would be averted if they just repeated the customer’s order. Or you know, apologized when they screw up.

I literally come here for almost every lunch. I am amazed by their professionalism. I have never seen such efficient customer service, since I get my sandwich made within 3 minutes while five people stand in front of me.
I have tried their breakfast croissant, bagel, pastries, deli sandwich, deviled eggs, coffee, freshly squeeze carrot juices, etc… All of them were very delicious and satisfying for the price I paid.
Small coffee is a dollar, and tastes better than one from any other café. I highly recommend their pastrami sandwhich and egg-​salad sandwich. Egg-​salad sandwiches are not actually on menu, but they make one with their prepared deviled-​eggs ($ 1). They taste sooo good. All sandwiches except chicken (much better quality than subway chicken breast) are priced at 3.95. I always get dutch crunch or seeded roll, half is enough for one meal, so I eat the other half for dinner. I can solve lunch and dinner for 3.95.
Their dense cream cheese danish is the best one I have ever had. I love cream cheese danishes, so I have tried ones at many places. But their cream cheese danishes are loaded with a thick layer of cream cheese that is like chunk of cheesecake from Costco. But, be sure to get fresh one! Sometimes, their danishes have been there long, so the bread part was a bit dry. Usually the bread is moist!

This place is blazing fast, and very nice and friendly. They have like 10 guys making sandwiches and they are nicely priced. Usually I come here for a quick grab and go meal, especially when all other places are ridiculously busy. Make sure you bring cash, they have a 2 item minimum for debit/​credit cards. Aram sandwich is great, the tuna deluxe could be better.

I wish I found this place sooner and not when I’m about to start my 4^th and final year at Cal :(
I never go to the food court that this place is located in. Not sure why but I’m glad my friend was craving their juice and dragged me into this place.
I looove their sandwiches! I always get the Aram sandwich on dutch crunch with roast beef; they come with a generous spread of cream cheese and lots of veggies as well. At $ 3.75, it’s definitely worth it!
I actually grabbed a sesame bagel with cream cheese, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers with a large mocha bianca this morning before my midterm. The bagel was only $ 2.25!!! At Noah’s, you would only get cream cheese with that bagel. The mocha bianca was hot, with the right level of sweetness. It wasn’t super strong but it was a good drink to ease me into a good morning mood… definitely a mood you want to be in before an exam!
Not only are the food and drinks good here but the service is outstanding as well. It’s a family establishment and I always see two guys working there (I think they are brothers?) The guy at the cash register is always super friendly and polite. The credit card machine was down so he sincerely apologized and pointed me to the Chase ATM machine in the food court. [Side note: I’m so happy that I found a Chase ATM machine on campus, so convenient!] The other guy makes the food and is super quick. I don’t think I’ve ever had to wait longer than 5 min for my food!
Writing this review made me crave their sandwiches. I think I’ll come here for lunch tomorrow.

The service was alright. They do take a while before they get you your food, but I guess that’s when you know it is being done fresh and by hand. The prices aren’t bad either. And there isn’t a huge line during summer.

My sister swears by this place for her chai latte fix so we decided to take a brisk walk up to campus to check it out.
Undoubtedly it’s the cheapest chai latte you’ll find around town. However, I was pretty disappointed in the way that the iced chai latte was prepared. Milk was splashed into a cup, then chai latte liquid concentrate, then some more milk, and a swirl to stir it all up. It did TASTE good… but still!
My sister thinks its a fluke and that it normally isn’t made that way. I seriously hope so. I’ll update as soon as I find out!

Dear «self» in 2008. How did you not discover this place when you worked on campus? I needed a coffee the other morning as I was visiting some of my favorite colleagues from that aforementioned year… and popped in to grab one before heading over to the Tang Center.
Got a coffee and some type of muffin-​like pastry (I have no idea what it was called, it was thick, heavy, and shorter than a muffin).
Oh. My. Gawd. The coffee was amongst the best I’ve had. Granted, I was sleep deprived and it was a cold rainy morning so both the heat and the caffeine were blessed indeed… so perhaps a bias there… but still. Hot and delicious.
The pastry. Man, I wish I knew what it was called. It was the most delicious muffin-​like thing I’ve had. It was enough to satiate my hunger for a bit longer, so I could hold off for lunch with friends later, yet it was small and inexpensive.
Seriously, I could have that coffee/​muffin-​thing combination every morning, and would have, when I worked half a block away, had I known.
Dammit!

Really attentive workers here. They’re always so ready to take my order, even though most of the time I’m just walking through Bear’s Lair.
Only just ordered a small hot cocoa. It is seriously a LARGE. And for only $ 1.65 !!! Super sugary though. But good. Very piping hot.
Downside, no cinnamon or napkins at the counter :-/​But they do have a stamp card, buy 10 get the next drink free.
Will have to try a sandwich here sometime. It’s only $ 3.75 for a «Bigger Sandwich» as they say. And a falafel sometime.

Good place for quick food or drink.
Food: Their bagels are good and cheap. I recommend the cream cheese with tomatoes and cucumbers (about $ 2.25ish), but if you don’t like a lot of cream cheese, let them know; they pack a ton of it on there and it can be overwhelming. Sandwiches are freshly made and are decent. I really like their brownies and lemon bars too!
Drinks: I’ve only gotten chai, and the last time I did, I didn’t really enjoy it. It didn’t even really taste like chai actually. Maybe I’ll give them another chance.
Service: Quick and friendly.

It seems like people are are annoyed with the staff. But what others call impatient I call efficient. This place would be a NIGHTMARE if they weren’t as on top of it as they are. If you remotely look like you’re waiting, one of them will ask your for your order within a second. They get through orders as fast as I’ve ever seen. This is probably the only place that you can get food during peak times (between classes) without waiting 20 – 30 minutes. So props to that.
My favorite menu items: bagels and chai lattes. Their bagels are made to order super fast and they STUFF them with cream cheese and veggies (I always get the number two with cucumber and tomato). The same bagel would cost like $ 5 at Golden Bear or Ramonas, and here’s it’s $ 2.25!
They have a pretty good chai latte! Much better than Peet’s (the Peet’s one is so gross!!!). And $ 2.25 for a large!
Never tried their sandwiches or croissants, but they seems like a great deal. I have gotten their falafel boxed lunches in the past, but they’re not great. I would definitely pass on them.
A side note: they have a $ 5 minimum for credit card purchases.

They have a good selection of bagels for great prices. I always get the egg, ham, and cheese on everything bagel for $ 2.95. Fits the student budget quite well!
An insider note: if you go there right before closing, they usually will knock a dollar off or something if you purchase a sandwich and fresh juice. This is because there’s always juice left over and they want to sell them out before closing.
Support local small businesses like this one!!!

I’ve been coming here for years since I work in a building just across Sproul Plaza. Their prices are fantastic for coffee drinks (easily half what you’d pay for the same size latte at Starbucks). Quick lunch options are great too — heaping, made to order sandwiches and salads. They don’t cut corners and you get a ton of food for your money. Gotta be that way to survive around students, I guess.
It can be a bit busy around the breakfast and lunch rush, but I’ve noticed something — the people who work here are extremely quick and efficient at preparing drinks, bagels, and sandos. It’s a bit hectic because I think they’ve realized that any substantial wait would be from them waiting to take your order. This is why someone will yell out to you almost immediately when you walk in the door, «What can I get for you sir/ma’am!?» They want to get your order in as soon as possible so that they can start making it right away. Then you go pay at the register and settle up. It’s a bit hectic.
I don’t really know the whole story, but I’ve heard that they’ve gotten screwed by the University, who wants to put in more profitable chain stores down there (see: the new Subway next door). But somehow they’ve been able to keep going and, as far as I can tell, haven’t had to raise their prices.
I think these guys deserve some credit. They’ve earned my business.

So you’re on campus and you need to make a quick stop for coffee and a bite to eat. So many choices, so little time, and not a lot of money handy. Where should you stop? Why, Coffee Spot of course.
Located just on campus in the ASUC, this little pit stop is where I prefer to grab a hot coffee and bite to eat. Sure, I could go to Tully’s, but they don’t have much other than coffee. When I need to pair my hot drink up with something to munch on, Coffee Spot is the way to go. Croissants, fresh fruit, toasted bagels with cream cheese, sandwiches, salads, deviled eggs, muffins, yogurts, the list goes on and on and all under $ 5.00. Breakfast sandwiches with fresh eggs (you see them crack the eggs right there!), ham and cheese are all just about $ 3.00.
Not interested in coffee or tea? Not a problem, these guys have a fridge stacked full of bottled sodas, Snapples, energy drinks, juices and other cold quenchers.
What’s best about Coffee Spot are the guys who work there. Visit them once and they’re always patient to answer any questions. See them a second time and you’re tempted to try something new. Make yourself a regular and they’ll remember your name, your order, and even suggest new things. I came by with a cold and their cashier, Abe, said, «Brendan! You look sick! Here, chamomile green tea with honey!» IT WAS PERFECTION. Sometimes just walking by and saying hello they ask, «Hey Brendan, you want a breakfast sandwich today?» They know just the thing I always order.
There are a lot of choices on campus for coffee and a snack, but if you’re walking across Sproul plaza, don’t forget to pull out a couple dollars and see what the Coffee Spot has to serve. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

We recently used their catering services for an academic conference on campus. They were just right for our limited budget. We got a sizeable 5-​gallon urn of coffee, complete with cream, sugar, cups, stirrers, and all the extras we needed to keep the participants caffeinated for the day. I checked on the urn six hours after the start of the event, and maybe because it was still about half full, the coffee inside was still hot enough to dissolve sugar and cream.
For breakfast, we also ordered a batch of bagels, which they went through the trouble of cutting into halves and smearing with cream cheese. All this was ready for pickup from their central location nice and early in the morning.
The only downside was that they wanted the urn back the same day by 5 PM, and they’re not open Sunday. But since they’re a small operation, this is totally reasonable. They wanted their equipment back so they could go home after a long day’s work, and since it’s always the same guys running the show six days a week, of course they want at least ONE day off! So I don’t begrudge them for not always being open, it just meant we had to go somewhere else for our Sunday catering.
Definitely recommended for small to mid-​sized affairs on campus.

Having already spent 3 years at Cal, I’ve always wondered to myself why I’ve never ordered anything from The Coffee Spot. It was probably because I always rushed for the discounted spring rolls and rice plates further down Bears Lair, and never paid much attention to this place.
Now that all of the tasty food vendors have been put out of business in the Bears Lair, The Coffee Spot is the only thing left. On a hungry afternoon, I decided to finally give it a try. This was a tough decision considering my rule of not ordering sandwiches when there’s other good things around. However, I got lazy.
Enough chit chat. On to the food. I ordered the only thing on there that wasn’t really a sandwich: a falafel sandwich. Since the owners look Middle Eastern, I thought they would pull the falafel off pretty well. However, I was quite disappointed =[
The wrap contained a really good amount of falafel, but it was all very dry and bland. It was soft inside and out, which doesn’t work too well with falafel. Also, there was barely any hummus or tahini sauce in it, which made it pretty much falafel and bread = bad and really dry combination. The sandwich itself was heated up, which made it a bit more tolerable, but that sense disappeared once it cooled down.
I thought that it would be unfair to judge a place just by their falafel, but I changed my mind. Since the owners are Middle Eastern, it seems like it wouldn’t be too hard for them to get it right. Next time, I’ll get a sandwich and see how it is. Maybe that will change my mind =]

I feel like this place deserves a lot more customers, and would get them if Bear’s Lair didn’t look as run-​down. I’ve introduced some friends here, and each of them are initially hesitant to try it before becoming regulars.
I come here almost everyday, and I usually get a ham croissant. Sometimes I switch it up and put salame in it instead. But I’m really scared of hard bread so I always stick to croissants. They usually make it well unless it’s busy. If it’s busy, they might forget what you wanted in it, or make it sloppily.
Then, to reach the $ 5 credit card minimum, I get a small Mocha to help me pass my day. It’s not spectacular, but it’s not bad either. Usually everything accumulates at the bottom. I’ve also tried the huge cookie that’s dipped halfway in white chocolate. I didn’t like the texture of the cookie very much — it tasted airy, instead of dense and rich. I’ve also had their tuna salad, turkey wraps, and breakfast croissants. All are good.
When it’s really cold, I get soup with my croissant. The soup is new, so they have a sandwich + soup for $ 5 combo. Since the soup is new, the sign is just on a piece of paper, the soup is served in their coffee cups, and the soup selection varies from hour to hour, day to day. But they usually have Chicken Noodle, Lentil, and Split Pea. The soups are decent, help me get the $ 5 minimum, and are served piping hot. Which is all I really care about.
And on warm days, I get a strawberry lemonade. I really really like it. They have pitchers of freshly squeezed juice, and they mix the lemonade with the strawberry, and it has pulp and everything. I usually tell them to put more strawberry juice than lemonade because I am very sensitive to sour.
Overall they are very efficient and always nice. And everything always tastes fresh!