Groundwork Coffee

What once was the place to get the best Dirty Chai Latte has now changed their formula! I’m disappointed because even though there are many great coffee shops around downtown LA this place would be my first choice for a Dirty Chai. The original formula was richer, creamier and had the perfect balance of spices. So good, I would buy some of the Chai to take home. The newer formula is more of a Tea Latte which most other coffee shops also offer.
Their other coffee options are great but they lose a star for changing formulas on me. I would still pick groundwork over the more commercial coffee shops.

First of all, I would like to say that I was VERY upset and disappointed with the food.
One afternoon I was very hungry, so I decided to come here to grab a bite to eat. The service was fine; I ordered an iced mocha and their Breakfast Muffin. The iced mocha tasted fine, while the Breakfast Muffin, however, tasted a bit funny. I thought it was just the food’s ingredients…
Several hours later at home, I got massive food poisoning. It became VERY serious that I had to rush to the hospital for treatment during the entire late afternoon/​evening. I am 100% sure that the sandwich was the culprit of my illness. I just did NOT understand why the food preparers there were unable to handle food properly! It does NOT make any sense at all.
I hope that I can at least contact the place’s manager so we can get this settled immediately, since this is VERY SERIOUS, and this should NOT happen to other customers too.

I got the large espresso blended and a cowboy cookie for a total of $ 9 which is pricey. The espresso blended drink was disgusting very very bitter and barely blended very watery. I asked if they could make it sweeter and instead of making a new one she just dumped my drink in the blender again and added caramel. Their caramel flavor is odd and disgusting and tasted worse than before. I basically put $ 5 down the drain. Never coming back
Came back the second time, ordered the vanilla blended. A lot better this time around.

It a coffeehouse and more. Yes its pricey! Yes, it’s chi chi! Get over it and enjoy. This one of the few places that makes perfect scrambled eggs during brunch. All the Lucy items excellent. But it’s a coffeehouse folks. In that they excel. Choose your own form of coffee preparation whether it’s press, clover, vacuum… your choice. But leave room for the Affogato!

My friends and I happened on this place, because of many places were closed on NY day within the area :(
We were lucky to stumble on this place! The sunset quesadilla had really fluffy eggs and the mixture on top was on point. My caramel iced latte was sweet without having the syrupy taste and texture. My friends had the burrito and the bitches brew short rib sandwich. They said that was good too.
The staff was really welcoming and was really helpful.
I would definitely recommend this place to anyone

I’m not much of a coffee drinker but the groundworks americano is one of the best cups of coffee I have ever ever ever had. That cup of coffee alone got its own Unilocal post.
Parking at this location, go to the traction st location, I’d say

Gary and Jesus are the bomb! They were so courteous and sweet. My tea came out right away. Gary made me my own blend after finding out I was fighting off a cold. Just class act customer service which is hard to find these days!
I’ll definitely be back when they’re working!
And the breakfast burrito and egg mclovin’ are the bomb at a great price point!
And upstairs is great for when it’s too chilly to sit outside. Quiet for talking or working on your laptop.

Hidden coffee shop, with good organic coffee and omelet.
Great staff, friendly and clean .
Excellent service.
Thx again

Great stop for an early breakfast and coffee! My usual is the awesome breakfast burrito (with their homemade salsa) and a large latte. This is not your chain coffee spot, be ready to enjoy something special!

Found this little coffee shop by accident. it has very chill environment, they work very fast, which I love, and coffee is pretty yummy. :) I would definitely come here again next time I’m in the neighborhood.

If I’m at Groundwork, it’s because I’m visiting my friend at the Higgins Lofts upstairs.
Every coffee drink I’ve had from here has been great. Today I had a café latte with hazelnut syrup and hemp milk. It was a great tasting latte. My only complaint would be that by the time I got upstairs, the latte wasn’t hot anymore.
The boyfriend’s cold brew was on the stronger side. They didn’t leave any creamer on the counter, so he had it black with a Splenda. He didn’t seem to mind it.
It’s fast, it’s convenient. There’s seating upstairs and the entire café is decorated in black and white prints. Our barista was also the cashier, so we had to wait in a short line. By the time we reached him, he was cool as a cucumber and he churned out a very good latte.

I work one block away from Groundwork and I would rather walk the 4 blocks to Starbucks. At Starbucks I know I will be treated like a valued customer instead of an inconvenience. I went there yesterday around 9:30am (I didn’t get a receipt, nor was I offered one, so I couldn’t tell you exactly what time it was). I waited my turn and when I got to the register, the young man just looked in my general direction, no smile, no greeting, and no eye contact. Then he asked, what do you want? (What do I want? World Peace — do you have it?) So I told him what I wanted and then I had the NERVE to ask him what kind of scones they had. He never looked me in the eye while he sighed and told me lemon curd and something else. I couldn’t really make out that other scone flavor because he was making no effort to speak over the noise. If I hadn’t already given my money for my coffee, I would’ve just cancelled my order and walked over to Starbucks. At least there I know I’ll be greeted and treated like a valued customer. His attitude seemed to be the same with everyone so that made me feel a little bit better. I have been sharing my experience with my co-​workers, some who frequent Groundwork a lot. Sadly, most were NOT surprised by my experience.
Now the dude who was making the coffee was busting it out in a very quick manner and it was good but I will never go back there again. I would like to support their business but I just can’t. Grand Central is 2 ½ blocks away and new stalls are opening up there all the time. I’m sure I can get coffee there as well.

This is a typical coffee shop where you can study and drink coffee. I really can’t taste much of a difference in coffee texture compared to starbucks coffee. With that said, I gave this place a 4 star since it’s quite comparable to my favorite big chain — starbucks. Would definitely come here again to give this place a second taste.

One of my favorite places to sip on coffee, do work and have first coffee dates :) Art covers the walls of Groundwork’s first floor and balcony level where eight tables, including one four-​person one with coffee beans under the glass. A pleasant, acoustic soundtracks lightly plays above the voices of LA Times reporters, City and County staffers and locals who are in from morning til night. Great place!

I met a few colleagues there today for some coffee and chit chat because it was in the neighborhood. The music was so loud that we couldn’t hear each other so I asked the manager on duty if he could turn the music down a little bit for 30 minutes. He replied «I don’t take requests from customers» and the just stared at me for a reaction.
When leaving another employee came over to me and apologized that he was so uncooperative.
If you like to listen to very loud Red Hot Chili Peppers while drinking your coffee this place is perfect for you. If you want to have a conversation with friends, skip this place and go to the location in the Arts District which is what we did.

peu un cher, mais très très bon.

I work right next door to this place and I used to make a 15 minute run to Starbucks a few streets away for coffee – but then I discovered this place! A few of my coworkers frequent this place since it’s so close, so I decided to follow suit! Initially I was not impressed with just their latte. But my coworker brought back a banana nut loaf slice once and I had to go back for another try!
My go-​to now is their cold brew with almond or hemp milk! These add a hint of sweetness and I don’t need to add additional sugar :)
Staff is EXTREMELY FRIENDLY! And their conversations are always a nice pick-​me up in the morning or mid-​afternoon!
BUT — –MINUS ONE STAR cause they got rid of their «regular» pastries… GROUNDWORK, why would you stop having your banana nut loaf slices!!! All my coworkers are super disappointed and we never even got our «last slice» before they sold out! :(!!! #sadlife please bring it back!

Groundwork is my new favorite coffee shop close to my office.
I really like the Vietnamese iced coffee and the caramel latte. For a snack, I recommend the cowboy cookie. Staff has always been friendly here and there is never a long long or wait. They have plenty of seating inside.

Two words. Cowboy Cookie. It’s the perfect mid-​afternoon pick me up for that 3 pm wall. A quick Google search of the ingredients reveals the following: rolled oats, chocolate chips, pecans, coconut flake, and vanilla. It’s delicious, and often sells out.
The coffee is also good and reasonably priced. They also participate in the Five Stars rewards program so keep you coming back for more. Overall, Groundwork is a nice alternative to the big chain coffee shops and offers a nice chill place to grab a cup and hang out in the Civic Center — oh and don’t forget to get a Cowboy Cookie!

A great coffeeshop that’s frequented by locals and business workers. You can’t go wrong with the coffee either. It’s solid, the baristas are friendly, and you leave with a cup of the thing that you wanted. Maybe the drink is even better than you’d expect.
The downside is that the environment is too dark to feel open for a newspaper read or laptop work. It feels like a dark studio lift, with a little angst and grunge. Most people I find are sitting outside at the tables they have. Also, they have the Fivestars discount program like many of the nearby businesses. A nice little perk. Go for good coffee, just take your cup to the park across the street if you want to enjoy it.

I’m not sure I’m posting under the right location, but here goes. I tried their almond milk pumpkin spice latte. Very good. Well made. Done quickly. There wasn’t much of a line. They were also selling Vietnamese iced coffee. I would like to try that next time. Tasty and fast. Quality product.

This review is for my two new fans!!! Yay you! I don’t know who you are ( Unilocal doesn’t tell you), but I see that you have become fans of mine in the last week, and I appreciate you following me. Not knowing what venues or foodie places float your boat, I choose a favorite coffee and dedicate this review to you. Perhaps I will see you there?
Groundwork coffee is a place I discovered thanks to my new love of healthy living which includes Bulletproof Coffee (aka butter coffee). Groundwork does not make bulletproof coffee (yet! hint hint!). However, they sell the beans you need to make it work. Look for any whole organic bean from a single origin, preferably from a high altitude, like Brazil, Peru, or Columbia (light roast), or Sumatra (medium roast). Then, you can grind your beans at home, pour hot water over them, add grass-​fed organic butter and blend.
Or, just enjoy the Groundwork coffee in house. It’s right around the corner from The Edison Bar and Spitfire Grill. They definitely have an artist atmosphere pulling from the locals in Downtown Los Angeles.
If you are ok with blends, I love the Bitches Brew, Angel City, or Black Magic espresso.
This company takes pride in their product, and I have yet to try something I was not impressed by. I rarely give out a 5 star review, but they earn it.
So, to Groundwork, I say… THANK YOU!!! HIP HIP HOORAY!!! And to my two new Unilocal fans, say hi if you see me out and about, and thanks for your support! :)