Tully’s Coffee

It’s sometimes hard to review chains, but I have a great story to tell— in a nutshell, I feel like the manager gave me some of the best service I’ve ever received from a coffee shop. We’ve all been there– under a deadline, needed to finish a last minute project, or have a pressing errand… I just needed to print something, and I was just *that* close to being done. Tully’s had free wifi, but I had no way to print. I asked where a Kinko’s or similar type biz nearby may be, and the manager hooked me up to her wireless printer from my laptop! She was awesome! She asked nothing in return, didn’t linger nearby to bask in the glory of do-​gooder-​hood, just smiled and said, «no problem.»
I thought that was pretty friggin’ awesome. That and the ice tea was refreshing…

Oh please how can you rate this place less than 3 or 4 stars? It’s not boutique coffee greatness but it’s good coffee! And the service is great! Cashier was super friendly and recommended me a drink! Awesome.

The coffee is pretty much what you’d expect from a chain – consistent and decent, if not inspired. The service, however, is very inconsistent – depending on who’s on duty, it can be welcoming, quick and accurate, or welcoming but sloppy, or you can be made to feel that you’re interrupting someone’s day by ordering a drink. The store apparently has a policy against taking older bills, which is nowhere stated. And should you be unfortunate enough to present an older bill, don’t expect an apology for the inconvenience when you’re made to feel like a suspected criminal. I’ve given the store pretty steady business since they’ve opened, but I’ll be taking my business elsewhere from now on.

The morning crew here is awesome. Dorothy, Natasha, and Shari always greet me with a smile and have my coffee ready before I make it to the register. It is really a pleasure to start off each work day with these folks.
The coffee is strong and it’s conveniently located across the street from my work. The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is simply because it’s not the best coffee I’ve ever had in the world. Actually, based on the coffee alone, I would probably rate it 3 stars, but the nice employees here bump it up a star.

Not particularly pleased with Tully’s.
I figured that they would have some variety of eats here before I stepped inside for a meeting.
They didn’t.
I was starving.
I had to wait until the meeting was over to get something to eat somewhere else.
I guess I should have eaten beforehand, but I thought they would have food.
=/​
Whoa to me.
The building was gorgeous.

I typically love all the Tully’s locations, I have visited… until now. The coffee and other assorted yummies are standard for the other Tully’s, I have visited, It’s located in the most beautiful building with the coolest curved glass doors.
So why the low rating you asked? The ambiance SUCKS — first, the bathroom that always seem to be broken, then there is the odd-​balls who are always there sitting, waiting, hanging with the staff… I don’t know and then the icing on all of this, the fight that broke out one day, starting at the front door and one of the participants who ran in to asked her friend behind the counter to hold her wig.
Yes, all and all, always a disrupting experience.

Although the tea selection is far better than that at other cafes, the cashier seemed to care more about arguing with her friend (boyfriend?) at the register as well as to yell back and forth with another friend than to serve people who were there to purchase drinks. I will take my business elsewhere.

I stopped in while walking around downtown Oakland with friends to get a drink. Everyone enjoyed their coffee and I really liked the Ginger-​Peach iced tea.

I go here every so often when I have meetings downtown Oakland. I had a meeting on Monday near this Tully’s again. As usual the cashier and barista were both really nice and that is where this Tullys shine. The latte is pretty good and I like it that it is very hassle free. I just get off the elevator on that side and there I am.:) I know that I will be here again at least two more times in the next month and it is just a lovely, friendly start to my day. BTW, it is accessible, but not great for crowds in general. My one mini complaint is that there are no big tables, but not a biggie.

I’ve been a customer for over a year now and I gotta tell ya. It’s a great place, friendly people, cool staff and Free Wi-​Fi. The other place down the street, grrrr! Too Loud & Over Crowded, it’s more like corporate machine then a relaxing place to hang out.

Tully’s peeked my curiousity while I use to work for a major retailer that sold their products. It’s right by my current job and decided to give it a try. I’ve been here twice and each time I have gone, I had tried their new Tea Lattes. Each were different flavors though I don’t remember which ones. They were okay. I don’t think they were worth the price. I’m thinking about maybe giving it another shot by trying something else. I’m not sure since I am now hooked on It’s a Grind.

I haven’t done this before for a chain. I’ve never had as positive an experience as I did today, though, so it’s a great first!
I am amazed with how friendly and accommodating the staff members were! There was a little issue with the register that I hardly noticed and they both apologized and made sure the order still went through well. They anticipated what I needed (restroom key, etc) and were just so friendly it was amazing. It was also full without feeling crowded, and people in there seemed fine to either work solo or be engaged in good conversation. I find with many cafes it seems like you have to pick one or the other.
I am so glad that I wandered in there!

this tully’s is in the nose of a landmark buildong. a very small space.
with just a few tables for sitdown.
froyo review only
froyo availability: cappuccino
pricing: «shot» (2oz?1.90) bowl (4 oz 2.80)
no toppings seen, offered nor posted
frodrips:
–taylor froyo machine, custom «tully» laminated cups
–froyo cold, nearly icy, encountered one piece of ice. froyo texture very firm, froyo didn’t taste of a diary base. seem water based, like a slushie. (7 – 11). slight not heavy cappuccino taste.
–wacky wabbit wating: skip this! this isn’t real froyo.
–tully’s was empty, i ish, good service.

Yay! I’m a fan.
That really does this Tully’s justice.
Really good wifi connection, conveniently placed, and the staff is friendly. The girl behind the counter was not rushing me, seemed to be having a good day, and didn’t mind that I spent about two dollars and then proceeded to sit there for about an hour (I know that’s annoying, but hey, had to be done).
What REALLY got me was what was sitting behind her.
ITS AN EFFING FROYO MACHINE.
Ok, so I’m used to the Tully’s on Shattuck and Center, where all the Berkeley high, BCC, and some Cal students go to get their fix before their next class, and while their location is bigger, it didn’t have the greatest treat of them all (froyo, for the slower crowd).
I asked if it was truly a froyo machine, and the happy girl behind the counter said «oh yeah, cool huh?»
Yes my dear, it’s pretty freaking cool.
I was just in over a break between classes at Laney to do some homework and get something to snack on, so I got some lemonade and a few Ghirardelli chocolate squares and proceeded to sit in front of my laptop and feel happiness rush over me. Basking in the sun sneaking through the window, sapping the free wifi, and listening to the hum of the froyo machine.
I did knock off a star because seating is quite limited and the lemonade I got was quite watery and was not as thirst-​quenching as I had hoped, but still. I am quite the fan.
Best Tully’s I’ve been to by far.

14^th and Broadway is arguably Oakland’s Main St. and Main St. but like a lot of cities this kind of location tends to be dominated by the American bus stop scene: weary workers, jostling teenagers, begging homeless people and a few menacing tough guys.
This place is a refuge from that and competently does what a Tully’s should do with a polite group when I was there. Wedge geometry of the space is kind of cool and nice wood tables and good interior design make for a good place to meet up or get some laptop work done. Wi-​fi requires a log-​in but works fine.
I worry that it’s not busy enough to make Starbucks kind of money from morning caffeine loaders but it’s been around for several years so that’s a good sign.

As I waited impatiently for the #18 bus home… 20 minutes means 35 minutes… I was craving a «Matcha Green Tea Latte/​soy» I walked in order my drink, the cashier was nice… I paid $ 2.90 and waited! for some announcement of my order. I was unaware of my drink sitting on the counter I walked over, asked if it was mine, «yeah» was the response… I took a sip… Have you ever accidentally gotten sea water in your mouth??? well, this is what it taste like… I’ve had this drink several times in Downtown Berkeley’s location and it is frothy, hot and taste of a sweet drink… not something a fish would love.
Who knows maybe it was an off day or the barista simply did not know how to make this drink.

4 Stars for the Mango Smoothie which costs $ 3 for a large. I don’t know why it’s so cheap, but it’s some promotional that’s going on. Really tasty, kind of creamy, perfect for a summer walk down Broadway in downtown Oakland. Check it out while the prices are low.

Free internet.
Friendly staff that brings the hammer down on non-​customers using the rest room.
Some times you’ll have some unique characters but that’s the charm of the area.
They have outdoor seating with a nice park to people watch.

This is a cute place.
Of Course, being in the Wilson building for me is always the treat.
I was there a few times when I went to Techskills across the street at the Central Building.
Everyone was nice, it was crowded, can’t say more than that.
Look forward to checking it out again one day.

Dorothy makes this coffee shop worth frequenting. She’s the Assistant Manager, but she runs the joint. She’ll recognize you from across the room, as your walking in, and have your regular made up and piping hot before you even get to the counter. Check out her henna tattoos. home-​made!
The coffee, average. Although, it’s not the fault of their employees. They’re bomb. They know what they’re doing. The coffee is just kinda mediocre, that’s all…