Cafe On The Square

Finally… the folks at the Palo Alto OFJCC have added a place where I can get a cup of coffee after my morning workout. And it’s conveniently located about 30 yards from the front door of the gym! My long wait is over, and I no longer have to make the extra trip to Peet’s down the street.
But the so far the experience has been less than positive:
– Slo-​o-​o-​w: Even with 2 people in line, it can take me over 5 minutes just to get a cup o’ joe. They have two cooks standing by, but only one person manning the register, pouring coffee, answering the phone, telling people their breakfast is ready, etc. Suggestion: let us pour our own coffee, or provide a «coffee only» line in the mornings. Even better: put a jar there and I’ll happily overpay by throwing in $ 2 every time.
– Coffee quality isn’t great: They use Peet’s beans, but they brew it weak. I’d say about 75% the strength of your normal cup of Peet’s.
Don’t ask me why, but there seems to be an inordinate amount of high-​maintenance patrons at Café on the Square. Just ordering a bagel and cream cheese seems to take about a minute of indecision, another minute of fretting about the cream cheese type, and yet another minute to describe exactly how to toast the bagel. The staff are friendly and take it in stride, but I’m always trapped behind these folks, looking longingly at the coffee urn, only a few feet away.
I’m still happy with the addition overall, and Café on the Square still seems to be working out the kinks. Three stars for now. In the meantime I will be going to Peet’s when I have the extra time. It’s only a minute away.