Lestat’s on Park

So I have been to this place pretty often in the last two months since I discovered this place. Mostly because it opens 24 hours. Which is very convenient for my schedule.
5-​Stars on drink menu. Quite a variety. Wish they had apple juice or orange juice in the fridge too. Sometimes I don’t feel like caffeine.
5-​Stars for the rest of the dessert and food menu. It’s a café, can’t expect restaurant variety.
4-​Stars on pricing. A lot of menu items are expensive, but that does not deter customers. This place is still always packed late afternoons and well into midnight. I completely understand the reason for the pricing.
4-​Stars on cleanliness. These guys walk around often to keep the place clean. Bathrooms sometimes are a litter during busy hours. Not their fault. Sometimes other customers don’t know how to throw paper towels into the trash can.
4-​Stars for the internet. I feel they have actually improved their internet speed at the Liestat’s on Park. It feels faster than last month.
4-​Stars for friendly staff. Prompt service. Except for my first experience here. I had waited 15 minutes for my tea. Apparently, the guy had completely forgotten about it until I walked back up to the counter. There was no other customer there at the time.
Such great ratings! But why 3-​Stars overall? I’ve worked in the service industry filling all types of roles from kitchen to front-​end for a few years. One thing that turns me off is just poor customer service. True, I gave 4-​Stars for friendly staff and prompt service. However, there was a number of times I see some staff members walk around kinda hawking at customers and keeping tabs on them. Who bought what, when, how much did they spend, etc. They definitely don’t keep tabs on who tips them. This usually only happens at night when it’s not so busy. I’ve seen staff members walk up to other customers telling them that they had noticed how long the customer have been here and «have not purchased anything.» Whether it is true or not, for them to say it so loudly and so openly is really a turn off. I understand they are running a business, but is that really how they keep customers?
One of those times, it had happened to me. It was just about 10 days into coming into this café when I first found this place. I came in here every night for 10 nights in a row. 7 of those days, I also came in the afternoon. Each time, I always purchase something. Either ice tea, lemonade, cereal bars, salads, or sandwiches. Each time always tipping. Even if I’m just purchasing something that requires no service. So the tenth night, I decided I wanted to settle down at a favorite spot in the café first. And come up to purchase a snack and a drink a little later. I had just previously been there a few hours earlier with a sandwich meal and came back after work. A staff member walked up to me and asked, «have you’ve been helped yet with anything?» I said, «Yeah, I was here a little earlier. I just came back.» Him, «When I started my shift, I didn’t see you here.» He proceeded to remind me that they can only continue to serve customers at he 24 hour business if people make purchases. Which I completely understand. Just the way it was approached, so openly and loud for the entire café to hear is a turn off. Without being completely rude in return, I reminded him that he’s seen me here just about every day when he’s on shift the past week and a half and I’ve always made purchases. He then replied with, «Yeah, you always purchase an ice tea with cereal bar.»
Sometimes, I’m here just for their cereal bars and a tea. I’m a fan of my cereal bars. And afternoons I would come for a sandwich. Mathematically speaking from a business point of view. If a customers comes and spends 6 – 15 $ each day, every day. They could make 180 – 450 $ each month off of that one customer in a month. Obviously, I’m not going to spend 15 $ everyday here. One can only eat a cereal bar or sandwich so many times until they get sick of it. The idea is, that’s money they are making. And on very slow late nights where business is at a snail’s pace. That’s money they are making off of me that maybe they couldn’t have made if I chose to not come here. My other hangout spot is Starbucks. I could just as easily go donate my money there instead. But they aren’t open 24 hours. And their food suck.
So moral of the story? Liestat’s you guys are great. But damn… treat your customers better! Even more so during the super late nights when it’s slow. It’s better to have that one or two customers who always come back, rather than scare them away by shouting out to the universe that they have not made a purchase yet in the first 10 minutes of sitting down. Sometimes I just want to settle down and read some news article first before I get thirsty okay? *laughs*
By the way, I have been to Liestat’s on Normal Heights, and I’ve never seen this problem happened there. Their internet is a snail’s pace though on busy hours.

Great food, chill vibe. Never again will I be going to a corporate chain coffee shop.

Love this place to study because it’s open ²⁴⁄₇. but when there’s too many people here, the internet is glitchy. Coffee is good. Sandwiched are decent, just a bit small

For your late night snacking and caffeine needs, Lestat’s is the
! They’re open 24 hours/​7 days a week. I’ve been down in the north park area when late night munchies and hunger pangs hit. Lestat’s was the light at the end of the tunnel for me.
Prices are reasonable and they serve breakfast all day. Menu items include soups, sandwiches and salads. Periodically in the evenings, they may run out of some options. So be prepared and be flexible with your order as needed.
Here you’ll find everyone from the end of the night casual coffee drinkers to students taking advantage of the free wifi. It’s definitely a worthwhile stop if you’re in the area.
Keep on Unilocal’n!

They forgot our drinks … Gave us a macaroon as a «I’m sorry» which was nice. Lately this place has gotten loud and kinda annoying.

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a coffee shop with such a constant flow of customers. No matter the day or time of day this place is packed! All of their hot and cold drinks are seriously phenomenal and their baked goods are to die for. We love the giants cookies & rice crispy treats. With 24 hour service you really can’t beat Lestats for a coffee or tea and a nice little snack.

Junior Space Cadet is what he calls himself. Maybe if he could come into work somewhat not so buzzed he could remember I ordered a coffee in a coffee shop.
OMG
At least the kitchen is sober enough to make a bagel.
There’s plenty other coffee shops, I’ll be there from now on.

Pros:
Open for ²⁴⁄₇
Good coffee
Great selection of desserts/​snacks
Nice selection of cold beverages, juices, sodas, etc.
Delicious sandwiches.
Soups are good too!
Con:
Music could disrupt your focus.
Very noisy sometimes.
Packed almost all the time except very late at night.
Summary: this is a good alternative to a library or an apartment, if you want to get some work done and at the same time enjoy some good food and drinks.

OMG. Dulce Yerba Matte Latte. Just try it.
Their beverage menu is one of the largest I’ve seen, great variety & some really creative drinks. They also have a plethora of delicious looking desserts.
Seating is hard to come by as this place is so popular. The first time we tried to come we had to go somewhere else for lack of seating. There are some great comfy couches & high back seats if you can snag one.
Also, if you don’t like purple ostriches staring you down while you urinate, stick with the first bathroom on the left. Otherwise this place is epic.

There are so many cool spots in San Diego to explore. The Mister and I wanted to get some ice coffee at a non-​chain place and Unilocal lead us here. It is a really cool atmosphere and lots of seating. The ice coffee was good too. I wished I had more time to sit and chill, but we were short on time. I would like to come again when I am back in the area.

A nice place to sit down and get some work done (if you can find a seat!). I luckily grabbed one right as someone was leaving (lucky timing). I ordered an iced hammerhead, it was basic. No complaints. Also got a breakfast sandwich at 7pm. It’s great they serve breakfast all the time. The bagel was moist and eggs seemed fresh as well as the avocado. My one complaint is: I’m not sure if they’re a/​c wasn’t working the day I came in or if it is just always a bit to warm and muggy in there. I went in on a hot day and was looking forward to working in a cool refreshing space, but I walked in and it was cooler outside than inside, unfortunately there weren’t any outside tables available.

I prefer this Lestats over the one off Adams. Adams has the music venue which is cool and all but the Park location seems a bit cleaner and didn’t have that odd, warm, musty smell the one off Adams has (lack of an AC unit). This one also seems a bit more updated then the other location. I will give Lestats props for being open 24 hours. I don’t know any other coffee spot that’s not a Starbucks that does that. Their original drinks such as their Milky Way (which actually does taste like the candy bar) puts them on the map.

The mexican mocha is pretty good but I am definitely glad I asked them to go easy with the sweetness. Without toning it down, probably just would have been a full on chocolate drink.
First trip here and so far pretty happy. Very relaxed environment inside the café and also on the streets. Chill and not overly hipster.

So during the week, date night sometimes means no drinking.
After a killer night we decided to come to Lestats. Originally we were going to Madison to grab a drink but neither of us wanted to drink but we did want to enjoy a nice conversation.
I’m the same, either hot tea or iced coffee. I decided on iced coffee. She got a flavored lemonade. No thrills. Lol
Seating is pretty open and there is parking. Staff is average (Not a bad thing) just nothing stands out.
Nice to be able to walk here instead of driving to normal heights to their other location.

Things I like about this place:
–It’s huge with high ceilings (I like the spacious feeling)
–Tons of tables – and *small* tables, which is key. This is a place mostly for people working on their laptops, studying, or reading. The small tables are perfect and allow for lots of patrons. That said, it still gets full sometimes.
–Loads of power outlets
–Free wifi, speed seems ok
–Staff is pretty friendly
–Some outdoor tables
Dislikes:
–When it’s even a bit warm outside, it’s too hot in here. Just like their Normal Heights location, I can pretty much only visit in winter or fall. Way too hot otherwise. Bummer. :/​
I haven’t tried the food, so I can’t speak to it.
This is one of my favorite places to work, when it’s not warm out. :)

Looked like a busy Thursday night. All tables were occupied. We lucked out with two tables nearby each other. I actually prefer it this way. Enough table space for the both of us to study yet I can still keep an eye on my little cousin and make sure she doesn’t get kidnapped. Not saying it’s a bad area though lol.
This was our first time at this location. It’s a lot larger than the one on Adams. Parking seemed a little easier despite the little walk.
We both ordered the Milky Way. Tastes pretty much the same as the last one we had on Adams. Music is an eclectic array. Pretty good place to study or hang out with friends.
I’m glad to know I have to lestats options. Kinda wish they opened one up further south. It would be great to have a nice ²⁴⁄₇ café near the south San Diego area. I’m sure it would be just as much of a hit. Especially for students from Southwestern college etc. (:

I was gonna give this place a 4-​star review but come to think about it, they saved me on my caffeine addiction on the Christmas day last year, so 5-​star for that!
Their dripped coffee is really good, have a good selections (like 5 different kinds) and just so you know t’s nothing like what you get from Starbucks in case that’s your taste.
They have pastries and sandwiches too, I like their vegan cookie. Really really delicious, but I think it has nothing to do with vegan.
Lestat’s is open 24/​7, 365 days a year!!!

I love the atmosphere here and they have decent drinks and food. The place is open 24 hours a day and the staff is super nice.
I’ve had everything from their salad and sandwiches to just coffee and tea and never had a complaint.
There is room for two and for ten lol
The blood orange ice tea is delicious too.
Great neighborhood coffee shop.

The more and more I come here the more I love this place! It’s probably one of my faves to work at when I need an «office» space to get my #sadoc life work done. I decided to update my review because of the service I received today from the staff. (and it’s been almost 2 years since my first review!)
I went to my usual. the Spiced Chai Tea Latte with soymilk. It was perfect! I asked for light milk and ice and she explained that they brew their tea then pour it over ice. So, I said that they can let it cool down and I could be patient to wait for it to steep longer and cool off. The tea was filled with ice which meant it was ice cold, but since I’m slow to drink it the ice started to melt and water it down. I asked if they would take the ice out and then she explained that she steeped 5 bags of the tea to make sure it was good. (Not sure if she read my Unilocal review about my experience at another coffee shop or not, but if she did… I’m so glad she was paying attention to such an important detail!) The drink was perfectly made! So 5 stars for the drink and the service!
This place is 24 hours… great for the morning, midday and night work hours! If you get here at the right time, there are tables and chairs galore… just be aware that around midterms and finals this place fills up! Lately I’ve been snagging some great spots near outlets which lets me camp out and get a full day of work in. It helps that this place has A/​C when it’s a warm SoCal day. It gets me out of the heat! I appreciate the drink and food selection as it all keeps me nourished while I am hard at work.
Definitely spend your money here! The atmosphere, amenities and refreshments are definitely reasons to make this your spot to grab a seat and be productive!

Stopped in two nights in a row as I am a fan of late night sandwiches — is that a thing?
Unilocaled this little gem; I was pleasantly surprised that is was open 24 hours! The place was clean, super casual with a low-​key vibe — people working on laptops, sitting at the tables outside — super chill!
I ordered a yummy turkey sandwich — nothing spectacular, I’m picky — and it includes a bag of kettle chips.
They have a good selection of meats and such with cool vegan desserts and beverages of all kinds. The staff was really friendly — even the guy with the «WTF do you want?» face — was awesome!
Obviously it was pretty yummy as I returned the very next night for the same sandwich!
I will be back often!