On The Corner

updated 6÷11÷10
I feel utterly let down by this coffee shop. I was a huge supporter of them, was totally stoked on the fact that the owner was talking about bottling his chai and now poof! they are gone, vanished in the night. It sucks really, when you think you have a great rapport with a business, or even if they leave a website/​email address for you to get in touch with and they NEVER ever respond correspondance. I will always treasure the beauties of that chai latte they made, but their customer service is affecting my thoughts of them. What about your loyal customers, On the Corner??? What about us? We just get dropped like everything else? That is just plain cold.

RIP

Very moot but justification for my update a month ago.
Clearly, internally, they knew about the sharp decline and the business outlook of OTC. Knowing this they basically gave a rat’s ass about any customers and just phoned it in. From poor upkeep, questionable hires, messy surroundings, and horrible stocking they freely let this place go down the crapper… essentially thumbing their nose at any regular who spent a lot of money there the past two years.
Personally, I will not support an alternative venture from the owner of OTC.

I spotted a note on the door this morning saying that On The Corner had closed, thanking locals for providing patronage for two years. It didn’t really surprise me, as the café had mysteriously had its alcohol license revoked, making it much less of an evening destination.
While I stopped by the place a few times during long laundry sessions, On The Corner really stepped it up when filling in for Comcast during my ill-​advised eight-​month «no internet at home» experiment. While I don’t think I’ll ever abstain from having internet access in my abode, being able to traipse over to a place with free (ish) internet access, excellent chai, and cheap bottles of beer made my web-​light era a little more palatable.
Vaya con Dios, OtC. I’ll pour a beer from one of the other dozen alcohol-​serving spots on Divis in your honor.

The coffee here is tasty, the pastries are pretty great. The constantly dreary, shoe-​gazing music leaves something to be desired (apparently the owner and barista are chronically depressed, which is ok by me, but you could switch up the music once in awhile!). And they sell The New York Times. Great.
But I’ve stopped coming here on a regular basis. Why?
The attitude behind the counter is way harsh. If you’re working the counter and you’re really pissed about it, sorry… but it’s not my fault. I spend dough, I always tip, and I say please and thank you. So why do I need to be fearful and approach the counter with hands a’trembling, to «request» a coffee refill? It’s just not right, Scrooge!
I’m really sorry art school didn’t pan out for you… but there’s always etiquette school. Cheer up already.

Man, has this fallen out of style for me. So, in my original loving review, I dug the good drinks, mellow music, and free board games.
Now:
*The music is way too loud, and way too often experimental pop/​avant garde stuff that is really painful to listen to. I don’t mind some creative stuff, but this is uncomfortable to sit through.
*The drinks are more often out than not. I’m talking CONSTANTLY out of whatever it is… teas, chai, whatever.
*So is their food! Out all the time! What kind of food service place runs out of food? It’s ridiculous. And I’m not complaining after once or twice… I’m talking every time I’ve gone in the last month, it’s out.
*Their liquor license was mysteriously suspended, and it’s been two months of them telling everyone it’ll be back «In just a week.»
*Chairs went from cozy and nice to ripped and cracked.
*Service is forgetful, talks way too loudly to a constant stream of friends, and staff DOES NOT KNOW HOW to steam milk. Seriously… you’re lucky if it’s lukewarm.
*Kicking out the entire café for Thursday movie night? Really? I can’t just have some bar lights on and sit on my laptop? Okay, your loss.
*No new menu items, no changes, except things getting crossed off.
I’m sorry On the Corner, I’ve tried to be loyal, and I’ve let all of this stuff go at least once. It’s come to the point where I almost dread getting dragged here. Clean up your act!

Ever notice how my reviews are either about booze, boys, or children? Creepy, right? Here goes…
For Valentine’s Day this year, I thought it would be just swell to take my miniature friends to the Divisadero Farmer’s Market for live music (those wacky kids love it), fresh pastries, and lots of organic veggies for Valentine’s Day dinner. Note: there was no Valentine’s day dinner. There was, however, Valentine’s Day drinking. I’m starting to interweave my three main themes here.
I digress. Looking at all that produce got us all a little hungry. Since Bean Bag was packed, we hauled Spider Man and Tinker Bell over to On the Corner for lunch. After all the hype, I was expecting fantastic things. What I found was a make-​shift kitchen and utilitarian interior. This is not necessarily a bad thing!
They were out of several things we initially ordered. A bit strange but I’m trying to go with the flow more these days. It served me well at On the Corner. I had a delicious greek salad with addictive lemony dressing. My partner in crime had a sandwich that rivaled the deliciousness of my salad. Even the munchkins’ makeshift baguette pizzas (they were out of pizza dough) were very tasty. Spidey and Tink give it four thumbs up. The play area means that if you have children or just hang out with some from time time, they’ll have something to do while you wait for food. The big communal tables mean that if you can get a whole one to yourself, you’ll have tons of space for cars, dolls, trains, puzzles, books, and sippy cups from home.
This is a great spot for simple yummy snacks. This is an excellent place for children. This is not a good place to grab a beer– they have beer taps, but they’re not serving yet.

This is the essence of a neighborhood coffee shop. It might not attract the coffee snobs (excuse me, I meant coffee aficionados) with their foreign selection or the scent of roasting beans, but that’s not what this place is about.
This is free wi-​fi, comfortable and plentiful seating (considering the size of the place) and board games to play with your friends. You come spend a lazy rainy saturday afternoon here.
I’d be equally likely to grab a beer here as a coffee. And I’d be equally likely to pull out my Macbook and work as I am to read a graphic novel from the comic book store down the street. There’s no pretension, people seem friendly, and occasionally someone actually plays the piano sitting along the north wall.
Plus you might recognize the owner from the «Support Local Businesses» bus ads around SF.

The young start-​up company that I work for spent the first 6 months of our existence holding meetings in cafes across the City. On the Corner is the best one we found for such meetings.
The room is spacious with large tables and free WiFi. Food and coffee is pretty good too.

When I first lived to the city last summer, I lived across the street from Alamo Square Park and frequented the cafes on Divisadero on a daily basis.
On the Corner was one of the last cafes that I tried out. When I first came in, I was really digging the music that they played. The Beatles were on repeat, and there was a piano that patrons could come in and play around with. Some guy brought in his music sheets and practiced a song.
The owner, though I forget his name, was a really nice guy.
They had free wi-​fi, which is great since I do work on my laptop often, but I remember it being the zNet wi-​fi, which puts a two-​hour time limit on your service. That’s always a peeve of mine.
I like that they hold events at café, such as game and move nights, and were doing live shows for awhile. Next time I’m in the hood, I’ll be sure to stop by for a game of Scrabble and some beer.

Pretty disappointing.
I was greeted with a «What the hell are you doing here» look.
The cappuccino was a joke (Resteamed milk foam just piled on top of overextracted and bitter espresso)
The chicken sandwich would have been good except for the fact that the person making it didn’t wash his hands — after handling money and scratching his hair.
Despite all this, I still smiled and said thanks when I got my order — the response was «you’re welcome» with rolling eyes.
I guess I’m not cool enough to go there so I won’t

I’ve been to On the Corner a handful of times now and each time it delivers what every café should — it’s clean, quiet (mostly), quick with the drinks, roomy, and with the right touch of décor. I like the arts and crafts movement light fixtures and the cozy seats and couches.
They have $ 2.50 beers from 7−10pm and on Thursdays it looks like they have a movie night — so I’ll have to hit it up before I move.
This place is a gem of a café so if you’re in the hood, you should check it out!

I’m not sure what I am doing writing a review for a coffee shop when I don’t drink coffee but here goes. I come here to study usually getting a vanilla italian soda however recently my work’s new health challenge is a detox so I now get herbal tea instead. The tea comes in a teapot if you get the large size, a teapot!
I like the lighting, I like the couches, I like the weird David Bowie German (perhaps) remake, I like their soy chai latte but I don’t like the 2 hour limit on the internet. Like I said i come here to study and will be camped out for hours. I do try and buy a drink or salad on and off throughout my 5 hour stay just so I’m not a huge freeloader.
I haven’t tried their breakfast sandwiches because I refuse to deviate from the Oak Side Café but I imagine they are okay.
I do need to point out one more thing, when people hop on the piano it is distracting and loud so be prepared if that happens. Oh and Wednesday is board game night!!!
Update: I confirmed it is David Bowie in Portuguese, not German. My apologies to the Germans and the Portuguese I offended, unfortunately sometimes I can’t suppress my American bubble.
Update II: Apparently every night during the week they have something going on. Movie night on Thursday, Monday or Tuesday has the rowdiest knitters I have ever seen, Saturday afternoon they had a blue grass band complete with a kazoo and washboard. Is it good for studying? Sunday nights or if you can handle a lot of noise, otherwise head elsewhere.

On the Corner has been around for a year or so, but only recently have I begun to visit it regularly. The café has a sandwich/​salad menu that is pretty good for a coffee shop, and the outsourced pastries are decent. The coffee is quite good, some of the best in the neighborhood. Then again, North Panhandle is not North Beach with regard to great coffee.
The coffee counter women were friendly and attentive. I like the design of the café, because they have actually spread out the tables instead of trying to fit as many in as humanly possible, like a few other coffee shops in the hood. It is a great spot to do some work in, because not only is there room to spread out a bit, it is quiet. (Café Abir, for example, blasts their music, and everyone is sitting on top of each other…) Overall, I like On the Corner, and I find myself coming going frequently these days.

I write this review as I am sinking into a large, leather loveseat.
A laid-​back Saturday crowd surrounds me sipping Chai lattes, special housed beers, or drip coffees. The café contains everything you’d expect: food, drink, and games. An old piano keeps me company on the far wall side. The room is open and spacious and there are so many possibilities with their seat arrangements.
I have one complaint: the wi-​fi has a 2-​hour limit. I had to pay for the 24-​hour trial! Seriously, the days of paying for internet should be long-​gone. Anyway, they make up for it with the cool vibes.
It’s worth spending a day kicking back and catching up on any sort of work you have planned for the day.

On the Corner has slowly but steadily been steering me away from Katz, Peets and Oak St Café for my coffee and morning scone/​croissant/​bagel/​whathaveyou. And with good reasons:
Convenience– it is the closest of the nearby coffee shops
Quality– best coffee amongst the local coffee spots, homemade treats (blueberry muffin wont be easy on your body but it will on those taste buds!)
Vibe– it very much has the neighborhoody quality without being too hole-​in-​the-​wall-​ish, magazines, newspapers, comfy seats, artwork and a piano give a welcoming feeling as if to say «come in and stay a while…»
It’s earned its place on my list of regular go-​to local spots.

I’ve been in twice and both times was told that «wifi is down». This either means that their service blows (and shouldn’t for an, ummm, coffee shop) or they’re lying to me and don’t provide service.
The coffee and meager food choices are ok. The staff is fairly aloof.
I walked down two blocks to Bean Bag and got a better and cheaper cup of coffee, very kind service and immediate wifi. Obviously a no-​brainer between the two.

ok, I’ve only stopped by once before yoga one night, but I’m going back tonight because I’ve finally found a coffee shop open LATE. yes, past 7:00PM and not Abir! Woo-​hoo!

You know that asshole with the Macbook and the white headphones and the hooded sweatshirt and the dark glasses and the messy hair who sits at your favorite café nursing the 1.50 cup of coffee they bought 6 hours ago constantly re-​loading Twitter and Gawker sites all day long? And you just want them to go away? That’s me, bitches!
On The Corner is a good place to annoy you while I become a walking Apple commercial and cliché. They have outlets, tasty coffee, a clean bathroom, and it’s just big enough that you don’t feel that you are all up in everyone else’s business. And they have mini cupcakes!

Down on the corner, that’s where I was earlier today. Well actually, I was inside On the Corner, grabbing a delish daNish.
The place looks promising, I mean a jazz duo was in the house, and I hear that more of that is on the way. There are some leather chairs and sofas (perhaps they need a few more tables), and it’s free wi-​fi for you non-​social types.
This one of those Unilocal where you regret spreading the word, as I’m sure the joint will be packed in no time flat.
More updates as I discover OTC in more depth, but expect to find me there soon, catching up on work or digesting a good read. Anyone for chess, wouldn’t that be nice?