Java Junction Coffee House

Service is really bad. They are rude. There’s no excuse for bad service especially when it’s like 30 bucks to eat breakfast at this place for a family. And the food is okay… not great.

I never go in this place. Every time I do I feel let down. It’s dingy and dimly lit and not in a cool way.
The staff is rarely very friendly either. No one ever seems to smile when I’m in there.
I really wish this was a place that I could go to for coffee or bagels but it isn’t.
Great location but the place needs freshening up all around. Maybe some mirrors to open up the room. Or some more light. Something.

Don’t really understand all the negative reviews! I’ve been coming here forever, and have only ever had great service. Everyone’s nice, they come to the register as soon as they see you there, they hand over the simple syrup when you ask for it…
I will agree about the both doors open thing. Come prepared! I actually like sipping my hot coffee in the cold, it’s so heavenly. But yeah, it’s cold.

Stopped in for a quick breakfast after encountering an hour wait an Linda’s. BF and I were on a PCH road trip down south and didn’t have much time to spare. Grabbed a veggie bagel sandwich and smoothie. They were out of most bagels but the options left were fine. Our order was out quick, everything was fresh and yummy. Also got an iced coffee that was spot on.

Service is not always great. Often out of bagels. Seems to be getting worse. Two days this week no bagels!!!

So when I first arrived there was an cool relaxed vibe in the air, which I always love, especially in Santa Cruz.
Second there was a super long line to order, which could either mean they have really slow service or the coffee is just so good it’s worth the wait.
It turns out that the coffee is totally worth it and I barely had to wait two minutes for my latte. Highly recommend to all locals and visitors.

Perfectly frothed goodness is a good way to start any morning!
I love coming here early, grabbing a mocha topped off with real whipped cream to jump start the work day!
The team is friendly and gets all the modifications on my drink right every order and is nice to my pup that sometimes comes in with me as well.
Also, the breakfast bagels here are very tasty and always toasted just the right amount (enough to keep egg/​cheese warm but not too crusty).

Fun place to work and chill with a coffee or one of their awesome smoothies.
They also have great breakfast foods, bagels, burritos, and pastries.
Fun people, open and airy.
You have to try the Monkey Business smoothie. So yummy with banana, honey and peanut butter.

Nice little coffee house, BUT…
Freezing cold inside in the morning. They usually leave both doors open so there’s an icy cross-​breeze at 6AM. You would be wise to bring gloves to drink your coffee… INSIDE.
Music blasts loudly. I usually like the selection, but it’s definitely not background music!
Someone order a smoothie? Loud blender alert!
The baristas are always nice. I would give this place an extra star for that, but I’m shivering in this coffee drafty, loud coffee shop right now at 6:50 AM; not the best start to this day. I mainly only come here because it’s within walking distance of my house.

Java Junction is fairly inconsistent. A latte on Thursday could be satisfying while the same order on Friday is flat-​out gross. They do have good smoothies and I’ve enjoyed sandwiches here before. Fine to drop by when in the area but there are far better coffee options in Santa Cruz.

As my order was being taken I watched the «Cook» wipe his nose and put his fingers in his armpit and then proceed to take my ticket and NOT wash his hand before making my sandwich. This place is DIRTY, if you want to catch a disease go here.

Killer Vibe
Laid Back Service
Great Coffee
Kermit Kale Smoothie was great
Customized it to hold the soy and juice
Coconut Water brought it together.
Thanks for the lift.
Local Corner Joint

The quality of the espresso is worth 5 stars, but the customer service is worth 1 star. I could not tell if the employees hated their jobs or were just extremely tired and unenthusiastic. My Americano was really good and the shop was very clean. I prefer my coffee served with a smile. Therefore, I probably won’t be returning. :(

Delicious coffee here, way better than any other coffee in the area. Smoothies are really good too!

I love this place! The food is great! I usually get a lox bagel or a plain bagel and it’s always great! Their turkey cranberry sandwich is also very good! All their smoothies look and taste wonderful! And the coffee they make is wonderful. If I could I would go there every day! I would highly recommend this place!

My hair salon is nearby so occasionally I will wander over and get a coffee or a snack if things are running late. I usually prefer a cappuccino or iced coffee and I’ve always been pleased with what I’ve had here. Snacks are very straightforward as well and I like the vibe just fine. Customer service can occasionally be spotty but, to me, that’s common in Santa Cruz so I don’t stress too much unless I’m really in a hurry.

First pit stop on my quest to find the perfect study café: Java Junction whoooOoo.
Anyway, time to break it down for anyone curious about whether they should venture here or not:
If you know somewhere that serves actually good coffee – skip this place.
For strictly a place to study– this place is ‘aight’. Nothing special– there are definitely better study cafes out there. The seating is nice and if you’re able to get one of the two big tables it is even nicer. When I was there, however, they blasted 90’s hip-​hop which is great when I’m in the Fresh Prince mood but I was honestly just trying to study and it got a little distracting. Might have just been the person behind the counter that day, but still. Oh and the bathroom is JANK, yo. It’s dirty, you have to climb up a flight of stairs on the outside of the plaza and it doesn’t lock. This is really inconvenient for studying at a café considering I usually have to go after about 3 gulps of mocha.
The drink– ugh goodness– I’m not even close to a coffee snob but jeez that mocha was bad. Even the person I was with who rarely drinks coffee could tell it pretty awful. It tasted like if was made from powder or something. And there was oil at the bottom? Gross. Anyway, all the horrible reviews about service I didn’t really get to experience, the girl who took my order was pleasant enough and it seems like they get a few regulars.
It’s pretty far from campus as a UCSC student so my first trip to java junction will probably be my last.
All in all: Not bad, but you could do a lot better. (Try coffeetopia!)

Before coming here, the reviews made me questions whether or not I should even try this place. But I’m glad I did.
There were only 1 – 2 people working, and the 1 girl who was helping us was pretty nice. I ordered the mint mocha, and unfortunately, it didn’t taste minty at all. :(If it was a regular mocha, it was pretty good!
One thing that I loved about this place was the homemade, fresh whipped cream! YUM!

There are too many other really good coffee shops to bother with this one. Seating is available here for a reason.
My friend and I stopped in and the guy behind the counter had a look of detest and stood there staring at us. I said hi and he shrugged. Really dude? I asked for a double espresso over ice and he bitterly took orders from 6 – 7 more customers before asking me again what I wanted and finally made it. It was the most sour spro I’ve had. I don’t think was having a bad day, he is just kind of an ass.
Side note, there was a stunning girl making smoothies and she had a smile on her face — but she stayed away from angry coffee counter dude.

I want to love this place, I really do, but it’s not the best. It’s not the worst either. Here’s the lowdown:
PROS:
Coffee is delicious
Good smoothies
When the service is great, it is really good
Outdoor patio
Homemade whip cream… yummers!
CONS:
When the service is bad, it’s horrible
Sometimes people smoke on the patio, which I thought wasn’t legal
Mediocre tea selection
Bathrooms are on the other side of the building
Overall, I’d say it wouldn’t be the worst choice for getting coffee in the area, but I can think of a few i’d rather visit instead.