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Overrated is the title of this review 2.5. Fyi this was not our first or second visit. The menu is very enticing however the execution is below average at best. Second caveat all meals were order no special requests just as they are on the menu. Toast, I know how hard is that, break a tooth all slices three different meals, if you get a slice pick it up and band it on your plate and see if the plate breaks. Poached eggs 2 of 3 meals overcooked, one was almost hard. Bacon over cooked as if it was left in the deep fryer. First time for an avacodo peel, pit, and even stem served as part of my breakfast. The lunch sandwiches we have had, only issues has been that the bread tastes day old and a bit too rustic. Come for the chai tea, no joke best chai tea I have had from 36 different countries and countless coffee shops, but don’t stay for the food. Coffee is about the same as Peet’s Coffee nothing special. 5 star chai tea.

New City Cafe – Menu with Prices – 441 Parsells Ave, Rochester

This place is awesome! Not only is this a great addition to the neighborhood, the staff is friendly, the coffee (and chai!) is delicious, and the atmosphere is welcoming. This spot is more of a community space than a cafe. I found people of all ages coming through during my most recent visit – from youth group meetings, to friends grabbing coffee, and folks getting work done. Fridays are chai Fridays, and when the barista mentioned it, I had to go for it. My 16oz. chai was $3, which uses local blend from The Chai Guy. I opted for almond milk and it hit the spot. They also have soy and oat milk if that’s your style (plus all the regular milks too). I snagged some beans for home too. Their mix of roasts are some I haven’t seen around and was pumped to try their Zambia roast. They have some light food options too like bagels, muffins, wraps, breakfast sandwiches, etc. So I’ll be back to try a breakfast sammie and coffee for an upcoming coffee shop workday. They’ve got it all! Can’t wait to go back again soon.

Daily Brew Coffee House – Menu with Prices – 2955 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside

4 stars mainly because they don’t serve everything on the menu on their hours of operation. When they’re out, they’re out. It can be kind of disappointing because you will never know if they have it if you’re going there. I wanted their breakfast sandwich (out), so I opted for everything bagel with cream cheese. That was good. The hubs got their toast with homemade jam was really good. Thick toast with melted butter and jam… . The kid got vegan banana nut muffin and it tastes better than most vegan muffins I’ve eaten. These are 5 stars. The hubs got PB mocha blended and he said it’s one of the best. As a coffee hater me, I took a sip and I could taste peanut butter. If you’re a PB lover, you’re going to enjoy this (and you have to love coffee too!) I asked for blended spiced chai. Heaven! Yes I’m major a Chai critic. And this chai just added to my book list of chais. You love chai, give this a try. I haven’t tasted it cold or iced- just blended- not sure if it’s going to taste different. Cozy atmosphere too! A little crowded if you bring in stroller.

Spunky Monkey Coffee Kitchen – Menu with Prices – 7900 SW Barbur Blvd, Portland

OMG! This cute little place has the most amazing food and coffee. I don’t want to give anything away, but try the bagel with house made sausage, you will not be disappointed! Hearty sandwiches kept us full for hours. My 11yo son devoured the BLT bagel and my daughter ate almost all of hers (she was incredibly full). The owner is such a nice guy, chatted with us the whole time he made our meals and coffee, but obviously has it down pat and can multi task like that (who knows what I would have served up in the same situation). I highly recommend this place for coffee, breakfast, lunch, even a quick dinner to go. Wish we had one of these in San Diego.

Basil Prosperi – Menu with Prices – 801 Grand Ave, Des Moines

In the last year, things have really changed here – expanding into pizza and now doing breakfast, as well as baking their own bread in-house. I am not sure any of these developments are for the better… I used to pop in for lunch once a week and loved the old sandwich bread they used before, but now the sandwiches are not anywhere near as good. I don’t see any obvious changes with the pasta dishes, but of course the side of bread has been downgraded. I haven’t had a lunch there in probably a month as nothing appeals to me anymore, or at least not as much as some of the other nearby options. Pizza – well, it was nice of them to let us sample the slices while they were ramping up, and I do think their pizza tastes good. The problem is the pricing is too high unless you can get 3 people together to order a full pie. $4-5 slices, depending on topping, are really not intriguing to me. If they priced them lower, like 2-for-$5, I’d probably opt for their pizza more often. Breakfast – after neighbor Dooley’s went out of bounds, Basil’s attempted to pick up the breakfast business… and I don’t think it is working. They lack simple items, which were also cheap and quick, and instead force you into something more elaborate and expensive. Maybe I’m the only one that sees the negative changes going on… the lines for lunch are still out the door, so I don’t think they’re losing business, but then again they also don’t have a single competitor in their building at this time.

Global Peace Factory Coffee House – Menu with Prices – 1377 Legacy Dr ste. 100, Frisco

Honestly, looks pretty unassuming with a narrow storefront entrance and upon entering, looks pretty standard. I would’ve expected a more rustic/hipster vibe based on the name of the coffee shop, but no hate! As long as the place is clean and the food/drinks are solid, that’s what I really care about — and that’s pretty much what I found here! Ordered a chai latte, and waffles with strawberries and regular syrup. Love the standard price concept, no additional up charge for fruit toppings or flavored syrup. It was simple but satisfying! Kind of made me nostalgic for breakfast growing up without all the fluff and extra stuff that many brunch places are trying too hard for nowadays. Chai wasn’t life changing, but I didn’t enjoy it! Looking at the menu, the coffee/espresso drinks seem slightly above Starbucks but pretty similar to other coffee shops. The food prices are VERY reasonable. (Avocado toast under $5?? I’m used to seeing prices at least double that.) The shop looks small but there’s an upstairs area that could be good if you’re looking to work there for a few hours, but dunno what the outlet situation is like. I had brought my laptop just in case but it seemed more of like a come-and-go type of place so I didn’t stay after meeting with a friend. Always appreciate a company supporting a charitable cause, the food/drinks were solid, and it’s hard to find a spot that opens early enough in the morning other than Starbucks, so I’d come back!

The Complex Bean – Menu with Prices – 2307 A N College Rd, Wilmington

This is my go-to coffee shop for an afternoon caffeine fix. The space nestled in a plaza and has a surprising amount of seating given how small the storefront is. There are three high tops tables, two cozy couches and a couple seats at the window. There are usually a couple people posted up working but I have never had an issue finding a place to sit. They are always stocked with the latest issues of Encore magazine and a couple games (shut the box and jenga) making this the perfect spot to take a break. The walls are covered with eclectic art by local artists that is for sale. There is a good selection of coffee and tea (including chai!) that is served hot or cold, as well as kombucha on tap. The baked goods are also delicious – yesterday I had the sausage, egg and cheese biscuit. The biscuit was buttery and tender – so good! The breakfast sandwiches are made ahead and warmed up when ordered but they are homemade and taste very fresh. Definitely a great spot to check out if you need a snack and a drink!

Elmendorf Baking Supplies & Cafe – Menu with Prices – 594 Cambridge St, Cambridge

I visit Elmendorf regularly, and it’s my favorite bakery in all of Boston and Cambridge. The service is so personable and prompt, and everything here tastes fantastic. If you come for weekday lunch, the bread for the sandwiches has just the right amount of chew, and the fillings are fabulous (my favorite is the mozzarella, pesto, and tomato sandwich, but I’ve had all of them and enjoyed each one thoroughly). If you visit for breakfast or weekend brunch, their egg sandwich is fabulous: the egg is a scrambled-but-not-dry thick layer and the bun is, as with the bread for the sandwiches during lunch, certainly not an afterthought. You can get oatmeal here, too, which can help you switch up your breakfast game. The biggest reason I come to Elmendorf is because the pastries are off-the-charts delicious. I like to switch up what I buy, but among my personal favorites are their ginger molasses cookies (which are legitimately the best ginger cookies I have ever, ever tasted), strawberry rhubarb pie (but it’s only in season for a short time!), and apple pie. The sugar and chocolate chip cookie choices (regularly available) are also excellent. And although I’m not a connoisseur of coffee or tea, I always find that they have things I like on offer to drink. On top of all of their lovely offerings, they also have a stock of baking supplies that make me positively green with envy. If I could have a shopping spree anywhere in the city, I’d want it to be here. Keep up the great work, Elmendorf!

The Human Bean – Menu with Prices – 29 S Power Rd, Mesa

These people make some great “stuff.” (Not coffee). If you like your coffee like your like your lasagna – without any actual coffee in it, then you’re in luck. Their lattes and stuff seem great. However I have simple tastes. I just want good, strong, black coffee. I tried to do this here two separate times. It tasted like gas station coffee you buy at 11am that had been boiling on a hot plate all morning long. If you go to coffee shops for coffee, even Starbucks is better. But nobody does that so you’re probably fine. Employees have to be almost uncomfortably friendly at all these places or else they get written up. This place is no exception. It’s all smiles. That’s my .02.

Big John’s Donuts – Menu with Prices – 1516 W Willow St, Long Beach

I usually go to doughnut shops for just coffee and doughnuts, this place is an exception to the rule. These people make the yummiest sandwiches I’ve ever eaten, and I’m picky when it comes to sandwiches. Big John’s has their sandwich-making down to an art form. The meat and veggies are carefully stacked, and the sauce is just about right. They may not have as many choices as a Subway, but the sandwiches they do serve can trump any if not all the sandwiches Subway has to offer. Unlike Subways, which has all the veggies in random areas and too much sauce it makes me sick, Big John’s sandwiches are perfectly placed so that each bite has all the ingredients in it. Best part is that they can toast the bread for you too (if you’re like me and prefer toasted over cold sandwiches)! And the breakfast sandwiches… well… there’s a reason why they sell out of them. I myself love the pastrami and egg. Yeah, pastrami for breakfast! HELL YEA!!! And they can even make you sandwiches on bagels too if you prefer. Now on to the doughnuts…. It’s really all about the glazed! Perfectly coated, perfectly shaped, and soooo delicious! And their donut holes are the mini version of the perfection that is the glazed doughnuts! And recently they just started to sell the blueberry donuts, which is so divine!! I used to be sad that I had to go all the way to the OC for blueberry, but the fact that they have blueberry doughnuts right here (AND IT TASTES BETTER!) just makes me dance for joy–literally!! The rest of the donuts are tasty as well, including the chocolate bars (drool!), maple, apple fritters (so bad for you, but so very good!), the cinnamon twists, and raisin rolls (ask them to heat it up! it tastes sooo good, especially on a cold day)! Coffee is a must for most of my mornings and the coffee here is surprisingly good. They have regular, hazelnut, strong, and cappuccinos if you don’t feel like coffee. They even have blended coffee and fruit drinks for the frapp addicts. They can even mix it up for you if you prefer it that way. I’ve seen them mixing french vanilla cappuccino with coffee, mocha with coffee, hazelnut and regular coffee…etc. They are hard-core serious about pleasing the customer and will strive to give you what you want. I actually overheard a customer tell them that they cannot find another place that has the same great coffee. And its true! Honestly! I’ve actually grown addicted to their half vanilla cap with half coffee and I CANNOT FIND THAT SAME TASTE ANYWHERE!!! I’ve tried so many places whenever I had to travel, and no one can copy that specific vanilla/coffee taste that Big John’s has. That’s pretty much all i got to say about this place. Really, this place has only 1 review? Well, I’m glad I get to say that I’m the second to rate this place. It really is worth trying, even though it only has one review. The owners have been there for years and they know everyone. They’ve known people since they were kids! No joke! So it has a really great mom-and-pop shop feel to it. Super friendly, really great customer service. Better than a lot of places I’ve been to.

Royal Ground Coffee – Menu with Prices – 2342 Clement St, San Francisco

Hands down my favorite coffee shop! I used to live in the neighborhood and would go as often as I could, now I will literally drive across town just to drop in. Once it had been almost a year since my last visit, and that wonderful lady still remembered my usual! The coffee is superb, and they are so quick. For a while I was doing triple shot medium lattes (y’know, just a little kick) and they always got it just right. Now I’ll go for a dirty chai, which is just as delicious. I’ll usually get one of their breakfast sandwiches too, which are always pretty satisfactory. You can’t go wrong, and they are so nice. Excellent service, lovely atmosphere, damn good coffee. Yes, please!

The Farmhouse Restaurant – Menu with Prices – 228 N Gilbert Rd, Gilbert

I ask myself, what makes a breakfast stand out? Its all in their hot fresh crispy country or hash potatoes, oh, and of course the rest. This place has been one of our long time favorite for breakfast and they never disappoint. This quaint breakfast/lunch spot in Gilbert has kept its mark in the rapidly growing downtown revival. Seating is limited and usually has a small wait during prime time. Even though the wait is outside, there are benches and misters and cold water provided in the summer months. Their menu has a selection of 24 omelets and hearty breakfast or lunch options that you might expect at a ‘farmhouse’ bnb. Everything from the thick crispy bacon to their homemade chili are absolutely what you would expect. All breakfast are served with a toasted whole wheat french bread unless a choice specified. Their brewed coffee comes from their neighboring Bergie’s Coffee Roast which we love. Service always friendly and atmosphere suited to its name. If you like breakfast, give it a try.

Bohemian House of Espresso + Chai – Menu with Prices – 548 S Spring St R110, Los Angeles

Coffee shops are so exceptionally common (and frankly, so exceptionally exceptional) downtown that it’s refreshing to see a shop that specializes in something a bit different. With their wealth of both kindness and Chai expertise, Bohemian House of Espresso+Chai is worth your visit if you’re in the mood to shake things up a bit around your morning beverage of choice. Star 1: How were the service and atmosphere? Bohemian House is a great mix of friendly coffee shop meets somewhere you can actually sit and get work done. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing, and the clientele respects what others might be here for in keeping things toned down a bit. The service is fantastically friendly, and are more than happy to explain the concept. Star. Star 2: How were the portions relative to the cost? $4.50 for a Cinnamon Chai Latte was a good deal given market prices these days. Star. Stars 3 and 4: How was the food? I’m a sucker for a good specialty Chai Latte, and this Cinnamon Chai Latte, which I got iced, was a real treat. The flavors were excellent, you had the right mix of milk that didn’t go to far to dilute things, and all in all I could have downed about a gallon of this stuff. Two Stars. Star 5: Would you be excited to go back? Bohemian House is a great little business, and while I can’t say that it cracks the list of my favorite shops in the area just on account of their comparatively limited menu diversity, it’s worth your visit. No Star.