La Costa Coffee Roasting — Restaurant in Carlsbad

My husband and I discovered this roaster when we were having an extended stay in Carlsbad. I cannot express how ridiculously delicious their fresh roasted whole coffee beans are. My husband and I have an espresso machine and we can ALWAYS tell the difference between a bag of fresh beans from La Costa and a bag that had been gifted to us by friends from somewhere else. Doug is the owner who is always working away making sure the beans are roasted to perfection and his high standards. Each roast has their own unique flavor profile and we prefer all his roasts black with no sugar or cream to fully enjoy each cup! We’ve now been ordering pounds of whole beans from here for over 5 years and make sure to ask for a punch card!! We have never been disappointed and tell all of our friends about the epic coffee...

I expected so much of this place because of the great photos and reviews! But although the staff was nice, the shop itself was very messy. The counters were dirty, floors strewn with crumbs and mislaid papers, and the inside of the display case was full of condensation. The coffee machines also did not look as if they had been cleaned ( full of fingerprints). Not sure if I just came in on a bad day...it was a Saturday afternoon around 3 pm. My blended coffee had huge chunks of ice and hardly any coffee flavor coming through, it felt watered down. Disappointing... But I'm willing to try again another day. I liked the paneled atmosphere and everyone sitting comfortably reading...

Like the location and staff BUT it's kinda a homeless hangout. Just inside on right are 4 barstools. Each day are the same unbathen tobacco reeking guys complete with their life belongings in various bags and suitcases stuffed under bartop. Often they are asleep with heads on countertop.

They obviously live outdoors. While I am sympathetic to those less fortunate. The owner puts his patrons at risk by allowing this daily inside the coffeehouse.

The bad smell of these guys at times, overpowers the coffee which, is really good.

I worry about diseases and critters these guys carry due to their...