JACOB ALEJANDRO - Albany — Restaurant in City of Albany

Bought a large 16 oz. drip coffee. The coffee was terrible. Luckily, I live in the neighborhood, so I brought it back. Only took a few sips on the walk home. It tasted very strange, like chemicals & made my stomach upset immediately. Opened the lid when at home. The milk was curdled and the lid was covered with an oily slime, as well as the cup itself. The man at the register gave me a blank stare and then a disapproving look like he did not believe me. The only reason I brought the coffee back was because of my concern for the well-being of other patrons in case the milk and/or simple syrup were somehow contaminated. For inquiring minds, I have been drinking coffee for decades & worked in the restaurant business for many years as well. I KNOW my coffee. The oily substance, without a doubt, was NOT the coffee's own oils! The man at the register did not know how to do a refund. He wanted me to wait, so he could take care of the people in line behind me. Then, he would call his manager to learn how to do a refund. Unacceptable. Why was this person on the register without being fully trained?

Edit: May 13th, 2025, same day as review. Originally left without a refund because of the above described situation. After writing the review, I walked back over to the business. Asked the same man if he was able to do my refund now, since no custoners were waiting. Lo and behold, no call was made to his manager to learn how to do a refund. He tapped a few buttons on their computer screen, after asking what I ordered. I had my refund in mere moments. Why was he unable to accomplish this during my first trip back?Appears he was less than truthful during our first interaction. He, in my opinion, feigned concern for what transpired with the allegedly "contaminated" coffee during this second interaction. Fool me once shame on you! I shall never return to this establishment again! They lost what was going to be a...

Welp, I finally had the chance to stop by JA Pequeno this winter. It’s a cozy, modern café with a well-thought-out color palette that creates a welcoming atmosphere.

I tried the house coffee, but unfortunately, it wasn’t to my taste—it was quite strong, and even cream couldn’t mellow it out. I’m not a mixed-drink coffee person, so I don’t think I’ll visit again.

I ordered a savory meat pie, which ended up taking 30 minutes to arrive instead of the 20 minutes I was initially told. I remained patient, but I didn’t receive any updates from the staff during the wait. When it finally arrived, the pie was good but noticeably dry. I asked if they had jam to help balance it out, but I was told they don’t offer any.

During my wait, I observed the space—several people were having meetings or working on laptops. Seating is more limited in the winter, but it wasn’t crowded during my visit, and most patrons seemed to be regulars or staff from nearby businesses. The atmosphere was mostly quiet, with soft background music playing. At times, conversations rose above the music, making it a bit loud, but nothing overly unpleasant.

Interestingly, despite living nearby for over a year and a half, I never realized this café existed. I first attempted to visit after searching Google for a coffee shop, but I wasn’t sure if they accepted Apple Pay, Google Pay, or CashApp, so I opted for the café next door, which I’ve visited and enjoyed before.

The new neon coffee sign in the window—though stylistically out of place with the café’s aesthetic—was definitely a smart and much-needed addition for visibility.

Overall, JA Pequeno has a pleasant vibe and seems well-loved by its regulars, but it just wasn’t the...

Albany, get ready for a coffee revelation! JA Pequeno, located at 466 Madison Street, isn’t just a coffee shop—it’s an experience. A sister spot to the original Jacob Alejandro in Troy, JA Pequeno opened in Albany in late 2023, quickly becoming a local favorite for its unique approach to coffee. Forget typical coffee; my Olivia Maple Special, with olive oil, maple, and candied lemon, was a flavor explosion! Each sip was a new delight. The Blackberry Mango Scone was equally phenomenal, bursting with fruit. The service was exceptional—fast, friendly, and full of great energy. And the atmosphere? Pure cozy bliss, perfect for working or relaxing. There’s even a lovely outdoor area. Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Service: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Totaling 5 stars! Discover this hidden gem, where every bite...