Cotati Coffee Company — Restaurant in Cotati

-Racist employee?- It's a real shame that I have to give such a low rating, especially after the first time visiting this place, but I feel like it's needed so others like me can avoid the trouble. My boyfriend and I came in today (May 6, 2025) to try and support some local coffee shops. We got iced coffee and breakfast sandwiches. There were two girls working and one of them came to take our order after helping an older gentleman. She was nice and bubbly with that gentleman; smiles and all and the moment we came to order our food, she became extremely stoic, monotone and had a slight grimace as though she was disgusted with something.

I ignored it and ordered our food with a smile despite her seeming to become more and more agitated as we ordered more. I thought that maybe she might've been having a bad day but then a couple more customers came in and her smile came back and she was very kind and responsive to them. Mind you, I'm a black woman and everybody else is white including my boyfriend. It's always hard for me to tell if somebody is treating me a certain way because of race because they usually do so in a passive aggressive manner, but I can't think of any other reason for her treatment towards us in this case since she was acting so different with the other (white) customers conpared to me.

While this hurts, I'm just glad to know where I'm not welcomed so that I can support other places. I know that the employee's views may not alliance with the owner of the business, but as long as she's there (which I wouldn't know when she no longer would be working there) I won't be coming back.

Aside from this experience with the employee, the coffee was good but the breakfast sandwiches were microwaved too long so the bread was tough and chewy. Good coffee just not...

I want to preface this review by saying I have worked in customer service and understand the importance of presenting a friendly demeanor, even when you might not mean it.

The blonde girl barista has the most uncouth personality I have ever experienced.

My boyfriend and I walked in several minutes before closing, unaware of the hours. We were met with a death glare from the blonde barista, who neither spoke to nor acknowledged us. When we went to order a latte, she said she had already broken down her espresso machine. I then asked “Oh, sorry, are you about to close?” which was met with an apathetic “Yes.” and nothing more. We apologized again and quickly left (without being acknowledged, again).

A part of customer service is speaking with the customer to let them know what’s going on and to help their experience. I am not bothered I didn’t get coffee. I am bothered that, from the start, the barista had a sour attitude and didn’t greet us, let alone tell us upfront that she was breaking down equipment in order to close, so some things wouldn’t be available.

There are ways to tell customers that you are closing. My advice: use your words, not your eyes...

7/11/18

I don't know how we always get so lucky, but my boyfriend and I randomly found ourselves in need of caffeine as we drove through Cotati with his boys and discovered Cotati Coffee Company. I am so glad we did!

This place is great!! Service was super friendly. The family behind the counter obviously love their business and love their customers. We ordered 2 large mochas and wanted to ask for extra espresso (since bf likes 4 shots) but that's how many their large comes with!! I asked what their Dirty Chai drink consisted of, and found myself with a large, hot Chai and Espresso blended drink. It was so good. Our youngest one had a hot chocolate, which he also enjoyed.

The decoration style inside this small business reminds you that the family has two little girls helping make decisions around here. The T-Rex Unicorn is stamped on their cups and there are lots of cool pictures, plants, and books to look at while you wait. (However, the wait is not very long.)

Prices were great and drinks were as awesome as the staff. Would love to support this business again next time we're driving through town. We would go out of our way...