Penelope's Coffee and Tea — Restaurant in Foster City

🍽️ Food Expectations: I visited Penelope's Coffee and Tea for food, and based on the online reviews and pictures, I had higher expectations than what was delivered. The food was generally okay, but didn't stand out as much as I'd hoped.

🥔 Hash Browns Highlight: A definite positive was the hash brown side dish. It was genuinely good and, surprisingly, felt like it was fairly priced compared to other menu items.

💰 Pricing: Overall, I found the food to be on the costlier side, which, without a more exceptional culinary experience, made the value feel a bit off.

🛎️ Service: The service was not particularly memorable. It was neither overtly bad nor remarkably good, just a standard, unremarkable interaction.

🌳 Ambiance & Seating: The cafe offers plenty of seating, which is a plus. Its location across from a park within an apartment complex gives it a relatively nice and pleasant setting.

🤔 Overall Impression: While the hash browns were a win and the location is agreeable, my experience didn't quite meet the higher expectations set by its online presence. The combination of slightly high prices and unremarkable service means I likely won't be returning, despite the generally...

I’ve been a customer since they opened. It’s near my house but after today I will most likely never go back. The woman at the counter was rude after I complained they had ignored my order for 40 min while I watched several people come and order food and get it well after my order was placed. I received my coffee within 5 min but the food took 40 min. I ordered a Doordash pick up as I arrived. They were well past the time DoorDash stated the food would be ready. I got a message the food would be ready and the lady making the coffee acted irritated that I dared to ask about it. I waited a bit longer and approached the cashier. She tried to blame DoorDash until I told her I got the coffee within 5 min, then she tried to say it’s because they didn’t have enough waffle irons not knowing I had been watching them make burritos and avocado toast while the irons were empty. They offered me nothing but rude words and lies. I may have ordered on DoorDash but I was there the entire time. So I know exactly what was going on. Maybe next time try saying whoops we made a mistake and offering a pastry while the person is waiting instead of changing the reasons why my order was skipped...

I am wringing this review due to discriminatory practices at this facility where i used to go constantly to this location and haven’t gone to this because of how they single out customers. When members of my family call asking questions of lose leaf tea they were informed they were banned from the location by a member of the staff. Mind you I have not gone to this location for over a year. Pathetic and unprofessional business practice for them inform my mother over the phone order to be banned they had to be a discussion when I’m the one making a purchase i didn’t know someone can be banned for being dissatisfied with service or members of staff when the staff in question is rude and unprofessional. I gave this place another chance my mistake. I hope more people see this and know who the management team at this location is like. Also when informing them about the lose leaf tea the the individual at the register gave a smart remark and said I haven’t done this order in a long time. I didn’t need to hear that. I am extremely disappointed and some people and things never change my mistake for giving this place a second chance. Thirty bucks...