Play Coffee — Restaurant in Fullerton

Playful is the first word that came to my mind when I first visited Play Coffee. The endearing multi-roaster coffee shop in Downtown Fullerton converted what seems to be an alleyway into a coffee lover's playground. The shop is built from ground up with six shipping containers, painted in prominent orange and blue. The geometric separation of the space allows each area to have its own distinct vibe. Inside a container and a streetside room that used to be a barber shop, it is AC-controlled and quiet, ideal for study or work, while the sunny outdoor patios are perfect for meet-ups and conversations.

When it comes to coffee, Play Coffee's playfulness means it doesn't take itself too seriously, even though it makes serious coffee. I had the pleasure to be served by Play's owner Leon once, and he strikes me as a genuine, joyful coffee aficionado who is so happy to share his passion with customers through Play's coffee offerings.

Play prides itself on pourovers, offering several roasters all at once, and recently added its exclusive beans in collaboration with Nomad. Volcano Latte is probably the most popular among Play's signature espresso drinks, it adds smoky sea salt to a brown sugar latte, asserting a complex taste from the get go till the last sip. I also tried their seasonal drink that is the cold brew version of the Italian cocktail. The sweet and tart flavor immediately brought to mind the warmth and joy of an Italian friend.

When I go to Play Coffee, I try a new drink and pick a different corner to enjoy it. Each visit feels like an exciting sampling of what Play...

Good coffee...but the experience was just not great. There was only 1 person taking orders and making coffee. Fine. It is early in the AM on a weekday. A latte is $7. Fine. Things are expensive. But there was no conversation with them...they seemed to be about taking the order and making the coffee. Fine. Not a big deal. But then they flashed over the payment screen...I was S H O C K E D to see 20% as the minimal, but the other 3 options were something like 25%, 30% AND 40%...with each one having a small text description of how much you valued the service and coffee. Mind you...I had not experienced much of either at that time.

I don't bat an eye to tipping 20% and do it all the time at every restaurant I go...but this was borderline insulting. What is happening?? It makes me not want to go back, because the service and coffee honestly might have been worth a 10% tip that particular morning (the "container" where there was seating was cold...no one had turned on the...

I haven’t even stepped foot in this place

I already know the service is trash

Like I come here an 10 mins before closing schedule , and I ask for directions

See 2 workers have a conservation in front

I get told you can’t be here , I’m like what you mean ??? I get what they meant by that

I get told aggressively you can’t be here

I’m like - what you mean , yall closed or what

So guys wouldn’t tell me nothing , besides the same thing repeatedly condescending , I had to look at the schedule time for myself on my phone

Turns out they were closing in about 10 mins by the time I got there

Would’ve been a lot easier to say we’re closing for the day , instead of being rude

I don’t think I’ve ever been chased out of somewhere that fast , before stepping foot on the property lol , even yet doing absolutely nothing...