Barclays Coffee & Tea — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Best coffee in Northridge!

Hipsters - check Free Wifi - check Good ambience - check Almond/Soy/Other milk - check Organic coffee beans - check

So what makes this place special? The 2 baristas I encountered: C.J. & Rena. They are warm, welcoming and accept you, even when you request 10,000 variations to your coffee and ask for recommendations.

I wanted to try some vegan cookies, and I bought a bag. I thought the batch was a little off, and regretted not getting the double chocolate option. Normally, if I were to walk to a barista at insert generic coffee chain and say that I thought the bag of cookies i purchased is a little off, I'd get a roll of the eyes and a look that says, you are sh*t out of luck, go away, I have to deal with 100 other caffeine-crazed zombies in line. Except, at Barclays, they treat you with respect. CJ asked me to pick another bag.

I don't usually write a review for a coffee place, unless they mess up real bad or are exceptional. If you want great coffee (customized to your satisfaction), good ambiance and baristas who care, skip generic zombie coffee chain and give Barclays a try.

P.S: You know you are at a really good coffee place when the baristas know the customers by name and know their history. It's like Cheers, except you swap the alcohol...

Mr. Barclay doesn't live here anymore!! I was a customer for over 35 years but have almost quit going lately. Here's why: They have had several new owners since Jay retired. I seldom see the same people working there on my periodic visits, so they don't know me from Adam. While they still sell coffee beans that is no longer their focus. Coffee beans are no longer on the menu and not even mentioned on their website!!! I have even had them stop filling my order so they could make a cup of coffee for somebody else. Another thing that's different is they no longer give you the 12th pound free. That business model worked for over 40 years, but no longer! Really? I used to enjoy feeling like a valued customer who was known by the whole staff, but no longer and that's why you've seen much less of me lately. It's kind of disappointing. The coffee is still good, hence...

Tried the Vanilla chai tea latte on a whim and it is the greatest chai latte I have ever had --if sweet, cinnamon~y beverages are your thing--.

If you're sticking around make sure to ask for your beverage in a mug, somehow the weight and feel of their wide mouth mugs makes the drink 10 times better.

Some of the staff are friendly and attentive whereas others will walk into their break room while working and forget that new customers have come in and are waiting on them.

It's rather small, quiet, and casual. Good for meeting a friend to catch up in a comfy ambiance. It's not trendy, doesn't try to be and that's pretty refreshing these days. It's on the plainer side with minimal art and a little section of wall space with mugs, tea makers, and other things they're...