Cable Car Coffee — Restaurant in Mill Valley

We used to be regular customers before the pandemic—delicious coffee and tea drinks and a wide variety of tasty foods.

That part hasn’t changed, but when I visited today for the second time this week and attempted to redeem a loyalty punch card we had with 11 of the 10 required stamps on it, the manager got really hostile, really quickly.

Rather than saying—“new ownership; sorry, can’t accept the old card,” he insisted on arguing that there were not enough stamps on the card (there clearly were, though a past employee had put two in the wrong place).

He kept insisting I was counting wrong and acted like I was trying to scam him. He said some of the stamps were in Sharpie, and I said, the guy who rang me up two days ago marked it with a Sharpie!

Eventually he let me redeem the card, but ignored me when I asked if the new owner had a loyalty program, interrupting me saying, “thank you” by saying a firm, “BYE!” and turning away.

The mocha was delicious, and I was all ready to restart my Cable Car Coffee habit, but this experience left such a bad taste in my mouth I’m not sure I’ll be back...

Cable Car Coffee beckons patrons into a serene oasis amidst the urban jungle, where the clatter of the city fades and the intimate chorus of a peaceful retreat serenades the soul. With seating set upon rustic brick flooring, every chair and table is a sanctuary, an island of tranquility amidst the metropolitan symphony. Tall walls, standing as sentinels, shelter coffee lovers from the bustling world beyond, offering a hushed sanctuary where the aroma of roasted beans and the gentle murmur of cordial exchanges are the prevailing anthems.

Every aspect of this charming spot is fosters a haven of repose. The outdoor setting, kissed by the gentle embrace of the sun and caressed by the tender whisper of the breeze, adds an al fresco charm, making every sip of coffee a harmonious dance of warmth and refreshment. It's not merely a café, but a poetic enclave where the city’s architectural grandeur bows to the majestic serenity of nature, offering patrons an escape, a breath, a moment of idyllic peace amidst the exhilarating pulse...

Tried this drive-thru for the first time this morning and tipped the barista in good faith, as I always do. The soy latte had no foam and tasted like soy milk with barely any coffee flavor. I returned to ask if they could pour in a little more coffee, and the barista was immediately argumentative and unwilling to make any effort to make it right. The barista spent all their energy trying to "prove me wrong" and told me it would cost 80 cents more if I wanted an additional shot of espresso, on top of the $5 + $1 tip I had already spent. I will never go here again, will never recommend it to anyone, and will actively tell people about the poor experience I had, both in the quality of the drink AND the customer service. When presented the simple opportunity to do the right thing and work with me, they chose to be rude and aggressive as if I had done something wrong....