Em Coffee House — Restaurant in San Diego

Customer service and experience was extremely poor for my first time here. The young lady at the register looked completely miserable to be working there, very monotone and sounded annoyed in her responses. We only asked what she would recommend for the banana nut bread between the “nut” or chocolate one. After confirming and repeating myself two times, that I like the apple turnover, we paid and waited.

As we waited and got called for our number, we only received the banana nut bread (which we also requested to be warmed/heated and it was not), so we inquired where the apple turnover was since we only got our drinks and one food item. This young lady was even more rude, didn’t say a word, turned to the register and receipt and then proceeded to toss the receipt in front of us stating how we didn’t order the apple turnover. So I explained we did order it, and still like it. You would think we be a priority for this mistake on their end, yet instead they made me wait until they took other customer orders and then finally turned to me to pay for the pastry.

While waiting for the apple turnover, the girls making and handing out the drinks and food are eating and munching away on the bear waffle/pastry. Which is unheard of at a proper restaurant or café to have visible staff be eating while making food/drinks.

After sitting down waiting for our apple turnover, about 10 minutes gone by and we noticed they were calling numbers way after our number. It turns out they left our apple turnover on the counter and didn’t say a word or called for us.

Now the drinks were decent, but the service was horrendous. It seems all of their staff is immature and unprofessional, while blatantly rude to customers. I want to support my fellow Vietnamese community and people, but its so disappointing to see how their staff can behave from...

Submitting a 5-Star Review, despite having a Negative Experience here at Em's Coffee House in Mira Mesa.

Negatives: A warning to vegans and dairy allergies (and perhaps lactose intolerant individuals too)

The barista encouraged me to order a drink with a modification, both of which had dairy products in it, after I had expressed that I cannot have any dairy due to allergy (not intolerance). I verified twice afterwards if both the drink itself and the modification (pandan cream) did not have dairy, and he confirmed it was dairy free. I ended up nauseous for the next 24h and vomiting for the evening.

The only drinks that do not have dairy are espresso only drinks or black coffee, with upcharges for oat or almond milk. All the Viet coffee drinks are already pre-mixed with dairy condensed milk. Em's does NOT have coconut condensed milk.

Atmosphere -- My partner and I sat down at a table here and we noticed EVERY other table and booth seat had individuals paired w their laptops. Not even one other table was sat without an electronic screen in front of them. We felt awkward to chat w each other, so this is a better place to visit for those who want to be on their devices. There are other cafes that are more conversation-inducing or welcoming to chat w strangers.

I personally wouldn't return here, but I would recommend it to certain people I know who enjoy Viet Coffee w condensed milk and don't need an alternative to dairy.

NO CASH IS ACCEPTED HERE. ALL electronic payments only.

Positive: I reached out to Em and they responded...

This place was okay, but definitely did not meet my coffee shop expectations. I asked for a cortado, but the girl at the register did not know what it was, so I showed her on line. I heard her tell the other girl that is was like a "latte," and I was 'NO" not a latte, it's equal parts milk and espresso! I don't understand how people open a coffee shop and don't know how to make a simple cortado.

In the end, I received a latte with a lot of foam, and I specifically asked them to put no foam in the cortado. I even showed them a picture with a diagram.

In addition to the disappointing cortado, I order the ham and cheese croissant. The croissant sandwich is put together on the spot and then put in toaster oven. They used good quality ham, but unfortunately simple American cheese. With such a quality butter croissant, I don't understand why they opt for cheap American cheese, a natural cheddar or provolone would of complemented the croissant and ham much better.

I had to ask the you lady to reheat the ham and cheese croissant because it was still cold inside and the cheese was not even melted. I asked her to put the croissant open faced in the oven so the cheese and meat would received that direct heat. That did not happen, so I got a croissant sandwich where the ham was still cold to the touch and the cheese not properly melted. I gave up after this. I tried to help!

The two young ladies were friendly and nice, but not being able make proper cortado and heat a ham and cheese croissant thoroughly,...