Pixlcat Coffee — Restaurant in San Francisco

I visited Pixelcat Coffee needing a reliable place to sit and update my computer software. I didn't order anything immediately, but I quietly took a seat, plugged in my laptop and phone, and got to work, which is something that's usually fine at cafes, especially when they're not busy. Over an hour went by with no issue, until an employee approached me and, rather pointedly, said it would be "appreciated" if I at least struck up a conversation out of "common courtesy." I hadn't done anything wrong or disruptive, and this felt like an unnecessary and awkward confrontation.

Even after I acknowledged what he said and agreed politely, the same employee approached me a second time, making it pretty clear I wasn't welcome unless I bought something. I ended up packing my stuff and leaving, which was frustrating because I was relying on the cafe's Wi-Fi and outlets to finish my software update. Thankfully, I remembered there was a public library nearby where I could finish what I needed without being made to feel like a problem.

I don't appreciate being singled out like that in a space that markets itself as community-friendly. If the policy is "buy something or leave," that should be posted clearly, not delivered passive-aggressively through awkward personal calls for "courtesy." I won't...

Despite offering various espresso based drinks and boba milk teas — none of the drinks we ordered were done correctly. The milk tea was watery, too much ice and 50% sugar just tasted watered down. The espresso shot was not pulled correctly, not dialed in — which translated directly into the cortado which they served as an 8oz cup of steamed milk. That is not what a cortado is.

Then the mochi flight…the butter mochi had a crunchy taste like when you accidentally include egg shells in your batter. The matcha mochi was dry, they did not find the right ratio with the powder.

Only the ube mochi and ube panna latte merited 3 stars — because they were not too sweet. But even then, I asked for almond milk and was served with whole milk.

Really tried a variety of items on the menu and felt very disappointed. It’s a cute shop, and always happy to support local…but if you like your coffee and you like your boba tea— this is not the authentic...

The whole menu is acceptable, however the boba is unacceptable and should be taken off the menu.

2 hours later: after having that Boba, I really don’t feel great to my stomach and I’m revising my review to four stars because of how bad that was. The only reason why I finished that Boba was because it was 6$. Really stupid idea.

Their coffee is loved, but the boba is worse than if you went to quickly. It's like a landmine for your mouth. It has to be some of the worst boba I've had in my entire life, and I drink a lot of boba.

Again, it should be taken off the menu and not offered as an option.

The point is that everything else is a 5/5, and the boba is like a bizarre business decision to try to suck up some of the popularity of boba in the region, except whoever put it on the menu had no idea what it's supposed...