Ritual Coffee Roasters — Restaurant in San Francisco

This particular Ritual location is a small lil shipping container next to Patricia's Green in Hayes Valley. Do NOT be surprised if there's a line literally out the door, but also do NOT worry--the line moves quickly.

Barista/os are some degree of vvvv nonchalant chill to friendly; I find I get the most smiles and conversation when I bring my cat with me (:

I love to try their seasonal drinks (horchata latte, tamarind cold brew, foggy latte), but most tend to be too sweet for my liking -- I'm sure I could ask them to go easy on the sweet part, but I'm pretty sure the main flavoring is just sweet on its own. Oh well, a small cappuccino always hits the spot for me, and while it's def an American capp (would prefer even less milk, but not quite as small as a cortado), it's still tasty.

Pastry case is always full, though I've never indulged, friends have & are always pleased.

Pro tip: wait outside the shipping container for your name to be called, grab your drink, and enjoy it while watching the doggos play in the far/south end strip of...

Guess I’m a critic because my shot was over extracted?

I was giving this place a second try because it was underwhelming the first go around, but I’d been recommended Ritual several times.

I asked the cashier what they had for espresso. He told me they had a blend and a single origin but they hadn’t dialed it in. Not sure what they were waiting for. It was 11:30 and they weren’t that busy. Why even tell me about it? I went with the blend because the cashier insisted it was pulling great. I could tell the coffee itself was pretty good but it wasn’t a good shot.

I finished it and went back in with the dishes. They asked how it was and I shrugged. After I left I could hear them mockingly say, “I guess we have a critic!” If you don’t want feedback maybe don’t ask the question.

The only redeeming quality is that the roasters seem to know what they are doing. I wish the staff understood that they are the end of a long journey that required considerable effort from a...

I wouldn't say I'm a coffee snob, but I do in fact I really dislike Starbucks, even though I'm pretty sure I drink it every day since I'm provided with a hot cup of coffee in the morning and I have yet to figure out the source. It's curious.

Anyway, it may seem strange, but I often judge the coffee I drink by how long it lasts (pure black coffee, without milk or added creams) either out or in the fridge.

For example, Starbucks coffee sucks, hot and cold. Peet's coffee sucks cold. Stumptown coffee is good hot, cold, and room temperature.

And to my surprise, I had Ritual coffee, hot and cold, and thoroughly enjoyed them both. This place brews a really mean cup of black coffee, and I wouldn't recommend it...