Simple Pleasures Cafe — Restaurant in San Francisco

WHERE'S THE OLD SCHOOL SERVICE? seems like a mom-n-pops, but sure doesn't act like one

I was there over the weekend* for a simple cup of coffee, and I requested a pup cup for my dog. For those of you that don't know, a pup cup is a bit of whipped cream in a cup. They charge $0.60 and I'm fine with that despite other cafes we frequent not charging. What I wasn't fine with was, after I forgot to tip (and I felt bad about that. I'd been carrying multiple bags that day and there was no counter space to assist in completing the payment transaction and then I had two cups more to carry), I see on my credit card bill that someone had tipped for me. It wasn't even that they tipped themselves $2 on a $3.10 bill (8 oz coffee and the pup cup) when I would have tipped $1.

The problem is that they tipped themselves at all. On principal, and ethically, and even legally: this is wrong.

I was even saltier about it because the last time I was there I showed up hungry and watched order of food after order of food being made, but not mine. I was patient because maybe there was something going on, like phone-in orders, that I didn't know about. Then the woman who ordered in-person 15 minutes after me got hers, and the guy making food was making his own and about to go on break. I was hangry by the time he scrambled to make mine quickly.

I'm generally feeling discouraged by the people working in this shop. The service is inconsistent. And just like any segment of society, some people are more ready to take responsibility while others' first reaction is to defend themselves.

*Note: This post was left as a draft for several weeks until today, Halloween 2022, simply because I was walking by and wanted to sit down with a cup of tea. I actually confronted the staff, one of which was the sandwich maker guy aforementioned. The other was a young woman who appreciated my attempt to confront them before leaving a bad review. She knows the value of receiving feedback. I appreciated her. The other young man made zero attempt, words or otherwise to right his actions.

Where's the old school service in this technology-ridden town?

Also, this shop does not have an ADA...

I've been coming here on a weekly basis for more than 20 years now. Ever since I was in high school. Simple Pleasures Cafe is the epitome of the local coffee shop. They roast their own coffee beans two doors down from the cafe so it is always incredibly fresh and delicious. They also serve amazing food, which includes sandwiches, soups, salads and pastries. I have eaten pretty much everything on the menu and it's all very good, but I am particularly fond of their chicken panini sandwiches, breakfast bagels, and egg salad. I most frequently order the mocha with soy, but if I'm in a hurry, the regular coffee (and iced coffee) is fantastic as well. The regular coffee there has strong notes of chocolate with subtle undertones of caramel. It's very satisfying and always puts me in a good mood. I've known many baristas come and go over the years and they've all been wonderful human beings. The ones I've known the longest who still work there are legitimately some my favorite baristas ever. They're always very friendly, generous and helpful. The owners are also amazing people. They're some of the kindest people I've ever known and are so appreciative of all their customers. They've maintained the cafe with the same decor and vibe since they opened decades ago. It is a fixture of the neighborhood and it genuinely feels like a home...

This coffee shop is extremely overrated. Due to the parklet directly outside the shop’s front doors, Simple Pleasures appears to be a popular stop for a cup of joe. However, as a local I know it’s the same revolving door of people who come to spend their entire days in front of the store - patrons or not.

As for the coffee it is mediocre. Again, as the environment caters to coffee drinkers and seems busy a people will still line up and wait to say “it’s”, or “not that bad”. Burnt and/or mediocre coffee will surely taste better if you’ve waited outside on a balmy Richmond day.

Where I am most disappointed is management and staff. I have ordered from and seen management operate and it’s the furthest thing from the “chill” energy they try to portray being filled with. I have been rushed to order, (ie. questions are met with a look of disdain. As for management of the building - blasting favorite playlists of whoever’s iphone is connected is not conducive to a coffee shop nor its customers. Country and rock one minute, pop and best of the 70’s the next? Rather than fighting over playlists, please Simple Pleasures, focus on training management and staff to be friendly and considerate of their customers - as well as roasting a GOOD cup of coffee,...