Zocalo Coffeehouse — Restaurant in San Leandro

I was looking forward to this place given the number of high star reviews and the forward looking copy on the website, but this place just does not have it going on.

The place is large, I will give you that, and, they have a children's play area, but where a coffee house really shines is in the flavor and service departments.

I could give a darn about features when functionality is what's important, they say in the computer game design industry, and it is just as true in the coffee business.

The first impression is always given by the staff and the staff were either intimidated or lacking engagement. The cashier didn't greet me or speak intelligently with me about their selection, in spite of the well laid out, informative coffee selection menus.

I ordered a Sumatran pourover. Not the hardest thing in the world to make but it requires minimum skill sets as a barista. They don't make pourovers. That right there places this operation in the second wave of coffee instead of the third wave.

I'll explain why this is important if you ask in the comments.

Since the fourth wave of coffee is already underway, this places this operation, in spite of it's indie status, two generations behind taste.

One of the employees simply stared condescendingly, and constantly. Washing dishes was too beneath her apparently when any real leader would have eaten last. That's a metaphor you should know if you have a job.

In spite of visible contempt, one barista came over and engaged with me and made me an americano because what drip they were serving was - how shall I say it? - reservoir coffee.

Let that be the hallmark of coffee standards. Reject reservoir coffee. It tastes good for just a few minutes if the grind is done right to begin with and marks the difference between coffee operations who care about customer relationships more than money.

I spoke with two other employees who were just standing about and doing nothing and they knew a little about the roasting business but couldn't give me any viable or useful information about their coffee roasting until I pried it out of them with a crowbar.

Talk about level two employees, if you know the ladder of changing the world, which by the way, coffee houses are in large part, historically speaking, responsible for.

Now, most east bay food and beverage operations are lethargic and over-hyped. This indeed is the great California way. So disappointment is common. You need to get into the City and spend some money if you are going to find satisfaction, and even then you have to shop carefully.

Like some of my other reviews, I cannot give a high rating just because I want to pump up my Google Guide status or engage in the behavior so common in culture these days of over gushing and overrating about underachievement.

The best thing I can say about this place is they get the bean right as well as have a large place. My americano was tasty and well prepared but over priced for a double shot and some hot water. $4.20? Really?

From customer service standpoints and atmosphere standpoints, I have to give them from marginal to mediocre.

Just another example of a tired, confused, emotionally beaten up organization anchor-dragging it's way into...

I only gave a rating of 3 stars because the service itself was good and the cashier was very nice. Unfortunately, and I feel bad feeling as if I need to write this, the cappuccino was terrible. It was overpriced for the size I was given (the cup was smaller than most small cups are) and bitter to the point I questioned whether it was regular coffee or espresso. It was in one of the cups I'd use for a shot or two of espresso when I worked at a place years ago. Cappuccino would have been twice the size I was given. This isn't something I get to do often, it's a once a week or less type of thing because it's expensive, so am seriously disappointed. To top all that off, it was lukewarm. I don't think this was the case, but when this happens I wonder if people assume I wouldn't know the difference because I don't appear to be wealthy, or if this is what everyone gets. It's strange that they wouldn't have gotten so many complaints they had to change it already. The whole thing was just bad, entirely a terrible cappuccino and won't try to buy anything else there since I cannot afford to feel that ripped off. You need to make sure certain coffee shop staples are better than Starbucks. I want to go local, but won't of it's like that which is a total shame since I personally love going to local shops. I'm sorry to have to write this, but it was that bad I couldn't just let it go. Service was good though, so don't blame them,...

Very disappointing. Cute little coffee spot, however. Be prepared to be accosted when walking in the door! I couldn't even catch my breath before being tackled to show proof of vaccination. I get it but someone should have been at the door checking. I however was rudely asked to present my papers when I was already in the door by a young man and I was embarrassed by the way he asked. Next they did not have any change for a $5 bill so I ended up paying $4 for a weak cup of coffee. It's not like I didn't have it. I just felt like I was fleeced for a tip! Ok so we get over that and decided to order some breakfast. They were out of eggs and fruit at 9:30 in the morning so we settled for a biscuit with bacon. Big mistake. Food arrived in paper baskets and plastic utensils. I know Costco frozen biscuits when I see one. The bacon was as under done as the biscuit and the miniscule slice of cheese was pretty awful. Not to mention a small tub of applesauce on the side.. All in all this was the worst breakfast experience. AND it cost me $25...wha??? I will support a small business any way, shape or form. When you know better you do better and Zocalo I am pretty positive knows better. Get it together, folks. This mama will not be back. Shame. Great...