White Sparrow Coffee — Restaurant in Tustin

If not for a quick comment by my friend, Braquelle, I would have never known about this place. I am so happy she said something! I am a regular haunt of multiple coffee shops in the area. I love them all for different reasons: environment, lighting, seating, coffee acidity, strong WiFi, etc. So here is what is so amazing about White Sparrow Coffee...

The owner and operator, Alex, is the real deal. He is your true-blue, grassroots, heartfelt entrepreneur. He grew up here, went to school nearby, still lives down the street and is chasing his dream to provide a higher class of personal coffee. You can taste the difference! With Starbucks a dime-a-dozen, he's exactly what we need more of in this town, in this county and this country!

And if you wonder if I am just touting the business owner and not the coffee, just you wait! This morning I tried Alex's PH Delight (Iced)--WHOOAAA!! No exaggeration, I finished my coffee before I got to my car because I I enjoyed the taste so much. I know, I know--Rainier, "enjoy" your coffee, take your time, sip it slowly... Well, sometime you taste something so delicious that your primary thought becomes, "GET IN MY BODY!!" lol. Honestly, it was the perfect balance of honey, vanilla, cinnamon and downright awesomeness.

Here's another worthwhile note about this shop. I was admiring the unique look and style of his syrups. One thing I realized right away was that it wasn't the stereotypical brand I used to stock at Smart & Final. No no no, this was something I had never seen before. Come to find out he took the time to research unique, small business brands so he could support other small business like himself, all while providing deeper taste and higher quality. This was the same story with his coffee beans, expresso beans, etc.

Everywhere I looked, there was something special, something unique and something personal. He's a one man shop in the front corner of a little bookstore in Old Town Tustin--such a cute spot! Seriously, I can only imagine what this coffee shop could feel like if only Alex had a full bar, full seating, and a team to help him. I can't wait to head back there any try the rest of his menu. Check it out, you...

White Sparrow Coffee is a delightful oasis nestled in the historic part of Tustin. The charming atmosphere perfectly complements its location among the vintage buildings and quaint streets of Old Town.

What makes this place truly special is both the exceptional quality of their offerings and the wonderful story behind it. I was fascinated to learn that the owner started about 12 years ago simply pushing a coffee cart around town. That kind of grassroots passion and persistence has clearly paid off in the incredible experience they now provide.

Joel, who helped us during our visit, was super friendly and engaging. His enthusiasm for the coffee and knowledge of their menu made our experience all the more enjoyable. It's clear the staff take genuine pride in what they serve.

Speaking of which, the pistachio matcha croissant was absolutely exquisite - flaky, perfectly balanced flavors with just the right amount of sweetness. We also enjoyed a refreshing blueberry iced matcha and a wonderfully spiced chai latte that was the perfect blend of aromatic and comforting.

White Sparrow Coffee manages to combine exceptional quality, heartwarming hospitality, and authentic local character. This place is a true Tustin treasure that exemplifies what a community coffee shop should be. If you're in the area, it's an...

We’ve been going here for a few years now and it has always been great; the drinks are great and the workers are always inviting and welcoming.

Although, we were excited to go today and upon almost entering we smelled a strong cleaning product scent coming from inside of White Sparrow; as soon as we entered we immediately turned back around and left. Unfortunately, the chemical smell turned us off. These strong cleaning products are very harmful to our health; these are called endocrine disruptors; they interfere with the hormones of the human body. We are exposed to endocrine disruptors via air, diet, and skin and have been linked to many health issues. When we smell these scents it is a major turn off and we don’t even bother going in to get a drink or eat at the restaurant. If it’s in the air (when you can smell the scent) then best believe it’s getting in the food and in the drinks that you ingest.

This review is not to bash White Sparrow, but to educate them and their customers. As customers we should demand more and also want businesses that have awesome drinks and food to improve and thrive! We hope and ask that White Sparrow consider to change their cleaning products and sanitary practices (using biodegradable cleaning products that are unscented and safe) to keep their employees and customers safe...