Cafe DiBartolo

Very bummed out that this café closed in mid-​December! Now there’s no decent coffee on my little Grand Avenue strip. Need to schlep all the way to Lakeshore now…

Ohhh nooooo! I was heartbroken to find this place closed down!
Café DiBartolo has had a place in my heart for the longest time, the place I’d go whenever I needed a terrific cup of coffee, great music, and an inviting oasis in the midst of town. And now what’ll we do???

This is my new hangout. I wanted a coffee shop with character, and good strong coffee, also with character, and nice light, and generous portions of good food. Then I found this place and got all that, plus a bonus back patio, good music, free wifi, and nice art on the walls.
I am quickly becoming a regular. In fact I am chilling here right now.

Pluses:
* Nice atomosphere, with brick walls and a skylight (or just good lighting)
* A back patio for rare hot Oakland days
Minuses:
* Housekeeping wasn’t great when I went. It wasn’t busy but the bussing tub for the patio was way full.
* Wifi didn’t work
* Espresso was watery like Starbucks but was otherwise fine, served in a real cup
* Disposable cups for cold drinks.

Years ago, I used to regularly stop by this place because it was convenient and I wasn’t supporting corporate coffee and its blanding of world cultures. So on more than one occasion «the owner» short changes me. The first couple of times, I thought «honest mistake,» but after like the fifth time of me saying «I gave you a twenty not a ten» I began to get really annoyed.
The next thing I know the guy opens a breakfast joint next door, and I’m thinking to myself — how many peeps did you rip off to get the breakfast joint from your closet-​sized café?
I mean if he wants to include a 30−40% gratuity for himself, he should at least say so. Also the coffee is WAY overpriced.
I did have to give this place an extra star for being local and having a sunny outdoor patio (you might think they’re illegal in the east bay from the plethora of cold shady ones).

My favorite Bay Area coffee. the patio is nice (and quiet) and John (the owner) is one of the «know what you want when you walk in the front door» types. He’s no «B.S.» but is really a super nice guy when you get to know him. He knows an awful lot about music too.
I’ve read reviews on the arrogance of the staff and signage but it adds character to the place.
The sandwiches are really well made also.
I recommend this place highly.

They clearly want to be identified as local and seem to intentionally have gone the low brow route of interior décor. Unfortunately, at this place that means uncomfortable.
The coffee is mediocre, and they overcharge for their teabag tea. And the chai was as uninteresting as the woman who took my money. Btw, still looking for good chai in the East Bay.
Sadly, this seems like just one more indy coffee shop that is relying on the loyalty of the locals rather than making the extra effort to run a seriously comfy café with excellent drinks.

Café DiBartolo is a very happy place. My favorite place in the Lake Merritt area, in fact, to take my laptop to go be productive.
First, the food: delicious, reasonably-​sized sandwiches. Tasty baked goods. Excellent drinks (I recommend the honey-​lemon iced tea… like lemonade with fewer calories). You won’t be disappointed.
But the best part about this place is the vibe. From the spacious, warm back patio to the airy interior with almost-​always-​solid music playing, this is a place you can sit down and relax. They seem to have a fair amount of traffic but there is always somewhere to settle in (assuming you follow the posted signs and avoid grumbling or internet-​camping with a $ 1.50 tea purchase).
Not your Peet’s or Starbucks: Café DiBartolo is a place to get comfortable with a laptop and a delicious egg/​bacon/​croissant sandwich.

I (mostly) like this place.
It’s in my ‘hood, and I love to support local businesses — although I can definitely say the service has been hit-​or-​miss at times.
I’ve had some good drinks, and some pretty great (although extremely pricey) breakfast sandwiches here.
That being said, it always rubs me the wrong way when establishments post snide, bitchy signage about their personal customer pet peeves. Case in point:
«NO MUMBLING»
(complete with cartoon sketch of mumbling customer)
and
«think HERE» (arrow pointing away from cashier)
«order HERE» (arrow pointing towards cashier)
«yes, REALLY»
Sorry, I (mostly) like you DiBartolo… but that’s just annoying.

I really would like to make this place into a favorite and give them the 5 stars that their drinks deserve. Alas, I cannot. Their pretenciousness and arrogance do not allow me to frequent this establishment on a regular basis. Every once in a while I will go in while hoping the moody owner is not around (more often than not, he is around and in an unfriendly mood).
Their drinks are very good. The lattes are the right mix of creamy coffee and frothy milk and their Italian sodas are decadent. Their pastries are also pretty good.
I would like to give them more stars and I will if the quality of their service improves AND if they post their hours!

Best chai latte in town!
Although, they have this «No mumbling» sign by the cash register that always makes me nervous so I mumble when I order.

Not a big coffee drinker, but it was a nice day out and I saw this woman walking down the street with something that looked tasty, so I asked where she got it.
I’d been to DiBartolo’s before (and promptly forgot whatever non-​exciting drink I’d had) and ordered their fairly tasty iced-​coffee thing. I ordered by explaining what I’d seen and they obliged. It’s a simple-​looking little place– but if it’s during the daytime, why would you want to be indoors?

Stepping into this feels like you have been on a road trip forever, and you stop at the 3^rd or 4^th place because you’re just done trying to choose.
The first thing you notice is lack of chairs and tables, it’s small. Then you notice at how horrible the drinks are being made (I am a former Barista trained by the best).
Then I ask for chocolate chip cookies, but they have peanut butter chocola. te chip. This is a good thing. But then the barista says, «it’s gluten-​free, if you care about that sort of thing.» Like I’m an ass if I don’t.
I don’t. Cookie was really good though.
Also the americano was horrendous. I don’t think I’ve ever had an americano that was messed up. This one was. I threw it in the trash outside immediately. Undrinkable

One of the first things I try to do when moving to a new neighborhood is find a good coffeeshop within walking distance. DiBartolo seems to be my best bet around the Grand Lake area (as in, it’s not a damn chain). A few fantastic things about it:
1. YEEEEAAAAH JET FUEL COFFEE
2. Super cute fenced-​in courtyard makes for an excellent place to read a book and get wired up on the aforementioned jet fuel
3. Free wi-​fi
The bad thing: only open until about 6pm most days. What’s up with that?

Ive only had a café o lait and plain latte here before. So far so good.
Really strong tasting coffee. Good tasting strong coffee.

I had a few bad experiences here and kept trying again since it LOOKED like it should be good and it is close the The Nail Shop. But after giving it several chances, I’ve decided I’m right. This place sucks.
It’s expensive for what they offer. They charge more than anywhere else around for beverages and sandwiches. They think ALOT of themselves, as if there is no other place to get coffee, pastries, or sandwiches nearby. Hence, they charge inflated prices for things like refills on iced tea (who does that?) and are never gracious.
Last time I was in I asked for 2 different things on the menu and they were out of both. I mentioned that this happened the last time I was there, too. The woman behind the counter replied «and yet, you returned» as if they were trying to tell me not to come back.
OK, I get it. They are RUDE to customers. Glad I no longer fall into this category.

Ah yes… the best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup.
Too bad I didn’t have Folgers, but I had a cup of Bartolo on this gloomy morning. This spot is across the street from Coffee Mill & Bakery, it’s a nice quaint café. Very roomy, and plenty of seats offered including a backyard, with tables and chairs in the front to accommodate the customers. Jake the Snake and I came here for a morning rendezvous for some drinks which were the following:
–1 small cup of Café Mocha
–1 medium cup of Hot Chocolate.
Spent overall a total of $ 5.50 with tax included. The service was excellent and the patrons of the place were really friendly. On top of that they offer wi-​fi which is a definitely a plus with any café. The catch? No outlets to plug in your laptop to Unilocal,conduct Business, and get college work done in a timely manner. Other than that, it’s definitely another spot to check out on a moment’s notice. Cheers!
P. S. The Bathroom is a bit cramped so if you have the case of claustrophobia I highly suggest getting over it quickly to take care of your bathroom manners.
P. P. S. They can also shape the milk in your mocha with little illustrations like an autumn leaf (the same offerings that Gaylord’s in Piedmont does for its patrons as well).

Wifi: yes — I hope they update the description soon! I was on my way to check out Café 504 — my weekend falls midweek and I try to get away from the house and from errands for at least a couple of hours — but they were closed due to electrical issues, according to the sign. (?)
Love; the back patio, with umbrellas. Sit out in the sun, get some shade for your laptop, and enjoy sun and wifi with just enough people noise to be a good background, but not intrusive. Usually. Read on.
Screaming kids on the back patio: sadness. I’m sure on some other day I’ll come and it’ll be 5 stars, for relaxing in the sun with a great coffee and some wireless, but the relaxation just ain’t there. ..

In an extremely RARE moment of charity, I gave my last $ 2 to Michael, a man standing steps away from Café DiBartolo and selling Street Sheet, «a publication of the Coalition of Homlessness San Francisco since 1989.»
In a not-​so-​rare moment of impulsiveness, I decided immediately thereafter that I needed a nonfat cappuccino while I waited for my car to be serviced. I don’t even think I like cappuccinos… I just keep hoping one will taste like the pure, sweet goodness that is Blue Bottle, but I digress.
So, I had already ordered when I realized that I probably had 72 cents in my wallet. I tried to stop the barista (think he’s also the owner) from making my drink due to my lack of funds, but without flinching, he just said «no problem, just pay the next time you come in.» I told him I’d come back later that day, and he just casually said, «no rush, just whenever.»
Good guy, nice place, and if I let myself get a lowfat (instead of nonfat) capp, I know it would taste more like heave… i mean Blue Bottle.

I love going in for a latte or chai. The staff are friendly! Their back patio is fantastic and people often sit back there and read. There is internet there and the owner doesn’t mind if you hang out for a good long while.
Oh, and their side salad is awesome!