The Ugly Mug Cafe

Went to The Ugly Mug for the first time tonight. I was prompted by the outrageous price hike at Starbucks. I am sorry but a $.30/​drink price jump is not something I am going to support.
I read the reviews of the Ugly Mug and thought the owner must be beastly — but that didn’t stop me. The guy is serious, knows his business, great Italian soda and great coffee — and I got a smile. The space inside is HUGE, the patio outside is comfortable and the prices are way cheaper then Starbucks. Haven’t gone yet but The Ugly Mug has open Mic night on Wednesday! Whats not to love.

Awful, awful people. So rude and condescending. Just the absolute worst. Avoid at all costs — there’s nothing that could be happening in this place that could make it worth the horrible way they treat customers. You feel like a victim and completely unwelcome. AVOID

This place is just horrible. Last night, the owner gave orders to someone in the café not to let a mother change her baby’s diaper. Yet the bathrooms are NOT equipped for changing at all. I honestly don’t know how this place stays in business.
Anti-​family. Anti-​customer service.

If nothing else Ugly Mug is nostalgic. It is also what a coffee shop was and should be… A place for people to get together, enjoy a great coffee, great conversation, and do a little phisophical or artistic sharing without the background of big corporate retail influence. It’s also, quite obviously, a place for run-​on sentences.

I love how charming it is in there, I ran in to grab an iced chai and the man (pretty sure the owner) at the counter was so sweet. I definitely go back! I wanna be there for poetry night.

The guy behind the counter is an idiot. Very rude, not welcoming to costumers. I asked him the difference between two drinks & cold heartedly said chocolate. It was cash only & we only had a debit card so I went to the ATM but it was out of service. We told him to cancel our order & he rolled his eyes at us followed by a mean stare :(
(we=husband and I) At first we thought he was racist, but after reading the reviews he’s rude to everyone!

Hmm. Dry sense of humor or not, by declaring with a snarl that you don’t serve decaf coffee you’re turning away 10−20% of the dollars you could earn. Maybe Phil doesn’t care about this because he’s way too hip to (and coffee peddling ain’t that expensive when you’ve got somebody to pay your (?) overhead), but it just makes sense this guy is losing customers left and right with his exclusionary, tired and mean methods. I’m happy to let young hipster students go and get their fill of sneers and grunts in this Daria-​esque atmosphere, but I’m a little too old to find the 90’s novelty appealing. Recommended to save your dollars and head up the street to Chapman Coffee House.

Hello Unilocalers!
Here we have a unique situation. A coffee shop that hosts open mic night, poetry readings, and more, but has the worst customer service in the Orange Circle. The majority of the reviews are spot on. You can cut the air with a plastic spoon with all the negative customer service.
I walked in with my gf after seeing live music through the window and we were greeted with a stare so cold I felt my spine shiver. Without a smile or a hello the guy behind the counter looks at us dead in the eye, «Can I help you?». «Yes», I said nervously, «we would like to watch the live performance». The old man replies, «$ 2». We then turn around to stare at the empty living room, we look back at him, and proceed towards the front door. This was the end and last moment of our interaction.
I feel sorry for the live performer because he was playing for an empty room at 9:30pm on a Thursday night if I remember.
I hope this helps everyone! Happy Unilocaling!

Some folks on Unilocal say the owner has a charm beneath his gruff exterior. This must be true because there is no way this place could stay in business if some people didn’t feel that way. If you can roll with abusive service and think it’s some kind of hipster cool charming, then this is the place for you. If the guy I met is truly the owner, he must have some other source of income because he definitely does not seem to want annoying paying customers like me in his coffeehouse. Which, considering the name of the joint, may be the intentionally crafted mystique. The customer service experience was so bizarre that I actually might come back to see what happens if I throw some Ugly Mug attitude back at him. Maybe he’s from New York; that might explain it. I am giving him one star because I have a feeling he might consider it a badge of honor to be OC’s worst-​rated coffeehouse on Unilocal

I’m a coffee snob, I’ve probably been to every coffee house in the area. This one wasn’t my favorite. When I went in they didn’t have a sign saying they only accepted cash until after I ordered my latte and they made me go to the ATM and withdraw cash for an added fee. The coffee wasn’t the best and it wasn’t the worst. My favorite drink is a caramel latte so naturally I got one of those, compared to most it wasn’t the greatest thing but for the price I would go somewhere else.

I went there and there were NO customers– the owner was rude– and the tea I got tasted terrible.

I cant ever find out when this place is open,
I’ve called the number and it goes to some guys voicemail.
Its supposed to be a coffee place but its NEVER opened in the mornings.

So I haven’t ever felt the need to write a review for someplace before. If I like it, I make note of it and I recommend it to friends, if I don’t, I don’t. But considering how many reviews I’ve seen about this place, I’d like to put in my own two cents.
I’m not a coffee person. I’m just putting that out there now. However, I go to the Ugly Mug every Wednesday night for the open mic poetry reading hosted there. And I almost always get an oreo shake. It’s not «OMG THIS IS FANTASTIC», but it’s a damn good oreo shake. Plus, price of the open mic AND the shake is like 7 bucks, which isn’t that bad.
Regarding Phil, he’s a tough nut, sure. Once you get past the surely behavior, though, he’s a fun, kinda nice guy. The first time I went (like… a year ago now), I was extremely intimidated by him. He’s just got a super dry, sarcastic sense of humor.
Is it the best coffee place ever? I dunno. Probably not, but I’m not the one to judge that particular aspect. Is it a quaint place with a unique atmosphere and some great open mic stuff? Hell yeah. Just don’t expect a false chipper attitude when you order your coffee and you’ll be fine.

As much as I dont like writing bad reviews about businesses, I say it was a stretch to give this a three instead of a one star. My friend and I stumbled upon this joint, we walked in and the lights were off and not a single soul was there. I wrung the bell and Phil came down. He was not warm or friendly, but rather sarcastic and very rude. He treated me as if I was a «spoiled rich b**ch» that wasn’t «hipster» enough for his eclectic coffee joint. I just thought the whole layout was weird, I felt like I was intruding into his house and it was very awkward.
I will add that my café americano was pretty good, I thought it tasted better than Starbucks. But the vibe of the place had made me want to never come back again, unless I am showing my friends how weird this place is.

I’m skeptical this is a rough gem. I’d be interested in going back for the open mic night. My two strikes against this place are its not inviting and my macchiatto was meh. Phil was a bit awkward, but I can be awkward… Fine, customer service sins are absolved but I’m not coming back for the coffee.
The meh macchiatto. After ordering it, he made sure I wasn’t a Starbucks drinker. That didn’t go anywhere. He just wanted to be sure I wasn’t comparing them I guess. He proceeded to serve me a shot of espresso in a 12 or 16 oz styrofoam container with very airy frothed milk up to top. That’s way, way, way too much milk. I’m not a complete snob about beans — but you could see the bulk packaging in the kitchen behind him.
The second strike is the building has a ghost town feel. Part of this is because they charge for internet unless you make a purchase of $ 3.00 and plugging into an outlet is an extra $ 1.00. The room for the open mic was devoid of people. All the furniture had signs on it with «don’t touch», «don’t use» and «don’t set drinks on this». In the back of the the room (currently) is an unused hair salon.

I freaking love Phil. He is hilarious and makes a mean Italian soda/​blended beverage. But here are the things you need to know about Phil and what Phil will and won’t do:
Phil Will:
Make you a damn good cup of coffee
Make you laugh
Listen to your shit
Hold an open mike night
Be sarcastic (it can come off mean, but it really IS just his humor)
If you live at his property he will be a damn good landlord
Phil Won’t:
Put up with your stupid
Put up with a demanding attitude
Put up with entitlement
Smile
Be a dick just to be a dick
Phil owns a coffee house that is run IN HIS HOUSE, he doesn’t have to be concerned about closing his business because It’s his house, and he runs his own property management company. So If someone is looking for «service with a smile» and «wipe your ass service» then they really should go to starbucks or somewhere else. But, if you do want some really amazing stories and a good experience you should come here, especially for open mike night.
Also, give it more than one chance, Phil is like mold: he grows on you.

My friends, you all need to lighten up!
I agree that the owner (Phil?) isn’t the most enthusiastic guy around. However, he’s a decent person with a dry sense of humor. Just roll with it.
The coffee hits the spot. I haven’t tried any of the food items on the menu, but plan to in the near future. This place is also open pretty late compared most coffee shops… which is great for a Chapman law student!

I came here after a delicious dinner and walking Old Town Orange with the one and only Lica N
To me it was a trip to memory lane (I went to Chapman)
Right now the place is being remodeled, so it’s a hot mess!
I truly hope the place doesn’t lose its eclectic touch.
Here I attended numerous poetry readings, open mic nights and came here to study between classes.
(remember at that time there was no bruxie, no haven and no bruery provisions– those places would have put a smile in my face when i need it!)
This time I ordered a Latte, it was pretty good.
On the other hand the customer service was far worse than when I was going to school. The guys was kinda weird, and we had to wait until he grace us with his presence.
Quite annoying :(
Maybe the name Ugly Mug is a warning of what you gonna see inside.
Even though I’m sure I’ll be back, when I take another walk in Memory Lane…

Came here to get some coffee after dinner with Lili H. The place was empty like seriously no customers inside and I was unsure! Had to call out for the guy to come make us a cup of joe!
The inside feels like a time warp with mish mash of chairs, couches and artwork. There is a small stage where people come to read poetry and play music. The back side of the room is unfurnished and is under construction. I think he is expanding it.
The guy behind the counter making your mug is odd but very friendly. It may take a minute or so to get him but he is a nice guy. Don’t expect a young bubbly one to help you. I would be interested to see what kind of changes the make to the place.
Eyes ~ very interesting place!
Nose ~ Smells like coffee!
Mouth ~ Latte was good!
Tummy ~ Settled!

The Ugly Mug is a wonderful, literary, independent coffee house in Historic Old Towne Orange, Ca. (Known for its Antique Shops, and restaurants.
They are nestled on Glassell, between Chapman University on the north, and the Traffic Circle, on the south.
They feature Live Entertainment, including Open Mic Nights and Poetry Readings, for those who are more adventuresome in their quest for enlightenment, and knowlege. ;-D
The Ugly Mug, and its intimate, comfortable, setting, of couches, tables, and chairs, plays host, each Wednesday, to the long running, extremely popular, Two Idiots Peddling Poetry (Going back to 2001, at least!).
I first read my poetry, here, in October 2010, and made a triumphant return, last week, and will be there, agina, this week.
The experience of sitting, and listening, to people reading their work is a fun, interesting, and entertaining, one.
The expereince of standing up, and reading YOUR work is a very empowering creative experience… especially when the audience reacts favorably to your efforts. :-D
Phil, the guy behind the counter is… interesting…different, too, no doubt about it, especially if you are decades his Junior, and used to Cafes where the employees are your own age, and sensibilities…
That being said, all Y’all who can’t figure him out, or figure out how to react to him, and his ways… maybe you should go back to your other haunts, where you are more comfortable. :-D
The man has been nothing but nice, and courteous, to me, once he comes out of his hidey hole, and takes my order, fixes, mixes, and sets it on the counter.
He even has a sense of humor, and his love of poetry, and long commitment to giving space to music, and spoken word, performers to share their works, is commendable, and appreciated.
When I left, last week, 2 twentysomething Young Thangs, prrobably students at Chapman, were chatting with him, in a manner that spoke to how they knew him, and liked him, and he them.
The food, I haven’t tried yet, but the OJ, and Fruit Smoothies, are great!