Java Detour

Never disappointed! Great coffees and smoothies. They’re also very speedy. Bonus happy star for a couple treats for my dog co-​pilots.

I like the four berry smoothie. Try the iced black and white mocha also. so sweet like it…

A few months back, I ordered coffee before closing. It was the first time I had coffee at this place and so far it has been my last. The baristas were behaving wildly inappropriate, but I wanted coffee and ordered it despite my resignations and based off of both my wife and Unilocal’s reviews of this coffee joint. The coffee was decent, but the baristas’ behavior and attitudes were unquestionably repulsive. However, after I went back to try to purchase some more coffee figuring I would give it another shot, Java Detour suddenly stopped serving walk ups after dark. It being the middle of winter at the time, and also the only coffee joint within walking distance, made me rather frustrated that a drive-​through coffee joint with a walk up window won’t cater to foot traffic because I was unlucky enough to witness crude behavior of the employees. I have a strong feeling that it was because of my witnessing of their behavior that made management change the policy because of two reasons:
1) My wife would frequently get coffee when she worked in San Rafael for years and this place was open to foot traffic before this incident. This leads to
2) The coffee place only started this practice after said incident occurred, which I didn’t care enough to report at the time (being 8 pm and to whom would I report a thing like this to?).
This is unfortunate, because the only time I can purchase coffee at this small (ish) chain is on the rare occasion between the hours of 8 and 9 p.m. which is after dark.
I give it a three star review and not a one star because the coffee was decent. However, they would have a one star due to unprofessionalism and the prerequisite of private transportation to get service.

OK latte but DO NOT EXPECT prompt service. First time customer, so my experience may not be the norm. Plus it was a Saturday morning, so perhaps the staff is on «chill» time. However, I stopped in en route to catch the ferry. Took 20 minutes with only two cars ahead of me. A sweet young woman enraged to take my order, then took orders from the cars stacked up behind me. Nice thought, but totally ineffective. When finally I was at the window, the young man mumbled something about cinnamon sprinkles? So the pre-​order thought got totally lost in translation. Latter finally produced, and I didn’t miss the ferry, so I guess that’s worth something. I won’t be back soon unless I have no time frame expectations.

I do love this place and come way more than my wallet would like. The sizes run bigger than most of the big name places.
But, service can be really slow. Conveniently located. Weekday mornings, there’s a huge line.

I still love this place, as it’s the only drive through coffee place near me that isn’t a McD’s or such. I like that their smallest drinks are the equivalent in size to the medium drinks at most places, and I like that they have a good variety of flavored drinks (my favorite these days is a small Butterfinger Mocha — blended, it tastes like marzipan). Prices are up there, but you get what you pay for, and I’ve never been dissatisfied with the quality. I haven’t tried the pastries much, but it seems they have a good selection of items. I have tried the breakfast sandwiches, and they are big, and tasty.
I’m not a fan of the double window drive up, because sometimes the second window is closed, meaning that when you might think you’ve avoided the long line spilling over onto Lindaro, you’ve in fact lost your place, and end up even further back. At the very least, they do come out and go from car to car when that happens (if they have enough staff).
I do wish they had an app, a giftcard program with rewards, to give rewards to those who frequent the place regularly (like a free pastry or small drink every 10 purchases?). I also wish they had later hours — past 9 or so — they might be able to capitalize on the business since most coffee shops are closed by 9:30, and I usually get cravings for their drinks around 10 or 11pm.

Go here all the time, this morning I left without getting my coffee. Sat in line for almost 5 minutes, line had not moved. Watched as the girls in the store chatted and laughed. Just the side I was on had 7 cars stacked up by the time they came out and took the 2^nd car in lines order. The cars were lined up into the street and they were just chatting away in there…

I wish Marin took Seattle’s cue and peppered the streets with little drive thru coffee shops! This is definitely a step in the right direction — at least for coffee addicts such as myself.
Despite my usual aversion to sweet drinks, I had to try the Vietnamese coffee. I recommend it with less condensed milk and no vanilla for a more normal (and less fattening) experience. Their cappuccino was okay but I believe it may have been a tad bit over roasted. I would definitely try it again though.
We drove by with a pup in our car and they gave us a doggy treat. Awww, I just love it when businesses do that kinda thing.

Coffee is pretty good. The people are semi nice but the service is super slow. It becomes a waste of gas to idle while waiting for a cup of tea or coffee. The Hut is conviently located but the quality of goods is inconsistent.

I love Java Detour!
One of the only drive-​thrus in Marin County, but so needed and appreciated. Sometimes you don’t have time to park and get out of your car, and this place helps this issue.
I’ve tried their iced nonfat latte which was good and basic, but the star of the show is their Vietnamese iced coffee! It was perfectly lightly sweetened with sweetened condensed milk, and the coffee was still strong enough where you could taste the flavor.yum.
I plan to try this place more as they have many delicious options.

Best coffee around. Even with a line of cars the employees run out to take orders. The breakfast sandwiches are made fresh and so delicious. The staff is friendly and then customer service is amazing.

I have been going to this drive-​through for years and they are consistently the best customer service. The barista never have an attitude no matter what is going on. They are always upbeat and cheerful and kind. Even if the drinks sucked, which they don’t, I would still come here. They get my decaf iced sugar-​free caramel mocha correct 99 times out of 100.

Everyone that works here is amazing and ALWAYS nice. Their sugar free blended white mocha is delicious, and those breakfast sandwiches??? Ya… McDonalds has nothing on them. Even during their peek hours, they are efficient in doing run-​out order taking to the cars in the queue. Not sure how everyone’s memory is on-​point, but it is! My go to place in the morning!

Oreo cookie latte was so delicious! It’s much similar to Starbucks’ Frap blended drink. They also have Butterfinger and Reese’s latte, which I’ll have to try. Fast service, definitely going back!

The customer service over the phone is just terrible. I called asking what time they open the next day and the only respond the teenage girl gave me was «I think around 5» SHE THINKS uhh I think you need to learn your job.

This is my go to drive thru coffee place in Marin. I generally drink black coffee (I need it in my veins!), and sometimes with a splash of milk.
Most of the drinks are are sugary concoctions but they have decent choices. Recently I has a funky monkey, it tasted mostly of peanut butter than banana but it gets the job done. My lil sister likes the green tea latte since its tropical green tea. Most of the time I get a premium house coffee and it’s good for my on the go taste.
I like that they have breakfast sammishes all day (breakfast is great anytime of the day!), which makes it worth coming here.
Service is generally pretty quick and the staff is friendly. One of these days I’ll taste the Vietnamese coffee, I heard those are strong.

Love this place! Their breakfast sandwiches taste like something Mom would make you back when you were living at home. The chai tea latte is to die for! Plus the people who work there are always friendly.

I stopped here on my way home one evening for a quick pick me up. I wasn’t expecting much because I have honestly never heard of Java Detour. I went there because of it’s convenient location and the fact that It had a drive thru! (They also have a walk up window!) I ordered a small iced white chocolate mocha, which is my favorite drink. I also ordered an almond croissant. When I pulled up to the drive thru there was one car ahead of me. As I sat and waited, one of the workers came out and took my order. Both girls that were working were genuinely friendly and professional. After going here for about a week and a half straight, this has become my favorite place to stop for coffee! The entire staff is fast, friendly and professional! Not to mention the coffee is delicious! The turkey croissant sandwich is amazing. And the almond croissant is divine! I definitely recommend this place to anyone that is a coffee lover! Also, ask about the 2 for 1 on their pastries! Not sure if that was a one time deal, but that was pretty awesome as well.

Big fan of their drinks. like the drive-​thru. Make certain and make a stop whenever coming to/​fro from San Anselmo/​Fairfax area.

What can I say, I’m a sucker for drive-​thru spots in Marin County.
They toast the breakfast sandwiches and I get to pick what I want. Reasonable prices and quick and efficient staff. This place never gets old. Tea is good and Green tea cold blended drink is amazing. Can tell the whip cream is fresh and homemade, from someone’s home nearby anyway.
Love this place and come here often. When stopping by, the earlier the better. Around 7 to 7:15am Monday through Friday, it gets full with about 5 to 10 cars around the tiny little building.