Martha & Brothers Coffee

Burnt, bitter coffee at 9am. Went straight into the trash can. And I was short-​changed $ 5 (luckily I caught it before leaving). Yuck!

I would give this place 5 stars for the food, delicious coffee, cute $ 5 teapots, fast and friendly staff, good prices, and wonderful selection of foods to snack on! But that would mean I have to log-​in to Unilocal and spend the time to actually write a review, but today I was more than inspired.
Witnessed a biker fall on the street today and in a lot of pain. I went over to help him get up and move to the corner of the street in front of Martha’s. The manager comes out immediately, offers for him to come inside to sit down and gives him a bottle of water. When the biker offered to pay, the manager INSISTED it was on the house. Very nice gesture!

I’m giving it 3 stars because the girls who work there are always super sweet and I don’t want anyone to lose their jobs or get less tips, but honestly, the coffee here is terrible. They’re doing that Peets over-​dark over-​roasted thing, but amped up to 10x. The flavor is just terrible. I tried getting a couple of specialty seasonal drinks like the peppermint mocha and the eggnog latte but the Unrelenting Darkness of the coffee just sinks them all to mediocrity at best.
Also pretty damn expensive. Their «small» is ridiculously tiny, the «medium» is the size of a «small» at most other place. I’m sure they pay hecka rent for this location so I kind of understand, but the coffee is too blecchy to justify that price. JITB next door actually has better tasting coffee and its much cheaper.

If there is a friendlier coffee house in San Francisco, show me because I have yet to find one more friendly than Martha’s.
These days with coffee places becoming hang outs for hipsters and hurried businessmen it’s nice to find a place where not only can you find excellent coffee drinks, but a place where the staff is so genuinely nice and are happy you stopped in.
There is more than just coffee here too, sandwiches, quiches, juice, pastries and even some delicious looking donuts. Where they get those donuts from I must find out. And if you see me and my large ASS heading that direction, please make every effort to stop me. Use force if you have to. My ASS does not need a donut.
There is free wifi for those feeling the need to stay connected. But if you just a need a hide out for a while then this will work as well.

all I can say is that my friedn drinks their coffee whenever she gets down there and finally she brought a pound of beans home.
Damn. this is real coffee. So hard to find here in the East Bay. Excellent. This stuff actually gets you high!

I came here to meet with a client. Got here a bit early to look for parking and thank goodness I did (this is around 1 in the afternoon).
PROS:
–good selection of pastries, although not too many of them look very appealing, but none the less, there is a relative large selection
–wi-​fi is free
–ample seating and outlets if you want to study
–close to the 101 freeway (I hate having to drive up and down the hills so much)
–reasonably priced
CONS:
–street parking only (but it’s SF, so I guess that’s expectable)
–music is kind of ehhhh
–inside decorations are w/​e, but I might be spoiled by cute décor since I’m from the LA area and am used to dim lights, chill music, and pretty things
–gets a bit loud when there are people + the workers talking to customers. It seems that this place is where a lot of regulars would come (possibly in the neighborhood?)
Good if you really need wifi, but I can’t imagine myself sitting here for hours on end studying/​working/​facebooking (hehe)
Overall, I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it. Just average.

Their drip coffee is the best! Yes even better than Peets. Strong, strong, strong — Perfect for a drowsy Monday morning wake-​me-​up. Their Caramel Latte is also excellent… medium is only $ 3.
And don’t forget about the morning bun! Yums!!!
It beats Starbucks any day
— — —
Review #146

Well they’ve lost a customer…
It was a sunny Monday morning. There were 3 employees behind the counter, one person ahead of us ordering and one person behind us waiting. After the person in front of us was done ordering, the lady behind the counter was fidgeting with the cash register… chit chatting with other employees. Then she started chit chatting with the person behind us for about a minute (it seems like they know each other) and then she takes her order and rings her up.
HELLLOOO…do you not see us in line?
BLAH

Coffee here is among the best in the city. I’ve been going here on and off for the last few months and the women who help me in the AM are always extremely friendly and the coffee always perfect. I’ve had the breakfast burritos and although they are not made here they are great.
Come in, you’ll be glad you did.
I’d like to give 5 stars but this location is not open on the weekends. I understand there really isn’t that much traffic and it may not be profitable but I’m selfish and I’d like to drink a cup a day.

VERY good coffee! Tried their Martha’s Blend and I loved it: medium-​body, low acidity, and exceptional clarity rounded out with a light roasty finish. Considerably better than the blends offered at Starbucks and Peet’s and in between those two and Blue Bottle in terms of strength. I’ve noticed too lately from my daily cup of Peet’s that it tends to have a bit of a scorched flavor to it… all the more reason for my search for better coffee. Prices are very reasonable here at $ 1.50 for a medium (12 oz) OTD as well — a must stop if you’re ever in the area in the morning!

Imagine how happy I was to find a coffee place with strong coffee OTHER than peets and starbucks, and just RIGHT around the corner from my work!
The coffee is great. I avoid the pastries and muffins cuz they look too good to eat ;) but my coffee is always hot and DELICIOUS and the girls behind the counter are so sweet and friendly! :) makes the experience that much better going for that large mocha with soy!
I feel like its a TAD bit more $$ than the others. but the quality is definitely better! =D

Raspberry Coffeee cake was absolutely delicious. Normally the best part of a coffee cake is the top with it’s buttery, crumbly goodness, but the rest is usually lackluster. Well NOT with this coffee cake! It was so deliciously moist and the hint of raspberry was perfect. Staff super friendly!
I’ll be back for more!

Very good coffee. Didn’t try any goodies, but the carrot cake the guy ahead of me ordered smelled really good. The Barista may have been stoned though as she forgot to give me my change. No big deal though, she was very apologetic.
Did I mention the coffee is really really good? Hells yeah, I’ll be back

When I really tired in the morning, this place is a must. The coffee seems to be stronger than Peet’s and Starbucks, not as smooth as Blue Bottle though. Friendly service, with the Spanish jams in the background to perk you up … make me want to Salsa!
My usual: Non-​fat cappucino and a toasted garlic bagel with cream cheese, tomatoes and onions.
They have chicken pesto sandwiches and chicken pesto salads, which are great!
The pumpkin bread is the same bread they have at Peet’s, but I think its a little cheaper here. Check them out!

If you open the dictionary to «customer service», you’ll see the smiling faces of the Chicas at Martha & Bros waving at you.
I guarantee you that if you stop in on a regular basis and order the same items, these girls will have your order down… and if you order a specialty drink, they’ll have your name down as well.
But the absolute best part is that the coffee, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches are really really good… and reasonably priced.
Favorite pastry: croissant
I’m a fan of drip coffee, so I rank it number one in flavor but somewhere between Peet’s and Tully’s for strength.
Great place to go if you are coming from the transbay terminal area… located right next to Jack in the Box.

4 stars for some of the nicest baristas I have ever met in the city of San Francisco. I don’t know what it is about Martha and Brothers, but they higher some extremely friendly people.
–2 stars for the coffee. My stomach just can’t handle this strong coffee. I have to put in 10 packets of Splenda and half-​n-​half before this coffee is drinkable even then I find it tastes burned (yes I know it is just strong). This coffee is just too strong and acid for me. I’ll stick to bland ol’ Starbucks.

For a city so snobby on eateries we sure as hell have a lot of goddamn Starbucks. For heaven’s sake, there’s one next to my house, two on the walk to work and from my cube window I can see two downstairs. Now, I’m not saying I don’t like Starbucks, I just wished they didn’t call it «coffee»; honestly I don’t care what part of Africa the beans come from, or how good you treat your growers or what free-​trade pact you’re adhering to — if it taste like shit I aint drinking it. Enough of the usual prefacing blabber! Now on with Martha’s:
I don’t do cocaine…
…but I would imagine it’d be like having two large coffees from Martha Brothers.
I’m simple on coffee — black, thus no room to hide bad coffee with mediocre vanilla-​scented-​hazelnut-​instilled-​crapastic coffee mixes in powered form or in a plastic bottle. The coffee brewed here is dark as diesel, yet tastes smooth and yielding. It comes hot when you receive it and always packs a huge punch. I usually get coffee at Marthas when I know I won’t have morning meetings, because when I rush and drink a large coffee, I’m straight up WIRED — scratching and twitching like a iced out Marion Barry.
Pastries here are also very good; I usually get a bear claw when I want a sugar fix but why eat more sugar? I’m super sweet already… hahaha…ha…
Service is great here, they know you’re in a hurry — they address you politely, hand you your products instead of placing it somewhere and say goodbye, ah the little things that make the world a better place…

My Honored Bretheren,
There comes a time in every Unilocalers career when one must diverge from the established majority, and bravely face whatever consequences may come from taking the nary-​traveled path of disparity. For this conflicted soul, now is that time.
It is with a heavy heart that I must report that I’d sooner be roundhouse kicked in the face by Chuck Norris than interact with the Pestilent Snatch of a Cashier at this Martha Bro’s location.
You see, my most revered peers, I’m charged with the paramount responsibility of supplying my entire office with coffee, and it is a task I’ve discovered cannot be taken lightly. Perhaps some of you work in the finance industry, and you’re aware of the monumental effects a simple cup of Italian blend has on the perpetually stressed Financial Advisor (See Figure 1). Please understand that procuring said java is of the utmost importance in maintaining harmony in my workplace.
This is why I am careful to perpetually keep the kitchen fully stocked, and take the time to phone in my request before I head over to the location to pick it up. Now, I typically call in my order in the very late morning, considering the early rush and attempting to make the phone order run smoothly for both parties. This part of the process is never a problem; the workers who perform the early shifts seem to be perfectly reasonable people.
The same, it saddens me to convey, cannot be said for those at the helm of this ship in the afternoon. It almost never fails that my coffee order (usually 10 ground pounds or so) has not been filled by the time I arrive at the store. We’re talking HOURS later. Despite my giving an estimate of when I’d be picking it up.
When I approach the counter, and state my purpose of garnering my order, the Pestilent Snatch of a Cashier (henceforth referred to as PSC) looks around, and says, «Oh… it’s been really busy, we haven’t had a chance to grind it yet.» I find this unlikely to be true, because it’s 3:00 and I am the only customer in the store.
So, I am begrudgingly forced to wait for this PSC and her coworker, who’s looking rather shameful, as they take their time with the grinding procedure. While I’m waiting, you’d think I’d be given a complimentary beverage, as is customary when a pound or more of coffee beans have been purchased. No such offer is extended.
So, I request, «Could I please have a latte while I’m waiting?» I inquire, with a hint of iciness to my tone. «We’re only supposed to give regular drip with coffee bean orders.» PSC counters, maintaining her air of defiance and arrogance. «Do you need one of those?» No, I do not. Just keep filling those bags PSC, while I fantasize about torture methods I’d take pleasure in implementing on you.
I thank you for your time in listening to my tirade, fellow Unilocalers, and respectfully ask that you judge me not for failing to adhere to the standard review. In reciprocation for your kind patience and understanding, I will not divulge any information to the authorities if any of you decides to become proactive in undertaking the tenets of Social Darwinism, by removing this PSC from society’s genepool.
Your Humble Constituent,
Anna K.
Figure 1:

Scrumptious offerings await you at Martha & Bros Coffee! Juices, Teas, cold & hot coffee drinks — the usual fare. Mochas are the standard for me & Martha’s totally does them right — strongest coffee around & I neeeeeeeed it — none of this wimpy, watery fare!
We’re talking rocket fuel! (and this is a good thing!)
Deeeelish eats include all kinds of Bagels, Parfaits, & freshly made Sandwiches — homemade right on site — I see them prepping the day’s sammies every morning for you healthy, savory, crew
My sweet tooth looks for delicacies like their huge, honkin Scones that are moist yet crumbly like a good scone should be, all kinds of Muffins & different flavored Croissants, Pumpkin Choc Chip Cake that is da bomb, all kinds of Coffee Cakes, Carrot Cakes, Chocolate Cakes, Banana Breads, Chocolate-​Cream-​Cheese or Pumpkin-​Cream-​Cheese Cupcakes, & my all-​time fav is their Olde Fashioned Crumb Cake
Ginormous layer of brown & powdered sugars cover this super moist yellow-​cakey-​bottom. Nuke it about 20 sec to get the sugar all melty & cake all kinds of gooey… ooh-​ahh my absolute fav… although I do have to ration as the stick of butter & 5lb bag of sugar they use for each piece has done horrors to my ability to fit in my closet… and is *not* on the POINTS scale
Cheery staff, fun music, super-​reasonable prices & quick turnaround… the best way to start the day
Next to Martha’s & Bros on Church St (the usual haunt b/​c it’s in mah hood) this is my fav coffee shop!

Only been to this location, because I had classes around here for a bit.
Coffee is good. Nice, friendly people. And delicious sandwiches.
It’s a coffee shop. you tell me what you think. :-)