18th Street Coffee House

09/10/08

Deplorable customer service

by BrendanRyan

I have been coming to this cafe for years and I always order food and coffee (my trips rage from $10-30 per several hours I spend writing there). However today a pasty, sandy-haired employee/barista asked if my wife and I had ordered drinks b/c apparently they have had a rash of unpaying squatters. I told him we had ordered drinks and had since bused our own tables, but he shot us a hesitant look and sarcastically said "what ever you say." To make a long story short I told him we probably won't give our business to the cafe anymore and he said well if for some reason we do return he will probably say the same thing. It was close to the rudest customer service I've ever experienced (and I worked at a coffee shop for several years so I understand the pressures of business to make sure people buy things but he approached us as if we re vagrants)

• Pros: Great decor and outdoor seating
• Cons: extremely rude service

10/16/07

Great food/drinks, quality customer service, comfortable and perfect

by cafeconnoisseur

I've been challenging myself as a student at UCLA to explore the non-Starbucks/CoffeBean/Peet's cafes in the West LA/Santa Monica area and have been to quite a number of local cafes in the area.

18th Street Coffee House is the BEST one I've found so far. There is plenty of indoor/outdoor seating, an extensive menu of teas and coffees and food (I've had the toasted pita and hummus and it was delicious) and the prices are very reasonable. The parking is limited to a small lot in the back, but is generally half-empty after the busy morning hours.

There is no wi-fi access (except a small signal in the parking lot), but this draws different clientele than the busy Starbucks-exec types who bring their laptops and type away...it's quieter and more relaxed.

The most alluring aspect of this cafe is the service - obviously regular customers are greeted by name by the baristas and they are friendly, patient, and willing to answer any questions you have. They play the Beatles and oldies and have plenty of comfortable booths, tables, and patio furniture.

There is also a "no-cell-phone" rule: the staff will kindly and politely ask you to refrain from use if you don't see the sign...but no worries, you can talk outside all you like.

• Pros: Ambience, service, ample seating, great food/drinks, affordable
• Cons: Busier and harder to find parking in the mornings, early closing hours