Jay’s Coffee Teas and Treats
1414 Encinal Ave, Alameda, CA, 94501
Jay’s Coffee Teas and Treats Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Alameda for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1414 Encinal Ave
Alameda, CA, 94501 - Phone (510) 769-9030
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 am - 5:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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Antonio R.
Yea this place is the bomb 1st time i came here i was delivering mail and having a HORRIBLE day dropped some mail off n figured that a sandwich couldnt hurt got the hot roast beef sandwich n turned my whole mood around same route a week later n said i might as well get another one got it to go it to go n it was wrapped all nice with a bow n wat not once again bomb diggity!! I suggest the hot roast beef
(5)Marco P.
I do come here every once and a while for a coffee since it's right around the corner from my house. It has what I'm looking for when it's breakfast time. All their pastry is very buttery, rich. Cappuccinos are served with milk that gets warmed up WAY TOO MUCH, to the point where the milk gets burned, when it gets burned foam doesn't come out properly and you loose milk's nutrients, when foam doesn't come out properly you also have to add it to the coffee with the spoon... so that it looks like it has some foam on top, when this happens foam gets separated from the burning hot milk. Don't use a spoon, heat the milk less and you'll be fine :)
(3)James A.
Great little coffee shop on Encinal. Came in middle of the day and there was no line. The barista was very pleasant and we got our coffee pretty quickly. They have a lot of neat greeting cards and I bought one for a friends birthday coming up. There is very little outside seating but a ton of room inside. Prices were cheap compared to Starbucks and quality of drinks was excellent. I will definitely be back
(5)Gabriel F.
Jay's has a fantastic seating area. Regardless of your preference, inside or outside, there are plenty of tables and chairs to support your homework, work from home event, or meetings with friends.
(4)Kyla B.
The customer service here is great. Each staff member is wonderful. Great banana bread, best I've ever had actually. Soft in the middle, crispy edges and super fresh. Lattes are great here as well and so are the cinnamon buns.
(5)Stephanie B.
Excellent food, great staff, reasonable prices, lovely surroundings, 2 short blocks from my house - what else can you ask for?
(5)James S.
Pretty good overall... Small, but it gave that teahouse feeling to the shop. The food was not too bad either. Sandwiches were fresh, and the salad was fresh too. The prices were a little high, but they were worth it if you like decent food for a good price. Rating: Food: 4 Price: 3.5 Service: 4 Overall: 4
(4)Lee J.
Jay's is a neighborhood instituion! My recommendations -- blackberry coffee cake, milky way mocha, katyt's country salad, Sometimes I go in there and I just want everything. the biggest best chocolate chip cookies. Cozy neighborhood place and usually you can see someone that you know. Remember, it's alameda -- small town.
(4)Rosie M.
Unexpectedly I stopped by to pick up sandwiches for my boyfriend and I. At first glance the shop is pretty small but it for sure has a humble feel to it. I was welcomed in by one of the workers and they took my order promptly and my sandwiches were prepared to perfection in a short amount of time. When I got home I noticed they had wrapped my food in a bow; such a cute surprise ! All the ingredients they used were fresh and tasty. Price wise I think it was reasonable, $7.50 per sandwich. Will defenetly come back and try their pastries and coffee . So far I'm a satisfied customer
(4)B K.
Best latte on the island, hands down. Their sandwiches are really tasty too and they take phone in orders which is great for those who want to grab food during lunch quickly. Their coffee cake is tasty and their vegetarian sandwich is nice and filling. I highly recommend this place to visitors and I know that locals already love it!
(5)Merritt M.
I come here often for take out lunch, I love this local spot. They have a really nice strong coffee, French organic. The food is always fresh and everything I've had so far has kept me coming back for more. I've tried two of the soups, Clam Chowder and Tomato, both tasted home made and fresh. Sandwiches are generously portioned and wrapped in ribbon, which I think is such an awesome unexpected touch.
(4)Cece L.
Jay's makes one of the best cappuccinos in town! Great place to get breakfast or lunch. I wish they were open on Sunday but it's ok, they work so hard during the week!
(5)Mitch R.
I really want to like this place. It's so conveniently close to my home 2 blocks away. I like going out for coffee and there are too few places to go midway between Park and Webster. I can only comment on the coffee, so my rating is based on the service and the coffee. I haven't eaten there enough to rate their food offerings. I have friends who get sandwiches there for themselves and their kids and they seem to enjoy them. For me, good hot coffee is the hook that turns me into a regular customer. The coffee at Jay's is NEVER warm enough. Once I add cream, the coffee is always lukewarm. An employee once told me they brew coffee early in the morning and fill their thermos pots and that's it for the day. By the time I walk home, the coffee has cooled down too much. A couple of years ago the employee was kind enough to make me a complimentary americano because of this. I go to Jay's every few months to see if things have changed. I was there this morning and I wondered why there was a cardboard sleeve around the cup. It was totally unnecessary. The price is too high for what you get. I see lots of comments on the service. Many of the employees seem very friendly. I like the idea of thanking customers for choosing to patronize an establishment. That doesn't seem to happen at Jay's.
(3)Leah M.
Great service, great food! Family friendly with healthy and yummy options. We stopped in for lunch after giving a friend a ride back to Alameda (from SFO). Next time, we'll stop in for sandwiches and take them with us to the park or beach for a picnic.
(5)Nick S.
Damn tasty lunch! The 1/2 soup and sandwich combo with a cranberry turkey sandwich and homemade chicken soup is outstanding. They do have a $5 minimum charge on purchases, which can be irritating when you just want a latte, and which happened to me after lunch despite the fact I had charged $20 just a half-hour prior. However this seems to be standard practice for a lot of smaller establishments in Alameda.
(4)Mark H.
This place is great. The staff is friendly and the food is good. It is a neighborhood place where everyone knows your name.
(4)Casey S.
I want to love you Jay, I really do. You've given me everything I've ever wanted, including (but not limited to): - Bottomless Mr. Espresso coffee - A great barista paired with a great neighborhood community - A prime location within walking distance from my place But Jay, you've committed two cardinal sins, and because of these two things, I just don't know any more: - Your Wi-Fi is slower than the 5 MPH speed limit outside - You have a credit card surcharge for purchases under $5 Things were looking so good too...it could have been perfect, but alas, it is merely OK now.
(3)Kandy P.
I haven't actually been in to Jay's yet, but on two occasions have had a colleague bring me a sandwich from there. Both the sweet potato sandwich and the BLTA were very good My only suggestion would be to note that I'm wishing they would use a little bit better (heartier tastier crunchier) wheat bread. Besides that, the ingredients are fresh and tasty, and they don't skimp, plus the to-go sandwiches come wrapped with a napkin (!) in a pretty, colorful ribbon, which is so thoughtful & nice, it kinda makes your day. I'll be back!
(4)Matt J.
mediocre, if you eat flour/packaged foods i think they bake a lot of stuff. credit card minimum. i used to live here, so I was thankful for this small coffee shop, and there are real people inside, but that's about it.
(2)Kathleen C.
Really great sandwiches, the chicken is real breast meat cooked to perfection, just right amount of mayo/ mustard and the avocado wasn't bruised at all. Quick service and the latte couldn't have been better.
(5)Michelle D.
it was ok. it wasn't the feel i was going for to work in. the sandwich was good but not spetacular -- nicely wrapped though! coffee was ok too
(3)Don D.
Mehhh...my lunch experience wasn't any better than my breakfast experience. I had their Roast Beef Panini which was a chipotle mayo, cheddar cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, arugula on focaccia. I had them hold the red onion. I also got their tomato soup. The roast beef itself was incredibly salty and the meat almost completely overwhelmed the taste of everything else except the sun-dried tomatoes. The tomato soup bordered right on the edge of too much salt and just enough salt. It's not a fun experience when all you can taste is salt throughout your lunch.
(3)Angela H.
A-ok. I like that they use real glasses and mugs if you eat in, I always feel better if there's less waste/garbage. I was a little bummed that they ran out of bagels (I got the last one, but my boyfriend was unlucky), but since it's a small place, I understand that they prefer to keep a smaller stock. My boyfriend ordered one of their sandwiches instead, and it looked tasty.
(3)Carmella N.
Sitting at Jays Coffee Tea and Treats and I am the only stranger. Everyone seems to know one another. People who stare (my colorful dreads hair usually garner a few) instantly beam a smile when I catch them instead of looking away like most other places I have been. The barista knows everyones name and order before they open their mouth. There are bottomless cups of coffee and fantastic sandwiches. This is for sure my fav spot on the island so far. Thanks for creating an awesome vibe Jay, whoever you are.
(5)Caitlyn W.
I am way past due for a review of Jay's. I found it a couple weeks ago after being mostly house ridden and sick of the handful of places I could actually get to. To me this place has been a blessing. I've been here practically everyday since I found it, sometimes twice. I love the variety. I normally find 1 or 2 things I like at most lunch places, any restaurant really. But here there are at least 4 sandwiches I can eat. Maybe more but I haven't tried yet. I have the option of getting a half sandwich with a cup of soup or salad, adding to my options. The pastries that I've had are tasty. They have beautiful mixed fruit sides; one with orange and pineapple the other a bunch of melons. The fruit is the most consistently ripe and cut better than any place I can ever think of. And oh the coffee, they have something called wake up juice that definitely holds up to its name besides being delicious. They have smoothies, Italians sodas and Thai iced tea too. I've only had the tea but I'm working through the menu. In the first sweet potato sandwich I had I think the sweet potato was under cooked a tad but it was still delicious and never happened again. Everything else made it worth coming back and I wasn't dissapointed. I highly recommend checking Jay's out.
(5)Felicia P.
Our new favorite spot in the neighborhood. The coffee is the best I've had in awhile and it's consistent. Consistency is important to me. I love the layout, the bathroom is spacious and clean, and it's family owned and operated. Me likey! It'd be nice if there was one more outside table and maybe a water bowl for dogs. (Yes, we bring our 4-legged baby with us when we venture to Jay's.) Since I'm taking another hiatus from coffee, I'm hoping I find a good tea blend at Jay's.
(4)Gina M.
I ordered a latte from the owner at Jays while she held her cellphone in her ear and talked on it the whole time. She didn't bother to wash her hands and didn't say one word to me the entire time I stood in front of her. I politely told her how rude she was being to me in the event she did not understand given the possible language and cultural difference and she told me too bad that she was on a "very important call." I will never, ever go there again.
(1)Sharon R.
Solid coffee and Tea drinks. The Sandwiches are like homemade, but with a lot more love than one would put into it. I've liked most of the pastries I've gotten from here. My husband likes to go here to get some work done in the afternoon. Free Wi-Fi. Great location - in my neighborhood. I've done many early morning runs for coffee. Not open on Sunday... made this mistake serveral times. :( Two great hitching posts on the sill for 4 legged friends.
(4)Sara M.
All I need to fight this flu is Jay's Lemon Chicken Soup and Peppermint tea! I love it here! Definitely a hidden treasure in Alameda. Oh, and lets not forget the banana bread. I once bought a whole loaf to take to work. It's that good :)
(5)Holly M.
Very average food. Soups are homemade but pretty sure everything comes from a can. Sandwiches are the type you could make yourself at home. Filling but really nothing special and really basic grocery bagged bread. Staff was friendly enough. I came here to order lunch and do some work. The places closes at 5pm but around 3:45 pm the staff was already mopping and even turned the light off on me and another customer who was reading the paper. Both of us laughed and joked that with all their signals that they may have well kicked us on our way out. There are many other cute coffee shops to spend time in like my favorite Julies and Spritzers. I probably will not be back.
(3)Nonyah B.
I LOVE JAYS! Everything on the menu is delicious. Service is wonderful. Prices and portions are fair. The owner and her daughter are both beautiful and are really nice people. The food always taste fresh and never heavy or greased up. a must try is the sweet potato sandwich YUM!
(5)Neeenya J.
I've been her once at least half a year ago. From what I can remember: -Staff was friendly (always a plus) -I'm not a fan of sandwiches, but something with avocado that I had was really good! -Very cute interior, relax feeling, nice place to just chitchat and enjoy brunch -I couldn't use their outlet, so inaccessible for laptop users, but free wi-fi with purchase
(4)Omar W.
The Bay Shrimp Salad is to die for!
(5)Charles F.
Been there twice now and I absolutely love their coffees. Great bagel sandwiches and very fair prices. They have a lot of other items on the menu, which I cant wait to try.
(5)Stephanie D.
Love Jay's & the staff they have on hand. Theyre always so welcoming and friendly. One of my usuals is their chopped salad. As simple as it may be to make at home I look forward to having my entree salad right at Jay's or as take out. Its always served with a generous heap of fresh lettuce with just the right amount of simple ingredients. Salame, pepperoncini, garbanzo beans & cheese. I usually sub the cheese for avocado or go without it all together. What really ties it together is the dressing, YUM! But if you take it to go make sure you request the dressing on the side. Speaking of taking out....their bows on their take out boxes are a sweet little add on too. My daughter loves loves loves their coffee cake as do I. We always enjoy the pulled pork sandwich, the BLT & fruit salads they have too. The pear scone always catches my eye but my all time fave beast/brunch snack tends to pull me in. One day I will give it a try.
(4)Cj G.
Very impressed with Jays. The quality of the food is excellent and the service is good as well. Nice comfortable environment. I highly recommend the BLT with avacado. Only knocks: Finding street parking can be tough but not impossible, prices are a little high but you're paying for the quality so it's worth it.
(5)sashwa c.
Place is clean and staff pleasant. I had the Chicken and Avocado Sandwich. It was very good - one of the best sandwiches that I have ever had. Good selection of pastries. I will be returning. Edit: spelling is my downfall.
(4)Katie H.
Who doesn't love a sandwich tied up with a bow? Coming to Jay's is a special treat, sure to provide a pick-me-up during a stressful and/ or dreary week. I've caused fits of jealousy in colleagues and professors as I eat my sandwich- this makes me smile on the inside, because I am slightly evil. The coffee is good too...
(5)Charlie R.
Best morning bun I've ever had!
(5)Shib W.
I'm stuck between 4 and 5 stars, but since it's more like 4.25, they get the 4. Super clean, sunny, beautiful sandwich shop plus. Everything we had was very good -- not great. I give them credit for efficiency and high quality components. The variety (three available soups, changing daily), sandwiches, baked treats, etc., really makes this little place feel a lot bigger (in a good way). The location allows for easy, free parking on the street. If more visits show the same level of food and service without any new flaws, the consistency will bump them up to 5 stars. Nice to be able to add a new lunch place to the Alameda rotation.
(4)Rachel L.
I almost fear yelping this place because I'm worried that it'll get busier and lose its special touch once more people crowd it. But whatkind of yelper would I be if I hoarded all the good places for myself? Came here to study for a first time, and I think I've found a new place to study in Alameda that isn't a bookstore/panera. There's lots of natural sunlight, street parking is easy, and best of all - lots of tables and space to study. Mostly old people come here, so it's nice to just enjoy their company as you study. oh and I should add, free wifi! only one star tacked off because i think their bagels/food are a little bit overpriced.... my favorite parts: 1. lots of natural sunlight 2. large tables/areas to study 3. FREE WIFI is always awesome 4. Bottomless mug of coffee
(4)Devin V.
Ordered the chicken sandwich and a large mixed green salad. Midway through the salad I realized I was chewing something weird......it was bird's feather - YUCK! I asked the counter person if they owned a bird or something and told her what happened. She took the feather back to show the owner. They never even came over to apologize, much less refund my lunch. Terrible...
(1)Pancake ..
I really like it here. No-nonsense, good coffee and pastries. I've never tried other food. It's very clean and they're kid-friendly. Street parking is easy. I meet with a moms' group here on weekdays and it's usually easy to fit infant seats, high chairs, toddlers, etc.
(5)Miranda S.
There are many cafes and sandwich places in Alameda, but Jay's is consistently fresh, tasty and completes orders correctly even with large orders. Soups, salads, coffees and teas are very good and so far they have the best chocolate cookies on the island that I have had so far too. Each time I go to Jay's I feel transported to a New England B&B/ small town feeling cafe where wooden floors show their age, personable staff greet you and large glass windows let you peer out onto a leafy street. Things to note: Amex is not accepted at Jay's, soups change on a daily basis and go earlier versus later as baked goods are made once a day and tend to sell out sometimes.
(5)Sarah C.
When I first went to Jay's, I thought it was the cutest little cafe in Alameda and the food is really good. So far I've had the chicken sandwich and Katy's Country Salad. Both are fabulous! They also package the to go order very nicely with the ribbon!
(5)Heather L.
We are here every Wednesday morning before the kids go to school...great atmosphere,kid friendly, yummy breakfast items: morning bun USA must try! To be honest, the coffee is so so...but the friendly staff and proximity make it a local favorite!
(4)Judie H.
I was getting sick of my daily Border's studying routine so I decided to go somewhere else. This place popped up on my yelp search so I went. As soon as I stepped in I was blanketed with this warm feeling. Its like a stepping back into childhood (my ballet class days). The yellows, pinks, blues and stencils on the wall are charming. The hello how are you by the workers with beaming smiles, their patience with you while you're ordering...love good service! One of the most clean coffee shops I've ever been to from the main ordering area, to the separate room and bathroom. Cleanliness is a big thing for me, because if you're outside looks like crap, you're kitchen is probably even more disgusting...not here. Not a spec anywhere. The owner is seen often cleaning up the condiment area as well as sweeping (something I don't see often at other coffee shops...ewwww). As with any coffee shop this place sells coffee, tea, sandwiches, soups, pastries and postings of community events. What I ordered: -Bacon Lettuce Tomato Avocado 1/2 sandwich -Lentil 1/2 soup -Bottomless Mug -Chocolate Chip Cookie total: $10 -ish The sandwich was SO good. The bacon...mmmm crunchy, lettuce fresh, bread soft, everything about it was yummmm. I like how your soup comes with little bag containing a pastic spoon, napkin and bread. The owner warmed up my cookie for me which made it even more delicious. The girl next to me ordered something to go and I noticed her pretty green bow. How nice! Next time I'll order something to-go just to have a pretty bow hahahahaha (I'll try that salad everyone on yelp is raving about next time). A couple things I found unique about this place are the very cute cards they sell along the wall, the child friendly "fancy" pens for sell next to the cash register and the cute little frames that decorate the 2nd room. These little things really add personality to the place. I love love love how they have a separate room. Ideal for a person always looking for a great place to study. The tables are huge and you can spread out all your things. There is great natural lighting as well. Oh yeah...the owner...isn't she just gorgeous and so so nice! Really beautiful lady. Will come back definitely!!!
(5)Oleg H.
A cool nondescript shop where i tried delicious coffee cake, fritatas, and good coffee - which can be kinda rare.
(4)Kristin P.
I've been here a handful of times now and it's always just okay. The food is good, not great and not even that good considering the price. It is a nice environment and customer service is usually fine.
(3)Samantha B.
This place is good! Its my friends' parents shop. Im not being bias but it's really yummy! I had the 1/2 turkey 1/2 soup..cranberry turkey sandwich w/ chicken noodle soup! Yum!
(5)Anne A.
The cookies alone will keep you coming back here... but everything else is great too! Jay's is a cozy little shop. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the staff is always friendly. It's the kind of place you go to chill out on a nice day. The salads are fresh, the sandwiches are tasty, and the treats are just fabulous! I love getting the caprese panini with a side of tomato soup--it's the ultimate comfort food. And of course, I have to get a chocolate chip cookie to top it all off!
(4)Theary K.
Cute little joint. It's actually not that little. Lots of place to sit. The sandwhiches are always good. I haven't tired anything else. Service is great. And the price is reasonable. If you take it to go, they'll put your order in a little white box w/a pretty green bow.
(4)Mariposa Michelle M.
Sweet little shoppe
(4)Celia H.
Service is friendly and pleasant. Interior is homey and cozy. Wifi and kick back friendly side room. Absolutely delicious sandwiches and beautifully presented to you when complete. The chicken/avocado is my favorite, but the Jay's Tuna is delicious - be sure to ask for the bread toasted. The baked goods are divine - the cupcakes are especially sinful.
(4)Vanessa T.
What a pleasant and random trip! I'm not familiar with the Alameda area but it just so happened that I needed something light to munch on and I randomly went into Jay's Coffee Teas and Treats. I got the Katy's country salad, which was yummy, and to top it off the servers were really nice. I liked the atmosphere too, very comfortable and not too stuffy (like they wouldn't rush you out of there). If I'm ever in the area, I'll be sure to drop by again!
(5)Veronica H.
The best sandwiches in Alameda.
(5)Jen S.
I received a nice apology note from a Jay's employee. She assured me that it won't happen again.
(4)Pacita D.
Heard from a friend about how nice this place is, so decided to stop in for a quick bite. It's certainly charming, very inviting. Was happy to see panini on the menu. And had to try at least one soup --- a choice of tomato or pesto-flavored minestrone. The panini was delicious, and certainly big enough to feed two people with average appetites. However, the minestrone was somewhat bland --- a disappointment, actually, since I love pesto. It was not steaming hot by the time it was served, so maybe that had something to do with it. I may try it one more time...I can see why people would rave about this place, but I'm not sure I would think of this first next time I have a craving for soup and sandwich.
(3)Amber C.
Soo chic! I love Jays from the first time I stepped foot in that place. The soups are great and the sandwiches and salads are yummy and creative. I usually go in 3 times a week for a tasty coffee treat. Almond joy is probably my fav! The vibe is really laid back and one day when I am a wealthy stay at home mom I will spend my afternoons there chatting and snacking.
(5)Marla B.
I would have given Jay's 5 stars, but there must be SOME downside I'm missing, right? So far, I haven't found what that IS, but I'd like to have room to add a star later (which is easy to imagine doing). Jay's is just so ...calm and welcoming and --I don't know-- homey-in-a-good-way. [Some of us aren't sold on "homey" being as desirable as others are, you see.] The design theme is pretty much Country, which is not my favorite but which is appropriate for the ambience they've created. I haven't tried the coffee or tea often, but what I've had was delicious (and I'm a Peets devotee, so you can use that to get perspective). Great spot to have a quiet lunch or coffee break on your own; great spot for a meet-up as well, and parking is usually not an issue --at least, in my experience. More important, the food is excellent, varied, and beautifully presented. They make you feel as if you're eating at your gourmand aunt's place instead of a public eatery. All fresh and made on the premises. Their sandwiches are inspired. Even tried-and-true ones are improved (like someone else said, the BLT is wonderful) --and if you order To Go they come with a good/eco-friendly napkin on top of the sandwich, wrapped in a wide ribbon ...just like the gifts they are! Their soups are homemade and scrumptious ...chicken noodle or vegetable, yes, but also puree artichoke (omigod good), not to mention lentil, avgolemono, black bean, tomato basil, and more... and the soup menu --usually 2 each day-- changes so that boredom is not a factor. I could go on, but you'll want to just try 'em yourself. There are a lot of other offerings, including breakfast treats, desserts, etc. (most homemade there) that are just plain Yummy. Some vegan, too. Everything is more-than-fairly priced. The people were all warmly friendly (not chirpy) and accommodating and a pleasure to deal with every time I've gone there. The room you enter from the street is small but light and large enough for a few tables, the counter where you order, a drink machine of some sort (I never pay attention to it, I just realized), and a rack of greeting cards along one wall. There's also a large/long room entered through a doorway to the left,once you're inside, that offers (8/10/12?) tables for 2 or 4 and which provides some privacy from any ordering/transactions. The restroom is unisex but large and it's been immMACulately clean every time I've used it. That's a very important point for me, a person who is decidedly NOT a unisex-restroom-fan. The neighborhood [and it has a name but it slips my mind just now] has been steadily spruced up from "fine" to "obviously cared for" and vibrant over the past several years so that now it's just plain cute, very comfortable, and quiet, and it feels good to be there. Check out Jay's!
(4)Jennifer E.
I want you to think back to the days where getting a cup of coffee with a friend meant drip coffee, not espresso, to when you could sit and read a book in the window of a bistro and watch people walk by, to a time when you didn't lug around your laptop looking for a free wireless connection. That is what Jay's is to me. I love those mornings when I think F' it I am walking to Jays and getting a cup of coffee I don't care if the kids are waiting for me. A late morning that starts with Jay's coffee is always better than a late morning with the free crap in the staff lounge. You know whats even better? When the principal throws down and buys us all Jay's sandwiches instead of the pizza in the cafeteria. They only make 5 or so sandwiches, but they are all delicious and tied up with a little bow. Its a little present sandwich of yum yum.
(5)Allen S.
They have GREAT cookies baked fresh every morning. I'd come in, order a coffee, fresh fruit, and a cookie! A great way to start the day!
(4)Mary K.
I like Jays coffee - I can hang out and drink their bottomless coffee and get some work done or meet with friends or collegues.; They even have good wifi
(5)Andrew B.
Jay's, you have lately fallen from grace. I worked here for two years around the time it opened. The owner at the time, Barbara, was a very mean lady that antagonized staff and customers alike. However, she could make a morning bun that would destroy your existence. The new owner is apparently very nice, and makes good sandwiches. But she makes saggy morning buns and brittle coffee cake. Boooooo! -------- Update: Went there the other day on a trip home, and the morning buns were significantly less saggy. They were quite tasty in fact. Must have just been a saggy bun day! I got a chance to talk to the new owner, and she is great. More stars for you!
(4)Tessa F.
Really nice coffee shop. I was looking for a place to do homework and needed wifi, but I am tired of Borders, Starbucks, you know the usual crowded places. I wanted something cozy, that served food, and where I felt like I could sit for a while on my laptop. Other places I've been make you feel like you can hang out while you're eating but then you can't stay and get work done. This is not your typical internet cafe though. It's super cute and kinda a high class little place. The sandwich/salad I got was delicious and the pastries in the case look amazing. I saw someone else posted that the coffee is bottomless. This might be my new joint! I used to hang at Java Rama a lot, but it's so dark and gloomy. This place is vibrant and inspiring. Not cheap, but worth it in my opinion.
(4)Vicki L.
Yummy sandwiches. I like the Emily on focaccia with an italian soda with ginger & peach.
(5)Sophie E.
This place is so cute! Not only is the food DELICIOUS, but the service is great (everyone is so nice) and I get a good homey feeling when I come here. I would definitely recommend Jay's!
(5)Renee N.
You know, the last time we went here the servers (who were the same as always) were actually almost NICE to us. They smiled, they didn't roll their eyes, and they didn't spend ten minutes in the back wiping down counters while we stood, ready to order, at the counter.
(4)Stephanie S.
Cute little place and super close to my job. Great sandwiches and snacks...try the sweet potato sandwich. Sounds weird but is delicious! This is a quiet little place to relax and enjoy a break from work.
(4)Debbie Chiou S.
nice coffee shop with fee wi-fi. i've only ever had oatmeal, coffee, and tea here, but all the treats look delicious.
(3)Thomas M.
When you're in the feeling of delicious sandwiches and pastries, this is my favorite place to come. This place is like my sweet escape, and when I come here, I feel relieved. Sitting here is comfortable as home. So I ordered the Turkey sandwich with avocado, and man, that baby was delicious! The customer service is good as it gets! Therefore a 5 star! I will be back for sure.
(5)Alexander M.
I love this place. In grad school I wrote a good deal of my thesis there. Now I love to get pastries on the way to work. They bake everything fresh there and getting a hot brioche early in the morning is a real treat.
(5)Dave G.
Woo Hoo! I love Jays coffee, everyone is so nice in there, and the pastries are just right! Ive only had their lunch once, but it was awesome, more than I ever expected out of a little coffee shop.. I just don't make it down to this end of town too much in the afternoon, or I would be there more often. Jays has a great feel to it. I see a lot of regulars in there, and they are all so friendly. Give Jays shot, you wont be disappointed. Two thumbs up
(5)Cory G.
Catered at work. I loved getting to pick my lunch instead of eating all buffet style. The Katy's Country Salad (chicken, field greens, radicchio, currants, granny smith apples, pecans, and blue cheese with mustard vinaigrette) was pretty nice even though the greens tasted slightly dirty. The apples were great. I could eat this every week.
(3)Debbie d.
i love this place. the workers here are so nice and the owner is always so friendly. try their turkey cranberry sandwich or katy's salad. it's soooo delicious. i always come here whenever i visit alameda.
(5)Nessa b.
darling would be the word to best describe this cafe. traces of soft pastel colors accent the menu, walls, and decorations. i come here to escape noisy cafe's so that i can actually get some productive studying done. i plop myself on my favorite spot... right next to the huge window where natural sun shines right through and pillows are provided! their is also a set of lego's prepared for the kiddies to play with as its near an elementary school and moms often bring their kids in for an afterschool snack of fresh fruits and sandwiches. they offer some of the tastiest sanwiches, cookies, fresh pastries, salads, and soups made from scratch daily. a little pricey but quality and flavor is worth the extra cash. my favorite sandwich is the chicken and avocado sandwich with roasted sweet onions, fresh tomatoes, argula and mayo, mustard and vinaigarette on fococcia. its absolutely delicious! the spicy black bean soup is also very yummy! the owner is a sweet vietnamese lady that expresses her love through attention to details and good quality food in this adorable neighborhood cafe. if ordered to go, food is wrapped with a cute little ribbon. they also have a small collection of cards to choose from if ever you were in the spirit to mail a friend a "thinking of you" card. ---- 5 stars: i am a loyal customer and cannot live without this place/restaurant! 4 stars: consistently great food. a place i would definitely frequent if i dont already. 3 stars: good food. id come back for more if a particular craving for something specific they offer hit me. 2 stars: for the sheer reason of convenience and semi mediocre food [but convenience being the majority of reason] id come back. 1 star: id never be caught dead in the place ever ever again.
(4)Dee Dee C.
It's hard to beat Jay's. Fresh baked goodies. Delicious wholesome lunch menu (sweet potato sandwich--Wow!). Plus, it's not crowded with customers with laptops. People in this coffee shop still sit face-to-face chatting. The staff doesn't turn over a lot either. This place is like an extension of your kitchen. Bonus: You can buy Mr. Espresso coffee brand here.
(5)Valerie M.
You gotta have a few "go to" places like this when you are hooking up with girlfriends for lunch, picking up morning pastries for a meeting or just want to cheat on your diet. I agree with some of the other people who have said it's not quite the same since Barbara sold the business. But it's still a really nice place. My favorites are the ricotta danish and morning bun for morning pastries and the "Emily" chicken sandwich for lunch. I've had everything at one time or another and it's all good. P.S. it's a great Mom's group meeting spot. Very kid-friendly.
(4)Allison B.
I work in Alameda and am a self-proclaimed "sandwich snob" so I was thrilled when one of my coworkers told me about this cute caf. They have sandwiches, soups, salads, fresh pastries, cookies and over 20 teas to try. It can be a bit spendy but everything they make is delicious -- it's all about quality here, no gross meat or limp lettuce and everything tastes homemade. It's all wrapped to go (and tied with a ribbon) but there are places to sit down and eat there, or you can also walk around the block to the park across from the elementary school. You can't find the menu online so go try it for yourself!
(5)jenny c.
i've only been there once so this review will be very one-scaled. the atmosphere is GREAT. the food is OKAY.
(3)laura b.
the PBJ here rivals Courtney's in SF. before you throw rocks at me, go try it. delicious. and all wrapped up with an adorable blue ribbon which i keep as trophies of my many slick PBJ conquests. yes, this is what my life has come to. also, get a soy chai latte here, they use the perfect chai and the perfect soy and steam it perfectly. If I am on the lovely tropical isle of alameda, this is where i get my snack fix. plus, i hear the desserts and morning buns are AMAZING but I cannot vouch for that because they don't have anything vegan. I have put in multiple requests. Natch.
(5)