Trouble Cafe

Since my last time here over a year ago, the "parklet" that have expanded in one or two parking spots on sidewalks near cafés and restaurants across the City have really taken off. When I was here in the summer of 2011, Trouble Cafe had a weather worn wooden bench on this wind swept beach avenue, and a small bench that still exists around the sidewalk tree in front of the business. But since then, a beautiful log lies two thirds of the length of the two car long parklet that serves well as a beautiful outside bench. On a sunny day like today, it is well worth the seat.

Trouble Cafe makes coffee, but everyone will tell you it is all about a huge slab of cinnamon toast which tastes almost like cake. Add a coconut milk and meat shavings served in a shell and the four basic food groups are pretty much covered on a sunny day. Of course they serve coffee as well. About half of the small store front's length is covered by the coffee service area, which has a customer bar that runs along towards the back of the store. The front half has raw wood finished bar height counters and stools that are about ten inches deep. It is a pleasure to see that the focus here is on drinking coffee, and not on pounding a laptop keyboard, since they do not offer wifi, nor the counter space to really spread out.

The logo, the distressed wood, coupled by what sounds like an am radio size stereo punching out the distorted guitar tracks, give this place a real punk rock feel. The 20-30 somethings that are enjoying their coffee and visiting really add a flare to the neighborhood feel.

The macchiato used a dark roast blend with a taste that grew on me as I sipped away in the custom, handmade Japanese style tea cup - a spec sized macchiato. And the toast was practically a dreamy piece of cinnamon toast, that ends diets with plenty of butter and sugar. When I have time for this out of the way cafe for me, I'll be back.


- Posted by Mr. Rodgers

Location:Judah near 45th Ave, SF