I’ve been a loyal Philz Coffee customer for over 15 years and have visited numerous locations throughout California. Unfortunately, this location reflects a growing and concerning decline in drink quality and consistency that I’ve experienced across several Southern California stores, and I’m sure it’s the reason why their plan for East Coast expansion failed!
The drinks are consistently watery, lack distinct coffee flavor, and taste diluted or burnt. The signature creamy foam from the shaken heavy cream—something Philz is known for—is completely missing, replaced by watered-down ice with no foam or texture. This is not the Philz experience the brand was built on.
During my most recent visit, my drink had to be remade three times, and it still wasn’t correct. The barista acknowledged the issue but offered excuses instead of solutions. When the manager remade it, he challenged me on how the drink should be prepared, questioned my order and how long I’ve been coming to Philz, insisted it was made differently than it always has been, and turned the interaction into an unnecessary argument rather than focusing on quality and customer service. The final drink the manager prepared was even worse than the first two.
After 15 years of ordering the same drink across many locations, I know how it should taste and how it should be presented & prepared. No customer should be placed in a confrontational situation with management over basic drink quality and consistency. Why were my concerns met with defensiveness rather than professionalism and problem-solving?
This isn’t just about one bad visit—it reflects a broader pattern of declining standards. If Philz wants to maintain its reputation and customer loyalty, there needs to be a serious focus on training, quality control, and management professionalism.
This isn’t just a bad day — it reflects poor training, lack of standards, and weak management. Long-time customers know how Philz drinks are supposed to taste, and this location clearly isn’t meeting that standard. If this continues, Philz risks losing loyal customers and damaging the brand it spent years building.
Very disappointing experience from a brand I’ve supported for over a decade.
This feedback comes from a place of loyalty and genuine concern. Philz built its reputation on craftsmanship, consistency, and customer experience, and I truly hope this location — and others like it — receive better training and quality oversight so the brand can maintain the standard it’s known for.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Shelly De Leon
If you drink decaf, they use -Swiss water process 👌🏻☕️
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Diana Rubenstein
I came in here for the first time. Typically I get blended drinks but since there was none, I let the beautiful cashier pick what to make me and she did not disappoint! It was perfect ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Mindy Xia
Philz is definitely among my favorite coffee places around utc area. I would strongly recommend mint mojito and coffee rose to anyone who hasn’t tried. Their coffee is of the best quality and seasonal specials always surprise me with something new. Everytime I want a drink, I just order through the app and it will be ready when I arrive for pickup. Staffs are friendly and the atmosphere is comfortable to be in.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Celine Lee
Ever since I tried the Philz Coffee signature Mint Mojito drink, it has always been my go-to order whenever I visit a Philz. I love that we can select the sweetness and creaminess level as it allows me to go for light sweetness and light cream. It does take some time, around 10+ minutes or more, to get your order, so only come to Philz if you're not in a hurry. Otherwise the coffee is great and service is nice! When I first tasted my drink, i found it wasn't minty enough, and so asked if they could make it more minty - they said they don't use mint syrup but use fresh mint (which is a big plus, cus the less processed is better)! I would advise that the bathrooms also be regularly cleaned, if possible, because when I went to use it, the previous user did not flush the toilet, which was a bit unsightly, so I also informed one of the staff.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Claire Coombs
Busy on Sunday mornings. Prepare to wait. Long line and worth waiting for..........so uniquely delicious!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Ajay Bhushan
They are very consistent in their coffee with same unhurried pace while brewing each cup. The staff is knowledgeable and happy to offer suggestions.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Aaron E.J O'brien
What a nice coffee—sweet and delicious! This is an exclusive franchise in California, which means you should visit Philz Coffee when traveling there.
Jerry Miranda
Had an enjoyable time. Great bagels. Good coffee. Friendly staff. Welcoming atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
California Calamansi
Fantastic coffee! Philz coffee has fantastic coffee. Lots of options for drip coffee and other coffee concoctions. We tried the Tiramisu (seasonal) and Mint Mojitos. Both were delicious and can be adjusted to your preference in sweetness and milk. This is definitely a popular location with people chatting and working. The murals and pantings definitely give it a beachy vibe.
It is good to have a time machine. Philz coffee ☕ is mine. It take me to S.F. 2017-2018. Good years. Good coffee.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Al Flore
One of my favorite places to get coffee! Good vibes, good food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jose Vasquez
Breakfast burrito is tasty but small. Drinks are great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chasen Thacker
Best coffee in SD. Gratitude
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kathleen Chang
I ordered the mint mojito. I've ordered it at other locations, and the one from this one was not very minty. The only mint aspect was the visual mint pieces on top :( . It was also annoying how many people were camped there working. This location has quite a few tables and seats but it was full of people with their laptops! Overall, slightly disappointed but the barista was friendly.
I’ve been a loyal Philz Coffee customer for over 15 years and have visited numerous locations throughout California. Unfortunately, this location reflects a growing and concerning decline in drink quality and consistency that I’ve experienced across several Southern California stores, and I’m sure it’s the reason why their plan for East Coast expansion failed!
The drinks are consistently watery, lack distinct coffee flavor, and taste diluted or burnt. The signature creamy foam from the shaken heavy cream—something Philz is known for—is completely missing, replaced by watered-down ice with no foam or texture. This is not the Philz experience the brand was built on.
During my most recent visit, my drink had to be remade three times, and it still wasn’t correct. The barista acknowledged the issue but offered excuses instead of solutions. When the manager remade it, he challenged me on how the drink should be prepared, questioned my order and how long I’ve been coming to Philz, insisted it was made differently than it always has been, and turned the interaction into an unnecessary argument rather than focusing on quality and customer service. The final drink the manager prepared was even worse than the first two.
After 15 years of ordering the same drink across many locations, I know how it should taste and how it should be presented & prepared. No customer should be placed in a confrontational situation with management over basic drink quality and consistency. Why were my concerns met with defensiveness rather than professionalism and problem-solving?
This isn’t just about one bad visit—it reflects a broader pattern of declining standards. If Philz wants to maintain its reputation and customer loyalty, there needs to be a serious focus on training, quality control, and management professionalism.
This isn’t just a bad day — it reflects poor training, lack of standards, and weak management. Long-time customers know how Philz drinks are supposed to taste, and this location clearly isn’t meeting that standard. If this continues, Philz risks losing loyal customers and damaging the brand it spent years building.
Very disappointing experience from a brand I’ve supported for over a decade.
This feedback comes from a place of loyalty and genuine concern. Philz built its reputation on craftsmanship, consistency, and customer experience, and I truly hope this location — and others like it — receive better training and quality oversight so the brand can maintain the standard it’s known for.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
If you drink decaf, they use -Swiss water process 👌🏻☕️
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
I came in here for the first time. Typically I get blended drinks but since there was none, I let the beautiful cashier pick what to make me and she did not disappoint! It was perfect ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Philz is definitely among my favorite coffee places around utc area. I would strongly recommend mint mojito and coffee rose to anyone who hasn’t tried. Their coffee is of the best quality and seasonal specials always surprise me with something new. Everytime I want a drink, I just order through the app and it will be ready when I arrive for pickup. Staffs are friendly and the atmosphere is comfortable to be in.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ever since I tried the Philz Coffee signature Mint Mojito drink, it has always been my go-to order whenever I visit a Philz. I love that we can select the sweetness and creaminess level as it allows me to go for light sweetness and light cream. It does take some time, around 10+ minutes or more, to get your order, so only come to Philz if you're not in a hurry. Otherwise the coffee is great and service is nice! When I first tasted my drink, i found it wasn't minty enough, and so asked if they could make it more minty - they said they don't use mint syrup but use fresh mint (which is a big plus, cus the less processed is better)! I would advise that the bathrooms also be regularly cleaned, if possible, because when I went to use it, the previous user did not flush the toilet, which was a bit unsightly, so I also informed one of the staff.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Busy on Sunday mornings. Prepare to wait. Long line and worth waiting for..........so uniquely delicious!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
They are very consistent in their coffee with same unhurried pace while brewing each cup. The staff is knowledgeable and happy to offer suggestions.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
What a nice coffee—sweet and delicious! This is an exclusive franchise in California, which means you should visit Philz Coffee when traveling there.
Had an enjoyable time. Great bagels. Good coffee. Friendly staff. Welcoming atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic coffee! Philz coffee has fantastic coffee. Lots of options for drip coffee and other coffee concoctions. We tried the Tiramisu (seasonal) and Mint Mojitos. Both were delicious and can be adjusted to your preference in sweetness and milk. This is definitely a popular location with people chatting and working. The murals and pantings definitely give it a beachy vibe.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
It is good to have a time machine. Philz coffee ☕ is mine. It take me to S.F. 2017-2018. Good years. Good coffee.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
One of my favorite places to get coffee! Good vibes, good food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Breakfast burrito is tasty but small.
Drinks are great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best coffee in SD. Gratitude
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I ordered the mint mojito. I've ordered it at other locations, and the one from this one was not very minty. The only mint aspect was the visual mint pieces on top :( . It was also annoying how many people were camped there working. This location has quite a few tables and seats but it was full of people with their laptops! Overall, slightly disappointed but the barista was friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
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