This is the one in Walnut Creek at the Treat Towers - it’s closing after 33 years, mainly because of COVID-19.If they had been open on weekend there are lots of locals who would’ve bought Peets Coffee (including me!)!
Dave C
Great place for your desired sugar rush. They serve Peet's coffee to boot!
Scott F.
Really, 2.5 stars. I used to come here semi-regularly back when their service was better, but that time was a number of years ago. I hadn't been in a year or so and decided to give them another chance. I kind of wish I hadn't bothered. Not that it was terrible, but the service and speed aren't good (subpar for many places in the neighborhood), and the prices and quality aren't in any way remarkable. I like their turkey & cranberry sandwich pretty well and also their soups are OK. Yet the biggest problem is really their slow service. When I went and ordered in person, it took them 10 or 15 minutes to make my sandwich and get it out to me. Sometimes it it worse than that. I suppose soups are faster because they just scoop and dump in a bowl and the workers in back do not have to assemble it. In the past, I also used to occasionally order online and pick up off their to-go shelves, but I had occasions where that took 30 minutes or longer from the time of order to it appearing on the shelves. So even if I ordered and took a while to walk over I still might be cooling my heels a while. Or sometimes it was faster and sitting on a shelf forever if I delayed, but really unpredictable timing. They seem to get a lot of large, corporate-lunch kind of orders where people are picking up sandwiches for a group of people or a meeting and are carrying out big bags of stuff for themselves and 10 other worker drones. Cool for their business, but when they can't service individual orders in a more reasonable way and be competitive with so many other sandwich places in the area then, I don't have much reason to go there. I have a bunch of other go-to places around that can get me a good sandwich or soup faster than them and that I like as well. I'm not saying names, since I want to keep those drones heading to Specialty's so they don't jam up the works for their corporate bore-fest lunches with other places around.
Juliane S.
I have eaten too many disappointing sandwiches from Specialty's, but today was the worst! I usually order their Napa Waldorf Chicken Salad Sandwich. But for the last 6-8 months, the sandwich has more cranberry jam to last you until thanksgiving! And not only that, the little filling (chicken salad) that the sandwich has, its just a tiny little blob in the middle of it. Sandwiches here are more like, bread with a hint of whatever flavor you choose. So disappointing. The staff is always courteous and friendly.
First L.
The customer service absolutely SUCKS at this store. I've lost count of the number of times I've emailed through the website to inform them of an issue. I'm so over Specialty's, it's time to start bringing my food to work from home. This place is not worth the hassle..
Nathaniel G.
Honestly it is a nice place to sit down, generally very loud and great food. Although, this time coming inside it took over 35 minutes to receive our meal, while people behind us were consistently getting there meal. Even though the food was great and I would order ahead, it would be best to order through the phone. Besides, other than that.. Great Food, I understand it is also the holidays and it is very busy.
Christine R.
If I could give this place 0 stars, I would. The management has changed throughout its years of existence, but the customer service and employee demeanor has declined dramatically. The service is extremely slow, and the workers show no sign of enthusiasm; it's apparent that they themselves don't want to be there. Please spare yourselves and consider going elsewhere if you want higher quality of service.
Louis S.
When it comes to choosing a cafe I tend to get maybe a little bit too serious. This is because I spent a lot of my time at cafes, and so for me to say that a cafe is that means it must pretty much satisfy a host of conditions. This place doesn't quite, but it still might be a decent place if you want to give it a try. I don't find it a place where I could stay focused for some reason but the coffee is a really good and the baked products are nice and as healthy as they come.
Victor G.
Specialty Cafe wasn't a destination, just the Peet's brew: domingo cafe, (m. 2.75) medium roast -tasted initially harsh, strange for a Peet's eventually just bland/smooth -touted to be smooth & balanced with toffee & sweet notes none of this experienced. either coffee sat around too long or blend isn't to my liking... 2.5 stars.
Vinoj Joseph Mathew
Some of the best sandwiches I like in the Oakland area
I work next door to this cafe and been going there for years, im not sure whats going on but management is really bad right now. No more familiar faces in the front. I only see araselys in the back sometimes she kept everything so clean and her customer service is exceptional. Something needs to happen or I will stop going there for my coffee.
Carrie McClish
Specialty's was one of the first luncheon establishments I began going to when I began working in Oakland's “Uptown†district nearly a decade ago. When I need a strong and flavorful cup of coffee I must come here for the Peet's coffee and I usually pair that with one of the many yummy goodies that are on display in the glass cabinet — sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, croissants and so much more! I've often returned for lunch for the hearty sandwiches, salads or soups. To bypass the line I usually visit the website or the phone app to order ahead and then walk in and pick up. There is also a delivery service option. Sometimes when I've needed a little pick-me-up late in the day I've walked to Specialty's for a “cookie break†— my favs are oatmeal raisin and peanut butter. There are also some healthy snacks there like fresh fruits and veggies to graze on as well.
Victor Tang
No complaints
Kent Mok
Decent sandwiches. Good cookies. Skip the coffee from the integrated Peet's.
This is the one in Walnut Creek at the Treat Towers - it’s closing after 33 years, mainly because of COVID-19.If they had been open on weekend there are lots of locals who would’ve bought Peets Coffee (including me!)!
Great place for your desired sugar rush. They serve Peet's coffee to boot!
Really, 2.5 stars. I used to come here semi-regularly back when their service was better, but that time was a number of years ago. I hadn't been in a year or so and decided to give them another chance. I kind of wish I hadn't bothered. Not that it was terrible, but the service and speed aren't good (subpar for many places in the neighborhood), and the prices and quality aren't in any way remarkable. I like their turkey & cranberry sandwich pretty well and also their soups are OK. Yet the biggest problem is really their slow service. When I went and ordered in person, it took them 10 or 15 minutes to make my sandwich and get it out to me. Sometimes it it worse than that. I suppose soups are faster because they just scoop and dump in a bowl and the workers in back do not have to assemble it. In the past, I also used to occasionally order online and pick up off their to-go shelves, but I had occasions where that took 30 minutes or longer from the time of order to it appearing on the shelves. So even if I ordered and took a while to walk over I still might be cooling my heels a while. Or sometimes it was faster and sitting on a shelf forever if I delayed, but really unpredictable timing. They seem to get a lot of large, corporate-lunch kind of orders where people are picking up sandwiches for a group of people or a meeting and are carrying out big bags of stuff for themselves and 10 other worker drones. Cool for their business, but when they can't service individual orders in a more reasonable way and be competitive with so many other sandwich places in the area then, I don't have much reason to go there. I have a bunch of other go-to places around that can get me a good sandwich or soup faster than them and that I like as well. I'm not saying names, since I want to keep those drones heading to Specialty's so they don't jam up the works for their corporate bore-fest lunches with other places around.
I have eaten too many disappointing sandwiches from Specialty's, but today was the worst! I usually order their Napa Waldorf Chicken Salad Sandwich. But for the last 6-8 months, the sandwich has more cranberry jam to last you until thanksgiving! And not only that, the little filling (chicken salad) that the sandwich has, its just a tiny little blob in the middle of it. Sandwiches here are more like, bread with a hint of whatever flavor you choose. So disappointing. The staff is always courteous and friendly.
The customer service absolutely SUCKS at this store. I've lost count of the number of times I've emailed through the website to inform them of an issue. I'm so over Specialty's, it's time to start bringing my food to work from home. This place is not worth the hassle..
Honestly it is a nice place to sit down, generally very loud and great food. Although, this time coming inside it took over 35 minutes to receive our meal, while people behind us were consistently getting there meal. Even though the food was great and I would order ahead, it would be best to order through the phone. Besides, other than that.. Great Food, I understand it is also the holidays and it is very busy.
If I could give this place 0 stars, I would. The management has changed throughout its years of existence, but the customer service and employee demeanor has declined dramatically. The service is extremely slow, and the workers show no sign of enthusiasm; it's apparent that they themselves don't want to be there. Please spare yourselves and consider going elsewhere if you want higher quality of service.
When it comes to choosing a cafe I tend to get maybe a little bit too serious. This is because I spent a lot of my time at cafes, and so for me to say that a cafe is that means it must pretty much satisfy a host of conditions. This place doesn't quite, but it still might be a decent place if you want to give it a try. I don't find it a place where I could stay focused for some reason but the coffee is a really good and the baked products are nice and as healthy as they come.
Specialty Cafe wasn't a destination, just the Peet's brew: domingo cafe, (m. 2.75) medium roast -tasted initially harsh, strange for a Peet's eventually just bland/smooth -touted to be smooth & balanced with toffee & sweet notes none of this experienced. either coffee sat around too long or blend isn't to my liking... 2.5 stars.
Some of the best sandwiches I like in the Oakland area
Restaurantji Recommends
Great place
I work next door to this cafe and been going there for years, im not sure whats going on but management is really bad right now. No more familiar faces in the front. I only see araselys in the back sometimes she kept everything so clean and her customer service is exceptional. Something needs to happen or I will stop going there for my coffee.
Specialty's was one of the first luncheon establishments I began going to when I began working in Oakland's “Uptown†district nearly a decade ago. When I need a strong and flavorful cup of coffee I must come here for the Peet's coffee and I usually pair that with one of the many yummy goodies that are on display in the glass cabinet — sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, croissants and so much more! I've often returned for lunch for the hearty sandwiches, salads or soups. To bypass the line I usually visit the website or the phone app to order ahead and then walk in and pick up. There is also a delivery service option. Sometimes when I've needed a little pick-me-up late in the day I've walked to Specialty's for a “cookie break†— my favs are oatmeal raisin and peanut butter. There are also some healthy snacks there like fresh fruits and veggies to graze on as well.
No complaints
Decent sandwiches. Good cookies. Skip the coffee from the integrated Peet's.