Probably one of the worst cafe service I’ve ever encountered at a coffee shop. Nobody in line in front of me, but somehow there are 6 people working? They looked like they were having fun which is great. I’m all for making work fun, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of service. My order took 20+ minutes (a coffee and an empanada that only required being heated up for two minutes). Thank god I wasn’t in a rush. I initially requested my order took go, it was brought out on a plate, no big deal. And then I asked if my coffee was being made, it wasn’t. It was forgotten about to which they then made it on the spot. It’s a shame this was my first experience with Ballast, it will also be my last. Coffee and food was tasty though. Atmosphere is really lacking.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Alessa
This used to be one of my favorite cafes but ever since their recent renovation, I find myself wanting to go other places.
They used to be open until 8pm on weekdays, which set it apart from most other cafes in the city and made it ideal for those needing a place to get work/study done late, but now it's been cut to 5pm.
Additionally, they removed the nicest seating, which was the built-in table and chairs facing the windows of the outside area. They also replaced the group table with an even bigger one, which gives the back room a more conference-like feel. No improvement to the seating in the front room, which has tables that are too low for the benches.
It's still a fine cafe, and it definitely does the job, but to me it lost some of the main qualities that truly made it special. It seems like the renovations regressed it a bit instead of making it cozier/more exceptional, but maybe that was the point idk.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Sameh Mohamed
Very cozy coffee shop, delicious cappuccino, and tge lady who works afternoon she is very friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zsuzsanna Sziveri
Fast service, delicious coffee. It was fairly packed with young people - looked like they were studying for finals. :) Easy to find parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Michael Z
Coffee and service are great, back patio is nice though I wish they had better tables outside. Inside can be a bit dim and cramped when crowded, and I've come across some pretty annoying patrons, but it's open late and pretty good for getting work done.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew Krafick-Wittman
Coffee here is good. Service is terrible. This is the third time I’ve seen some college kid hold an entire conversation for 8 minutes taking forever to pour a cold brew. First world problem, still had a great product
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Ellen K
They make great coffee here, but for a cafe that inherited such a cute and spacious location (especially for West Portal), they seem to have gone out of their way to make it as uncomfortable to hang out as possible. There are no tables outside in the cute garden, only benches. The quiet room in the back that used to have couches in the Before Days now has narrow desks. The stools in the front bar room, don't even get me started. Plus is closed at 4pm on Sunday. People clearly still come here to study and work but it would be nice if the owners didn't hate their clientele and wanted to torture them with this gross minimalism. Again, they make great coffee. So it's a shame.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mario Sosa
Quiet place for a good conversation and delicious coffees
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zarina Mamoukhova
Nice spot for getting some work done, but a cup of tea (bagged! Not loose leaf!) is 7$ 💀💀💀💀
Staff are very friendly and chatty while also getting things done quickly and efficiently. Cold brew is great, one of the better ones I've had. Busy on weekdays, but the outdoor patio was open when we went and very pleasant away from the buzz inside
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kate Aishton
A perfect neighborhood coffee shop - good coffee and quiche, but even more the warm (but not Applebees-over-the-top-friendly) staff and other customers. You get space, the music is good, everything A+.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marcus Metcalf
Wonderful coffee! The staff told us to leave for a meeting which did rub my group the wrong way (her tone) but at least the coffee was great. Specialty drinks as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Ariel Goldfarb
Sweet treat hiding in West Portal!! Kind, skilled baristas, a really nice medium roast (a great break from all that super bright stuff), and a yard out back. Great find for this part of the city…
Ezra Beede
Incredible place to remote work. Garden vibes are impeccable, staff is friendly and helpful, coffee was amazing, the pastries were great!
Good coffee
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Probably one of the worst cafe service I’ve ever encountered at a coffee shop. Nobody in line in front of me, but somehow there are 6 people working? They looked like they were having fun which is great. I’m all for making work fun, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of service. My order took 20+ minutes (a coffee and an empanada that only required being heated up for two minutes). Thank god I wasn’t in a rush. I initially requested my order took go, it was brought out on a plate, no big deal. And then I asked if my coffee was being made, it wasn’t. It was forgotten about to which they then made it on the spot. It’s a shame this was my first experience with Ballast, it will also be my last. Coffee and food was tasty though. Atmosphere is really lacking.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
This used to be one of my favorite cafes but ever since their recent renovation, I find myself wanting to go other places.
They used to be open until 8pm on weekdays, which set it apart from most other cafes in the city and made it ideal for those needing a place to get work/study done late, but now it's been cut to 5pm.
Additionally, they removed the nicest seating, which was the built-in table and chairs facing the windows of the outside area. They also replaced the group table with an even bigger one, which gives the back room a more conference-like feel. No improvement to the seating in the front room, which has tables that are too low for the benches.
It's still a fine cafe, and it definitely does the job, but to me it lost some of the main qualities that truly made it special. It seems like the renovations regressed it a bit instead of making it cozier/more exceptional, but maybe that was the point idk.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Very cozy coffee shop, delicious cappuccino, and tge lady who works afternoon she is very friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fast service, delicious coffee. It was fairly packed with young people - looked like they were studying for finals. :) Easy to find parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Coffee and service are great, back patio is nice though I wish they had better tables outside. Inside can be a bit dim and cramped when crowded, and I've come across some pretty annoying patrons, but it's open late and pretty good for getting work done.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Coffee here is good. Service is terrible. This is the third time I’ve seen some college kid hold an entire conversation for 8 minutes taking forever to pour a cold brew. First world problem, still had a great product
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
They make great coffee here, but for a cafe that inherited such a cute and spacious location (especially for West Portal), they seem to have gone out of their way to make it as uncomfortable to hang out as possible. There are no tables outside in the cute garden, only benches. The quiet room in the back that used to have couches in the Before Days now has narrow desks. The stools in the front bar room, don't even get me started. Plus is closed at 4pm on Sunday. People clearly still come here to study and work but it would be nice if the owners didn't hate their clientele and wanted to torture them with this gross minimalism.
Again, they make great coffee. So it's a shame.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Quiet place for a good conversation and delicious coffees
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice spot for getting some work done, but a cup of tea (bagged! Not loose leaf!) is 7$ 💀💀💀💀
Restaurantji Recommends
Staff are very friendly and chatty while also getting things done quickly and efficiently. Cold brew is great, one of the better ones I've had. Busy on weekdays, but the outdoor patio was open when we went and very pleasant away from the buzz inside
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A perfect neighborhood coffee shop - good coffee and quiche, but even more the warm (but not Applebees-over-the-top-friendly) staff and other customers. You get space, the music is good, everything A+.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful coffee! The staff told us to leave for a meeting which did rub my group the wrong way (her tone) but at least the coffee was great. Specialty drinks as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Sweet treat hiding in West Portal!! Kind, skilled baristas, a really nice medium roast (a great break from all that super bright stuff), and a yard out back. Great find for this part of the city…
Incredible place to remote work. Garden vibes are impeccable, staff is friendly and helpful, coffee was amazing, the pastries were great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Barako Crush
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