Coffee Shop(s) #7: Peets
Oh Peets,
How I love thee.
Let me start by admitting that I once was employed by Starbucks. I had a great time working there and drank enough coffee to develop a full body physical rejection of coffee. See previous post: Do I smell like coffee? So despite my time spent as a siren in a green apron, I am a traitor and pledge full allegiance to Peets. Their iced coffee and their tea are far superior to those at the ‘Bucks.
The pasteries at Peets are about 10,000 times more appetizing than the hard tack Starbucks has downgraded to in the past few years. A Mad Cookie (available at most Peets in the area) is probably one of the top 5 ways to my heart. Other favorites are the Pumpkin Ginger Muffin, the Blackberry-Raspberry Scone and the crossiants.
In colder months, I am a regular Jasmine Green Tea consumer, while in the summer I live it up with more variety. Peets’ Summerhouse Iced tea lacks the shaken watery quality available at Startbucks and I have yet to enjoy a better black iced tea. I’m also a big fan of the Hibiscus Lime Cooler (iced tea with some juice or something) despite the fact that it is caffinee-free. I have even branched out and given my aching heart some occasional stabbing pains after enjoying an iced vanilla soy latte. So good. And with the touch of foam on top? Perfection. Insiders know that there is an Iced Drink card in the summer which rewards me with several free iced beverages of choice each summer.
Summerhouse = Summer Love
I frequent two different Peets in my expanded neighborhood. We can always find a table at the Peets at 51st and Telegraph (Temscal). My husband, Enrique (see “Coffee Shop #4″ if this confuses you), and I have put in some serious time at this Peets and the only downside is that like all Peets, you walk away with the smell of ground coffee trapped in your clothes, underwear and pores. Nothing but a shower and intensive load of laundry will free you from this tell tale marker.
Another favorite in the area is the Peets on Claremont (right next to the Claremont hotel) and is on one of those vauge streets that might be in Berkeley or might be in Oakland. I’m not really sure. There is almost no inside seating, and you usually have to wait in line behind a few high rollers in their tennis whites, but what makes it is the beautiful and somewhat secluded outdoor patio. The patio is set back from the road and has a garden-like quality to it.
Today I was in Berkeley, so I decided to stop by the original Peets. This location has a back room that is like a miny Peets museum. Framed pictures and the original bean containers are on display. I’ve been to the original Starbucks in Seattle as well and it is a tiny little space. This spot is a bit bigger and despite the space dedicated to memorablia, there is still inside seating.
Original Peets Museum
If only these were still the prices...
The original Peets is located in a beautiful neighborhood on Vine Street in Berkeley. After getting my $2 Freddo Friday, I strolled around the Gourmet Ghetto (home of Chez Pannise, the Cheese Board and more) and then up to a quiet little neighborhood park where I enjoyed my summer beverage and reading. The Berkeley Rose Garden is also in walking distance and paired with a Summerhouse Iced Tea, makes for a perfect Sunday afternoon.
Nearby park
Berkeley Rose Garden
Peets Coffee and Tea
Various locations
Atmosphere (average): 4/5
Drinks: 5/5
Food: 5/5*
Study-Factor (average): 4/5
Overall: 5/5
*A Mad Cookie alone earns 5/5
