This review is for pastries and drinks only! The whole bean coffee selection is eclectic and ranges from Africa, to Central America and other distance micro climate regions. There is a lot of detail in the packaging and it feels like many are fair trade and organic but maybe just didn't pay for the labeling which is fine with me. I'll be hitting up Empresso more frequently for single origin coffee beans. As for the specialty drinks, the chai latte might be the best in Stockton. It hedges toward the sweeter side on the spectrum of chai lattes, but it's right in my ballpark for the amount of sweetness with just enough spice. Sometimes the spices can be over the top and you get flavor fatigue if it's overly spiced in my opinion. The pastries all look delicious but I have to pick up the scone every time, the blueberry in particular. I didn't see any in the counter today so they must sell out each day and it's about 1:30 right now so it would be very late to expect them to run another batch just for me...hint hint! Now the kicker is the beer menu with my favorite Peanut Butter Stout from Lead Dog in Reno. They also have King Cong from Sac, a Cherry Cider, A Hazy from Headlands, Mexican Lager from Oakland Beer Works, and a Double Hazy from Headlands Pittsburg. Overall I have to say this place does it right and Stockton is lucky to have a place that offers quality beverages and pastries at fair prices. Empresso you are an asset to Stockton and I hope you upgrade your seating someday :)
Leticia Lopez
First time there...I'm used to my local coffee shop being peppy and very enthusiastic on what would you like or crave...this was more oh.. hi your new... here's the menu...BUT the coffee the barista made was bomb! So thank you whom made me my coffee?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Bryan Kirby
Very cool place and this location is overrun with kids. Very good cappuccino, too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Justice C.
Acceptable wait time but worth the wait, food is cooked freshly. I wanted a iced tea lemonade but the cashier said they were out of lemonade but she could do iced tea with strawberry syrup (highly recommend trying it). I also got a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Probably one of the best breakfast sandwiches Ive ever had from a coffee spot. Location is great too. Only thing i would say is bad about the cafe is that it is small and seating is really close but besides that overall 10/10.
Michael F.
Very nice staff, really good coffee and food. Love their menu, not at all standard boring coffee house
Kitty M.
The food is mouth-watering! Especially the paninis. Avocado toast is my favorite, and they prepare everything fresh. I love my coffee shops and am very picky about coffees and really pay attention to the mixology in any drinks. Empresso coffeehouse service is excellent as well as friendly and jovial. Ambiance is easy-going. However, it is a bit crowded and prepare to share tables, but that's a good way to talk to new people if you'd like. Overall, the coffee actually tastes like fresh coffee! Unlike other places that just taste like syrups.
Jennifer Evans
♥️ ☕I got my throw back drink " Divinity " & tried the "Con Panna " love all the begonia plants ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryan Clarke
Star bucks who?!? THISBPOACE NEEDS TO BE FRANCHISED!!! Where is shark tank when you need them. The coffee tastes better than Starbucks and the sandwich was twice the size. Oh and the prices are better too especially when you consider the portion sizes. I'm from Florida visiting and needed a good size "pick me up". Thank you empress coffee, Numa, Nacho. You guys jump started my week.Vegetarian options: A diverse menu allows for many options. No issue with dietary restrictions here.Kid-friendliness: Nothing here that wouldn't be kid friendly. All happy faces.Wheelchair accessibility: Totally ADA compliant and special parking right out front.
Nalyna T.
Cashier gave us a pretty bad vibe. Although we were greeted us as we arrived, he was very monotone and no so friendly. Not even a smile as he took our order. It seems like a place that already has its regulars and the cashiers seem to only be bright and friendly with those regulars. We came for two blended drinks. They were delicious, but we probably won't return due to the unwelcoming atmosphere.
J E
Food is ok, but customer service is horrible..different world these days when customers are no longer respected. Asked for a simple adjustment on a sandwich yesterday and the look and eye rolling from one of the taller, brunette female employees is just ridiculous. It should be noted that customer service goes a long way and that employers should remind their employees the importance of it. Will not be coming back. Unfortunately.
For the past 8 weeks my husband has been dropping my son at Empresso Coffeehouse every 7:30 AM (3) times a week. His class starts at 9AM nearby he orders a coffee and their breakfast sandwich each time. He hangs out at the cafe until before classes starts at 9AM. So on Monday 02/17 my son pulled a 12 hour shift as a paramedic and then went straight to Empresso to get his coffee and breakfast waiting for 9AM to roll around. He dozed off a little because he has been up for 24 hours and still has full day ahead of him. An Empresso staff asked him to leave, he was told he can't sleep in there. he said he was treated like a homeless person loitering in the premises. My son is really young looking, wears a uniform for paramedic and has been to that coffee shop for the past 8 weeks. If you can avoid this place, please do so you as they do not value repeat customers. This business needs to have more compassion especially for people who are striving to be front liners.
Alexandra Lopez
I'm a regular customer @ both locations and I've ordered delivery thru doordash from this location twice and even though the first delivery was missing the coffee ? the second delivery was the worst, and I was extremely disappointed about it ?. The pictures below ladies and gentlemen are of their veggie and cheese panini which supposed to include the following items: lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, cucumber, mustard with choice of cheddar, swiss or pepper jack on genova ciabatta bread. As you can see the only ingredient this $7.99 panini has it's cucumber and I'm assuming cooked lettuce? ? da other pic is of a medium half filled $6 latte yes this is how they sent it HALF FULL . Is honestly hard for me to see how a business that I've been supporting for a long time doesn't care about their customers and is sad to see how little effort they really put to make this order. I don't know why they would think sending these to a customer is okay? Like have some pride in what your sending out to your customers. ?
Daniel K Rausch
Update, 2/21/24: My customer experience has since changed, and I now enjoy the pleasures and comforts at Empresso Coffeehouse including upgrading my original star rating from 4 to 5 stars. They deserve it, thanks.My original review: November 18, 2018: Is it me, what's the deal?I’m thankful for Empresso Coffeehouse here on Janet Leigh Plaza in Downtown Stockton, but I have a bone to pick.I once went to bartender school and if there is one thing that I was taught to remember, is that if the bartender/barista is busy, make sure that you (bartender or counter service person) make eye contact with your patron and slap a napkin down on the bar/coffee counter to acknowledge them, which means I’ll be right with you. This makes the patron (Customer) welcome,and shows that you value their business.It also puts into practice good customer service skills/manners.So, each time I’ve sat at the counter here (2 times so far) there has been a strong lack of a warm greeting or acknowledgment.Last Wednesday November 14thmorning my friend and I stopped in for coffee, breakfast, and danishes to go with us out of town. We sat at the counter and waited expecting someone (an employee) to welcome us and ask us our order. Well no, I had to get up and stand at the counter 1 ft. to my left and ask if I needed to order at the register. Whaaat! I didn’t feel too welcome and it made me feel awkward.So that’s my bone to pick.
Alexandra M.
I'm a regular customer @ both locations and I've ordered delivery thru doordash from this location twice and even though the first delivery was missing the coffee the second delivery was the worst, and I was extremely disappointed about it . The pictures below ladies and gentlemen are of their veggie and cheese panini which supposed to include the following items: lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, cucumber, mustard with choice of cheddar, swiss or pepper jack on genova ciabatta bread. As you can see the only ingredient this $7.99 panini has it's cucumber and I'm assuming cooked lettuce? da other pic is of a medium half filled $6 latte yes this is how they sent it HALF FULL . Is honestly hard for me to see how a business that I've been supporting for a long time doesn't care about their customers and is sad to see how little effort they really put to make this order. I don't know why they would think sending these to a customer is okay? Like have some pride in what your sending out to your customers.
Daniel K Rausch
In a recent email update from Google Maps regarding my contributions in the form of reviews and photos and their popularity in how many people have viewed them, and also the current (as of 2/10/23) stats and edits. (See my photos here) with a link to my Google Maps Profile where you can read my review of Empresso Coffehouse’s location on the Janet Leigh Plaza in Downtown Stockton.
This review is for pastries and drinks only! The whole bean coffee selection is eclectic and ranges from Africa, to Central America and other distance micro climate regions. There is a lot of detail in the packaging and it feels like many are fair trade and organic but maybe just didn't pay for the labeling which is fine with me. I'll be hitting up Empresso more frequently for single origin coffee beans. As for the specialty drinks, the chai latte might be the best in Stockton. It hedges toward the sweeter side on the spectrum of chai lattes, but it's right in my ballpark for the amount of sweetness with just enough spice. Sometimes the spices can be over the top and you get flavor fatigue if it's overly spiced in my opinion. The pastries all look delicious but I have to pick up the scone every time, the blueberry in particular. I didn't see any in the counter today so they must sell out each day and it's about 1:30 right now so it would be very late to expect them to run another batch just for me...hint hint! Now the kicker is the beer menu with my favorite Peanut Butter Stout from Lead Dog in Reno. They also have King Cong from Sac, a Cherry Cider, A Hazy from Headlands, Mexican Lager from Oakland Beer Works, and a Double Hazy from Headlands Pittsburg. Overall I have to say this place does it right and Stockton is lucky to have a place that offers quality beverages and pastries at fair prices. Empresso you are an asset to Stockton and I hope you upgrade your seating someday :)
First time there...I'm used to my local coffee shop being peppy and very enthusiastic on what would you like or crave...this was more oh.. hi your new... here's the menu...BUT the coffee the barista made was bomb! So thank you whom made me my coffee?
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Very cool place and this location is overrun with kids. Very good cappuccino, too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Acceptable wait time but worth the wait, food is cooked freshly. I wanted a iced tea lemonade but the cashier said they were out of lemonade but she could do iced tea with strawberry syrup (highly recommend trying it). I also got a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Probably one of the best breakfast sandwiches Ive ever had from a coffee spot. Location is great too. Only thing i would say is bad about the cafe is that it is small and seating is really close but besides that overall 10/10.
Very nice staff, really good coffee and food. Love their menu, not at all standard boring coffee house
The food is mouth-watering! Especially the paninis. Avocado toast is my favorite, and they prepare everything fresh. I love my coffee shops and am very picky about coffees and really pay attention to the mixology in any drinks. Empresso coffeehouse service is excellent as well as friendly and jovial. Ambiance is easy-going. However, it is a bit crowded and prepare to share tables, but that's a good way to talk to new people if you'd like. Overall, the coffee actually tastes like fresh coffee! Unlike other places that just taste like syrups.
♥️ ☕I got my throw back drink " Divinity " & tried the "Con Panna " love all the begonia plants ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Star bucks who?!? THISBPOACE NEEDS TO BE FRANCHISED!!! Where is shark tank when you need them. The coffee tastes better than Starbucks and the sandwich was twice the size. Oh and the prices are better too especially when you consider the portion sizes. I'm from Florida visiting and needed a good size "pick me up". Thank you empress coffee, Numa, Nacho. You guys jump started my week.Vegetarian options: A diverse menu allows for many options. No issue with dietary restrictions here.Kid-friendliness: Nothing here that wouldn't be kid friendly. All happy faces.Wheelchair accessibility: Totally ADA compliant and special parking right out front.
Cashier gave us a pretty bad vibe. Although we were greeted us as we arrived, he was very monotone and no so friendly. Not even a smile as he took our order. It seems like a place that already has its regulars and the cashiers seem to only be bright and friendly with those regulars. We came for two blended drinks. They were delicious, but we probably won't return due to the unwelcoming atmosphere.
Food is ok, but customer service is horrible..different world these days when customers are no longer respected. Asked for a simple adjustment on a sandwich yesterday and the look and eye rolling from one of the taller, brunette female employees is just ridiculous. It should be noted that customer service goes a long way and that employers should remind their employees the importance of it. Will not be coming back. Unfortunately.
Restaurantji Recommends
For the past 8 weeks my husband has been dropping my son at Empresso Coffeehouse every 7:30 AM (3) times a week. His class starts at 9AM nearby he orders a coffee and their breakfast sandwich each time. He hangs out at the cafe until before classes starts at 9AM. So on Monday 02/17 my son pulled a 12 hour shift as a paramedic and then went straight to Empresso to get his coffee and breakfast waiting for 9AM to roll around. He dozed off a little because he has been up for 24 hours and still has full day ahead of him. An Empresso staff asked him to leave, he was told he can't sleep in there. he said he was treated like a homeless person loitering in the premises. My son is really young looking, wears a uniform for paramedic and has been to that coffee shop for the past 8 weeks. If you can avoid this place, please do so you as they do not value repeat customers. This business needs to have more compassion especially for people who are striving to be front liners.
I'm a regular customer @ both locations and I've ordered delivery thru doordash from this location twice and even though the first delivery was missing the coffee ? the second delivery was the worst, and I was extremely disappointed about it ?. The pictures below ladies and gentlemen are of their veggie and cheese panini which supposed to include the following items: lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, cucumber, mustard with choice of cheddar, swiss or pepper jack on genova ciabatta bread. As you can see the only ingredient this $7.99 panini has it's cucumber and I'm assuming cooked lettuce? ? da other pic is of a medium half filled $6 latte yes this is how they sent it HALF FULL . Is honestly hard for me to see how a business that I've been supporting for a long time doesn't care about their customers and is sad to see how little effort they really put to make this order. I don't know why they would think sending these to a customer is okay? Like have some pride in what your sending out to your customers. ?
Update, 2/21/24: My customer experience has since changed, and I now enjoy the pleasures and comforts at Empresso Coffeehouse including upgrading my original star rating from 4 to 5 stars. They deserve it, thanks.My original review: November 18, 2018: Is it me, what's the deal?I’m thankful for Empresso Coffeehouse here on Janet Leigh Plaza in Downtown Stockton, but I have a bone to pick.I once went to bartender school and if there is one thing that I was taught to remember, is that if the bartender/barista is busy, make sure that you (bartender or counter service person) make eye contact with your patron and slap a napkin down on the bar/coffee counter to acknowledge them, which means I’ll be right with you. This makes the patron (Customer) welcome,and shows that you value their business.It also puts into practice good customer service skills/manners.So, each time I’ve sat at the counter here (2 times so far) there has been a strong lack of a warm greeting or acknowledgment.Last Wednesday November 14thmorning my friend and I stopped in for coffee, breakfast, and danishes to go with us out of town. We sat at the counter and waited expecting someone (an employee) to welcome us and ask us our order. Well no, I had to get up and stand at the counter 1 ft. to my left and ask if I needed to order at the register. Whaaat! I didn’t feel too welcome and it made me feel awkward.So that’s my bone to pick.
I'm a regular customer @ both locations and I've ordered delivery thru doordash from this location twice and even though the first delivery was missing the coffee the second delivery was the worst, and I was extremely disappointed about it . The pictures below ladies and gentlemen are of their veggie and cheese panini which supposed to include the following items: lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, cucumber, mustard with choice of cheddar, swiss or pepper jack on genova ciabatta bread. As you can see the only ingredient this $7.99 panini has it's cucumber and I'm assuming cooked lettuce? da other pic is of a medium half filled $6 latte yes this is how they sent it HALF FULL . Is honestly hard for me to see how a business that I've been supporting for a long time doesn't care about their customers and is sad to see how little effort they really put to make this order. I don't know why they would think sending these to a customer is okay? Like have some pride in what your sending out to your customers.
In a recent email update from Google Maps regarding my contributions in the form of reviews and photos and their popularity in how many people have viewed them, and also the current (as of 2/10/23) stats and edits. (See my photos here) with a link to my Google Maps Profile where you can read my review of Empresso Coffehouse’s location on the Janet Leigh Plaza in Downtown Stockton.