Peet’s Coffee & Tea

BEWARE of the Parking Meters just steps outside of this Peet’s Location. 5 minute passenger loading zone after 6 pm and meters do not take quarters after 6 pm. Never seen meters like this before! It was dark, the meter was hard to read the unusual/​sneaky meter rules. Apparently parking enforcement is outside all of the time according the employee here who at the time could not confirm if I was safe to park in the spot while waiting for my order. Although I take full responsibility for my error, I really wished the employee was informed regarding the parking situation outside the business and gave me a definite «no» instead of «I am not sure».
While in the area I popped in for some coffee beans and a tea. I ran in to grab some quarters for the meter and place my order. I then went out to my car put $$ in the meter only for it to eat my change and to find out that after 6pm on Sat it was a 5 minute passenger loading zone and putting $$ in the meter does not even register minutes after 6 pm. Another guy on the sidewalk was not sure either and he said the sign said meters only read till 6 pm.
The meter was literally outside of the entrance door so I figured all I had to do was go back in Peet’s, pay, and pick up and I would be on my way. NO SUCH LUCK.
I come out of Peet’s (my receipt reads 6:13 pm from Peet’s) it’s 6:16 pm and the parking meter guy is in front of my vehicle ticketing me. I was not even out there for 5 minutes! I stood there for the next 5 – 7 minutes while he entered in my information and printed out my ticket, apparently once they take the pictures of the car or start the process they can’t cancel it.
I called the number on the back of the ticket and disputed the $ 58.00 ticket and it got dismissed because the parking reader failed to enter the time between the time marked and the offense time, so he had no way of knowing how long I had been there. Whew, because this was not just a loading zone but passenger loading zone which technically means the driver (me) should have been with the vehicle at all times.
4 stars because my order was executed well, tea was delicious, and I was in and out quickly. I did call the manager to get a copy of my receipt with time stamp since I was not offered a receipt at time of purchase, and to let him know employees should be informed regarding the somewhat unusual meter situation outside should a customer inquire. The manager did agree with me and said he would pass the message along to the employees. To me its no different than advising a guest of the parking situation outside your own «home» or business, its just a common courtesy to look out for your guests.

This is the best coffee shop in the area. The coffee is really really good. I used to not drink much regular coffee but this place got me loving it. The café au lait is awesome.

My favorite place to get my morning latte before I get on the 405. I like it as it’s usually way less crowded than The Coffee Bean or the horrendous Starbucks on the same block.
The only thing that could be better is the parking. Or should I say the absence of it. Good thing is you can park your car on the Wholefoods lot, but make sure you don’t stay too long (no more than 25 – 30 minutes) or the lot guy will charge you the same price you just paid for your coffee. Not worth it!

Promise you they have the best caramel cappuccino. Over everyone! They have almond milk thank goodness and the almond milk foam tastes like marshmallows

They mostly get this rating from the über friendliness of the baristas. Seriously went out of their way to make me feel welcome the moment I walked in. The place gets docked two stars for not having working wifi. I was really hoping to get some work done in there. Oh, and parking in this neighborhood is far from easy, although there is some residential parking a block or so away that you don’t have to pay for if you can find it.

I love this place, the guys who work here are super nice and friendly, Rebecca and Chris are so nice.

By far my favorite chain coffee location in LA!
Decent seating both inside and out. Free parking lot to the west (at the end of the building). Best place to study because it’s far enough from UCLA that it’s not clogged with students, but close enough to take the bus or bike, and it’s more reasonably priced than other coffee shops.

Always great coffee with minimal waiting

Too lazy to make breakfast let alone pack a lunch (there’s ham or turkey panini sandwiches — $ 6.95, fruit or yogurt, even microwavable oatmeal in the refrigerator/​pastry case (s) at the cash wrap).
Too early to my next appointment.
Enter Peet’s.
«Almond croissant and this.» I grabbed the least ripe $ 0.95 banana from the basket near the tip jar.
«Anything to drink?»
«If only. I’ve had way more caffeine this morning at home than what’s legal but thanks.»
My barista chuckled.
«There’s no such thing as too much caffeine,» the kinda-​cute-​guy-​nearly-​my-​age behind me chimed in.
«Oh, I dunno… But I can tell you this, you don’t want to be around me when I’ve reached my limit.»
Group chuckle.
Big smile from guy behind.
AM «May Gray» camaraderie?
Was there a «flirt» from that guy behind?
I dunno, too previously caffeinated and outta practice to confirm.
What I do know is being welcomed and served well was exactly what I needed yesterday.
And that’s what this Peet’s, every Peet’s, delivers, each day, every day!
$ 1.00 off any Java Blend with Unilocal check-​in! (I saved mine for next time.)

Wow a mediocre Peet’s…and in lovely Brentwood no less.
Drink order: My usual.
Service: Came in mid-​afternoon over a weekend. One guy was filling beans, the other making drinks. Waited 10min at counter but no one greeted nor looked up from what they were doing. Had to interrupt guy making drinks to ask nicely if anyone was going to counter. He tells guys filling beans to help. That guy comes to cashier as if doing a huge favor: doesn’t make eye contact, doesn’t smile, doesn’t talk, just punches in drink order and walks away.
What a horrible experience.
No thanks!

Generally, coffee is a matter of personal preference. If you like a stronger, darker roast, than don’t bother with the other coffee chains. Peets is the best and the strongest, in my opinion– and I’m comfortable to say that I’m addicted to this stuff. It’s not nearly as busy as the one on Montana, and the people who work here are beyond friendly.

Great location, great staff. This location can get busy at times because it’s in a hot-​spot for Prime Brentwood. This is a good thing in most cases, though! My only complaint is the lack of parking at times. There is a lot of street parking and a parking lot, however the parking lot is often times full with employees vehicles. This shouldn’t be an issue except there are two cars that are regularly parked in the only two 20-​minute spots all day.

Met a buddy here this afternoon to catch up on things – sat outside on a beautiful day.
This Peet’s has an excellent outdoor seating area.
Good amount of seats indoors too if you can get one.
Very interesting observation comparison of the Peets to the Starbucks across the street.
At Starbucks – usual scene of mainly college to early 20’s, men and women, sitting with laptops hogging the tables. I figure that they have roommates and need some space to study so they hang at the Starbucks.
Today at Peets – scene of 45 yr old+ guys inside hogging the tables with laptops? They have roommates? Back in college? Ummm… Getting away from the wives…
If you cycle here like I do, plenty of meters and poles to lock up to.
If you drive – don’t even think of going a second over your meter time – the parking enforcement on San Vicente in this area is vicious – every day until 8 PM. They have what seems like one officer her block and they will wait at your meter for it to expire.

Time for an update:
Pros
Looks like some of my initial criticisms were taken to heart and the new management has really shaped this place up. The gal that was struggling during the busiest shifts was moved to quieter ones, although she still looks like a deer in the headlights, poor thing. I am pleased to say the staff is friendly, remembers not only you but what you order all the time and most often have a smile. The management, Michelle and Jason are concerned, responsive and truly seem to take their jobs seriously. Steven makes the best cappuccino on this continent, so go early and you’ll get one of his stellar creations.
Cons
The patio really is dirty although I have never, ever smelled urine as one reviewer complained. And it really would be nice if the staff would thank the clientele when they receive tips.
A few words of advise, unless you want to be run over by a gaggle of sweaty, entitled bikers, on Sundays get out before 10:30A. And if you have a dog, beware of the crazy Nazi that verbally attacks people who have them. He’s usually there in the afternoons.
Other than those things, Peet’s is back to being a fave!

This is seriously the most stellar Peet’s Coffee in LA! Definitely superior coffee to Starbucks (don’t carry almond milk) or Coffee Bean (they use powder) both across the street. Also, their service is always impeccable. Once, they were out of almond milk and they gave me a complimentary drink which was SO considerate esp since it was a non issue.

Some people wear their loyalties on their sleeve. Jason here wears his on his wrist. He has a watch emblazoned with Peets Coffee and Tea. It signifies him hitting the 5-​year mark with Peets.
Sensing I was dealing with a true devotee, I asked him why Peets is better than Starbucks. Not because I’m anti-​Starbucks, but because I assumed he must feel strongly on the matter. Very diplomatically, and very convincingly, he gave me a few reasons.
Peets hand-​roasts their coffee. In fact, their roasters sign 15-​year contracts, because the training they receive turns them into artisans, and Peets is keen on retaining these experts.
The coffee they roast is sourced ethically. And what does that mean? (Because let’s be blunt, everybody talks a big game about sustainability and fair trade, blah blah blah, but who walks the walk?) Jason handled the query deftly. In a nutshell (or should I say, «in a coffee bean casing»), Peets skips the auctioneers, goes right to the farmers, and pays above fair trade prices. Pretty good. That way they can control quality while doing good. I buy it (figuratively and literally).
The turnaround times from roasting to your cup are quicker, around a week. That’s pretty sharp.
I’ve met him before. Very nice guy. But we’ve never talked. Just passed echanged monosyllables about orders and here you go etc. And it’s sad that humans are sometimes reduced to just transactional language. Felt hollow today. So I asked a bit more. And I’m reminded it always pays to ask people about their craft, because they have a lot to share, and everything becomes richer as a result. Even my coffee tastes a bit better knowing that a farmer out there got a premium for his beans, which are flavoring my brew.
Heck, as I think about it, Jason basically made me write a post here which reads like a brand strategy doc written by the company. Talk about a good brand ambassador. Hey, Peets, why not recruit this gent for senior management, so that his watch is gold in twenty years and not just silver?

When I was getting ready to move from the area, my one hesitation was leaving my Peet’s. It could just be that I have an unhealthy attachment to lattes, but regardless, this place is wonderful.
My first impression of this Peet’s was horrible actually. Both drinks I got were botched beyond acceptability and the barista wasn’t the least bit interested in hearing our complaints. However, I sent an email to corporate and within 24 hours the manager Jason and I were having a lovely conversation and he set everything right, overcompensating me for the drinks and correcting his staff. After that, I became a regular and have loved every subsequent drink I’ve had there. Also, Peet’s maple oat scones WILL be what eventually makes me fat.

2.5
Let’s start with the good — Peet’s actual coffee and espresso quality is generally better than Starbucks and CBTL. And this location has quite a few parking meters nearby. Lastly, they did get me my coffee in a timely manner. The baristas were clearly hustling.
And the bad. My latte this morning was a solid 40% foam. I didn’t ask for no foam — in fact I love me some foam. But I would actually like to have some liquid to drink in my cup, please. Second thing — one of the male cashiers needs to be a little friendlier. I’ve worked food service, I know it’s stressful when it’s crowded… but you need to at least attempt to mask the fact that you’re irritated.
The layout is no good, either. The ordering and pick up areas are side by side, creating a bottleneck in an area where the counter juts out. Since the store is so narrow, it makes it very hard to pass people, or wait for your coffee and be out of peoples’ way.
Naturally, this location is chock-​full of Brentwood stereotypes. Do you people slog around town in anything besides workout gear? Tim Gunn would be appalled.
If you want good coffee fast AND care about great service, I highly recommend the Starbucks on Barrington and San Vicente.

Came here after big lunch and wanted an Americano to fight the food coma. The baristas looked sleepy and probably could not handle the crowds and the pace of nearby coffee joints and the snacks looked boring.
I had a Americano it’s espresso and water can’t really mess that up.

Each time I have come to this particular Peet’s I’ve had excellent service and the drinks there are just delicious! I honestly love Peet’s more than the overplayed Starbucks. The drinks there are very unique and handcrafted, plus their customer service tends to be the best and fastest.
I recently tried their new Raspberry Matcha Freddo, which is absolutely delicious! Its not too sweet and has a great taste of traditional Japanese tea. I highly recommend this drink, especially for the hot summer days where you want to enjoy a cool refreshing drink with well balanced flavors.