Chrome Coffee Bar Powered By Cento

Had a warranty issue that the Valencia store sorted out, and the shoes still fit too tightly. Went to this store, and everyone was attentive and very much willing to assist. Great customer service!

One of the thing I miss in the US is good coffee — which for me, is espresso based. It’s true that lot of places sell espressos, but not many actually know how to make it just right.
But every sip of machiatto I drank at Chrome was near perfect, and working just around the corner, I’m visiting Chrome almost daily. Their coffee is yet to fail, and is surely one of the best I’ve had in San Francisco (and I had many. Most not worth writing about).
My only gripe is with the sell-​out-​hipster decór, but I suppose complaining about that is a bit too much.

When you think of bicycles, messenger bags, and the totes, your mind inevitably thinks Chrome. But when your taste buds yearn for hot or cold coffee, drip by drip your eyes can’t wonder away from the anticipation of the bitter sweet citrus nectar of the gods about to be handed to you from the counter where all things godly come from.
Pair that with a choice of milk, a tasty pastry, and you’re good to go, smiling from ear to ear, and ready to spread the word that Chrome ain’t all about getting around on bikes. It getting through the day with an excellent pour of coffee and a newly found loyal customer.
But bring cash, because for the avoidance of doubt, they don’t take cards. Be forewarned, and you’re welcome.

Time: 1:16pm/81°F sunny
Purpose: Construction on 5^th street gave me nervous anxiety thoughts. I needed to get to WF ATM. Went around it came upon Chrome. All I know about the company is that they’re known for bike messenger bag/​apparel.
Set-​up: Place is located within steps of CalTrain. From the sidewalk you won’t know there is coffee to be had. It’s kinda tuck in with no seats only couple of odd seaters mostly stand or take to go. Black/​white cardboard cut out of pictures plaster on back wall. Simple compact set up of LaMarzocco two chamber extractor, grinder, pastry display, cake pedestal, tip jar, pour over set up, menu, wooden wire bail spool (use for table top). Functional stainless steel sink with running water mounted made this a comparable to b & m locations.
Staff: One guy multitasker does it all himself. Mellow surfer/​hipster like dude. Greeted me within seconds of walking in. I ask whats good here? He ask if I ever had coffee before? I said yes! I just don’t drink it in morning as much anymore. It gives me anxiety panics. He offers hot chocolate, but I said cuppa joe is fine for now.
Cleanliness: Grade A, certificate posted in plain view with passing grade. All items are cover not expose to the air-​borne elements. Pastries in their perspective place inside display case. Utensil area clean, only a few sugar specks seen.
Eats/​Drinks: Pour over $ 3 with beans from Four Barrel. Didn’t have that bold in your face dark brew. It was a little light tone when view at certain angle. A bit of bitterness tasted not necessarily bad, but this wasn’t my cupping here. As far as flavor goes it wasn’t all that bad, but better than donut shop stuff.
Main Features: Four Barrel beans, Awesome Bars, pour over.
Products/​Services: Scones, cookies, bars, croissants, bag o beans, prosciutto/​harvarti croissant, drip, espresso, mocha, americano, cappuccino, latte, au lait, iced coffee. Cash only, opens M-​F only weekend/​holiday closed.
Punch Lines: Seats are minimal, better than average, modest cost, swanky, light bites, lively atmosphere, zippy service, can’t go wrong, nothing out of the ordinary, kept its standards, CalTrain, AT&T park.
Tradeoffs: Chrome and Four Barrel Coffee has been in partnership since both are located on Valencia street. You’re getting locally joint business venture in one place.
Final Thoughts: A side from beans sold here they, also do apparel sales and alterations. Chrome cento café is probably the closest premium café to Caltrain station as far as I’m concerned. Great place to grab a bite and drink on your way to and back from work. Keep in mind that if you do come. Allow yourself extra time as you’re not the only one there ordering.

I’ve debated this for years, but I think Four Barrel is my favorite local roaster. Bold statement, I know. However, I like Chrome Coffee Bar more than the actual Four Barrel locations because they serve more. Sorry Four Barrel, I’m over your tiny cups made for children. Thankfully I can literally wake up and walk to Chrome Coffee Bar every morning and get a big girl cup of their coffee. Brought to you by the people of Cento a few blocks away, this coffee shop shares a spot with the Chrome gear store. They make a kickass cappuccino ($ 3.50), though I usually opt for an iced latte for a cold awakening ($ 3.75).
A few tips: Cash only, closed on weekends, and they sell Little Eddie’s prosciutto and havarti croissants on Wednesdays (but you better come early or they’ll be gone!)

Five stars for espresso, but negative four stars for being cash-​only. Give me a break — it’s San Francisco in 2015. No excuse not to have a Square reader at the very least

Espresso served with sparkling water. Cash only and the servers are super sweet especially Andrea!

Great way to grab a quick cuppa. Everyone who works here is super friendly and motivated. The sandwiches and desserts are super yummy, if you are fast enough to get them! There is a lot of heart and hard work going on at this café and I appreciate it:) also great if you happen to be walking a dog since it has an open wall entrance.

Convenient and welcoming little place!

Is it just me or is it disgustingly hot in SF lately. I expected to get off the train to cooler reprieve but it was just as filthy as the south bay. As i walked down the street i caught the i ed coffee sign. Sold. Cold brew to fight the heat. And also to wake me up from the nap i had on public transport

There wasn’t a line at 8am on a Monday which was pretty impressive. That being said, the coffee wasn’t anything special. Also, the barista refused to let me have my espresso to go. He claimed it changes the taste of the coffee. I thought he was kidding but when the reality set in that he wasn’t I was speechless.

The friendly attentive barista wasn’t there when I went with a friend… One of us asked for a latte extra hot. «We don’t do that here, it burns the milk and ruins the coffee». Never heard that one before… Minus two stars. He ignored any attempt at small talk. Coffee was on par with Starbucks, good but not great, minus 1 star. I guess we caught them on an off day. I tipped a buck out of habit, wish I hadn’t. Lose the ‘tude dude.

Love this place! Alanna is a kick ass barista, she always remembers my drink order. The drinks are skillfully crafted. YUM

These guys are great! They remember my drink and make it well.

The baristas here are nice and the prices are reasonable. They serve 4 barrel coffee which is pretty strong. It’s run in a small space next to their bike store so there’s nowhere to really sit. It’s definitely a take to-​go kind of place. In the morning around 8 – 8:30 am there’s never a line, so it’s a great stop on the way to work.

Great place to grab a coffee on the go. They do an outstanding job brewing Four Barrel coffee and all their Coffee concoctions.

Great coffee from the guys and gals behind Cento and Vega. The only espresso bar in SOMA brewing 4 Barrel perfectly!
Love this place!

First off, I was very stoked to get a parking spot right in front, and not have to pay for a meter. Thanks holidays and/​or lazy meter maids! That always puts reviews on a good foot forward. Here’s some info:
[ Super nice barista.
[[ No line for drinks.
[[[ Decently priced at $ 5 total for both drinks.
[[[[ Wide open roll up door right on 4^th st is very welcoming/​easy access
[[[[[ Open and adjacent to the Chrome Hub if you want to buy gear before or after your affordable daily indulgence of caffeine
[[[[[[ Recently added four stools and cable spool-​type «tables» so you actually can sit there like more «run of the mill» cafés.
I didn’t try the espresso or coffee, as I just got hot chocs for my boys, which the barista made perfectly and even gave them the «foam leaf» on top with the milk. The boys felt important and grown up. (sorry one of the drinks got spilled by the Soma bag display, I did my best to sop it up, thank you for the towel!)
I’m sure I’ll be back on my next ride through that area.
PRO TIP: right now, they’re CA$H only, be ready to run across 4^th to Wells Fargo…
NOTE to Chrome Coffee Bar: You’re a café in San Francisco, home of Square credit card readers and a neighboring city to Apple and Google, both of whom make tablets who work with Square (or any other credit card reader company). You should probably start accepting cards IMHO.
Cheers!

My boyfriend and I enjoyed a macchiato and espresso, respectively, and were blown away. The baristas here have got serious skills.
My espresso was delightfully thick, dark, fresh & intensely flavorful. Heaven. Totally hits the spot.

Four Barrel Pour-​Overs; espresso; cookies. Standing room only. No lines.
I’ll take bike messengers over hipsters any day.