Rancho Parnassus

This coffee shop CLOSED a couple of weeks ago.
It’s sad to see this place gone. The last time I visited was in June. The interior décor was eclectic, but peaceful.
Their claim to fame was selling Kombucha.
Breakfast, sandwiches and panini at decent prices ($ 3-​$ 6), and Free WiFi, were not enough to keep this place afloat. Because most people avoid the sketchy 6^th street area.

Rest In Peace, dear Parnassus.
You were a good coffee shop. You smelled weird, had crazy décor, and made amazing coffee.
And now you’re gone.
This review, this 5-​star review, reflects my overall experience at this place.
A golden era has ended. Goodnight, sweet prince.
P. S. Andy, if you ever read this, your shop was the best coffee shop in SOMA.

On the corner of 6^th street, which apparently has it’s share of trouble on a daily basis, sits this quirky and interesting café. The place has an aire I’d find only in SF which is one part homage, one part patron saint, one part living room. Equally interesting are the characters that I met while sitting for some coffee.
The coffee was a bit off, but you can’t have everything. I liked the place!

Call me particularly sensitive to issues of customer service (due in large part to my 6 years of service), but dammmmn. We must have come here on an off-​day. We had the worst service in the history of the world.
Ducking in for a cup of coffee and a quick bite to eat, we were told «I’ll be right with you» by the only employee in sight– a young woman who was sitting down at one of the tables nearest to an outlet, talking on her plugged-​in cell phone to, from what I could tell, a friend with whom there was nothing urgent to discuss. I mean they were talking about things like who called who and what she said about her and then said something else to someone else and kissed him and… dear god…
We waited for a few minutes… seriously like about 4 minutes. If it weren’t for the fact that my pal was starving and had heard good things about this place (and for the fact that I was distracted by the interesting things happening in every direction), I would have stormed out, cursing under my breath and passive-​aggresively mumbling grandpaisms about how kids these days don’t know how to work, the value of a dollar, etc.
Finally a guy came out from back and took our order. He was nice, and apologetic even. The bagel sandwich was actually pretty good– provolone and egg over easy, so that the yoke dripped all over everything, just the way I like it. He yelled at the other employee to get up and do her job, to which she responded, «I TOLD THEM I’d be right THERE!» I never saw her get up from her spot at that table.
All you lovely people have such great things to say about it. Kambucha on tap is interesting for sure. I’ll have to come back.

This place is just a hippie pirate ship of delightful vibes, quirky ass interiors, and kombucha on tap. Coffee too; really good iced coffee. Wifi and outlets. And dig the chairs! Now that is *design.*
Get on with your skid row self! I’ll be back here at the soonest possible opportunity. Maybe tomorrow — I ain’t got no job.

One of the best cups of coffee I have ever had. Period.
If you can’t deal with the location there’s a Starbucks down the street that would love to help you out. I like my coffee with a heavy dose of reality, so it totally works for me.

In a world where upper echelon coffee roasters seem to take their craft a wee bit too seriously, it’s awfully refreshing to run into a quirky joint like Rancho Parnassus.
Situated smack dab in arguably the worst section of pavement in town, RP throws down a fun vibe, seriously delightful by-​the-​cup roasts from Fort Bragg’s Thanksgiving Coffee, an array of food stuffs ranging from pressed paninis and vibrant salads, and perhaps best of all — self serve House Kombucha on tap! Not only can you get your hands on some of the best darn kombucha this side of the Shanghai, but you control how much fermented tea you’ll ingest while kickin’ back in the middle of the skids. How ’bout them apples?
They also feature live performances from local singer/​songwriter types and have free wifi if you need to bang out some Farmville on the ol’ MacBook Pro in a real humble environment. No pretentious trust fund types here — just a gaggle of fun folks who’ve stumbled upon one of the more remarkable coffeehouses you’ll find anywhere else in the city. Blizzow!

Das Rancho Parnassus ist ein sehr einfacher Schuppen mit echten und freundlichen Menschen, die mir sehr sympathisch sind. Man wird freundlich bediebt, erhält wirklich gutes Essen und die Preise sind Spottbillig.
Allerdings muss man auch damit leben, das hier einer Barfuß rumsitzt und rülpst.
Alles in allem ein sehr stimmiges Konzept.

(See pics)
More like 3.5 stars.
The stars were mostly for the coffee, service and most of all, the great atmosphere that’s in a very colorful and pretty setting.
It transforms to a different world as you step into this really sunny corner, with a fantastic corner of photography stage.
Service was very friendly. Coffee was made individually for each cup.
I love slouching in the big palm style chair that you just want to stay there.

This is a great neighborhood eatery! It’s a bit hidden but worth visiting! The food is great, the service is excellent, and the prices are very reasonable. They have a great variety of breakfast and sandwich options that are all around 5 or 6 dollars.
Omelet and toast — $ 5
(fillings: tomato, choice of cheeses, spinach, squash, olives, onions, choice of meat: sausage, bacon, or ham)
–delicious omelet with an abundance of very fresh ingredients!
Monte Cristo sandwich — $ 6.50
(sweet french toast bread with turkey and cheese)
–HUGE sandwich. Sandwich tasted great and was stuffed with plenty of turkey and cheese slices.
They also offer kombucha on tap which is neat. This is a great place to grab a quick bite or a cup of coffee.

I know the pump thing.
My gf got one.
Not that.
I am talking about a coffee maker the Rancho Parnassus uses.
But the man in the counter does the pump thing up side down.
If you don’t know the pressure pump coffee maker, you don’t get it.
He makes fresh grind coffee for every single cup.
2 dollar for a small coffee.
It is such a wonderful cup coffee in the city.
The pressure pump coffee maker comes with 2 parts, inside plastic tube and out side plastic tube. Both about 8 inches long, 2 inches diameter.
That’s right baby, it’s the size of John Holmes.
If you know John C. Holmes or Johnny Wadd, I am very sure that you are in deep trouble, or just a dirty old man, you jackass.
The pressure pump coffee maker is the great coffee maker.
If you like to find out who is John C. Holmes or Johnny Wadd?
Please go to a peep show near by on 6^th Street and Mission.
There are 2, and they open 7 AM. Yes, those 2 peep show places are open 7 in the morning.
I was really amazed by it. I could not believe it!
I think, maybe, early morning peep show is a great idea for a guy like who has wife and kids, it’s better to see porn in there rather than on line at home.
Don’t you think?
I don’t know.
Get a quick jerk-​off in a smelly-​booth at 7 in the morning peep show at 6^th Street and Mission?
FXXX!
This is wrong.
Just think of it, it Grosses me out.
It got to be somethings wrong here.
People are working very hard. But, … 7 AM for peep show?
If you think it’s too early, you must be a woman who doesn’t have any experience with man.
There is a common acceptation between gay men and straight men.
We both get boner in early morning.
So, if you are a dirty horny old man, you have 2 choices.
Go take a cold shower or get the great 2 dollar small coffee at Rancho Parnassus.
I might do both.

Hit. The. Spot.
Although I generally encourage everyone to eat breakfast in the morning, sometimes it doesn’t happen in my world. By 3 pm yesterday, I was HUNGRY and about to go «code blue». This is when you’re so starvingthat you’ve got the shakes and have an out-​of-​body experience where you see yourself being mean and nasty to people, but can’t control your actions.
The lovely Jessica T saw me about to go code blue and suggested Rancho Parnassus, as it was on the way back to the office after some errands. Judging by the neighborhood and outside aesthetic, I was suspicious. But Jessica is rarely wrong when it comes to food made with love, so it seemed like a no-​brainer. And I was too weak to argue ;)
Definitely order the turkey burger with a side of sweet potato fries. Uh-​mazing. My little grumbly tummy was quieted after just a few bites. The only thing that would have made this meal a bit better was some cheese on top of the patty, but that’s a minor detail and I’ll let it slide. Mmm… makes me hungry just thinking about it!

Somewhere amid the denizen of 6^th Street desperation, among the carnival crazies, there’s a shining, good belly refuge on the Minna corner. This big, bright and colorful interior feels like something you’d find in Mexico City — but nay, here it rests in the heart of the jungle!
Solid for lunch, the turkey burger was anything but standard. Served on an atypical bun (was it toasted sourdough with a buttery herbacious spread?) and grilled veggie toppings, this sandwich was honest to goodness awesome. Plus, my meal came with sweet potato fries — bangin!
But perhaps one of my favorite features is House Kombucha on tap (and bottled for those on the go)! Breakfast or lunch, this place is sure to make any work day that much brighter!

Sadly the photobooth is no longer here, and their menu is a little bit more straightforward; but the warm vibe in this place still remains.
If you’re feeling the hectic work week creep into your shoulders, shrug it off here. Sit back and kick it with Kombucha on tap, as you play scrabble, while snacking on sweet potato fries.
I’m glad that Rancho Parnassus continues to gain acclaim in their hood, because we need more places like this around.
Trust.

Rancho Parnassus is a funky trip through the Electric Kool-​Aid Acid Test by way of Fred Sanford’s junkyard («…it’s the big one, Elizabeth… I’m comin’ to join ya.») It’s quirky-​cool and on Sixth Street looking just right in that gamy, grimy and often hazy neighborhood. Unlike the seductive Split Pea Seduction or even the passionate Passion Café, this place really, truly belongs here, and I say more power to the brave owner who set up his business here.
Jamie W. and I just strolled in here one morning and got caught up in the thrift-​shop décor — random art pieces, antique photos suspended on rope. multi-​colored walls, hubcaps, plastic cactus, light fixtures of all kinds (see photos). The wood furniture is inviting — high-​backed chairs that look like they were made from barrels and heavy tables inlaid with old coins. We perused the whiteboard menu and saw lots of reasonably priced options — $ 5 paninis, $ 5 burgers, $ 5 spinach salad, $ 5 kombucha bottles. Get a theme here? Life doesn’t have to be complicated, right?
Jamie tried the $ 2.50 Bird in the Hand, which was a muffin-​shaped fritatta with bacon. Good and hearty (see photo). I went for a steaming $ 2 cup of Fair Trade Organic Coffee with milk and a $ 3 Breakfast Sandwich, which was really like a grilled cheese sandwich but with fresh eggs and ground sausage added. Tasty and gooey (see photo). The owner brought the food out to us, and it was really comfortable to sit and eat casually among the bric-​à-​brac. I could envision hanging out on a Saturday afternoon watching the Sixth Street microcosm roll by in the window.
FOOD — 4.5 stars… tasty breakfast fare on a brisk weekday morning, smooth cup of coffee
AMBIANCE — 5 stars… a startling find on Sixth Street that fits in with the neighborhood in a good way
SERVICE — 4.5 stars… nice owner who deserves a medal
TOTAL — 5 stars… really bolsters the community in a way that is most invaluable… long may Rancho Parnassus thrive

SCARY GOOD COFFEE.
Or rather:
SCARY. GOOD COFFEE.
This little gem is located in the grittiest part of SOMA, populated primarily by the toothless and the smelly. But Rancho Parnassus has a pretty cool vibe, filled with tables and artwork from all over the community. It’s kinda: Santa Cruz white chick w/​dreads meets crazy homeless artist meets Phillz Coffee.
And yes, I did drop the P-​word. Rancho Parnassus makes their coffee one cup at a time, which is — in my humble, caffeinated opinion — the best way. It takes a few minutes, but it really feels special. And it is absolutely f-​ing delish. AND ITS ONLY $ 2. Forget your Blue Bottle fancypants-​we-​make-​expensive-​coffee-​using-​Science baloney. RP is a solid choice if you don’t mind a little grit.
Yeah, they certainly don’t discriminate, either. I stood behind a man who smelled like a port-​o-​potty for about 5 minutes while he dug together the $ 2 for a coffee. It was unpleasant, but I was impressed with the barista’s patience and egalitarian treatment. The man had the money, the barista gave him his coffee. He wouldn’t have even made it in the door at blue bottle. Like it or not, you know its true.

This place has the potential to be great. Some aspects of it actually are, but the negatives do tend to overshadow what is great about it.
First off, as others have mentioned, the service here can be pretty slow. We went in semi-​prepared for that and didn’t worry too much about it since we had time to just sit and relax. I wouldn’t take stars away from it for that.
Second, the prices were kinda gougey. I actually thought the price of the burger and fries was a steal ($ 5 for the veggie burger and sweet potato fries), but then I got dinged $ 4.50 for a large glass of kombucha. It was tasty, but not nearly $ 5 tasty, and after that I was afraid to get another drink of anything.
Third, while I loved my sandwich (omg the mustard), the fries weren’t much to write home about. I was looking forward to them but they weren’t crispy like I would have expected for any french fry in general. Also, the «burgers» aren’t really burgers. They’re glorified grilled sandwiches with a patty in the middle which was a bit confusing at first. I did really like it regardless though.
It’s a decent place with a neat décor and I enjoyed going here for lunch, as no one was rushing us out the door after we finished our food. The staff is very friendly and nice and I would go back if I was in the area, but unlikely I’ll make a point of going here again specifically for the sandwiches.
Also, they were sold out 100% of every beer they carried in stock. My friend was a bit disappointed in that.

We stopped in here to grab a bite before seeing the new TRON in 3D IMAX at the nearby Metreon.
Five dollar sandwiches, glass of wine or beer on tap — come on. Value like this I wasn’t expecting. Nice vibe, pleasant staff, and fresh, generous sandwiches. Totally surprised, totally satisfied. Oh, yeah, as others noted — a really great cup of fresh coffee, no joke. Really good.
I read someone mentioning this is a rough area. Dunno. Felt fine when we walked over from Mission, just a neighborhood with a wide range of people.

Rancho Parnassus collects another cinco estrellas, though if I had another star or two to spare, I would.
I work on Sixth Street, and it can be an emotionally taxing place with a lot of sad stories and a lot of sob stories as well. What really makes me mad is the exploitation of people already in the midst of their own addiction or mental illness. Bigtime drug dealers in their fancy cars have an easy market here, but they can drive away from the cops faster than the strung-​out junkie can walk, so guess who gets busted? Liquor stores with their five dollar milk and wall of junk food rely on the poverty and addiction of their customers. Every so often, however, a beacon of light opens up shop; call it the Miracle of Sixth Street.
Rancho Parnassus is a pot of gold. Healthy food that is insanely affordable, amazing hand pressed coffee, House Kombucha on tap (made across the street), open mic and music nights all the time, Rancho is on point. They showcase local art, local acts, local everything! What I am getting at is that they are creating a warm community, inclusive of all.
The inside looks like WALL-E’s collection of artifacts; I see something new every time I’m there. And there’s always new faces added to the Faces of Sixth Street project; check out the photobooth!
Hope to see your happy face here sometime!

Stumbled upon this funky little gem of a café during a day wandering the city on my own. I hung out for about three hours doing work on the laptop, nommin’ a killer omelet, and sipping on a cup of Aeropress coffee.
I have to say, I think this place has a really great vibe. The staff is absolutely wonderful, the space is bright and comfy, and the prices are super low. My complaints are minimal and were totally overshadowed by the friendly service and on-​tap Kombucha, but here’s the breakdown:
[-]
Coffee «for here» in a paper cup.
Very, very slow service. However it seemed like they were training new people, so I didn’t mind.
[+]
Killer omelet.
Aeropress coffee! I have an Aeropress of my own and I love it so it was neat to see it at use in a café.
Speedy Wi-​Fi.
KOMBUCHA ON TAP ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I’ll definitely stop back the next time I’m in the city. I need those empanadas.

Kombucha on Tap !
Now that commercial Kombucha has started to disappear off store shelves after questions of alcohol content, what’s a fan to do.
Rancho Parnassus to the rescue. Home made kombucha on tap and for sale in the fridge.
Rancho Parnassus is so much more. The custom grilled panini, obscure beverages and crazy interior décor. The oasis of calm in a dicey 6^th street, home to down on their luck side walk sitters and live work lofters. Unpretentious community oasis that’s become a destination café.