Special Xtra

This place consistently pours some of the best espresso in the city. Having to drink it in an alley next to the Transbay construction is just part of the charm.

Special Xtra is now using beans from Cento Coffee, instead of Blue Bottle. Happily, the New Orleans iced coffee and Macu drinks are still on the menu. Quick, easy, and yum!

I had coffee twice. First time was great. Second time was bad; coffee tested like water and NO it’s not the roast type. I drink black coffee without sugar and I can easily tell good & bad coffee. I felt like the guy made two coffee without changing the coffee powder on the second one. I don’t think Blue Bottle is that bad and this would not pass their standard at all.

This is a great little hidden gem of a spot to get your caffeine on. My macchiato was spot on. Cash only, third wave fosho. This place rocks.

This is the first time I have ever been actually impressed with an iced green tea. There may have been some lemon and ginger flavoring, not sure what exactly made it taste so good.

Awesome blue bottle coffee close to work. This is a great little stand which opens early and has great coffee.

I used to really really like this place and have recommended this café to several friends, but after my experience I’m reluctant to go back.
I didn’t mind that they sell iced coffee in a paper cup and take cash only because I really like their coffee and delicious cookies, and so I always tip them too.
However, when I tried to take a picture of the café from far away (so I can show my friends my favorite hole in the wall coffee shop), the guy working (probably the owner) called out «ma’am» a few times. I didn’t think he was talking to me at first because I just put my order in and I was a little too far away to hear, but people standing in front of the counter started looking back at me. I heard it the second time, and that’s when I thought that maybe he’s telling me that my coffee was ready to pick-​up. Excited to grab my coffee, I see the guy shake his head and says «ma’am, do not take my picture» in front of everyone. I was a little taken aback because I told him smiling that I was only trying to take a picture of the coffee shop. and all he replied was «I know» and not in a good way. It was uncomfortable for everyone around us. The lady (barista) next to him then hands me my drink… and before leaving the store I say «thank you» but I didn’t get a thank you back from him. Not sure what his problem is…

After falling for Special Xtra 2, I wanted to check out the original located just a few blocks up Minna St.
Like Special Xtra 2, it’s a cash-​only, friendly place that serves Blue Bottle.
Unlike Special Xtra 2, it’s more of a hole-​in-​wall. You order from the sidewalk. Seating is outside at the plaza next door, but it’s also uncomfortably close to the construction, so I would plan to drink the coffee elsewhere.
If you’re up for walking an extra three blocks for your coffee, Special Xtra 2 has a nice little indoor seating area.
One super minor complaint is that I got an iced coffee in a paper cup, which tend to get soggy and gross.

This would be a five star review if not for the cash only situation. PLEASE, PLEASE start taking credit cards. Just get an iPad and Square. I KNOW there’s a Chase ATM in spitting distance, but I really don’t like handling cash and carrying change around and all of that — plus I want my credit card points. I also think the operation here would run more smoothly if they took credit cards — right now, I feel as though the two people making coffee spend an overly long time taking money, making change, etc. Seriously, PLEASE. I would be here every day if you did…
Anyway, the coffee. They use Blue Bottle, so you know it’s going to be good. Their Au Lait is on point. It’s really, really yummy. It has real depth, and I’m happy to see them using Clover milk. Also, I’m glad they have agave sweetener. I gave up the artificial stuff years ago and I just feel like this is easier than sugar granules.
They also have AWESOME pastries. Every one I’ve had is terrific. The morning bun is fantastic (I feel like it has to be Tartine, but I don’t know), the chocolate chip cookies are amazing, and then all the other cookies like the coconut chocolate chip and the chocolate chip /​nut /​popcorn crazy one are also great. They occasionally have cheddar scones or something like that which look awesome and I definitely need to try in the near future. I very much appreciate that they have food all day, unlike let’s say Red Door Coffee…
I just think this place is the bees knees. It’s cool and tucked away and, most importantly, very high quality /​delicious. Just PLEASE stop this cash-​only nonsense… it makes your business look less legit and it’s really annoying to me.

Special Xtra is both. See what I did there?
Seriously tho, I like this little joint a lot. It’s a coffee cart stuffed inside the front door of a bar/​restaurant on an alleyway down in SOMA. The friendly baristas serve up a short menu of espresso drinks made with Blue Bottle coffee. The espresso is really tasty. But what I come here for is the cold brew. Special Xtra makes a mean cold brew, and they put chicory in the coffee, which adds a nice extra flavor to embolden the smoothness inherent in cold brew. Grab a cold brew, add some half n’ half, and you have a little refreshing kickstart for your day.
The only complaint? Cold drinks in paper cups. If they had plastic I’d be as snug as a bug in a rug with the whole shebang.
Oh yeah, it’s cash only. So don’t forget your duckets.

I tried Special Xtra for the convenience of having Blue Bottle coffee as an option. It beats walking to the Ferry Building in the morning and their prices are about the same. This hidden coffee cart isn’t really a secret anymore as I see that there are plenty of regulars that the baristas know their usual orders. Since they do pour overs for coffee and espresso drinks with steamed milk, it does take a while if there’s a line of three to four people.
Probably will come back here based on the line and people waiting in front. Otherwise, I’ll move on and go to Proper Food for a quick decent cup o joe.

Great coffee and iced coffee combined with some of the nicest staff I’ve ever met. It’s cash only so bring some dollars, but process are reasonable and if they know you they’ll let you pay next time if you forget by chance.
Good music and a nice vibe complete the chill atmosphere. Strongly recommend the iced coffees and poor overs.

Quite good, especially considering what all else is available in the area. Cash only, but there is a Chase ATM within spitting distance of their coffee stand. I went here somewhat regularly until the one barista who I felt was the nicest and actually made the best coffee left to work full-​time elsewhere.

Great concept, friendly service. I love single drip coffee, and this roaster was excellent. The two young women behind the counter were friendly, and fast.
Highly recommended, worth the walk.

Cool concept and great coffee! These guys figured they can rent out spaces that are vacant during the day and serve quality coffee in busy downtown without paying crazy rent. Coffee is great and price is reasonable.

Coffee by day, bar by night.
This has to be my new favorite coffee shop. I’m tired of the same ol’ plain ol’ here in SF (you know, the Peet’s, Starbucks, Coffee Bean blablabla). Had lunch with a friend then asked him where I should get coffee. He described it as, «Go down those stairs and into an alley and keep walking» because he couldn’t remember the name of it.
Anyways, he wanted coffee too, so he showed me where it was. We get to Special Xtra, wait in the short 5 person line ahead of us (apparently this place gets crowded so we were in luck!) which gave me a few minutes to decide what I wanted.
I was even more excited that they serve Blue Bottle, one of my SF favs! Score.
Ordered a latte, friend got a drip and we parted ways.
Cute, unique, and comfy. I’ll be back!

Awesome coffee; a hidden gem in an unexpected location (hole in the wall in the alley on Minna St), just steps from my office. Can’t go wrong with anything you order here — they serve Blue Bottle Coffee, and everything I’ve tried has been delicious.
My husband and I have been here many times, and will continue to be repeat customers. My husband typically orders their slow drip coffee or a cappuccino. I usually order their americano when I want something to warm me up, or their New Orleans iced coffee on warm SF afternoons (so good!).
I also love that this place is hidden away from the mainstream traffic; however, while hidden away, there is always a crowd of people waiting for their coffee, so clearly they don’t need a huge display/​advertisement to get business. Their coffee speaks for itself!
They also offer some delicious looking baked goods, that seriously tempt me each time I go to order. One of these times I’m going to have to indulge in one of those awesome looking chocolate chip cookies…

My friend recommended me here, because I’m a coffee drinker. That was a really great advice for the stranger.
I ordered soy latte. It was very nice, creamy and the taste of milk was soft and sweet.
Unfortunately their Peanut butter cookies, that my friend’s favorite, was out of stock at that time. The staff told said that he loves it too. I have to try it again soon!

CASH ONLY
There’s nothing like a day in the office during tax season. 14 hour work day staring at tax returns on a computer screen? A rest break in SF’s beautiful March weather is much needed.
My incharge pulls me off my computer and we go for a walk. He wants to be outside, he wants blue bottle coffee. We venture into the sunlight, on this warm day. We head down second street and turn left onto Minna. This place is just hidden behind the Deloitte building.
It’s a literal hole in the wall. Most prices are 3.25−3.75, except the semi sweet mocha, which is 4.25. Even at 3pm, there is a small line!
Good coffee at this hidden location.
*no, I don’t work at deloitte.

A secret gem on Minna St. if you’re looking for a Blue Bottle caffeine boost! Open on weekdays from 7:30 AM — 4:00 PM PT– cash only.
The Macau Iced Coffee and the [non-​fat] Mocha are my favorites– delicious. The service here is pretty straight forward and you get what you ask for. There is usually a line so be prepared for that.