Thomas E Cara

I took my La Pavoni Europiccola in to Thomas E. Cara for a replacement of all the seals and gaskets.
Christopher was great, very knowledgeable and friendly. When I called he told me that it would take a few weeks for the repairs to be completed, and 3 weeks is exactly how long it took.
My espresso machine now works better than ever. If your espresso machine needs repair, I would recommend this shop without hesitation.

The best for espresso machines and repair. this is the Real Deal.

I haven’t bought anything from them yet, but i had the most pleasant shopping experience in a while last week. Hands down, they understand how to satisfy customers!
We are looking for a semi automatic espresso machine for a while now and decided to drive up from San Jose to San Francisco last Saturday, checking out some local espresso machine shops. Cara’s was the top on our list due to the entirely positive reviews on Unilocal,and just to say it upfront: I can confirm that a 100%! We saw that they were only open till 3pm on Saturdays and unfortunately we got into traffic and arrived there at 2:50, hoping to get a quick look at the machines they offer. It took us a while to find a parking spot and then didn’t find their store entrance, at the time we found it they were just about to close the door. The gentlemen looked at us and recognized that we were obviously on a mission and invited us into the store even though that they were about to close … thumbs up!
I walked him through what i was searching for and after a quick chat he took us through his entire product offering and demonstrated the machines he had in mind for us. If i recall correctly this took us approx. 45 minutes, meaning he helped us way after shop closing time. As my wife hasn’t really handled a semi automatic machine before he walked her through the entire process of grinding and pouring an espresso /​latte, describing every little detail of it.
He really changed out mind on the machines which might be a good fit to us, also giving us some more information on where we could by the machine cheaper online … but honestly he convinced us that the service at this place is just fantastic, and at the end this is what counts when buying into such an expensive hobby.
We’ll be seeing this shop soon again as he offered us to come there again next Saturday as he will repair one of the machines he presented to us, he wanted to show us the mechanics and insides of the machine to better understand what we have to look for. Needless to say that i won’t get a similar service from an online dealer.
Thanks to the Cara family for such a positive experience!

I’ve been here several times for work on my ancient La Pavoni. I look forward to my visits because the proprieter is very charming and never fails to make me laugh with his fabulous dry wit. Someday I’ll be able to afford and brand new machine and will make the trek into the city to buy it from him. Not sure where else you could go in the area for repairs — but he knows the machines and can do the repairs, seal replacements, etc. Prices seem quite reasonable to me.

Addicted to my own coffee at home and my La Pavoni needed repair. Christopher, the owner a very pleasant guy and quite knowledgable about pretty much everything took it in and replaced the heating element and voila the unit is as good as new. Just pulled my first shot after a couple of weeks and I am in heaven again:-)

Great coffee, Great service on my La Pavoni and all at a great price. Christopher is always super nice and accommodating. I hope he never retires.

After some research, it was decided that the preferred espresso machine for us would be a manually-​operated piston machine (the pull-​the-​lever kind). Basically that means Zacconi or La Pavoni.
This requires a visit to Thomas E Cara shop (now just on the WAY to North Beach, not in the middle of the circus that North Beach can be). We explained our interest to Christopher, and he showed us our various options. Then he obtained for us the one we chose, and once it arrived, showed us how to get the most out of it.
This is not an impulse purchase. It’s better if you don’t just wander in while window-​shopping in the neighborhood one day, look around the shop, exclaim, ‘Yessirree! This is the espresso machine for me!’ and whip out your Visa card. It is a process. You will need to make appointments. For us it took a month or so (we poorly timed our purchase, in light of Italy’s summer holiday season). And I found the whole experience to be highly enjoyable.
You need to take good care of these machines — keep them clean and well-​maintained. Christopher will help with that too. Preventive maintenance can keep your machine running properly for literally decades — this can be done by appointment to minimize downtime. We did have one minor issue, which Christopher took care of same-​day; we just phoned him up first & scheduled. Btw, yes, it is true. He’s not patient with some people and their drama. it’s just the way it is.
But there is a possibility this machine will change your experience when you meet friends for coffee. When you have this machine, once you figure out, you’ll make your cappuccino *exactly* the way you like it best. (the beans, the grind, the amount, how much water, milk to coffee ratio …) Nobody else’s is as good as mine — and my purchases of $ 4 coffees have decreased noticeably.
highly recommend.
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Totally remiss for not reviewing earlier, but I bought my machine there pre-​Yelp.
The backstory: I bought a super-​automatic machine online, got a faulty unit along with faulty service. Sent it back and decided to buy local. Did some searching for dealers online and went to Thomas E Cara. Didn’t know that they only have lever-​press machines, and Chris Cara could see that I was out of my depth. He had other customers, so he made an appointment for me to come back which I did, a couple of days later. He then spent an hour with me showing me different models and letting me taste the espresso from each.
I ended up wired, and with a brand new Zacconi which I still have, 7 years later. I used it every day, and if you want to make the most of the Bay Area’s awesome selection of freshly-​roasted beans, there is no other way… you need a Zacconi or Pavoni.
I’ve had it in a couple of times for service (new seals/​gaskets) and Chris’ repair work is done to the same standards as the machines themselves. It’s a one-​man operation, so it’s not next-​day turnaround, but your only other choice is sending it away.
I was in this week to buy a replacement tip for the steam wand, and Chris didn’t have a new one, so rather than making me wait for a new one to come in, he pulled one off of another machine and gave it to me, «early hanukah present» he said.

This is the place — the only place that fixes fancy espresso machines like a La Pavoni!
The boss purchased an espresso machine five or so years ago. She figured that a couple of months worth of purchasing coffee would make up for the cost of one of these machines. She was right!
Turns out, she liked the machine so much that she bought a spare. Her main household one died on her over the weekend, so I sent her home with the spare, and shipped the main one off to Cali to get serviced.
Mr. Cara is a fabulous guy — super polite, thorough in his questioning, and up front about costs and time line. Kitchen Window in Uptown (Minneapolis) will service machines purchased at their store. Cara will service any machine, and do a great job. A+!

Christopher is never a disappointment, even while telling me that my 20+year-old machine is quite possibly a goner.

It really feels nice to walk into a store that overflows with history. From the moment you walk in, seemingly hundreds of shining machines fill your eyes. It was a like a barista candy shop. Christopher Cara was very knowledgable with these machines, as he told me everything i needed to know about maintaining, cleaning, and using it. With a simple demonstration, I was sold.
Thank you Mr. Cara for your time, and a wonderful espresso machine.
–Tyler Montobbio

i finally was able to part with my La Pavoni when i took a trip to europe … brought it to Thomas’s shop and it was due back to me the day after I came back from my trip. Thomas called me after i arrived back home like clockwork, to say my La Pavoni was ready, and in i trotted to get my machine. he does tip-​top work and is a hoot to interact with (i.e. definitely not a boring fella). i highly recommend Thomas’s shop if you want your La Pavoni tuned up by an expert. i plan to take my machine in once a year to keep it working like a charm.

Christopher Cara (Thomas Cara’s son, who runs the shop) is a San Francisco gem. He’s a born-​and-​raised San Franciscan with a sassy New Yorker sense of humor — great combo. He’s a fantastic story teller, a good listener, and hands down the best damn espresso machinist you’ll ever meet.
I can NOT believe I even considered buying my Pavoni from
. Thank god my friend told me about Thomas Cara and brought me to his shop in North Beach. What a difference it makes to test out the machines in person, learning to make perfect espresso in the process, and buying a machine from a real person. Not only will we have a great story to tell whenever someone asks us where we got our Pavoni, but we have a new friend, and we’re supporting a local business.
If there were a LOVE button to click here, I’d click it 10 times.

I can’t quite express my experience at Thomas E. Cara through a Unilocal Review. Roughly 15 years ago, my parents visited San Francisco and had the privilege of meeting Christopher and my father informed me that he made the best cappuccino he’s ever had to this day. Months later, they ordered the La Pavoni Piccolo machine and that was my first exposure to making espresso.
My boyfriend and I went last year and unfortunately they were closed the handful of times we tried to go, but this year, with much luck, we were able to meet Christopher and talk to him about the wonderful machines and his family business.
We were fresh off a 1 month bike tour along the Pacific Coast, so needless to say, we felt sleepy and out of place. But once we got to talking to Christopher, the feelings of inferiority disappeared (but, seriously, not only is he a crafty genius when it comes to espresso and machines, but also damn well-dressed…really). I would have loved to walk out with a burr grinder and a new machine, but alas, I will have to wait.
Though, this reminds me that I need to email him and start rebuilding the La Pavoni Piccolo.
I can’t wait to visit the shop again!

I think this shop is the best! I came here looking for a machine for my new business but to my understanding I thought i was going to find it here. I didn’t but Christopher was the sweetest help. He gave me some advice and now I finally know my way around in this big ol’ restaurant world! Thanks Christopher!

If you want a real espresso machine (not those new electric «pod» machines), expert and professional advice and enjoy THE BEST COFFEE outside of Italy, then go to Thomas Cara, Ltd. Christopher Cara is such a character, so much fun. You’re not only buying the best machine, but you’re establishing a relationship with Christopher for years to come! His espresso beans are phenomenal. I’ve had my machine for 6 years or so, and look forward to going back when it needs a bit of service for this or that. LOVE THIS SHOP and Christopher!

Yes, these guys are fabulous. When my current machine goes t*ts up, I’ll be buying a new machine there.
It’s worth a detour just to gaze through the window when the shop is closed…

This is the best espresso parts, repair, machine, coffee bean store (besides Blue Bottle Coffee Co. for beans) that San Francisco, an probably California has to offer! My family has been going there for over forty years now! If you are looking for an espresso machine, this is THE BEST PLACE EVER! Forget Illy, LavAza and the others, the owner custom orders the machine and ships it straight from Italy! Plus, you would be helping a family company! Thomas Cara top notch!

Chris, the owner, is the best. Great machines, a unique shop and they sell incredible beans. I have tried them all and Chris’ expresso beans are the freshest, best tasting product on the market.

Yes, this place sells high end espresso machines. Yes, the machines are worth it. You will recoup the cost of the machine within a few months. In fact, you will likely never return to Starbuck’s or Peet’s again unless you’re desperate for a fix.
Yes, Christopher, the owner and proprietor, is very particular but you would be too if your family had been in the business for as long as his has. He’s a no BS kind of guy and I like that about him. He will, however, hold your hand throughout the espresso machine purchase process, which is what we needed. After all, you’re dropping some serious coin for one of these things. You should know what you’re getting into.
I couldn’t recommend this place enough. It’s now 4 months after our purchase of a La Pavoni and we adore and look after it so much as it has become a cherished part of our family. Chris also makes the best espresso roast in the city. I kid you not. He will sell it from the store if you call ahead (and if its in stock — he sells out of it fast). Just found out that Bi Rite sells it too, which is wonderful.