Philz Coffee

For years I had given up on the weekday cup of coffee, cherishing the alluring aroma and jolt of energy as a special treat meant only for weekends. Only recently, after being introduced to Philz Coffee, have I reintroduced the weekday ritual. You can now count me amongst the devoted.

Founded in 2003, well before the current SF craze of individually dripped cups (although admittedly I have been known to queue up at a Saturday morning Blue Bottle kiosk for years now), Phil Jaber and team have been serving coffee "one cup at a time" and crafted with love. Even reading the menu of blends is part of the experience at Philz. I began with an interest in sampling the entire menu, but got stuck on dark roasts and now count on the large Arabic as a morning kickstart several days a week.

I like to say good morning to the baristas, sit outside at the Castro location, greet the neighborhood dogs, and begin my day with an invigorating chat and a warming cup.

If you see me in the morning with a cup of Philz in hand, know that I am having a very good morning indeed.