Carlin's Cafe

If I could contact Nick myself I would but this is the only way I know how. The video footage of you being an absolute hero was so inspiring. Going to sign up to some wrestling courses since watching. Glad people like you exist. Love from Canada, and will be coming to grab food when I next visit SF.

Love the atmosphere. Customer service is top notch. I definitely feel safe and accepted here and the food is amazing! Give them your business if you're looking for great food and service.

I made an order today at this location for pickup via TooGoodToGo (a great app for getting leftovers / unsold goods at end of day). When I arrived to pick up, the door was locked, and the staff kept ducking behind the counter (literally ducking behind it) to “hide” from the people outside coming to pick up. Then when I left, they knocked on the window to get me to turn around and took my photo. All during their open hours (15 minutes before close). If you check my review history, I’m more of a positive review person and have worked many years in customer service. But what?? This was very weird, and it was super invasive to take my photo when all I did was make confused faces and wave my phone in the air like I was trying to communicate that I had a pick up. Would have had no issue if they’d just told me they couldn’t fulfill my order.

Best cafe in the area. The atmosphere really packs a punch! Nick is an amazing barista and knows how to make some knockout wraps

Nick you are a hero!!! Definitely will trust a barista that risks his life to protect his customer!! And kudos for everybody that helps❤️

Here to praise Nick for thwarting the robbery of a customer. Good job dude! Can’t wait to support this shop next time I’m in the neighborhood.

Love this place! The nicest people work there, it's open super early on weekdays, the sandwiches and coffee are great, and there are a lot of seats and natural light! Also they provide coffee carafes or traveler boxes of coffee for events, so call them instead of going to a chain!

Some of the most underrated sandwiches in the city (Twin Peaks is fire) and the staff is top notch. Highly recommend

Amazing food and service Nick is the man Would recommend to anyone for an amazing cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich

Seriously craving an Avocado Toast & Yelp led me to Carlin's. I was running errands all over the city (my excuse for not walking or public transportation as usual), & the parking gods were with me. Ordered takeout, did unboxing at home, & joy, what a beautiful Avocado Toast, bread actually toasted! The generous mash was topped with fresh cherry tomatoes, not those tasteless refrigerated slices. I added bacon, so generously sprinkled on top. Not only aesthetically pleasing but completely delicious. Prices are quite reasonable. Carlin's is a little off the beaten path but definitely destination worthy. I'll be back for sure. Support Local!

Saw this place in the news where en employee came to the rescue of a customer being robbed so i decided to give them some business https://youtu.be/0h9uz6C1z6k?si=6MmH8jRewuqrMT9Q

The best lox bagel I have tried thus far! Nice place to sit and study while having breakfast, take advantage of the free WiFi

I recently read about barista Nick Grant's heroic act in preventing a bag theft at this café. It's truly inspiring to see such dedication and quick thinking from the staff to protect their customers. This incident highlights not only the exceptional service but also the sense of community and care that this café fosters. I can't wait to visit soon and experience this amazing atmosphere myself!

Love this place. The Golden Gate sandwich is amazing! Super friendly service, I would 100% come back

I saw this cafe on the news (Bravo! for stopping a thief!) and coincidentally our son lives down the street. Six of us went there yesterday. It was really good and the staff are super nice! made my bagel exactly how I asked for it. Our sons inhaled their food Lol... I'd totally recommend.

When you're in the area, make sure to visit this place. Great food and drinks, with very nice friendly staff. You will feel safe here. Very nice spot in the city to unwind. 10/10

I've never eaten there while living in SF but their employees sure go to the rug for their customers. These folks deserve lots of business and tips! Rock on with your bad selves!

Best sandwiches and coffee in town. The service is unmatched, and their "knuckle sandwich special" packs a real punch. literally. 10/10

Nick Grant is a true hero for the community, give him a raise, a fat bonus and a paid vacation. He went above and beyond to stop a robbery and risked his life. We see you Nick

A cappuccino and a chocolate croissant is a delicious way to start the day. I've also had their breakfast sandwiches/burritos and their deli sandwiches- all of the food and coffee is amazing. The staff is super friendly and have made Carlin's a great neighborhood spot.

A small cozy cafe on a corner in Valencia. It's quiet, there's wifi, and the coffee is not bad. Beware, once you enter, you might be greeted with the strong and lovely aroma of grilled cheese. Sandwiches are made on the spot and there are plenty of pastries to choose from too.

Nick Grant is an OG-- thank you for looking out for our community. Coffee was great and latte art on point!

Have the most amazing food here, the cashier is so friendly and really cares about the customers. Not many businesses in SF these days still making such good food and provide such a good customer service. The restaurant is very clean as well and the food is absolutely delicious.

Best sandwiches around. My favorite is the Lombard. A much needed addition to the neighborhood. Highly recommend for a quick bite.

Yes, we heard about the place from the news and yes we went there and had the pleasure of meeting Nick. Great Experience! Although we don't live near by but planning to go there as much as possible in the future.

I am changing my negative review because they improved their sandwiches! They make them in house now.

friendly neighborhood cafe on the corner of valencia and 14th street in san francisco. i had the breakfast sandwich, coffee and a blueberry scone. the food was really tasty, the staff friendly, great service, and very good price. i'll def be back. -Alan

A proper way, to make sandwiches. They take their time. The bread is soo good! (Try ciabatta!). Very family feeling & friendly. The Lombardi sandwich was soo good! (Try with no tomato!) This place simply makes you feel good! So calm in a busy city. The prices are so friendly. Nice & clean. Just A1 for a good sandwich spot in your back pocket. Try it!

Have not eaten here but impressed with the employee who took down the robber and saved a customer's bag from being stolen. A true hero! Seems like a lot of positivity in response to the now viral video.

For sure making this one of my stops when visiting my old stomping grounds in SF! I definitely will support this Barista who will show such care for a customer! Great Job!! Looking forward to trying there delicious coffees and enjoy the view and people of Valencia Street

I went to this shop for the first time to get some pastries, which were all fresh and very good. The guys who run the shop were so friendly. It felt like a local neighborhood place. While here I picked up a breakfast roll up. They don't make them on site and I wish they would because mine was not enjoyable. Because of the great vibe I would absolutely go back for coffee and pastry.

Never been here but I will be visiting next time in the area. Job well done Nick! Outstanding customer service.

A great corner cafe with coffee, fresh pastries, and WiFi. An excellent quiet place to get some work done in the morning.

I absolutely love Carlin's. I work in the neighborhood, this is the best thing that could have happened. I love the space and the natural light. It's so clean. I love that they also have the milk out for self serve with coffee. I absolutely love the equator coffee. The food is delicious. The staff is amazing and kind and thoughtful. The space is very down to earth and not pretentious. Thanks for opening!

The staff really goes above and beyond for their patrons. We need more Baristas Like Nick.

Nothing but love for Carlin's! Glad that they're back up and running. I've been to them half a dozen times already since they reopened. Solid crew working behind the counter - always so nice and friendly. The sandwiches need a little more pizazz, but they got solid drink options. Not a lot of seating and it can get pretty busy in there anyway if you were going to try and do work. Overall, a solid place to stop in for coffee or a snack.

I ordered a mocha. The mocha was so pretty and delicious! The friendly service by the barista was amazing!

It reopened!! It looks so cute! Maybe under new mgmt? Either way they revamped the interior and it feels like a lovely local spot. Way more light somehow. Very comfy padded seats. In the short time I was there (picking up a to go breakfast sandwich) it was bustling despite being the week of thxgiving & multiple ppl w cute lil dogs came in who seemed to know each other / the owner. We don't have enough cozy down home cafe type spots anymore -- most have been replaced by the minimalist bougie spots like sightglass. So I was glad to see this place reopen w such cute vibes.

Great neighborhood cafe! Used to come here regularly before the pandemic and then it closed down. Got the twin peaks sandwich and the sunset smoothie. Both were tasty.

Carlin's Cafe is such a great find in the neighborhood - their banana chai smoothie is a must anytime I'm in the area! Definitely check out their breakfast burritos if you need a quick bite in the morning too. A lot of tasty drinks and a great sandwich bar, my build my own salami sandwich never disappoints.

Visit Carlin's Cafe one of San Francisco's finest neighborhood gems. The owner and his friendly staff are always welcoming. The Matcha Tea Latte and Tropical Rain Smoothie are always on my order. Give Carlin's Cafe a try as it will become your favorite San Francisco gem!

It's connected to a laundromat, good real estate. I use the laundromat every weekend for my said job. The cafe is a nice change in atmosphere. And if your clothes are in the right dryer, you can see them from a connecting window inside the cafe. The usual food for a cafe and very reasonably priced.

This place is somehow interesting. They play classic Mexican music and the menu is pretty basic. They serve basic bagels doughnuts and sandwiches. They also serve several types of coffee. Something about the place is addictive and keeps me coming back. They serve a basic menu and the food is okay. Could it be that they're convenientlly located and reasonably priced it's nothing to rave about; however, they're alright.

I live right across the street from Carlin's; occasionally I come by to order a sandwich. One thing that's obvious is the Hispanic woman who runs the store gets a big grin when serving white customers but is surly to others. If you look at the reviews on Yelp, you'll see examples where Asians and blacks report rude service. Well, that's pretty much everyday at Carlin's. A simple example today: 1. White male customer: woman gets a big smile "Hello!" 2. Hispanic woman customer: woman talks in Spanish, is friendly 3. Young black male customer: woman doesn't look at him; doesn't say hello; looks to the side when it's his turn to order and generally looks angry 4. White female customer: woman smiles, "Hi" 5. Myself: woman glares at me (myself being Indian) This scene has repeated itself every time I've come here except also with black women, Asian women, Asian men, etc. It's almost comedic how consistent she is about it; she never misses a beat to degrade people of color and alternatively is consistently energetic and positive with people who aren't. I honestly feel like letting her know that bleaching her hair won't make her an 'honorary white' person but I'm guessing we're beyond that point. The sandwiches are sandwiches; nothing special. You may wonder why I come here despite this person's nature; it's usually when I'm working from home, overwork, and need something quick. Food-wise I'd avoid the fruit. I've found a few times that it's past expiration and moldy- including the yogurt/fruit combination.

Great corner cafe with laundromat attached. The staff is very friendly and attentive. Great coffee, some housemade salads, as well as other local foods available. Smoothies, and sandwiches are great as well.

I came to this small coffee place in a desperate search for breakfast - me and my two friends were pretty much starving and had had enough walking around. We just needed to sit down at the first place we saw, and this was it. Sadly, we did not find too many options here outside of bagels. As I did not fancy that (I was in the mood for some scrambled eggs), I had yogurt with berries and granola (they have some cups of these ready for you to grab). I also had a hot chocolate and both items were pretty ok, but nothing too special. The staff was quite nice and helpful, and the ambiance is not really remarkable or cozy, so I'd say Carlin's is more of a place for quick bite than anything else.

Stopped in for a quick lunch today; first visit. The cafe is clean, casual, and unassuming with a small sitting area. They have a nice display of fresh bagels and prepared salads, good selection of kettle chips and cold drinks. Staff was friendly and fast. I ordered a turkey and swiss with avocado on a sourdough loaf and it was excellent! The produce was fresh, the avocado was amazing and the bread was soft and toasted which was a nice surprise. Its a great spot for a quick bite or grab and go.

My favorite place to grab a sandwich in SF. I enjoy the Veggie on Dutch Crunch. It's full of avocado, pickles, lettuce, tomato, sprouts, cucumber and onion. It is a fat sandwich and full of flavor. It is bright and open with plenty of seating. Also, free WiFi. They have a big menu and a large variety of fruits, chips, smoothies and pre made snacks if you are walking by and need something quick.

Great neighborhood cafe! Came here for lunch and had a hot pastrami sandwich. It was so good! Service was fast, friendly, and welcoming.

The Hispanic woman with blonde hair is really rude and seems really racist and I'm not trying to pull the race card either all my Yelp reviews are 4 to 5 stars but this review is true to my heart I've seen this lady be rude to other customers who came in that were black and Latino. I thought I was tripping until I kept seeing it then I look at the Yelp review and see someone else report the same thing!! Avoid this spot if you choose to go then go on the weekend where the guy who works that time is super friendly.

I've been here twice for a quick bite, and it's alright. The sandwiches are okay or pretty good depending on what you get, but it's a little pricey for a simple sandwich that you could probably make at home. They do have Wi-Fi, but it's not really a place that I would want to stay to work or eat at by myself because I don't find it particularly cozy mor welcoming. Plus they never have any music playing, so it's almost awkwardly quiet at all times. Overall, it's best suited for a quick bite if you're in the area. Nothing more, nothing less.

Carlin's Cafe is unpretentious which I guess it would have to be since it's next door to an affiliated laundromat. Laundry to me has always been about dropping it off and paying by the pound. With this laundry/cafe format, I just might reconsider. The cafe is a completely separate space from the laundromat and is clean and inviting. Fresh fruit and pre-made food line the counter. The cafe appears to specialize in making sandwiches. I had the tuna melt which was made well with fresh ingredients. However, I think an $8 sandwich should at least include a pickle or a bag of chips. All I got was the sandwich. They also sell Kombucha which is a real plus in my book.

I used to like this place because of their bagels but their coffee is not so great. The guy that works here was always so nice to me but the hispanic lady with the blonde hair is RUDE as hell. She's hella mean!!! I came in this morning and there was a Hispanic guy in front of me and they were speaking spanish with each other and she was nice to him but when I was next she just looked at me she didn't even say anything like how can I help you? I ordered a bagel with cream cheese and avocado which cost $6...I was like DAMN after I ordered she took the rest of the 5 people's order that was behind me instead of making my order first so I ended up waited 15mins for my freakin $6 bagel. I ended up being late for work. I will never come back to this cafe. My boyfriend said he's gone there before too and the same girl was mean to him too. The girl is BITCH!! Go in and find out for yourself

This place is a hidden gem in my area. Carlin's is definitely not the sexiest cafe in the neighborhood (cough cough four barrel) but if you want to skip the pretentiousness, get some good coffee and some great smiles from a small local business, go here. Reasonable prices with friendly staff and delicious, hearty sandwiches. They can get a little crowded on weekday mornings but the line moves pretty fast. Their veggie bagel sandwiches are delicious and packed with vegetables. Their smoothies are also great, and you can add protein for a boost. They have a few seats here with wi-fi (I studied here in afternoons for the bar). Get their coffee with soy milk and the best crumbly alfajores I've ever had, and any of their delicious salads for lunch. They also have yummy breakfast burritos they will heat up for you and make sure you ask for their salsa.

Coffee tastes horrible! Don't know about everything else but if you are looking for a good cup of cafe, stay away.

Great little spot to grab a coffee on the go or sit down and enjoy a handmade sandwich or smoothie. Wonderful staff and very friendly service. This cafe is a popular place for students at the two schools on the block and the staff have often let kids stay after closing time so they have a place to hang out. They don't have any gluten-free bread or pastry items but they carry GF snacks. Such a great family feel and lovely neighborhood business.

I love this place. Great coffee, bagels, smoothies, salads, and sandwiches - plus so much more! The service is great and the WiFi is fast and reliable. If you ever get a bagel and like jalapeños I highly recommend the cream cheese since they are freshly diced!