Torque Coffee

Today I stopped by this coffee shop on my friend’s recommendation. We decided to try the coffee, and I had an iced latte. Honestly, I really enjoyed it — the coffee was great. They also have a large selection of coffee beans available for purchase — different kinds and sizes of Arabica beans you can brew at home. There are also lots of accessories and various drinks for sale. I liked the atmosphere. The only downside is that there aren’t many seats — just five small tables inside and a couple more outside. But overall, space was enough. The coffee truly stood out — high quality and delicious. One of the best I’ve had in the city. I’m happy to recommend this place to everyone. The service was quick and pleasant, and my overall experience was nothing but positive. I’ll definitely be coming back again and again.

I ordered a large Palo Santo latte with gluten free oatmilk. The coffee was rich and creamy but lacked the little foam. It was nothing extraordinary but it was good. I've tried going here a few times before but parking is difficult to find. Today I found parking so i stopped by. Although it was good. I dont think I will be coming back. I can find this grade of coffe in many other coffee shops. I give it a 3.7 out of 5.

Third time coming in here! Ordered an espresso and a cortado of their Anaerobic Natural Costa Rica Black Diamond this morning, and the whole order was absolutely delicious it hit all the flavor notes! Torque Coffee is the place to go if you’re looking for a specialty espresso or pour-over. Shoutout to Michelle & Taylor, who show such care and attention to detail that’s rare to find it truly comes through in both the taste and presentation (they even preheat the SPRO cup if you’re ordering in-house!). It’s easy to see why Torque is a neighborhood favorite — I always look forward to my next visit!

Great lil vegan cafe! Everything is sourced intentionally or made in-house. Their seasonal spring drink has a plum and strawberry reduction and is best iced. Coffee beans and honey for lattes is sourced from a Guatemalan farm, and 20% of each cup goes back to the farmers. No extra cost for alt milk. Plus ft. local artists’ merch! My latte was a tad too sweet for me but prob what everyone else would like. A great buttermilk biscuit (housemade is so much better) and delicious tomato jam on my Brik brekkie biscuit. Breakfast food options on the smaller side. Love the staff and the music taste 🤘🌿

Lowkey coffee shop with the coolest vibes. Great service and awesome espresso selection. Although we were just stopping by in the area, I will definitely take note to revisit next time! Highly recommend the figgy pudding. Thanks guys!

It was my first time in and had a lot of questions, but the baristas were both very kind, patient, and knowledgeable. They helped me order a drink for my friend (banana bourbon latte) and she was super satisfied. I got a Sparkle Party (best drink name EVER) with Palo Santo honey and it was fantastic. The barista on bar(apologies for not asking your name) had a true understanding and appreciation for the flavor notes in the different roasts and paired them perfectly with our drinks. As a former barista of 18 years, 10/10 recomended. Great atmosphere and best coffee I have had in years!

I got the Thrilli Vanilli which tasted like coffee flavored water with a little bit of fall spice walked by the drink. Very poor. My friends got an espresso and an iced latte which I tried and were infinitely better than my drink. Those redeemed my pretty poor beverage. I will give this place another try though.

My macchiato was delicious and it's a great place to sit and enjoy a coffee. Great cold brew too. Staff were super friendly and are obviously passionate about great coffee. They have a ton of beans, teas, and elixirs to take home as well. There's a fun vending machine with random stuff in it, with some items by local artists! Torque is a must try for coffee lovers!

Great service and great coffee! So many selections and the price is great. Tried the bombon bean and it was fire!

Came here on Sunday as a meet up spot with a photo group (check them out on ig: sdwalkabouts)! I got here around 10:20 am and there wasn't any line which was nice and surprising considering how many people were outside. The man that greeted me at the front was nice and patient, he showed me the menu. It was well organized and I think there's something available for everyone that comes. In addition, my friend ordered a cappuccino and said it was spectacular. My other friend, who doesn't drink coffee, got a chai and said it was good as well. Although I already planned to order the same drink as last time. Redemption arc!! I chose to go with $6.46, Iced 10oz Banana Bourbon Latte with Dairy, for here. The glass they served the drink in was truly so pretty and had a nice weight to it. The drink was completely chilled like they had it in a shaker, creating a delicate foam and then they put a banana chip on top of it! So cute, I love it. The taste this time around was not acidic & I'm not sure which beans they used. I know there were choices (which both sounded amazing), but the guy working chose for me. The banana bourbon part was subtle, but still there. I'm used to more of a punchy banana notes in my lattes. This was good a solid 4/5. Next time I'd get the vanilla lavender latte probably! They had great music, wall was lined with their own beans and detailed notes about it. They had some shirts available for purchase. The space was clean and seats were comfy. Still liked how JJBA was basically everywhere, I sent it to my cousin who was practically yelling where is this place?! She loved it! There was a lot of us, and while the place looks small -- it can hold a good amount of people inside and outside! I'd recommend coming here, especially if you enjoy the opportunity to choose which beans are used in the drink of your choice. I think that is a fun addition to ordering your coffee (:

I'm thankful to have this spot so close to my apartment in North Park. I'm a black coffee drinker and had an amazing cup today (Bombón single-origin from Columbia). The specialty cups are necessarily me and my wife's vibe so far, but they love and care they put into the coffee is real. The service has also been very good. I picked up some beans today, and while there wasn't a roasting date on them they tasted fresh in my pourover. I appreciate their transparency with their beans and their efforts - very cool. It's clear that they know their stuff and that they genuinely care. The decorations aren't my vibe but that's more of a preference - I think most people will be into it.

May have found my new favorite coffee shop! Torque coffee has all the things you would want in a cafe... cute interior with pops of color (looking at you, sad beige coffee shops), a thorough coffee menu with fun food options, and of course quality coffee. I love that you get the option to choose what kind of espresso you'd like, you don't really see that in SD. I went with the Palo Santo Honey Latte which was delicious - super coffee forward with a hint of earthy sweetness. I'd definitely like to return to try the food too.

Came for their one year anniversary party (congratulations!) and they were giving out samples of their pastries and coffee. My partner and I both got the cold brew. Mine with the banana bourbon syrup and milk. His with Palo Santo honey and oat milk. They were both super smooth and the flavors were delicious and unique. Service was also so friendly. This feels like such a neighborhood place. Happy to support a small business!

This small establishment is a coffee lovers dream. The barista was knowledgeable and I decided to do an iced americano with Palo santo honey. Because it was free shot Friday I tried a Bahire espresso shot (notes of grilled pineapple, black currant, and red wine). Superb! This welcoming coffee house is all about building knowledge and has an abundance of socially conscious coffees for sale where they know and share who the farmers are.

my friends invited me to join them for Torque's 1st anniversary party. the coffee was free, the music was playing and everybody was extremely nice. I am surprised I've never been here and I already want to go again and take my bf lol. in this day and age with hundreds of coffee shops around town it is actually hard to find decent tasting coffee-good service-good pastry combo coffee shop, but I am glad this is +1 in my list of new favorites

i've been wanting to come try Torque since i moved to the area, finally got around to it today and i wasn't disappointed! service was great. the inside is so cute and cozy. i am particular about my matcha and i assumed from their site that i'd love it and i was correct - it's great! got their beans for home to try and i can't wait. i'll be back very soon!

I got a bag of fresh roasted coffee beans and they were fantastic! I made a few esspresos and the flavor was perfect! I also had an amazing cup of coffee there, soo good! And of course I had to also try their pastries, i got the biscuit and it was delicious! For those searching for authentic fresh coffee shop, this is a must try!

I had to come back to leave another review after trying what I think is one of the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever had. The VcGRIDL sandwich is absolutely DELICIOUS. I am so surprised I liked it this much considering I'm not usually the type to mix my sweets with savory. First off, the Belgian waffle was made to perfection. What fully blew me away was that fact that this is plant based! I'm not vegan/vegetarian but I legitimately could not even tell that I was eating something plant based. I also tried the palo santo honey latte. This was a really unique tasting coffee and it wasn't too sweet, which is how I prefer it. The palo santo gives the coffee a very Smokey flavor. In a way it reminded me of drinking a cocktail with mezcal in it- but the coffee version. I've never had anything like it. This coffee shop is really special. The people who work here are so lovely and you can tell they are passionate about what they do. I can't wait to come back and try out more things on their menu!

Came across this place by a Google search and glad I randomly do searches so I can find new coffee shops or reminders of places I've been meaning to try out. This place caught my attention for the vegan options offered. I ordered the VcGRDL waffle sandwich and the figgy pudding (warm) coffee. The sandwich was good you couldn't tell it was vegan. They do put syup in the sandwich so if you don't like super sweet for breakfast food maybe ask to put a little syrup. The figgy pudding coffee I wasn't a fan off. Coffee was definitely present, but had a bitter taste to it. Not sure what flavor I was expecting with a spiced fig coffee, but I didn't taste fig. Service was amazing and the barista very helpful and patient with my questions. Place is dog friendly and even has a vending machine that contains doggy treats. Awesome neighborhood gem that I plan to come back to try other options. Also, they are participating in the Boulevard Coffee Tour in which you visit/purchase coffee from the participating locations (stamped on a passport card) that enters you into a drawing to win different prices.

I have driven by this place over a hundred times since it's on my way to work. It's a real gem...not a hidden gem...because it's right there on El Cajon! There are some parking spaces in front and I just happened to score one! Friendly staff! Nice warm inviting space! I took my time looking over their menu and settle on the Palo Santo....sooooooo effing delicious!!! I also grabbed two of the southern biscuits, and if they have them, GET THEM! Have them warmed up too! I also got a chocolate mini loaf, so good! This was a great way to start my morning! They also have some tables on the sidewalk which is nice! Definitely worth coming to!

There was a total of three of us. We love the rotating menu because we get a chance to explore and try new flavor profiles. They have their cult classics too. Today I ordered: "Via Dell'Amore Espresso + milk, strawberry & plum compote, citrus zest. Named after the world's most romantic walkway in Italy, this drink will take you on a journey of coffee love." AND I'm in love...how can a compostable cup be filled with such happiness and sings magic in my mouth. Other drinks ordered: Lemon Shrub based drink & Kyoto Love. All in all, the coffee establishment is at an all time high vibes explosion!!! Great, engaging, and super friendly staff members & strong espresso drinks--no fluffiness; straight to the point.

My favorite local roaster because of the way they source coffee and the values they represent. I feel safe here as a Palestinian.

First off, what a cool little joint! It was so cozy that it's hard to believe it's all brand new! Loved the local art and the vending machine. Now for the coffee... I really enjoyed what I got! I had their banana bourbon with oatmilk and an extra shot, and it REALLY hit the spot! So yummy! My partner got their lavender drink which I had a sip of and also liked, but the banana bourbon was a 10/10! Service was also great, barista there were so friendly! We love supporting local businesses so we will definitely be back! Welcome to the neighborhood Torque!

Such a great experience! A cozy little shop with an amazing variety of freshly roasted beans. The roast dates are easily visible on the bottom of each bag and there were about 10-12 coffee variety's available! The barista was incredibly friendly and he prepared my drink very quickly - it tasted delicious! I would definitely stop back in for more fresh beans and a coffee! There's maybe 10 seats in there and they were all full so it might be tricky to grab a spot to work from the cafe, but other than that, it's an ideal spot!

This was probably one of the more interesting spots I've been to in awhile. It's small, but they have some cute merchandise and decor, like their vending machine with the most interesting variety of items. Lol Their menu was very different so we had a lot of questions, and the baristas were super helpful and friendly. I got one of their signature items, the Paolo Santo Latte, which was really good! So good I ended up going back a few days later to get it again! We also tried some of their pastries, which were really good. On my second visit, I did try their street fighter, and cherry head, and all I'll have to say, is you must drink these with a very open mind. It's really hard to describe the experience except to say, do not be expecting coffee that tastes like coffee. Overall I really like this place for its great service, and unique selections, and will definitely be coming back.

Torque is a little coffee shop with a variety of coffee drinks, food, and daily specials pairing a drink and food item together. There were two customers seated when we stopped by but the two people behind the counter were distracted with whatever was going on back there. We had to repeat our order twice and weren't sure if we'd get what we ordered. Turns out we did. I ordered a hot figgy pudding latte which wasn't overly sweet but had hints of date, fig, and was cardamom forward. My husband ordered a large palo santo honey latte which he really liked (I wasn't a fan). I then ordered the souther biscuit warmed. The flavors were great, a bit chewy to be called a biscuit but a good roll. The vending machine with fun things to purchase is cute, they have a few tables to sit at, and sell beans and swag. They are eco friendly forward and I appreciated the cups and lids. Overall a pleasant visit and worth checking out.

Great coffee and matcha! Lovely workers as well. The place is very cozy, and I plan to return when I'm in the area next.

Love the idea to offer a build your own adventure coffee! With your choice of matcha or espresso and the amount of milk I thought was an amazing idea. Especially on days you want to change up your ratio. I tried the smoked Lucas, half sweet and it was quite tasty. Not too sweet and a little bit of a spicy kick which was very different for a coffee. The staff was super friendly and I loved the aesthetic inside, funky but welcoming, with some tables to sit and work as well as coffee bags and matcha for sale. Will definitely be back!

Torque Coffee has one of the best coffee in San Diego. I found this place by chance while I was driving down El Cajon Blvd. This coffee shop has an incredible vibe and the staff were amazing. They treated you like a VIP and you could tell that they loved their coffee. I ordered the Palo Santo Honey latte and it was delicious. I'm definitely coming back and will make this one of my go to coffee shops going forward.

Good vibes! Really chill, nice staff. Wish there were a few more coffee options but overall would HIGHLY recommend, you can't go wrong here!

The Walkabout App brought me in and I'm so glad it did because I feel like I discovered a hidden gem. I tried the palo santo honey latte and it was delicious. I also really enjoyed the vibe and friendly customer service. Highly recommend!

What a coffee gem! I found this place due to ClassPass and am happy I did. I have tried their cortadito and their palo santo, both executed perfectly. Both balanced very well with milk and sweetness, and espresso was smooth. They have a wonderful and robust selection of interesting beans, and chill atmosphere. Best of all, they use biodegradable cups. Really cool spot, highly recommended for any coffee lovers. Staff and service are conventional, not unfriendly but also not necessarily friendly, and space is small, but cute and well decorated.

Feeling slow and Need a caffeine fix? Torque Coffee opened shop recently offering coffees, teas, drinks and goods. Located in an area that's a tad rough, as this side of El Cajon Bl has many auto repair shops but Torque is a welcomed addition to the neighborhood, which will slowly improve with new businesses. Limited street parking. Upon entry, I was greeted cordially by the staff; the owner Andy and his son, along with Taylor the barista were friendly and cool. A bench outside and limited indoor seating available. The space inside is smallish and the decor is basic not fancy, perhaps good for work/study session. Not much pastries offered; only their 'Torque' branded sugar cookie and muffins which looked burnt :( Wish there was more baked goods offered. A double espresso with Palo Santo infused honey caught my interest and that's what I ordered. The barista was nice and served it in a demitasse ceramic cup and saucer, which was a nice touch. This espresso tasted bold, smooth, not acidic and the Palo Santo was like a smokey vanilla note, gave me a caffeine perk. So if you're feeling sluggish slow, you're in the area and need more than a caffeine perk, this coffee shop has the coffee drink with force, Torque!

Yes! Torque Coffee is finally open. I stopped in and had a great cortado. The cortado was super rich and robust in flavor and with a smooth finish. I was a great roast, for sure. I especially liked that they served it on a solid vessel, as it should be. They offer inside and outside seating and plenty of coffee products for sale for home brewing. Torque Coffee supports farmer equity and is carbon positive, which is always a good thing these days. The service was super friendly. Only street parking is available at this location.

Ok. Here I am in San Diego again posting another review. So much great food and coffee here which pleases my taste buds. Torque Coffee is where we ended up because we were close. Amazing pastry. Great taste without the extreme sweetness you find at other shops. Coffee is amazing and the folks there are extremely friendly. Quaint space which ties in nicely to the coffee scene. Go get you some and try to prove me wrong.

Super cute vibe! I love the syrup selection and the vending machine! Adorable little place!

I had a great experience here. The two employees who helped me gave excellent recommendations. The coffee I ordered, something not even on the menu, was unique, delicious, and beautifully presented. The interior is super cute with plenty of seating, and I was also able to bring my dog, which was a nice bonus.

Bourbon banana is great!! Great coffee & vibes! Great customer service! :) already came back for the same coffee 3 times lol

I think this is my new favorite local coffee shop. Off El Cajon Blvd. By the Church's chicken, it's a hidden gem with some interesting concoctions. I've gotten the Palo Santo latte, dirty chai latte and the dark mocha so far. Pleasantly surprised by the dark mocha, you only taste the dark chocolate in the after taste so it was perfectly balanced. Pictured is the Gao Rosa Shrub mocktail. It's bubbly and herbal. My partner usually likes iced teas and not sodas so this is a great alternative. I love the little burritos (not pictured). It's a nice snack for the morning. The toast of the avocado toast was okay BUT that "bitchen" sauce was like a spicy sriracha. Very good. Not the same as Bitchin sauce in the stores. There is a fun vending machine from bizarre bazaar vending and I got some socks for $5. They have lots of fun things in there and change it out seasonally. Overall, super fun spot for a coffee date or a quick cup to go.

Torque has really excellent coffee. You can tell they put time and care into their drinks. Their coffee tastes of the highest quality and flavors really come through. They aren't just selling you a cup of milk with some coffee.

Palo Santo Latte Excellent service Ginger shrub Drip selection was amazing Brunch deal on Saturday and Sunday :) Parking can be a challenge but definitely worth it! I'll be back soon :)

Best latte of my life, hands down. I've always liked a more tangy latte, really hard to find a well done light roast coffee. The vibes we up, music was fire, staff was intimidatingly cool. Flavor profiles and creativity with the drinks was amazing!

I had a chance to check out this coffee spot. From the outside you don't think much. But when you go inside its a nice little spot. Does get busy, but the coffee is really good. Pretty strong which I love. Not too expensive. Also banana bread is really good but is on the sweet side. Recommend it if you like sweet stuff/banana bread. My favorite part about here was the interaction I had with Taylor. She knew the menu well, she was so delightful and helpful. Her customer service skills are top notch. She made my first experience here very memorable. I really appreciate that level of service even if it is just simply serving a cup of coffee. She's terrific. I would definitely come back. Parking here is not horrid. The coffee shop is on a busy street but parking is available.

I can not say enough about this spot. If you love quirky, fun, and fabulous this is the spot for you AND ME the bad ass baristas are wonderful humans, fast and efficient with flare. I'd share a pic of the food but sadly I wolfed it down already if that doesn't spell tasty I don't know what does! You won't be disappointed.

Im pleasantly surprised with their coffee here! The quality of their beans is so good with the right amount of acidity. The staff here was super nice. The girl that helped me out was very sweet. They even have a fun vending machine with fun mystical knick knacks and zoltar fortunes!

I got the southern biscuit and an iced latte with pal santo syrup and they were delicious! The service was great and they were patient and friendly! The inside is super cute and the music was nice!

Torque is a great new shop with great coffee, a friendly staff, and a nice artistic vibe. It's one to try and may just be a new regular favorite.

This place is fucking rad. Dope baristas, awesome local art, and super freshly roasted coffee. Get the palo santo latte- so unique and delicious. They use compostable coffee cups start to finish. It's our favorite!

Very welcoming staff and cool vibe. Lots of things to look at. They have a bizarre bazaar vending machine with a free fentanyl test kit and star wars socks. Ole was very friendly. Haven't had my coffee yet but I'm sure it will be awesome.

I love this little neighborhood gem! The coffee is awesome, with tasty roasts, unique flavors, and creative craft drinks. The food is good too! I especially like the biscuits - they have a great airy texture with good moisture, and a nice crunch on the outside. I live nearby and have regularly patronized Torque since they've opened. It has been cool to see how they've cultivated a very welcoming atmosphere. The staff is always sooo friendly and so are the patrons. Every time I'm there, people from the neighborhood are often casually chatting and exchanging pleasantries. Feels like a real 3rd place in the community around El Cajon Blvd where there aren't a ton of other places like this in walking distance.

Coffee was amazing. Stopped in and got Palo Santo coffee Orange Blossom lattes so good. Owners are super cool and chill. Will come back for sure high recommend.

This is my favorite local spot, I walk here in the mornings several times a week for a drink & brief chats w/ the baristas. The staff is awesome, & the atmosphere is very well curated. I've lived on this block long enough to remember this building as a dilapidated eye-sore, so to say I'm grateful for Torque being here is an understatement. They've played a large role in cleaning up the neighborhood, & having great coffee & veg food within walking distance is a blessing. Also, the Americano being recently changed to the Mexicano is hilarious. To the owner - please don't ever capitulate to those who wanna gripe about a harmless joke! They can always drink BRC instead :)

By far one of the most underrated coffee spots in SD. I honestly wished I would have known about this place sooner because their lattes are some of the best I've had in SD. Taylor is such a Gem of a barista. For sure coming back!

GREAT COFFEE. BETTER PEOPLE. NO ICE. banana bourbon latte is to die for. also for the earthy flavor lovers the palo santo honey is fantastic. 10/10

A sweet experience filled with vegan friendly sweets and savories along with quality coffee including my personal favorite, the Espresso Tonic (by which I mean any espresso or cold brew with tonic or topo chico).

Attention to details, the care for the craft, and and the kind and informative service are only a small part of why this place deserves five stars.

Got their flower child coffee drink (similar to a cold brew) and it's delicious! Perfect amount of sweetness and it's super refreshing on a summer day. I randomly walked into this coffee shop and I'm pleasantly surprised!