Rockin’ Java Coffee House

TERRIBLE ESTABLISHMENT. What was once a wonderful, quirky place to drink coffee and people watch is now on par with 7 – 11. No, wait, I take that back. 7 – 11 has a better selection and has better prices.
The new owners should go back in time and stop themselves from buying Rockin’ Java. They RUINED it!

Hangin’ out around Haight Street can make a girl tired and cold especially when its raining, windy, and cold in SF. So what do we do to solve this problem? Get some hot chocolate, DUH! Well… the only thing that wasn’t that rockin’ about this place was the fact that there’s a $ 5 minimum when you pay with debit so plan on getting a pastry or payin’ for da homie’s coffee too.
There was a scary big mystery jar of what looked like sugar on the seasonings bar with the sleeves. Kind of looked like sugar but not really. Try smelling it and telling me what’s in the jar.

If you’re looking to grab a hot drink on your way in to Golden Gate park, this place works. The coffee is above average, the service is fast, and the prices are fine.
The problem, as others have mentioned, is the atmosphere. It feels «dirty» and the owners can come off as curt and grumpy. Honestly, I can’t blame them — the block is loaded with lowlifes looking for a handout, who I’m sure regularly wander in looking for a freebie or taking up space. That being said, it’s a better option than McDonalds or Happy Donut.
Get your coffee and get out, then you’ll be happy.

Update October 2010 (one star):
This place has taken a nosedive. I don’t know what the new owners did but whatever it was, they did a botched job of it. The cool, hip but at the same time, quaint coffeehouse and café of years past is long gone. Had I the cash and means to do so, I’d buy the place out and bring it back to it’s former glory and rehire new staff and find a decent caterer/​baker/​supplier for the foods as well as redo the décor, but i don’t and I can’t.
What a waste of potential given that it’s at one of the best areas in the Haight and right next to Amoeba Records!
Very sad to see what’s happened.

This place is pretty bad. I’d probably give it a 2 star review if I didn’t know about what it _​used_​to be, which was a 5-​star café that had a great homey feel to it.
Alas!

Very much a Meh from me. After wandering about the Haight post-​Bay to Breakers, we decided to have lunch here because 1. they were right in front of us and 2. they were not crazy crowded.
Prices are about average for a mediocre sandwich. We go up to order:
Me: What’s the soup of the day?
Response: No soup today.
Friend: Can I have turkey on wheat?
Response: No wheat today.
Friend: Ok, how about dutch crunch?
Response: No dutch crunch. We have sourdough.
Friend: Ok…
Me: Can I get a pastrami on sourdough with a side salad?
Response: We only have macaroni salad today.
Me: Ok…
Macaroni salad was not good, and the sandwiches were not what we really wanted. Maybe they were overwhelmed by the B2B crowd, or maybe they just never have anything in stock…

As many have commented, this place changed a lot from a few years ago.
On the good side, they have some good food, fresh-​squeezed juices, and the tea selection is fine.
But the atmosphere has been totally destroyed from what it once was… there’s no funny elevated cove in back anymore, and the piano has disappeared, and they play really loud, really bad hip-​hop and pop all the time. It’s kind of hard to create a nice café atmosphere when you’re pumping Beyonce, dude…
Anyway, I can’t complain too much because they take EBT (if you have the restaurant meals program) and it’s the only place on the Haight that does. So that’s cool that it’s an accepting place and is welcoming of class diversity.
But then, it’s very difficult to do anything but sit for a few minutes here. Unless you were looking for a dance club, in which case, this is actually quite ideal.

Wow, what a terrible café.
The coffee tasted awful. The person that took my order spoke to me in a language that was not English. The café was empty, except for people coming in and out to use the bathroom, such that I, the only paying customer in sight, had to wait forever to use it.
It’s too bad, this café used to be not so terrible.

My God, the horror or it all compared to what it once was.
This review is late, but when I was there the new owner was standing outside with his arms crossed looking rather perturbed. I peered past him and saw why. Empty, empty, empty — literally. I asked the guy behind the counter about what they serve now but his English and attitude was so poor I could barely understand him and ended up walking out.
I don’t know what the old owner was thinking or what happened, but this place is dead to me… and apparently to a lot of other people, too.

I’m kinda glad I decided to read the reviews of this place as it all makes much more sense to me now. Last time I hit up Rockin’ Java, it was your quintessential Haight coffee shop, with vegan friendly food, and a chilled out atmosphere to sit and have a cup of coffee and a bagel. I mentally marked it down as a place to return to next time I visited the Haight. Roll on a year or so…
As soon as I walked in, it felt different. Admittedly, I was drawn in by the piroshki sign, which I figured was new but heh, everyone needs a little piroshki in their lives, don’t they? But this was clearly under different ownership than the last time I past through these doors. It was… less hippy-​ish? Darker? Definitely not the cheery friendly place I was in last time.
I got a double snickers expresso. Too heavy on the almond syrup, it definitely is not the nicest coffee I have had. It wasn’t disgusting either, mind you — I’ve definitely had disgusting (starbucks, alemany — since closed). Mentally, this one has been crossed back off the list again.

It’s true. Rockin’ Java is no longer the quaint, quirky coffee shop of days past.
When I first moved to the city back when — most of my unemployed weeks were spent snuggled on one of Rockin Java’s back couches, munching on chocolate macaroons, while hunting down jobs on Craigslist and catching up with friends on Friendster (ahhhhh way back when).
But all good things must come to an end.
Rockin’ Java has been under new ownership for awhile now. And it shows. The staff seem high-​strung and as a reviewer pointed out — out of touch with the mellow, eccentric vibe of the Haight.
It seems to be a family run business now, which I’m all about supporting, but at the same time, this place just seems devoid of charm. There’s no longer colorful regulars around the place. There doesn’t seem to many any live music anymore. The place seems smaller. Cold. And the food is different. Basic. Loveless.
I hope this place finds it’s soul and heart again. Being located right by Amoeba — it would be such a shame to see such a classic location and once lively place — die a quiet and confused death.

This place used to be so cool. What happened?!
I went in and it was completely empty, all the tables were pushed against the wall, and a bored looking employed stood behind the counter. This was at 3 in the afternoon.
I ordered a chai, but what I actually got was hot water with foam on it. The single worst chai I have ever bought. I was tempted to even go back into the store and ask for me money back. It was awful.
If you want a drink and that’s the only place to go, just buy one of the bottled brands.

You can find me here just about everyday Thursday through Sunday. I work close by, and on my 1^st day of work I found myself wandering down Haight St and stumbling into here because it was close. I ordered a turkey sandwich… BAM! Delicious. Fresh cut turkey (thick and juicy), on great white sliced bread. They also give you a bag of chips or soup — all for about 6 bucks. I love this place — and I have had a turkey sandwich just about every day now.
This place could not be easier. They also have frozen yogurt!

Wow I really need to visit again. Evidently its become a pile of turd according to the reviews below. The rockin java I remember as my hs hangout had a piano, sofas, videogames and tasttty desserts and pies.
It was a hip place to be. How sad…

If I could change my rating to 0 stars, then I would.
Really?
REALLY?
it had such a rad atmosphere.

My journey to the Haight and Rockin’ Java was certainly eventful. It started in the Mission as I waited for the 33, where some dude was yelling into his cell phone ear bud thing. A little loud, a little obnoxious. Oh, and he’s getting on my bus and still talking. Awesome.
Now seated on the most crowded 33 ever, I’m lucky to be sitting in front of two people who would not stop making out. Like seriously, this is public transit, and if I can hear you kissing about all the noise (including previously mentioned cell phone guy), you are making out way too loud. Stop it.
And finally off the bus, along with the two people who were making out, but they are now strumming a guitar and yelling (or is that singing), trying to solicit spare change. Good luck with that.
Walking up to Rockin’ Java, I had to quickly dodge some dude spitting out the door of a convenience store, clearly oblivious to the world around him. Good thing I was not texting while walking, I managed to avoid it.
Finally, I made it. Lot of effort. Was it worth it? You bet.
I’d picked up lunch here before, enjoyed, always wanted to return for the granola and a coffee. Turns out the menu is a little misleading in that they don’t offer yogurt with the granola, so as they were making it up I left to find some. Passed the guitar players/​singers/​kissers, fortunately was not in the vicinity of more spit and ultimately found some at Haight Street Natural Foods. Made it back unscathed.
By this point I’m leaning towards three stars, but though I had to go get my own yogurt, I was actually pretty impressed. At $ 5, the portions was generous and came with fresh fruit, and I loved my coffee. Toss in the free Internet and elevated seating/​people watching spot in the back, and Rockin’ Java earns another star.
Assessment of the adventure:
33 — One star (a usual five star bus)
Guy talking — One star
Guitar players/​singers/​kissers — One star
Guy spitting — One star
Rockin Java — Four stars

If I were vegan, much more environmentally conscious, and were I not lucky enough to be able to hijack my neighbors internet I would give this place 5 stars.
I am not, in any uncertian terms, an animal loving dairy scoffing free range only don’t wear fur sewn together by kids in a third world country gal. If it was once breathing and is not a relative or pet I have no problem eating it (Starla, please don’t de-​fan me. I am kidding, really, I swear… cute cute little lamb, I would never ever eat you!).
That being said for me to eat a vegan product it has to be better than what you could produce by killing some poor innocent animal for my enjoyment. So, for all of my bleeding heart friends, just take me here and buy me a cookie and you will be saving some cute little chicken from certain death because they have Karas vegan cookies and they are fucking amazing! They also have vegan donuts and vegan other stuff but I’ll just take the cookie, thanks.
They provide free wifi, plenty of seating in a somewhat «dingy in an acceptable Haight street way» setting, pretty cool tunes playing most of the time, organic everything (which, as it was proved to me once again, means sort of crappy tasting coffee) and they are right next to the bus stop for those times when the nextbus monitor tells you you have precisely enough time to go grab a coffee because you were far too lazy, and preoccupied in the best possible way (whatever way that might be for you), to actually brew any of your own before you left the house at 2PM.

A friend once said to me, «Haight Street, the GREAT Street!».
It’s true.
Especially when you sit inside Rockin’ Java along the opened sidewalk windows and take it all in. For people that don’t know Haight very well, the area where RJ is located also contains the highest concentration of hippies, stoners, spangers, crust punks & loonies.
In the half hour I spent sitting by the window… sipping my Chai & nibbling on a poppyseed loaf, I was quite entertained. It started with some sort of skunky smelling smoke being blown in my direction, then a dude with a boom box blasting Kool & the gang walked by, someone walked up and asked me for change moments later & then a crazy guy walked up and stood about 2 feet from me at the window.
I just watched. He proceeded to pour himself a street side cocktail, and then realized he didn’t have enough Coke to go with his Captain. He walked inside, asked for free Coke from the Barista & was turned down. He freaked the F**K out! Started throwing a fit & got kicked out pretty quick.
I wonder if he ever got his Coca-​Cola? I hope so. Nothing worse than an improperly mixed sidewalk sipper.
I was here around 7:30pm, and they were no longer serving sandwiches or salad. Was bummed about that. And they close at 9pm, which kinda sucks.
But Guess what?
The Internets here…
FREE!
FREE!
FREE!!!
Woohoo!

Rockin’ Java reminds me of the set of a movie set in a coffee shop in early 1990’s Seattle.
It’s just like any other coffee shop in the city, I suppose. I first stopped in there when I took my parents on the obligatory tour of Golden Gate Park and Haight Street. I used to have a fine photo of Sparky flipping me off over a vanilla latte from here on my phone; but, then I got drunk, dropped that phone on the concrete at El Rio and had to buy a new phone. Sadness.
Yesterday I popped in there between dropping off an application at Amoeba and heading over to Bar Amir for dinner. I had a cup o’ coffee — they were out of half and half — le suck. But, they did have honey for my coffee. Cool.
On the plus side of Rockin’ Java they do have fair trade coffee, an extensive sandwich menu, a Pac Man table top game and Internet access (it would also appear that they are a free hotspot for those of us with laptops.) There is also a big, round, wooden table which looks like it belongs in my Mom’s kitchen — though there are no obligatory squashy couches or chairs. And, you can’t smoke in there. Oh well.
Here’s why they lose two stars from me:
–Star #1: I’m sitting there and a transient guy in a wheelchair comes in and begins spare changing the customers. The hipster manager dude kicks him out (sure, I understand — that’s gotta be annoying on Haight, right?) Then he yells at dude (who’s using his gangrened foot in a ratty cast to push himself out the door in his crack-​ass wheelchair:)
«Look, I know your life is shitty; but, GET THE FUCK OUT!»
He then walks back behind the counter and basically does the «hipster male ‘I’m cool’ bullshit posing» with the other cats working at Rockin’ Java.
Yeah, man — you showed him — tough guy.
Same guy, two secs later? Called a punker girl with a guitar who just bought a cup of coffee & tipped the him «a little bit grubbins» — she gave him death look as she took her coffee and left.
What a hipster douche.
–Star #2: Someone working at Rockin’ Java changed the CD playing from David Bowie to Supertramp.
DAVID BOWIE TO SUPERTRAMP
What the F?
For real.
WHO LIKES SUPERTRAMP MORE THAN BOWIE?
I can’t hang there, man. Dude, don’t change the CD from Bowie to *Stupidtramp. Come on!
Plus a small coffee was a buck fiddy. Boo. I can get a large coffee for that at Royal Ground. Boo.
It’s a convenient warm spot to stop for a few if you have to… but, I will never, never, NEVER go out of my way to take my laptop over there to spend an afternoon doing whatever it is that I do when I go to coffee shops with my laptop ( Unilocaling, homework, chatting with people on IM, dorking around on the ‘Net, etc.)
Never.
*Supertramp is okay, but not ever better than David Bowie. He’s Ziggy Stardust, people… few rockers out class Bowie in the rock pantheon. Mebee Lou Reed. Mebee. Only when he used to wear hella black eyeliner and look all heroin thin. Iggy Pop out classes Bowie, but only by a hair. One-​single-​tiny-​hair.

This coffee shop next to Amoeba Records is dark and cool place to hang out. Well, Matt is not so sure you wanna hang out at a coffee shop with your Rugrats, especially in the Haight.
Matt has been here a couple of times, and their specialty drink is the Banana flavor Mocha. The drink tasted like a Banana juice with Mocha. This drink is loaded with sweetness for $ 3.50. It is pretty good. Matt had the Depth Charge here before, and the drink was powerfully strong. The kids had a Odwalla OJ each and ate a tasty Lemon Bar. This place has Ms. Pac Man. So Matt played and entertained the kids, with his skilled of the video game. This place is a good place to chill, considering it is in the Haight.