The Other Alex Cafe

This business closed years ago and was replaced by the New Alternatives Café
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Secretly delicious.

I really like this café because it is quiet enough so that you can hear yourself thinking as you work on your computer or have a nice game of scrabble with a friend. Great coffee, tea, overall great menu. One small con I have noticed that my favorite pastry — humantash — has gone up in price and down in size — but I understand, in this economy.

Free internet and free computer use! I stay with a girlfriend who lives near The Other. She sleeps in way longer than me, so whenever I stay the night, I come here in the morning for fresh squeezed OJ, coffee, the paper and some internet. There are tables and chairs as well as couches to lounge on. And FREE refills on coffee when you have it there. It’s usually got a few other heads in there besides mine, but not ever crowded in the mornings. My girl says the food is a lot better now that it’s under new ownership in the last year. I’ve only ever had a bagel and cream cheese, coffee and the fresh juice. I like that I don’t have to lug my laptop to use internet and the comps they have for public use are fast. It’s a great place!

Great music, chill and quiet, non-​busy atmosphere. Tasty house coffee. Only complaint is that there’s just 2 hour parking in the neighborhood.

this is my favorite neighborhood place! the guy who works there is very sweet, the pastries up front are cheap, and every time i’ve gone they have given me free refills. also they have good vegetarian open-​faced bagels. i go here every saturday morning and its always very welcoming, never to crowded, i hang out all morning

Comfortable outdoor seating and pretty good coffee

I happen to be a big fan of this place. It is a great place to get work done because it is rarely busy, the wifi is strong, and there are actually electrical outlets for your laptop… a fantastic trifecta and a rarity these days. Basically you can comfortably sit there all day. Which I have done more than once.
Now as for the actual function of the place. As a coffee establishment it is decent. The coffee is pretty yummy and the food portions are large. Everything is fresh (another rarity these days in a coffee shop) and the selection is large.
All in all, if you are looking for gourmet coffee and food, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a nice place to hang out and get your work done while sipping on some coffee and crunching on some hummus… you have found a gem.

This place is very close to home and convenient for me to grab a cup of coffee before hitting the road. I’ve always been greeted promptly and the coffee is pretty good.
Today I stopped in to order a sandwich thinking it’d be a pretty basic ham & cheese deal, but I was surprised when I received it hot with some great fixins on it (sprouts, etc.). I’ll definitely be making this place a regular lunch stop.

What I like about this café is that it is not over crowded. You don’t feel like you will not find a seat. The food is a bit pricey, and I don’t really like how it’s decorated in the inside: graffiti sketches, It’s just all over the place. BUT, I like that it doesn’t feel like a day care. There are some cafes on church st. that are overcrowded with noisy kids and strollers. This one is so mellow, and you can actually concentrate on your work!!! I don’t hate families, but when I buy a beverage and a dessert, I get real pissed when there is no where for me to sit! My absolute favorite thing about this café is that it is open until 10pm on weekdays! That is so convenient for me!!! Also, the staff is really nice!!! And the atmosphere is really calm!

I feel I have to give 5 stars to balance the very negative initial review. I go here regularly and have been provided with consistent results on the items I’ve ordered.

The complaints below seem indicative of a new emerging place. I thought the staff was capable and friendly… and yes, uncertain. So?
Espresso was great and I have yet to try an actual meal. It is standard café fare, so I doubt it deserve scrutiny.
The décor is a curious choice. I get the whole «street art inside» idea, but perhaps it conveys further chaos and confusion because it is not soothing on any level. From a business owner vantage… i would change it.
I say we give them time to pull themselves together.

Bad food. Bleh. They use good teas though, and coffee is not bad. I’m tempted to give it 3 just because it’s a pleasant enough place to work, free wi-​fi. Convenient to my apartment. But… the food is just so mediocre, and the employees always seem confused (about whether what I’m ordering exists on their menu; about the price of things…)

I had a fine experience today. I am not a super regular customer of TOAC or the previous iteration, but I live in the neighborhood so I stop in for a coffee on occasion.
TOAC doesn’t provide much in terms of ambiance, though it looks like they are working on it given the new mural art and décor. The menu is the same as the old Java, only with the addition of many different Eastern European pasties that are VERY reasonably priced (I sampled one of the $ 1 large strawberry hamantashen).
This is a fine place to stop in for a light meal or cup of coffee. There is free wi-​fi and I think there are also two free desktop computers for use. Also board games.

Great omelets, free internet, consistent, good prices.

Revolting. There were plastic fly traps at the counter where I ordered. I dumped the coffee down the drain on my way home, it reminded me of vending machine coffee. The milk and sugar station was sticky and dirty. As the sole customer, I was noticed but ignored by the mirthless employee who couldn’t even muster a greeting. The pastry cabinet was about 10% full on a Sunday morning, while most items had crumbs and corners falling off, parchment paper sliding down the front. The décor looks like a six year old was handed magic markers and aerosol cans. The paint is peeling and the floors were sticky. All around gross. I wouldn’t buy a newspaper here, let alone something I’d ingest.

My new favorite local café… I never stopped in when it was Cup-​O-​Java. for some reason it was never very inviting. But, with the «Grand Opening» sign, I decided to give it a try. It’s very cozy with couches and tables, along with free wireless internet. The food is good, with a large menu and plenty of homemade pastries. I hear the smoothies are delicious.
My favorite part though is its quirky character. This is definitely no Starbucks! There’s colorful artwork painted all over the walls and, well, most surfaces in the place. Spirals, lines, splashes of paint here and there… even some buttons and pieces of glass to spice things up. And, best of all, they provide a cup of pencils and pens, along with a large pad of paper to create your own artwork! Ahh… sipping coffee, doodling, and lounging on a big comfy counch… can’t beat that on a Sunday afternoon!
Only thing that could be improved is the service. It’s quick. but sometimes a little cold and uninviting. Nothing much to complain about, but some of the baristas could stand to smile just a little bit more :)
Still, this is definitely my new spot!

This café currently has a bit of an identity crisis. The exterior signs and receipt still says Cup-​O-​Java, but the C-​O-​J Unilocal page announces the name change (
) and the new owner told me in person they have registered the new name. So even though there isn’t visual proof yet, I think this calls for a fresh Unilocal start.
And judging by Unilocal of the previous régime, they could use one. Reviews weren’t stellar. I didn’t quite know what to expect. But I tend to go in with an open mind and expecting the best. That’s what I got.
Everything I ordered was outstanding. First was the parfait, which was so big it could not be contained to a mere bowl. The lady helping me sliced up quite the medley of fresh fruit — strawberries, bananas, mangoes, cantaloupe, even a few orange slices — topped it with granola and a side of yogurt. It took a dinner plate to hold it all.
My latte was equally as large. Perhaps it was because I didn’t take it to go, my nonfat milk, sugar free vanilla caffeine goodness was served steaming hot in a massive mug. It felt like I paid for one but drank two.
Finally, completing the massive trifecta, the turkey on dutch crunch was just awesome. Generous portions of meat were complemented by equally generous portions of veggies. It was love at first bite.
Everything was reasonable priced, and served with the friendliest of smiles where I was sitting.
My only complaint was the seating could be upgraded (not too comfy) and I could have used brighter light while taking advantage of the free wifi. Good thing I was distracted by so much delicious food.
I hope the new owners do well, and patrons of the previous management give them another shot. It would be well deserved.