Well Grounded Tea & Coffee Bar

What can I say about El Cerrito’s original indie coffee shop? Truly mom-and-pop owned, Well Grounded is the community living room for so many of us. You can’t pop in without running into someone you know and love. The staff is consistently friendly, and I especially appreciate that they employ local high school students. It feels good to support a place that’s clearly invested in the next generation. I always order a dry cappuccino, and this is the only café around that actually knows what that means and delivers a proper, stiff foam every time. On top of great coffee, they host genuinely fun community events like annual paella parties, Oktoberfest, and regular board game nights. Well Grounded is one of those rare places that’s more than a café. It’s a cornerstone of the neighborhood.

Amazingly wonderful breakfast/brunch spot. Although the menu is limited, comma their offerings are gourmet quality and exceptional . Attached gift and novelty shop blew me away. Found the same wee leather change purse that I’ve been searching for for the last three years. Fell you’re love with this place and Jenny the proprietor is a charming dear ❣️

I’m honestly surprised this place has 4 stars? The cafe itself is a cute little hole in the wall. It's small, has limited seating, books to read, pretty simple, I loved it. What I expected and what I received was night & day. What ruins it is the service and food. When I walked in I wasn't greeted, honestly the staff was pretty awkward. They don't ask you how you're doing, and don't make you feel welcomed. I ordered an iced chai latte with avocado toast & a sunny side egg. My drink came out first and it was literally just milk with a little bit of chai flavor. The toast followed and it was literally the saddest meal I've seen, definitely not worth $16. There was barely any avocado to begin with, and they tried to cover it up with putting too many slices of tomato. They don't season their food, it was very bland, not even a little bit of salt & pepper was added! Again, for $16, you should do more than just light avocado, tomato slices and "Larrupin" sauce, not sure what that was anyway. When I returned it and said they forgot the egg, they gave it back with a food item that literally felt like rubber, which is what is in the second picture. I picked it up and it was felt similar to the putty that kids play with. My 1 year old was very hungry so I really tried to find something worth eating in it but I couldn't. She was crying since I had to return it-which was the worst part. I felt terrible. The girl behind the counter said this was how they made their eggs..fine, but why not mention that when I specifically said, "either sunny side or over easy is okay" No ounce of love was put into my order and it definitely looked/tasted like it. Save your money, and go elsewhere.

We haven't stopped going to WELL-GROUNDED since we discovered it. We tend to stick to the lifeguard which is a delicious and simple bagel on the 'secret' menu. We also get the vanilla latte with oatmilk. They make a swell Vanilla Latte.

Editing my review to reflect improved service. There was a prompt response from the owner, and apparently new processes implemented behind the counter to ensure that the same problem was less likely to happen. They seem to be on top of the problem. Leaving the original review below for transparency, and to show what has been improved upon. --- I had a pretty terrible experience the first (and hopefully, only) time I went here. To be fair, it was early in the morning, and maybe it was a new hire, but I didn't get what I paid for, and I didn't have the time to go back. I ordered bagels with spread (one hummus, and one cream cheese). I received two bagels without any spread, and one was squished and awful (see attached photo). There were several people waiting, and the person serving the coffee didn't know whose coffee they were serving. "I've got two drinks here for.... someone.... ." To be fair, it's just coffee and bagels. However, they're coffee and bagels I paid $12.00 for, with a tip; I should actually get what I ordered, and not have to hope I didn't get someone else's drink.