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City's Best

Urban Grind   

3799 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92103
619-299-4763
www.urbangrindsd.com

Rating: 3 out of 5  (13 Ratings)   Read Reviews (13)    Rate and Write a Review

If brown is the new black, then urban cafeterias are the new coffeehouses, which is exactly what popular Park Boulevard java joint Urban Grind has become. Local entrepreneur Tim Hagan took a huge leap of faith reinventing the local coffee fixture, but his risk has paid off in the gaggles of patrons swarming to sample the eatery's metropolitan take on classic American cuisine. Its quasi-industrial space has been updated with hip modern decor, pop art, rows of belly bars and cafe tables, stone columns, funky metallic accents, WiFi access and a cushy lounge area perfect for all those early-morning crossword junkies. The menu's flair for the imaginative is an epicurean spin on traditional comfort eats. Daily specials include the Trailer Park, chicken-fried steak smothered in sausage gravy, kicked up a notch with white wine and mushrooms. A selection of egg scrambles like the El Caliente -- eggs, lean Polish sausage and lumps of sharp cheddar cheese drizzled in a fiery hot sauce -- pair nicely with a vast medley of loose-leaf teas and specialty espresso drinks that come hot, iced or blended, leaded or unleaded. Fresh chopped salads, ciabatta paninis, sloppy joes, pasta dishes and a decadent mac and cheese with spicy sausage round out the menu. Beer, boutique wines by the glass and an array of French-style desserts make this coffeehouse crossbreed an ideal destination for the metro-minded.

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13 Ratings and Reviews

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tmaybs
Review rating 1 out of 5
Since when is it OK to...
By tmaybs on 07/07/2007
Their biggest problem is with the rude employees. There is one and ONLY one that I always get above average service from (keep up the good work Mike). Not one other employee qualifies as acceptable. Even if the food is terrible, drinks not as expected, etc., customer service can most times make the difference but UG does not get a passing grade on this one. Responses such as , "we don't have time for that," or, "that's just the way it is" I feel is unacceptable. Hiring people that have "the look" is great for a coffee shop atmosphere but the problem here is the entitled attitude that employees have in knowing they're getting paid to be rude to customers. Must be nice to have a job that allows. I used to be a daily customer but no more UG. Sayonara.
user image
Review rating 2 out of 5
Change is not always good
By hotendtop on 01/17/2007
What used to be a cool hanging place became another sterile environment reminishent of any of the starbucks that are now the only other choice of coffee house in Hillcrest. Sad. Even the coffee now taste as bitter as the starbuck brew. Why does every one and every business try to fit in when it's great to stand out... I miss the old urban grind, but fortunately I found another spot with good coffee and food and still with that casual, lived in, not sterile feel, with non matching chairs and tables, and stainless steel only where is needed. with free wireless, no attitude, no uniforns, real baristas, and still not transformed by the corporate madness.
user image
Review rating 5 out of 5
Just the right amount
By surflugen on 01/10/2007
I fully enjoy having a nice little place that does not make me feel like I am feeding the rich and powerful Starbuck machine. I found everything I need and I do not now what those other post were about, but I found this place clean, the service great, and the pastries fresh. I have only been going for a short time, but I have had no troubles and I would not put them down for having a bad day or two. If they say that the place was so much better before, I think the have may have there standards just way to high because the place has just the right amont of what makes something good and special.
rrconsdca
Review rating 1 out of 5
THEY SERVE FOOD NOT FIT FOR M
By rrconsdca on 07/15/2006
This is just a new low for a place that has been in a tail spin for a while. I ordered a piece of cake, and while eating it got an earthy taste; with a quick look on the bottom, I found some extra stuff that should not be there in my opinion. On top of that the clerk, calling her a barista is a slam to ever other barista in the world, all I got was an attitude of “how does this affect me?” This place is a few blocks from my house, and I use to support them but over the past two years, they have gone from pretty good to bellow poor. Bitter acid coffee that is served too hot, bakery items that have gone past their shelf life, ants in the condiments. It is just sad that the place has gone so far down hill that they would have to work hard just to get to “poor”.