Four Ocean Avenue shops serve bold flavor

By Robert Romano
The Guardsman

Coffee and college students — a combination that will live long after any current City College student graduates.

Ocean Avenue has many coffee options, but which one is worth the walk — or coins in the meter? The following is a rundown of the four most popular cafes near the Ocean campus, making a good cup of coffee easier to find.

Java Jitters

At Java Jitters, not only is the coffee strong but the people are friendly.

“It’s a good coffee shop, one of the better ones I know,” City College student Luis Padilla, 20, said.

Java Jitters, located at 1125 Ocean Ave., is the closest cafe to Ocean campus. Inside, there are two couches and eight tables — just enough room to do some studying between classes.

During the week, don’t expect anything lively, but on every other Friday it’s a different story, when Java Jitters hosts open mic nights for all types of performers.

And if you’re hungry for a burrito, the cafe shares its doors with La Parrilla.

While their coffee is not free trade or organic the prices are average, $1.75 for a small and $2 for a large. Refills are $1.

Java Jitters is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. except every other Friday night when it’s open until 10 p.m. for the open mic event.

Caffe D’Melanio

The centerpiece at Caffe D’Melanio is a large antique coffee roaster, roasting 18 different types of coffee.

“This is our spot,” said Anna Centendo. “Our group of friends comes here two times a week.”

“I come here for the strong coffee,” City College student Heather Day said. “And it’s the most quiet place I can find to study. Even quieter than the CCSF library.”

Caffe D’Melanio hosts live music throughout the semester.

A small coffee is $1.25, and a large $1.60. Refills are $1.

Caffe D’Melanio, located at 1314 Ocean Ave., is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Java on Ocean

The trek from Ocean campus to Java on Ocean is well worth it. All the food is organic and the coffee is free trade. Java on Ocean even serves locally-made bread and most menu items are homemade.

“We don’t go low. I can buy the cheap food but I don’t,” owner Hossam Kaddoura said.

The space has a lot of natural light and comfortable outdoor seating. The decorative plants, singing caged birds and very courteous staff all add to the warm atmostphere.

Java on Ocean also provides two free hours of wireless internet for customers.
A small coffee is $1.75 and a large is $2.25. Refills on a small coffee are 99 cents and $1.75 for a large.

Java on Ocean is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m..

King’s Coffee

Of these four cafes, King’s Coffee is the farthest away from Ocean campus, located at 1901 Ocean Ave. The distance makes it a good place to get away, for those who need less distraction to study.

“I think it is one of the better coffee shops around the area,” said Ken Liu, 20, a political science major at City College.

“I study here three to four times a week.”

King’s Coffee offers free wireless service for customers.

A small coffee is $1.35 with refills at 60 cents. A large coffee is $1.60 with refills at 80 cents.
King’s Coffee is open 6:30 am to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

With four great coffee shops within walking distance to school, Java on Ocean is my favorite, not only for its free trade coffee, but for its lively environment — great for both studying and socializing.