I had a lovely experience at Hat Cafe (San Gabriel). I ordered the Einspanner Cream Latte (iced - 20oz). It's espresso, organic milk, vienna cream, and cocoa powder. It's flavorful and functional. "It tastes like dessert!! YUM!"
(Noteworthy Info: When reviewing my photos, I noticed that I was charged $7.50 [before tax] on the self-service kiosk; however, the current printed menu says $7. I will attach photos. At the very least, I hope management updates their menu or system.)
I arrived at Hat Cafe (San Gabriel) on Monday (around 10:13AM). This business is located inside the Factory Tea Bar Building. Parking is very easy. The private parking lot had many available spaces.
Customers can order on the Self-Service Kiosk or the counter. In hindsight, I think the counter is the easier process because the Self-Service Kiosk had too many options/alternatives/substitutions & buttons. I found myself repeatedly asking staff for feedback on what a standard Einspanner Cream Latte would contain.
Staff is very friendly, helpful, and welcoming. Staff answered all my questions with a smile. Staff also worked diligently. There was no line, and my drink took four minutes and 53 seconds. It's a decent pace, but I can imagine the wait growing very long when it becomes busy.
As mentioned, I adored the Einspanner Cream Latte (iced - 20oz). Its caffeine is uplifting and tenacious. Its flavor is sweet like a soft, roasted peanut butter. When thoroughly mixed, the quality coffee shines brightly. This smooth, chill beverage held a robust, clean quality. "YUM!!"
Concerning ambiance, Hat Cafe (San Gabriel) is a college student's paradise. It's a wonderful place to study and/or work on an electronic device. I counted over 10 electrical sockets inside! Some even had USB ports for charging. Even the outside patio had 2 electrical sockets. On a random note, an elderly patron was so enamored by me counting electrical sockets that he asked for my photograph. That's a funny experience!
Hat Cafe (San Gabriel) also provides customer internet with password. The information is taped on the counter's window. The location is also large with many tables and chairs. I counted over 15 tables inside. This place felt huge & spacious like a library. Its lighting is also calm, shaded, and dim.
I also enjoyed the music. Great acoustics! This sound system is crystal clear, comparable to a movie theater. I enjoyed its smooth, chill beats. R&B Music (ex: Die For You by The Weeknd) & Indie Pop Music (ex: there for the night by asumuh) played. However, I disliked how the advertisements/commercials would play between songs; it sounded like Spotify ads or those advertisements playing in an AMC Movie Theater.
The location also has a small game corner on its shelf. I noticed chess, checkers, charades, and a few more. The location also includes an individual male and female restroom. Fortunately, Hat Cafe (San Gabriel) felt clean despite its large size and numerous trinkets. The tables felt very smooth and clean. It's well-ventilated too.
However, the chairs looked worn-down and old. The walls were a little scuffed with old marks & faded colors. The floors felt a little sticky as my shoes made small squeaky noises. And the big analog clock told the wrong time since it's not readjusted for daylight's savings; it's an hour off. Despite all that, the ambiance continued to feel very comfortable
Overall, I had a very delightful experience at Hat Cafe (San Gabriel). The Einspanner Cream Latte (iced - 20oz) was delicious. With a few tweaks, this small business can easily becomes a sparkling gem. If searching for a study/work spot, this is an extremely easy recommendation.
4.9 out of 5. "Go!!" read more