I adore this local coffee shop. It is so much better supporting local mom & pop shops than huge corporations, like Starbucks, that push local shops out of business. Java Man gives back to the community. Starbucks, not so much.
This place is great. I do have to admit. I'm not a coffee drinker. I do drink tea and Java Man has delicious iced teas. When friends and family coffee drinkers come to visit me, they'll walk down to Java Man in the morning for their cup of joe. My sister loved it so much more than Starbucks, she bought some coffee grinds home with her.
Java Man is owned by Ocean Diner, a mile up the road. The pastries are always really good. I'm a sucker for the cinnamon crunch coffee cake. Their pecan bars are also delicious. They often have a sample of one of the pastries out on the counter for you to try. Share the goodness.
I always hit up Java Man for lunch to answer work emails, and catch up on life. I'll order one of their panini's or sandwiches. Tuna has been fresh, bread is fresh. One time the tuna wasn't fresh and the guy behind the counter told me. I liked his honesty. The chicken pesto panini is really good too. Sandwiches come with a bag of Lay's potato chips and an apple. Decent for $10. It is so rare you get a full school lunch for under $10 anywhere anymore, and a great tasting one nonetheless. Oh, yes, for breakfast, they have the infamous breakfast burrito. Those sell out fast, so you gotta get there fairly early to get your hands on one.
One of the things I love about Java man is the energy. It is such a great place to get work done, to study, people watch, or to just read a book and chill out. It is located on Pier Ave, in the middle of all the local businesses, so there are a lot to look at. There is not a parking lot, however, there are a few 15 minute parking spots in front of the building, as the rest of the parking spots are all metered. It is Hermosa, so make sure the meter is paid for, or you will come out to a ticket under your windshield wiper.
Java Man sits on the corner of Pier Ave & Manhattan Ave in an old, yet refinished beach cottage. There are chairs and umbrellas on the patio/sidewalk outside if you want to soak in the sun. I love that they didn't knock any walls down in the cottage. There are plenty of seats and room for you to sit w/your computer. There are large tables, sofas, chairs and coffee tables inside all 3 main sitting areas. There are also quite a few electrical outlets to plug in/charge up. Free wi-fi when you make a purchase. I've sat there for an entire afternoon working on my computer. Most often, I am sitting among many local business men & women sitting on their computers, answering work emails, and students with their study groups. It's pretty quiet too.
The staff is generally nice and friendly. Same guys have been working there for years. Pretty honest too when it comes to the food. I also love that they cut out the daily horoscope each day and post it to the counter. It's a little fun read while they are ringing you up.
Keep up the great work Java Man. Hermosa Loves You! read more