Penny University
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My husband and I have gone twice to Penny University in the morning and had the Avocado toast. I must say that I can not finish it. It's like a salad on a whole grain delicious bread. The pastries are homemade. Today we tried the biscuit with jam, but we preferred their sticky pecan buns which they did not have today. Their Lattes are great!
This was my first time depending university. It's a cute little coffee spot to grab a quick bite to eat as well. They have tables inside where you can sit down and what looks like some delicious pastries as well as breakfast foods. The staff was very friendly and accommodating, and delivered our drinks and food to our table. I would definitely go back.
Was pretty disappointed by the service: slow and of all the people that dined in, the server didn't bring me my coffee. The table to my right (woman) and table to my left (man) ordered before and after me, respectively, so I don't quite understand why the server brought them their coffee while I had to be called up to pick up mine (it's not like they're understaffed and the cafe wasn't packed). The interior was so cute and cozy, but sucha shame, the service was horrible. It also took 20 minutes for them to make coffee? It takes me like 5-8 minutes to brew coffee with a moka pot and 1 minute to foam up my oat milk in the morning. Why did it take 20 minutes for them to use a fancy coffee machine? No idea...but they can do better.
I love working out of Penny University, it's become my go-to spot almost every day. The atmosphere is exactly what I need: calm, welcoming, and perfect for getting work done without distractions. No one bothers you, but it still feels friendly and inviting. The food is also a highlight. I'm obsessed with their biscuit and jam (so good), and today I tried the lox toast for the first time definitely a new favorite. If you're looking for a place to focus, relax, and enjoy great food, this is it.
First time visiting, we walked over with the puppies. Love the location and ambiance. Laurel was super helpful. I ordered the veggie sandwich and the maple rosemary latte with oat milk. My friend ordered the yogurt parfait and a latte. The food was delicious. We love running into our downtown local friends. 10/10 will be back to try the amaretto rose latte.
Always wanted to stop by & after a trip to Intrinsic Elements - I finally had the chance :) I went on a weekday & it was quite busy for a weekday afternoon, albeit it was during lunch time. There was no line so I was greeted and helped right away. Super friendly staff! The menu is right at the front counter so there was no display on the wall. There is also a menu on their merch display - I saw this as I was leaving. I was stuck between ordering an Iced Bourbon Caramel Latte & an Iced Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte so I asked the person helping what they would recommend for a sweet tooth. Their recommendation was the Bourbon Caramel Latte since it was sweeter than the Brown Sugar. They asked if I was okay with whole milk so they do have alternative milk options. My drink was ready in less than 3 mins, super quick! I didn't dine in so I had it in a to-go container. My drink was good, not as sweet as I wanted but I am literally a side of coffee with my milk & sugar type of girl. I would definitely go back & try their lunch, it seems to be a popular spot for it! EDIT: I went in again and ordered the Bourbon Caramel Latte but asked for it to be sweeter this time & it was perfect! So if you're a sweet tooth like me, ask for it be sweeter.
The hot Chai and the biscuit Breakfast sandwich were delicious. Each employee was helpful and courteous! Gotta love a clean & spacious place that plays crowd-pleasing tunes as you enjoy a break in your day. It's an ideal place for some homework or casual meeting! This natural light will invigorate anyone! See you when I return!
I was excited to check out this coffee spot in my hometown. Loved the spacious seating and how open it was for individuals or groups to stop by for some good caffeine. I ordered the butterscotch Latte with oat milk and I really enjoyed it. Next time I go, I'll have to try a meal or pastry for a full experience. Would definitely go back!
FOOD: I truly enjoyed the veggie sandwich with chili oil! To drink order the brown sugar cinnamon latte iced SERVICE: Very one is kind and helpful ATMOSPHERE: It's very modern atmosphere. Even have seatting outside in case you bring your pup with you. They have a large community table that's always nice to set at if you don't mind speaking to others. You'll find people studying on their laptops and families PARKING: They do have front parking. It's located downtown. VEGAN: yes the veggie sandwich, They are very kind and will walk you through the menu
Great coffee shop downtown! Two rooms with clean, attractive design. Open and airy, also has outdoor seating when the weather is good. Each time we've gone the coffee has been delicious! House-made chai is recommended! Friendly and prompt service! I wish they had additional locations up and down the valley! Bonus: their food is also yummy and Pecan scone hit the spot! It was large and flavorful without being overly sweet or dry!
Amazingly beautiful bathroom Coffee is amazing, the atmosphere is perfect for a study day. Butterscotch latte- amazing! Tastes like melted micro foam ice cream with a great espresso. 7/5 Latte- well crafted lighter roast. 5/5 Brewed coffee- flavorful and strong flavors. Ethiopian brew. Medium roast and bright flavors 5/5 Matcha latte - from Republic of Tea matcha is fine, but not as good as Japanese Kyoto matcha. Lavender honey is very nice. 5/5 read more
2 days ago
[Penny University] -- [Modesto, CA] Final True 5 Rating: 3.6/5 1. The Core Offering (Food/Product): 3 / 5 Our order tasted not bad, the drink came out hot and fresh, the drink did taste a little more soure then usale. And the iced drink was good. Star Status: [KEPT] 2. Execution & Consistency (Service): 4 / 5 Service was good, we were greeted when we walked in, and all our questions were answered. Star Status: [KEPT] 3. Environmental Design (Vibe): 4 / 5 The place had a really nice vibe; it was not too loud. It definitely had a socializing vibe. a good place to work and come and hang out with friends. Star Status: [KEPT] 4. Attention to Detail (The Little Things): 4 / 5 Everything seemed really simple with the design, the menu, and even the color of the place. Star Status: [KEPT] 5. Price-to-Value Ratio (Wallet Test): 3/ 5 The price is average for a California cafe. not cheap, but not expensive, similar to most cafes. Star Status: [KEPT] The Breakdown overall it was a good cafe, it had a nice vibe and nice people. One star taken away because there was more than one 3/5 in the review. read more
26 days ago
I absolutely recommend this cafe to anyone who needs a good place to grab a drink and quick bite! I just ordered a seasonal berry match and it was refreshing and delicious! read more
2 months ago
My husband and I have gone twice to Penny University in the morning and had the Avocado toast. I must say that I can not finish it. It's like a salad on a whole grain delicious bread. The pastries are homemade. Today we tried the biscuit with jam, but we preferred their sticky pecan buns which they did not have today. Their Lattes are great! read more
14 days ago
20 days ago
17 days ago
This was my first time depending university. It's a cute little coffee spot to grab a quick bite to eat as well. They have tables inside where you can sit down and what looks like some delicious pastries as well as breakfast foods. The staff was very friendly and accommodating, and delivered our drinks and food to our table. I would definitely go back. read more
Was pretty disappointed by the service: slow and of all the people that dined in, the server didn't bring me my coffee. The table to my right (woman) and table to my left (man) ordered before and after me, respectively, so I don't quite understand why the server brought them their coffee while I had to be called up to pick up mine (it's not like they're understaffed and the cafe wasn't packed). The interior was so cute and cozy, but sucha shame, the service was horrible. It also took 20 minutes for them to make coffee? It takes me like 5-8 minutes to brew coffee with a moka pot and 1 minute to foam up my oat milk in the morning. Why did it take 20 minutes for them to use a fancy coffee machine? No idea...but they can do better. read more
3 months ago
I love working out of Penny University, it's become my go-to spot almost every day. The atmosphere is exactly what I need: calm, welcoming, and perfect for getting work done without distractions. No one bothers you, but it still feels friendly and inviting. The food is also a highlight. I'm obsessed with their biscuit and jam (so good), and today I tried the lox toast for the first time definitely a new favorite. If you're looking for a place to focus, relax, and enjoy great food, this is it. read more
4 months ago
A coffee house that actually delivers on both fronts: excellent coffee and surprisingly good food. Service can run a little slow, but the end result is worth it--you walk away with something you truly enjoy. This is a coffee house I'd like to see grow and open a second location. read more
10 months ago
The Vegan Tartine WAS AMAZING! It's an open face sandwich made of Alchemy Bread focaccia loaded with potatoes, zucchini, caramelized onion and garlic aioli! Definitely will eat again! Follow me @yourneighborhoodvegan and yourneighborhoodvegan.com for local reviews! read more
1 year ago
First time visiting, we walked over with the puppies. Love the location and ambiance. Laurel was super helpful. I ordered the veggie sandwich and the maple rosemary latte with oat milk. My friend ordered the yogurt parfait and a latte. The food was delicious. We love running into our downtown local friends. 10/10 will be back to try the amaretto rose latte. read more
18 days ago
1 year ago
Always wanted to stop by & after a trip to Intrinsic Elements - I finally had the chance :) I went on a weekday & it was quite busy for a weekday afternoon, albeit it was during lunch time. There was no line so I was greeted and helped right away. Super friendly staff! The menu is right at the front counter so there was no display on the wall. There is also a menu on their merch display - I saw this as I was leaving. I was stuck between ordering an Iced Bourbon Caramel Latte & an Iced Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte so I asked the person helping what they would recommend for a sweet tooth. Their recommendation was the Bourbon Caramel Latte since it was sweeter than the Brown Sugar. They asked if I was okay with whole milk so they do have alternative milk options. My drink was ready in less than 3 mins, super quick! I didn't dine in so I had it in a to-go container. My drink was good, not as sweet as I wanted but I am literally a side of coffee with my milk & sugar type of girl. I would definitely go back & try their lunch, it seems to be a popular spot for it! EDIT: I went in again and ordered the Bourbon Caramel Latte but asked for it to be sweeter this time & it was perfect! So if you're a sweet tooth like me, ask for it be sweeter. read more
1 year ago
The hot Chai and the biscuit Breakfast sandwich were delicious. Each employee was helpful and courteous! Gotta love a clean & spacious place that plays crowd-pleasing tunes as you enjoy a break in your day. It's an ideal place for some homework or casual meeting! This natural light will invigorate anyone! See you when I return! read more
2 years ago
I was excited to check out this coffee spot in my hometown. Loved the spacious seating and how open it was for individuals or groups to stop by for some good caffeine. I ordered the butterscotch Latte with oat milk and I really enjoyed it. Next time I go, I'll have to try a meal or pastry for a full experience. Would definitely go back! read more
10 months ago
FOOD: I truly enjoyed the veggie sandwich with chili oil! To drink order the brown sugar cinnamon latte iced SERVICE: Very one is kind and helpful ATMOSPHERE: It's very modern atmosphere. Even have seatting outside in case you bring your pup with you. They have a large community table that's always nice to set at if you don't mind speaking to others. You'll find people studying on their laptops and families PARKING: They do have front parking. It's located downtown. VEGAN: yes the veggie sandwich, They are very kind and will walk you through the menu read more
Great coffee shop downtown! Two rooms with clean, attractive design. Open and airy, also has outdoor seating when the weather is good. Each time we've gone the coffee has been delicious! House-made chai is recommended! Friendly and prompt service! I wish they had additional locations up and down the valley! Bonus: their food is also yummy and Pecan scone hit the spot! It was large and flavorful without being overly sweet or dry! read more
3 months ago
6 months ago
The drinks are mid, a little pricy too. I have not had their food only a cookie and it was good. read more
7 months ago
The environment is nice if you need to study or have a chat with a group. Ordered a cortado took like 20mins was confused didn't get an explanation just a sorry. read more
5 months ago
The cutest cafe I been to in a while around the 209. Clean, quiet, nice environment. Perfect for studying or catching up with a friend. I got a butterscotch latte with simple bread and butter and it was amazing. The latte was perfect. Of course you can never go wrong with bread and butter. Will definitely revisit. read more
4 months ago
9 months ago
2 years ago
I feel like Penny University may easily become my favorite coffee shop/cafe in Modesto. It is so nice inside, and since we stopped by during the holidays, the Christmas decor made everything feel festive but cozy. There is lots of natural lighting which I love, and also a lot of seating (although we managed to find chairs for 2, it was at one of the giant, shared tables). I understand the popularity of this place though, so it's not surpising that by 9:30 am on a holiday that most seats would be filled. They also have some outdoor seating which look nice too, but since it was cold the day we went, I was insistent on sitting indoors, which is why we compromised on sitting at the giant, shared table. I wanted to order something unique to this coffee shop, so I ordered their seasonal Maple Rosemary Latte with oat milk. It was a good and sweet latte, but it did not taste too different from latte's I've had elsewhere. I appreciated the actual ceramic dishware with the latte art though ! For breakfast, I ordered the avocado toast with egg (that cost extra), and my husband ordered the breakfast sandwich with bacon (that cost extra). The food was a bit pricey in my opinion, but I also just expect that from coffee shops in general nowadays. In any case, their food was quite good ! I really liked the avocado spread on the toast, and my husband enjoyed the breakfast sandwich he ordered. Service was also friendly, and since we ordred food and drink, they gave us a number to hold on to for someone to bring our food to us, which was nice. I'm not from the area but do come here often for visiting family - but I would absolutely love to come to this coffee shop again to read and try other coffees and smaller snacks. read more
1 year ago
Aesthetically cute inside, simple menu which makes it easy to order. Breakfast sandwich (bacon, egg, on sourdough) was very flavorful. We both ordered Iced Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte (one w/ almond milk and one with oat) ive had better, strong syrup flavor. But if I ever go again, the breakfast sandwich would be ordered again. read more
First time here and glad to see people supporting this newer place. upon walking in... it is one big open space. nothing on walls. needs something to warm it up and make it feel cozier in my opinion. It was very cold inside. Would have enjoyed being able to take my coat off. service is awesome. Selection is great. My chai latte was Spicey and not too sweet like I like. nice and hot too! the tartine was way too salty for me... however, the girls were very quick to offer something else. I was very appreciative. So I got the veggie sandwich with white hummus. next time , I would ask for the bread to be toasted. but it was very good. I like that they had a sitting area. The couch is too deep without pillows to support your back. However, it won't stop me from going... but it would be nice to have some heat going as it's freezing out. read more
1 year ago
Huge fan of Penny U! It's evident as you walk through the doors just how much love & attention to detail went into this sweet café. Customer service is impeccable and all ingredients are high quality. Every detail of this place has had so much attention to the brand of espresso machines, the coffee, tea, etc. The wait time is sometimes a little extreme, which makes it difficult to pop by if you're working or have a time limit, but all in all this is a lovely establishment that I hope is part of our community for years to come. PS: Order the Lox on Toast! You won't be disappointed! read more
1 year ago
I absolutely love this new coffee shop! The coffee is delicious and the food is incredible! I'm obsessed with the breakfast sandwich but light on the chipotle sauce since I'm not into spicy foods. The BLT is amazing the heirloom tomatoes have so much flavor! It's hard to try something new on the menu when you know how good the other entrees you'd had are! It's just so hard to choose!!! Everything I've had so far has been incredible! And the atmosphere! I love the bookcase and the cozy seating area. I like how there is a community table where all kinds of people can just sit & enjoy their food (especially if it's super busy & I can't find a table) and the outdoor seating space is so nice too! It also depends on the time of day you go-it's nice to see so many different folks -some people working on laptops, college students, collaborators, families, friends, downtown business people during breaks, etc. read more
1 year ago
Everything was AMAZING Staff was friendly. Food was so good and so were the coffees. Not featured in this photo because we ate it so fast was the PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE WITH JAM it was HEAVENLY I will dream about that cookie lol read more
8 months ago
2 years ago
The beloved Penny University stand at the farmer's market now has a bricks-and-mortar location with seating! The new space is bright and airy. As well as coffee drinks, the shop serves pastries and light lunch options. Staff is super-nice. My savory scone (I think it was bacon-cheddar) was excellent and of course the coffee is good. read more
I absolutely love this new coffee shop. The menu contains breakfast/lunch and some pastries for on the go or if you would want to sit down and eat. I got the avocado toast, which was delicious! As well as a hot pumpkin latte to go with the season. 5/5. The lady who helped me out with my order was friendly. She was up and willing to help in anything that I needed. Although I couldn't speak to the owners, since they were busy they seemed friendly. (Congrats to them!) 5/5. The interior is very beautifully remodeled. New chairs, new paint, new tables, etc. and the interior is very clean. I love how spacious it is inside, perfect for a meeting, solo or double date, etc. 5/5. 100% recommend. read more
8 months ago
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1 year ago
Penny University - coffee - Updated July 2026
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