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    The Lean Bean

    4.5 (288 reviews)
    Closed 5:30 am - 4:00 pm

    The Lean Bean Photos

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    THE LEAN BEAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Lean Bean

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    Angelina C.

    Ok, I've been wanting to try this place for years, but I'm never in Santee in the early morning. I had a day off yesterday and finally took a morning drive over to the Lean Bean, and I'm glad I did! They welcomed me right away when I arrived, and they were cool about me taking some extra time to look at the menu. I decided on the "little dirty" iced 24oz drink- it's a dirty chai with two shots of espresso, oat milk, and a little bit of lavender. Let me tell you... I was enjoying that drink all day. (I'm a really slow drinker... lol). Their chai is spiced and the latte was really flavorful. It was $6.50 for the 24oz. My only constructive feedback was that they didn't mix the powdered chai drink base well with the espresso, so my first sip had some dry chunks of powder in it.

    Real fruit, delicious and everyone that works there are super friendly and nice.
    Karina B.

    I wish this place had another location where you can sit and enjoy your food. Everything is fresh and tasty great prices.

    All the Mexican mocha mix puddled on the bottom

    Unfortunately this place just didn't do it for me in terms of a coffee. The service was fine, quick enough, the woman who helped me seemed nice enough. I personally am not too picky about atmosphere or service, although a nice added touch. I care more about if what I'm purchasing is worth it. The coffee is not worth it. Not really sure what oatmilk is used but my latte was very watery, more like an americano. I got the Mexican mocha which included 3 shots of espresso and hazelnut. All of the Mexican mocha mix sunk to the bottom. It wasn't dissolved at all. I had to go home scoop out the ice pour the drink in a bowl, scoop the mix out of the cup and use my immersion blender. I'll insert a picture. If I'm going to spend money on a latte I will definitely go somewhere else.

    Protien bowl
    Gwyn C.

    Very cute drive up coffee and bowl location. Greeted with a big smile by a friendly person despite being 1/2 hour before closing. Really enjoyed my protein bowl - see where it can be addictive! Will try another coffee option next time as this one wasn't quite right for me. Overall enjoyed the experience and frankly just find them adorable.

    Menu
    Alondra R.

    I passed this place a couple times and finally got to try it, it is a cute small drive thru coffee place that sell more than just coffee. I got the January drink churro latte it was pretty good and not as sweet as I thought which is perfect! I also tried the pitaya bowl with peanut butter it's really fresh and was good. The cashier was really nice and overall I enjoyed it!

    The nutty professor
    Jennifer L.

    Not the best coffee I've had. I ordered the nutty professor, it was overly sweet and grainy. I didn't like the grainy stuff. I think stuff like that should be fully dissolved. Then I had like no ice in it. I assume they pour the shots over the ice. I didn't even finish my coffee it went to waste. I'll probably come back and try the açaí bowl but not get any coffee again.

    PB Açaí Bowl
    Nathalie H.

    I wish I had known about this place sooner! I got the pb açaí bowl and it was delicious! They have so many amazing coffee options that I can't wait to try and finally a place that doesn't completely gauge you. Totally affordable "splurge"

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    Quit spending your money at Starbucks and come here!!! Sweetest girls working the shop and the coffee is amazing!

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    3 years ago

    Best place to get acai bowls in East county!! They're always friendly and give my dogs treats too. Highly recommend

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    3 years ago

    All the ladies are so nice here! Absolutely a pleasant experience every time! They make the BEST smoothies!!!

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Although limited, the drinks are delicious and always hit the spot when I need a little pick me up :D

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Favorite smoothie place where everyone remembers your order. Definitely long wait lines but absolutely worth every minute

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    6 years ago

    Lexi made the Most delicious drink I've ever had! She was super nice and cheerful!! Will be back soon!

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    5 years ago

    No more issues regarding hours! Drinks and bowls are yummy. Staff members are friendly! Highly recommend.

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    Page 3 of 8

    Ask the Community - The Lean Bean

    Review Highlights - The Lean Bean

    first of all this was my first time going here, gotta say the peanut butter acai bowl was phenomenal.

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Kaffee Meister

    4.2(405 reviews)
    0.4 mi
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    I came to this coffee shop on a Friday evening for a card show/ trade show. The shop stayed open…read morepast their business hours and trading card vendors were set up around the shop. Inside the shop they allowed people to bring their own trading card collection to trade with each other. They had specialty drinks made specifically for the show, Pokemon themed. There's a good amount of seating inside and seems like a good place to hang out or study. They have different books and board games around the shop too. I tried two drinks when I came. I got the coconut matcha because it was one of the themed drinks but wasn't impressed with it. I probably should've known better than to order matcha at a coffee shop but I'm a sucker for coconut. For my second (redemption) drink I got the Samoa which was a mocha, coconut, and caramel latte. This one was delicious. It had a great coffee flavor with a nice smooth caramel companion. It wasn't overly sweet and not bitter at all. The baristas were all great too. My drinks came out quickly despite it being busy with the show. Definitely a great coffee shop to check out!

    Becky and I only get fancy coffee from a fancy coffee shop if we are with people who want fancy…read morecoffee from a fancy coffee shop. Becky and I are not well versed in the world of fancy coffee, so we typically rely on those we are with to provide recommendations. Saturday we were on our own. We wanted a late afternoon pick-me-up and Kaffee Meister is a very short distance from our house. I walked in and was warmly greeted by the pleasant young woman behind the counter (I did not catch her name). I asked for two caramel iced coffees. She very nicely and patiently explained to me the different options of my generic "iced coffees" term. Lattes, cold brews, espressos, etc. Her recommendation was Caramel Frappes, so that is what I ordered. One with whipped cream (for Becky) and mine without. As I waited, I looked around the room. It was really cool. Very homey, neighborhood cafe vibe. A few tables and a couch and comfy chairs along with some tables and chairs dotted the room. The room was really nicely decorated. I liked the spiral staircase shelving. They have some outdoor seating as well. In addition to coffees, they offer a food menu. Pastries, bagels, açaí bowls, sandwiches and the like. I drive by Kaffee Meister almost daily and often I will see that they have live music which is cool. I waited maybe three or four minutes for my name to be called, and I was handed my two frappes. I like a simple cup o' Joe. Black, no sugar, no sweeteners. At home I drink Kirkland brand ground coffee from a drip coffee maker. That said, I really enjoyed the Caramel Frappe. It was not too sweet and retained subtle coffee flavor. Becky very much enjoyed hers too. Neither of us had ever had a frappe before. We were surprised by the milkshake-like creamy texture. They provided the perfect pick-me up we were looking for. About 17 bucks after tip. We'd return for sure.

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    Carrot cake muffin, YUM

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    Frutylicious Santee - Chamango

    Frutylicious Santee

    4.6(37 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    My first visit to Fruitylicious! I had the Birria grilled cheese sandwich on sourdough bread, and…read moreit was an incredible choice. Esmeralda, who made my order, was so friendly and welcoming, guiding me through the menu and letting me know that the Birria grilled cheese is a favorite. Now, about the sandwich--wow! It was buttery toasted and packed with an impressive amount of cheese and meat, truly a delightful indulgence. It also came with a side of consomé for dipping, along with a refreshing lime slice, which complemented the flavors perfectly. Fruitylicious offers a fantastic range of options since they've transitioned from being a cheese grill sandwich place to a full-service spot with both Mexican and American cuisine. Besides the grilled cheese, they also have ice cream, shakes, fruit juices, and specialty drinks that I can't wait to try on my next visit. If you're looking for a delicious meal and a warm atmosphere, I highly recommend stopping by. You won't regret it and bring the kids as they have Jenga and Connect for fun for the family.

    Went back to Fruitylicious for lunch. This time I chose the Birra Burritos for takeout. They…read moresounded interesting and I do love birria. The burritos were served as three mini burritos with a side of onions, cilantro and crumbly queso as toppings along with a cup of consommé for dipping. Upon arriving home, I immediately poured the consommé from the Styrofoam container into a real vessel that won't leach carcinogens into my food. I abhor Styrofoam. Then I tore into the first little burrito. Delicious! Packed with tender juicy beef and packed with flavor! The consommé was excellent. Rich and flavorful. I was only able to manage two and saved one for the next day's lunch. Excellent!

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    Bowls N Brews

    Bowls N Brews

    3.7(225 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Came here and got a cold brew drink called "Sumthing awesome" made with peanut butter, caramel and…read morevanilla. I was surprised that it was shaken in a cocktail mixer so it was more frothy which gave it a good texture. None of the mentioned flavors stood out over the others so it was well balanced and wasn't overly sweet which I appreciated. He also asked if I wanted coffee ice for $1 more. Ice made from coffee, never heard of that before what an idea! They are a stand alone small building across the parking lot that they share with Estradas Mexican Food. I loved that they were hand shaken. I'll certainly return to try other cold brew drinks. They also have smoothies and açaí bowls.

    I've been here twice, and I have to say, the smoothies are really good. Unfortunately, I won't be…read morereturning. I believe the man I interacted with is the owner, and both experiences left me feeling uncomfortable because of the way he spoke to customers. His tone came across as extremely aggressive and rude. I'm all for supporting small businesses, but customer service matters. It's difficult to want to support a business when you don't feel like you're being treated with basic courtesy and respect. The smoothies themselves are great, so if you can look past the customer service experience, you may enjoy the product. Unfortunately for me, the way I was treated outweighs how good the smoothies are.

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    Bowls N Brews - Cute seating area :))

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    Bowls N Brews - Something great.

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    The Coffee Corner

    The Coffee Corner

    4.4(276 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    I like trying new coffee spots and so I checked out The Coffee Corner…read more I ordered the, "California" which is Espresso, White Chocolate and Caramel. I added Vanilla Cold Form with an extra shot. This was delightful. It was sweet, but not overly sweet and creamy. I really liked this coffee. They have a nice menu of coffee and a variety of styles with unique names. I want to try Milky Way next time because that sounded delicious. The service was very friendly and welcoming. This coffee is so cute. I love wood so the wood furniture is a great touch.

    It's been a while since I visited, although for the most part everything was the same. Spacious…read moreseating inside and outside. They have outlets and comfy seats. The lighting is warm with a few plants here and there. The menu font is a bit small, I think they could benefit on having it slightly bigger or lowered a little. I've always been a fan of their chocolate orange mocha, but this time around it really missed the mark for me. Usually it would remind me of the Trader Joe's chocolate orange. We got the Iced 24 or 20 oz, I believe. I asked for the biggest they had. The chocolate tasted very light (reminiscent of a milk chocolate) and thin. I was able to taste the orange notes. The espresso was definitely lost in the drink. I wish the balance had been better, I do like the price of this drink though-- I thought it was quite fair! The girls working were kind and soft spoken. They got the drinks out in a timely manner as well. I'll come back, maybe to try a different flavor since there's multiple on the menu!

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    The Coffee Corner - Espresso

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    The Simple Coffee House - Lemonade

    The Simple Coffee House

    4.6(332 reviews)
    3.6 miSan Carlos
    $$

    Open on Memorial Day from 7 am to 1 pm This place is popular…read morebecause great coffee sells itself. I know that sounds cliche. The food is good here but get here early on the weekends is gets busy here. My favorite drink is the dirty chai hot. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and they open at 6 am on the weekdays. The baked goods come from a local bakery Bread and Cie. Good customer service and easy to find. The his is my favorite coffee place in San Carlos. Enjoy!

    I found myself in San Carlos mid-day, mid-week. I was running between work and a hair…read moreappointment. I had barely had a chance to have lunch so was really happy to randomly see a coffee shop to grab a cold coffee on a hot day to bring with me to my hair appointment. Parking was easy and I walked into the coffee shop. There was no wait at all at that time. I browsed the menu and decided on an iced Simple Special which was basically an iced mint latte. I ordered it with nonfat milk I waited for only a couple of minutes for my drink to be made. During that time I saw that they were playing records and had several records for sale. That was really cool. If I lived in the area I would definitely hang out and listen to records while sipping on coffee. The reason for only 4 stars.... my charge was abut $8 which felt a bit stiff for only the 16 oz drink. It made me wary of what a 20 oz would cost. All in all, I had a good experience at The Simple Coffee House. My drink had good flavor without being overly sweet. I liked the records and the vibe at the coffeehouse.

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    The Lean Bean - coffee - Updated September 2026

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