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Well Grounded

4.1 (289 reviews)
InexpensiveBagels, Sandwiches, Cafes
Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Well Grounded Photos

Business Info

WELL GROUNDED ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Quiet
Outdoor seating
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Well Grounded

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Reviews With Photos

Keita S.

A stylish, cozy café in a residential neighborhood in El Cerrito. The coffee was delicious--definitely my taste. Since I got it to go, I couldn't really comment on the service.

Egg/Havarti on a toast onion bagel with avo (Build Your Own Bagel Sandwich)
Gina G.

I've been coming to Well Grounded in El Cerrito since we've moved to the area ~ not only was this a safe haven during maternity leave, but also one of El Cerrito's most beloved coffee/bagel/brekkie grab & go spots. They do so much for the community, and love seeing their name and involvement in all things local. As a huge bagel and coffee gal, I appreciate my go-to's. Well Grounded does breakfast bagel sandwiches, I love the egg and cheese with havarti (I like to add avo and their special Larrupin Mustard for an extra cost). They also have lox options and meat options for their bagels & brekkie bagels, with specialty sandwiches like the Avocado Open Face and Grilled Turkey Pesto. For the price, I think there is a slight miss on portion sizes matching the value, but still solid and quality. There are seasonal drink/food specials and now an inclusion of local beer from the cooler. Also, a fun game to follow along and play with is their Name of the Day that they place outside for a complimentary house-made drink. Limited seating upstairs, but pro-tip for those on a walk with kiddo/doggy, head up the street like you're walking to 7-11 and make your first left at the corner for their outdoor seating.

Size of breakfast sandwich
Ashley B.

I am a symptomatic celiac, so I look for places that offer gluten free but also are knowledgeable about separate preparations to avoid cross contamination. We tried Well Grounded today because we heard that this was an option with them. Yes, they offer separate prepare stations, yes they have gf bread and bagels, but the portions are TINY. And when I say tiny, I mean 2-3 bites per side of the sandwich for an extra $3.85 to get gf bread options. We got a refund because of how small our nearly $15 breakfast sandwiches were. I appreciate the dedicated preparation stations and the knowledge of the staff, but I also don't want to get ripped off for having dietary needs. When I asked the staff about the size issue they said this was their standard gf bread size. People in line chimed in saying how messed up it was that the gf sandwich sizes were about half the size of their regular portions. The staff ended up giving us a refund and we still ate the food. Which was decent, but still certainly not worth $13-15 per portion. Also had a coffee, was decent, average tasting with Torani syrups.

Baked goods they offer
AJ S.

Very tiny little coffee shop, a little hidden. Got a cappuccino. They offer a few flavorings, normal ones like vanilla, caramel and hazelnut. It was okay! They offer alot of different lunch type foods like sandwiches as well, as well has breakfast products!

Outside
Christine F.

First time here and I was honestly drooling over having a morning bun. I never had one of these before and I LOVED this. For those that never tried this, it looks like a cinnamon roll but it's made out of a croissant dough with sugar sprinkled on top. The inside of the bun is also nice and soft. Parking wasn't bad. It's just on a street so be prepared to parallel park. They are also slightly busy in the morning so be prepared to wait but they have an online ordering system too. I would highly suggest this place for anyone that likes to explore coffee shops!

The Caputo was delicious - Wild Alaskan Salmon Lox, cream cheese, capers, cucumbers, Larrupin ' Sauce
Rachel M.

I was craving a good bagel before going on my Costco shopping spree and came across this place on Yelp. Location of the outdoor cafe is in the middle of a neighborhood and street parking is available. They sold coffee, sandwiches, bagels, and pastries and it has a nice community vibe. Nearby there were some folks meeting up for a group walk. Ordering/pickup is done from an outside window. I ordered The Caputo, which is a bagelwich with wild Alaskan Salmon Lox, cream cheese, capers, cucumbers, Larrupin ' Sauce (tasted like honey mustard). I chose the "the works" bagel, which is like an everything bagel. Price was $11.95 but was flavorful and yummy. It can get a bit messy with all of the sauce so I suggest arming yourself with some napkins before digging in. I polished off the whole thing and it kept me full for most of the day. The other sandwiches on the menu look delicious and if I am back in the area, I'll definitely give them a try.

Rhea A.

Post gym had me feeling extremely hungry. I had a busy day ahead of me so I needed something quick and easy and figured that a bagel would be my best bet. My boyfriend found this place through Yelp and we decided to split the bacon and cheese bagel. We opted for the poppy bagel with havarti cheese. The bagel itself was ok. For $8, I would've at least liked to have felt like I am indulging in my food, especially with something so simple yet has the potential to be delicious, like a bacon egg cheese bagel! I didn't get that feeling from this bagel. The egg was quite bland and sad. However, the service here is EXCELLENT. Everyone was so kind and uplifting. It is the "local friendly neighboorhood spot" vibes - which is what I would imagine in El Cerrito. I really appreciate the kind service and the warm welcomes here!

Kendra F.

My boyfriend and I wanted something nearby and quick this morning for breakfast. I came across Well Grounded on Yelp and figured, why not! The service here was nice and smooth. We liked the pumpkin pie latte and the cinnamon bun. My boyfriend ordered the turkey spinach pesto sandwich and we both ordered what I want to say is the jasper - bacon, egg, and their sauce that starts with an L. I wish I knew they offered jelly on the bagels because their specialty sauce wasn't for me. The bagel was less than appetizing - very plain for a bagel. Maybe I should have added cheese but even then, the bacon wasn't cooked to my liking - delicious and lightly crispy. It was soggy, and if I didn't see it in my bagel I wouldn't know it was in there. I only ate half. As for the turkey spinach pesto sandwich, i tried it and I thought it was good. My boyfriend, however, wasn't much of a fan. The only way I can explain this is some people just like pesto and others only like it on their pasta. I'd have to say my boyfriend is the latter.

Amy Y.

I was in the area, saw this place on Yelp and wanted to try it. I ordered a 2 salmon lox bagel on the works and 2 lattes. Service was okay but took some time. Seems like it was just a teenager working there with one other person. I got my latte and it wasn't piping hot like how it is when I get it from Starbucks. I personally love my coffee hot but most places can't do that because the directly use the cold milk the coffee becomes much warmer rather than hot. So that's fine, not a huge surprise. I do want to clarify the coffee wasn't cold but just not Starbucks hot if you want I mean. I went home and opened the bagel and realized the bagel seemed off... then realized the gave me the 2 bottoms to my bagel and it was missing the "works". I was pretty disappointed to be honest. The bagel was also not soft or fluffy, it was also not warm or felt toasted. Cream cheese was good though and the salmon was too. I did like that they offered an autumn menu with pumpkin items. There is nearby street parking. Located in a quaint neighborhood.

the outside of a coffee shop

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1 year ago

Amazing bagels and coffee. Loved that it was organic coffee as well. Service was friendly and quick with orders.

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1 year ago

Great spot. Lots of snacks, beverages, and even beer! Indoor and outdoor seating. Fantastic gift shop right next door. Enjoy!

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2 years ago

Nice neighborhood place with good simple sandwich and coffee. We usually go when we need to pick up something for a picnic.

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Lovely local spot for breakfast, lunch or a beer. Delicious bagels. Efficient and friendly.

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Ask the Community - Well Grounded

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I have a soft spot for Mr.Pickle's in El Cerrito. Hearty sandwiches, freshly baked Dutch Crunch…read morerolls, yummy chocolate chip cookies with every order, and such sweet staff that are always so quick and efficient at the El Cerrito location. Typically always grab sandwiches to-go, but pre-pandemic this spot was always bustling inside. While the Mr.Pickle (chicken breast, bacon, avo, cheese) is our typical order, I noticed on this lunch trip they now have wraps/any sando can be made into a wrap. I ordered a Cali Tuna (tuna salad, Swiss cheese, avo, cucumber) in a spinach tortilla..delicious! Fresh, crisp, and felt like it came from an old school mom and pop deli...man, how I miss those! Each wrap/Sando comes with the "works" which essentially is mayo, mustard, garlic sauce, tomato, red onion, pepperoncini, lettuce and pickles..the garlic sauce is delish and kinda their thing! Also to note, they offer veggie and vegan options, and salads. Kiddo menu too! We have a soft spot for their old school mac salad found in the fridge, and their chip varieties. There is something about that feeling you get when you walk into a sandwich spot that is just indescribable..guess I'm just a forever fan of local shops franchise or not. This location has street parking out front (or if push comes to shove, park in the shopping center next door and walk over). Hearty sandwiches, fair pricing, fun interior, smiles upon entry, and just a really cool, well-oiled machine :)

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Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich Deli

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Tried out the Banh Mi Ba Le in El Cerrito because it was time for lunch and we were too far from…read moreour regular spot on International Boulevard to make it there before their mid-afternoon closing time. I had high hopes given the name and the largely positive Yelp reviews. I'd liken my assessment of this shop to that of a teacher who instructs students from the same family in different classes: Even though objectively you know that each person (or sandwich) should stand on their own merits or lack thereof, it is hard not to compare, especially if a prior experience was so stellar that it set a standard for the brand. This Banh Mi Ba Le is located in a small, humble strip mall occupied by an array of mom-and-pop shops, including a nail salon, electronics repair store and various ethnic restaurants. There are parking spaces in front of the stores, as well as along San Pablo Avenue. The shop is a small, no-frills spot offering an array of takeaway pre-packaged Vietnamese food, cold drinks and made-to-order sandwiches. Upon entering, an older man with a proprietary air was the only visible staff person. I asked if this spot is related to the one on International; he said that that one is run by his niece. Food and beverages in front of the counter are self-service. I ordered my go-to sammie on International, the BBQ chicken (coincidentally the number nine, both here and on International). The pricing for that sandwich is comparable: $6.50 in El Cerrito, $6.30 in Oakland. The El Cerrito version was solid, but not as good as the one from the hood. Even though I was quite hungry, I was not that interested in the second half of the banh mi. The bread lacked the crispness of the one on International and the chicken, though flavorful, was more chopped up and, well, mushy, like chunk canned chicken. I like a little kick, but had to remove the jalapenos slices after a few bites because they were too powerful. As for the service, when we arrived in the early afternoon on a Saturday, we were the only customers. Almost immediately after we entered, the man behind the counter made eye contact, ready to take our order, eager to serve. Within minutes, we left with a bag of carefully wrapped and bagged sandwiches. Overall, it was a fine experience, but, since the sandwiches were mediocre, I'd not go out of my way for another visit.

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Roast & Toast Cafe

Roast & Toast Cafe

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My husband and his bestie remember a time when they visited Ike's first location in the Castro,…read morenever thinking it would grow to the empire it is today. With a franchise location now in El Cerrito (yay!), I can't help but love the fun and quirky sandwich titles like the Jaymee Sirewich and Going Home for Thanksgiving, also all the nodes to Bay Area sports like the Beast Mode and Madison Bumgarner. From the famous Dutch Crunch sandwich rolls to the dirty sauce that's added to every sandwich (secret recipe), to the Caramel Apple Lollipop (very nostalgic to grade school), and Zapp's potato chips with a node to Nola, it's always a good time with Ike's. I recently tried the Mozzarella's Big Cheese: Halal Chicken, Honey Mustard, Real Honey, Provolone (and added avo) on Dutch Crunch. Delicious! You can order your sandwiches also in a bowl, with gluten free bread, or can ask for the innards of the roll to be removed for those that still want some bread but not so carby. To note, you can also request Vegan dirty sauce. They have a pretty cool array of vegan and veggie sandwich options, really catering to all sandwich lovers and folks that don't mind stepping outside the box, getting their hands a little messy, and enjoying an overall exciting experience from the norm. I'm all for it. With this location you can order ahead on the website for pickup, which seems to be the move to beat the school/kiddo rush during peak hours.

My first visit to them was ages ago in Oakland. The downtown Oakland location was around during the…read moreart walk and my husband wanted a sandwich. I was overwhelmed by the offerings and wanted to go. But the lure of gluten free bread was too much. And I didn't have to pay extra? I was sold. Especially after they asked if there was a preference or an allergy. With the allergy, they have a place dedicated for preparation, which greatly reduced cross contamination. I fell in love. But now??? This is my second visit. The first visit consisted of a guy scratching his arm as he was on his way from the sandwich prep area to the cash register. He was scratching a lot. I left. I turned around when I saw a woman come from the back to prepare sandwiches. Unfortunately, when it was time for my sandwich he prepared it. He wasn't scratching himself, but initial impressions are hard to shake. This was my second visit because my husband wanted a sandwich before our trip to LA. First, you have to pay $3 for gluten free. They make their own buns? Why do they do that? And the buns are so much smaller. So, I know which sando is mine in the bag because it's the smallest. I don't like that. Next, you have to check on the sauces. One sando that I ordered was fine until they changed the marmalade to one that has gluten in it. Why? I couldn't think of a reason. Luckily, the person at the shop (this was in Emeryville) was also gluten free and knew about this. I had to order another sandwich that'd I'd never had before as a result. It was fine, but not what I wanted. Then, they went from having slices of meat to it being more of a bits of meat surrounded by a lot of mayo and other things. So what used to be slices of meat with fixings became a meat salad with fixings. Also, can someone explain to me why it is that every time I order a drink, there are dark hard sand-like bits at the bottom of my cup? I know they clean it because I taste the cleaner, literally. But the dark gravel-looking bits at the bottom of the cup is disconcerting. What used to be a special experience isn't so special anymore. Especially with expansion. I used to dream of them being closer to where I'm located and now that they are here, the specialness is gone. A smaller substandard sandwich with a soda with brown crunchy bits at the bottom of the cup? No thanks. And not to mention the fact that the last time I ordered flavored chips, they didn't even hav salt on them. The only flavor was potato - no BBQ. No thanks.

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Well Grounded - bagels - Updated July 2026

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