During a long layover at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), I took the time to try out two coffee shops. One was far better than the other. But recently, I found an even better one.
Great Coffee At SFO
My first coffee, and by coffee I generally always mean cappuccino in this series of posts, was in the international terminal (G). Way down at the end of the concourse above gate G14 is a coffee shop called Joe & The Juice. Founded about two decades ago in Copenhagen, the chain has has over 300 locations worldwide in Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia.
But I’ve got to be honest…I had never heard of it. Still, I noticed a beautiful La Marzocco machine and figured they certainly got something right.
Joe & The Juice
SFO International Terminal (G) Departures Level
San Francisco, CA 94128
7:00AM – 8:00PM
I ordered a cappuccino and it was promptly crafted by friendly barista.
It was delicious. Not the best I’ve had by any means…I would have preferred a stronger, darker blend with more chocolate nodes…but it was very good. I particularly appreciated how the milk was blended with the espresso and that I wasn’t asked what size I wanted. A real cappuccino is always two shots of espresso with an equal portion of milk.
My next stop was Green Beans Coffee Co. in Terminal 3, located in the food court “hub” of the terminal. This chain also has a location in Terminal 1.
Green Beans Coffee Co.
SFO Terminal 3 Food Court
San Francisco, CA 94128
6:00AM – 10:00PM
I ordered a cappuccino again and was dismayed that despite a nice machine, it was prepared the “wrong” way. This “wrong” is subjective, of course, but cappuccino, in my estimation, is not meant to be espresso with fluffy foamed milk plopped on top. Please, that is not a real cappuccino.
Anyway, the coffee wasn’t bad. It was scalding hot, almost burned, but when it cooled down I enjoyed the coffee as a cup of coffee, not as a cappuccino.
On a recent trip, however, I saw a new coffee shop just past the Terminal 3 food court in the F concourse that featured coffee from Verve.
Sidewalk Juice
SFO Terminal 3, Concourse F (near food court)
San Francisco, CA 94128
4:30AM – 11:00PM
As its name implies, Sidewalk Juice focuses on juice and smoothies, but also offers coffee. Pastries also looked excellent.
Verve is a roaster in Santa Cruz, CA that offers superior coffee beans. But would the barista be able to create a good cappuccino?
While he did not create beautiful latte art, the coffee was excellent and I’d put it slightly ahead of Joe & The Juice.
CONCLUSION
You’re better off at either Green Beans or Joe & The Juice than Starbucks or Coffee Bean. However, I found Joe & The Juice to offer a much better cup of coffee than Green Beans. Now, though, my preference will be at Sidewalk Juice.
What is your favorite coffee shop at SFO?
I’ve never had coffee at Joe but their smoothies are amazing.
Agreed on Joe and the Juice! I find their juices mediocre and overpriced, but their coffee is averagely priced and fantastic!
They could just be called “Joe” as far as I’m concerned
Joe is all over NYC…good stuff
You should have checked out the coffee robots, too!
Both coffee robots are still closed
Joe and The Juice is great — they had one in Hamburg, Germany where I spent some time.
Another option at SFO (pre-security) is Roasting Plant Coffee in in the International Terminal behind the check in islands.
You didn’t try out Peet’s, or too much caffeine by that point?
I love Peet’s, but sadly it is closed.
@Matthew I’ve only had coffee at the Polaris Lounge at SFO which I had with my breakfast prior to my flight to Osaka and found it to be pretty good. Do you have suggestions for DEN? I’ll be flying LH DEN-MUC mid December
No suggestions for DEN. Usually when I am there I just use the United Club. I’ll have a look next time I am there.
I could have added the Polaris Lounge to my post…your point is well-taken and I think I’ll go back and update it. I agree that the coffee is excellent there.
There are no good coffee options in Den united terminal
Wouldn’t call it “good” – but isn’t there a Caribou or something in the middle of DEN B on the mezz level? Nothing good on the main level IIRC.
Joe and the Juice is currently the best option in the International G, but when it reopens I prefer the espresso drinks at Napa Farms Market, also in G. In Terminal 3 I usually go to Dogpatch Bakehouse & Caffè which has a La Marzocco, definitely an improvement over the automatic machines at Peets.
I think the best coffee (i.e., the closest to Italy) at SFO used to be at the three Emporio Rulli outlets. They are a local company, which I thought would secure them a spot at SFO, but all their locations disappeared during the recent overhaul of SFO. Either they couldn’t afford higher rent, or they failed the “cool factor” test.
It’s almost two years since the above post, and I still miss the Emporio Rulli locations. They not only had great espresso drinks, but their own special Italian pastries insted of the generic stuff at almost every other airport coffee spot.
Joe & Juice thankfully prices their coffee reasonably unlike their [good, but mad] expensive juices…
Matthew: when you next return to Singapore, let’s try Joe & the Juice and Nando’s for comparison! J&J has one location 100 feet from the W on Sentosa Island. Residents of Sentosa drive their (golf) carts there. You may also want to review the new Hilton and the old Hilton–now Voco, as well as the new SQ lounges.
For sure, though you’ve shared there are much better local coffee places!
Matthew, how did you manage to try these places when there were no other people? When I have flown through SFO, there were people and lines most everywhere…but not in your pictures. How do you manage that – is it just the Klint magic?
Ha. Well the Joe Juice pictures were taken at 5am, but the other ones were in the late morning.
“A real cappuccino is always two shots of espresso with an equal portion of milk.”
Some would say a real cappuccino has equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam (⅓ each). Though the double espresso is standard…
Joe And The Juice is everywhere and mostly famous for juices and smoothies. Will have to try their cappuccino next time.
Green Beans pre-security near Checkpoint G.
I refuse to go to a place called “sidewalk juice.” I’ve lived near the Mission, and I want no part of their sidewalk juice.
oh man I could kick myself – I walked past Joe & the Juice 4 times flying out of and into YVR domestic last week – didn’t even look at the menu but I was looking for a cappuccino on a tight connection and ended up waiting until my destination. Definitely going to give it a try in 2 weeks when I fly out again
Too bad. Give it a try – not bad at all.
try the robot coffee, by united entrance,. cafeX. Best!