I found a really great new coffee shop in Santa Ana, California that I am very happy to share with you today.
Great Coffee In Santa Ana, California
I was in Irvine a couple Sundays ago and decided to stop for coffee on the way home with son and daughter in tow. Looking over my options, I chose a coffee shop called Hopper & Burr in downtown Santa Ana…oh, what a wonderful choice.
Hopper & Burr
202 West 4th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
7:00AM – 6:00PM
First, I loved the exterior of the this café, located in a historic W.H. Spurgeon Building with a clocktower on top.
Second, I loved the interior of this café, which was so minimalist. As I try to de-clutter my life, I’ve grown increasingly fond of such a style.
I have to give a major shoutout to Andrew, the proprietor, who is not only a skilled barista, but a classy guy. Friendly but no intrusive, we had a nice conversation while he prepared my cappuccino.
How was it? A – M – A – Z – I – N – G.
Perfect flavor, texture, and temperature. It really hit the spot.
My son Augustine was more interested in dunking his 747 in my water…we’re working on it.
In fact, I was back last Sunday as well for another cappuccino and an espresso, my first and second cups of coffee for the day. Both had a strong, deep, slightly chocolate, slightly fruity, rich taste and aroma.
Another perk: unlike Los Angeles County, Orange Country has allowed restaurants and coffee shops to re-open for indoor dining, meaning I could enjoy the coffee in a ceramic cup.
A Backup Option
I thought, while I was there, I would try the other hip coffee shop just a few blocks away. It was called Coffee Muse and I had a cappuccino there too.
Coffee Muse
310 East 4th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
7:00AM – 7:00PM
The staff ticked me off by trying to upsell me on three different things. You want anything else? No. How about a pastry? No! How about some tea? No!!! Then I asked if they would serve me coffee in a ceramic cup instead of a paper cup. No.
The coffee was fine. Recommended in the sense that it was a tasty cappuccino. But with Hopper & Burr down the street, there’s no way I’d return to Coffee Muse.
CONCLUSION
There’s one other place I’d like to try in Santa Ana next time called Huskins. I cannot imagine it will be better than Hopper & Burr. Santa Ana is a good 40 minute drive from my house without traffic. Nevertheless, I am tempted to drive there even now for a great cup of coffee.
So why exactly wouldn’t Coffee Muse serve you in a ceramic mug? That seems – odd – if you’re allowed to dine inside.
Off-topic, but do you know if San Bernadino County allows indoor dining?
Because they were probably too lazy to wash it or too afraid of the virus.
San Bernardino is code purple so restaurants/cafes remain closed.
I’ve also been to both coffee houses and I thought they were both outstanding. Coffee Muse bakes on site which I feel is a plus. But on any given day they’re both better than any chain coffee establishment.
I don’t think the point of allowing Orange County to re-open indoor dining is to have people from more restricted counties cross county lines and eat indoors…
Too bad, so sad. We test negative every Wed!
I think I’ll take my beautiful fiancé there this morning..C & B
Enjoy!
Looks like a great option- thanks for the write up. One thing- please remember to edit your otherwise good posts before publishing. Don’t be like Gary Leff, who continually undermines his own writing with horrendously poor writing. You wrote this: “ Second, I loved interior of this café, which was so minimalist. ”
Something is missing.
Otherwise, good review!
Thanks Jason, I’ve fixed it. Also received your email on PQ. Will respond fully.
looks very good!:)
I rarely venture thru the “Orange Curtain” but when I do I like Bad Coffee in Costa Mesa. It doesn’t have the charm and character as Hopper + burr but it’s very good.
Thanks Matthew. We head to OC frequently for R&R, mostly down to south OC, but this spot would be a nice way to wander up to Santa Ana. Can’t wait for things to get better so we can head back to California!
A couple miles down the road, Portola Coffee just off of 405 is really good too, and very convenient for stopping by when driving through Orange County.
A great new spot in Costa Mesa is Moongoat, on Placentia Ave. It’s probably the best coffee joint in CM.
Down the street (but technically in Newport) is Commonroom Roasters. They’re owned by Australians, who do things slightly differently, apparently; and it’s really good as well.
In Santa Ana there’s one other place you may want to try: Hidden House. A potential perk is the excellent taco truck that was in the parking lot the last time I was there. Possibly the best corn tortillas I’ve ever had in a taco, though I haven’t paid the exorbitant prices at Taco Maria yet.
Stay tuned for my Costa Mesa coffee review on Friday, which will include Moongoat! 😉 (though it was at their old garage location off I-405)
I was going to do one OC coffee post, but I figured that would grow too big, so I am doing it city by city over time.