I love the Bean. I've been coming here since the day they opened. I used to think the name was cheesy...but it's grown on me and now I simply love the whole place.
For many years I stopped in here every morning for my "Medium Iced Vanilla Latte: WITH A SHORT STRAW". JR was always making me these Captain Insane-o multi straw rigs just to annoy me. It was awesome. I will also never forget the one day that Casey made my drink *before* I actually rolled up to the window...and it was the *one* time I switched up my order...I didn't know! Hah. Too funny. Mike can seem a bit anxious, but he really is a good guy, and his coffee shop is my favorite one on Earth.
I've never had a bad cuppa. I love the indoor/outdoor seating. Plus all the traditional coffee house stuff...I also enjoy his dad's Old Rag Tyme music. It adds to the diverse character of the place.
I live in SF now, and I like BrainWash, my favorite cafe here....but it isn't the same as the Bean, where I felt comfortable chilling out morning, noon or night.
Miss you guys.