Oliver Coffea, Hillcrest

On our way to the car...

my sis and I stopped by the coffee shop at the bottom of these towers...

This apartment complex is known as the Eitol Towers and they were built a few years ago after the original buildings were torn down (it used to be one of the Thrift Traders; check it out in this old post from 10/15 during an outing with Astroboi).  On the NW corner of University and Center St. is a new (to me) coffee shop called Oliver Coffea. That is not a typo - I am assuming they spell it as "Coffea" because they also serve milk tea drinks here.  So, in regard to not noticing this place before, please note that I haven't been in this area in quite awhile, pandemic or not. Hillcrest seems to have gone downhill over the years. Sorry, but it just isn't the hotspot destination as it used to be decades ago.    I also hadn't seen any write ups in any local food media about it so Olive Coffea was not on my radar.

My sis and I had parked a few blocks away for our Sunday walk and I saw it while en route to Bread and Cie and made a mental note to stop by before returning to the car. As you can see, it is like a lot of other hip coffee shops.  Minimal decor except plants, which are the new natural bling in interior decorating.  The menu is sparse menu (as it should be) - there were traditional espresso based drinks as well as some milk tea options. They also offered some delicious looking pastries (some vegan options; I'm not vegan by the way)




They recently opened the seating area outside. This was my view looking up...

I originally wanted a cortado, knowing full well it would be served in a horrible paper cup.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, but drinking good coffee from a paper cup is just not the same. Anyhow, the barista came out apologetic and said she wasn't paying attention and overpoured so instead of a cortado, she made me a cappuccino, which was fine by me.  I forgot to ask for a non-milk option too.  No worries. I was fine with it. Coffee was all right,  but I will have to return once they start serving in real cups again.

For the road, I picked up a bacon cheddar scone...

as well as a chocolate chip sea salt cookie. I hope this isn't too salty - look at the crystals on that!

The folks working here were really nice. They knew their regulars too, which is cool. I like that they had a little of everything at their cafe. I will have to try a real cortado next time and maybe one of their specialty drinks.

I could not find any articles but going through their IG, learned that they opened in January and when mid-March hit, the business took a hit from the stay at home mandate. Many coffee shops have been able to keep afloat by doing curbside service or takeout only. They recently reopened their sidewalk seating so that was a plus.  Everyone working there as well as folks waiting were wearing their face masks. No social distancing dots or X's on the ground either to remind people.

Oliver Coffea
1642 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92115
No phone listed

Also, no reviews from that 4-lettered site either!

olivercoffea.com + their IG: @olivercoffea

This place may be getting a revisit after our upcoming road trip!