Cafes
F'COFFEE
When I first heard the name "F'Coffee", I wondered what-the-F my friend was saying to me, but I was too tired and hungry to care. Visiting this friend's friends in one of the stylish studio spaces across the street, I had been promised a satisfying lunch at a place nearby that would make up for the long, hard work day we'd had.
If there is a sure-fire way to soothe the ravenous beast inside of me, it's to present it with a less than two-minute walk to the place where the food be. Such astounding proximity sure started mine and F'Coffee's relationship on the right foot, and the sign out front promising a beer & grilled-cheese combo for less than five bucks cemented a union made in heaven.
We happen upon another mate of the aforementioned studio, who seems to have spent the better part of her day there. Laptop out, food remnants about, and a giant mug containing coffee dregs, are all tell-tale signs. Not to mention a great familiarity with the staff which immediately rubs off on me.
"What a nice little hang-out," I think to myself, feeling thrust into their community. I then proceed to lunch there on two other occasions within the span of about a week and a half. We devour multiple sandwiches (with multiple cheeses inside) and daytime beers while the sign still permits, knowing things this good never last.
The beer and sandwiches are still there, and no, I don't mind buying them the old-fashioned way. There's a rather extensive and tempting list of varieties, though it's always hard for me to resist my first love- being a combination of Smoked Mozzarella, Cheddar and Havarti on sourdough bread. ($5, though I think a bit extra for all that cheese...).
Ridiculously, it wasn't until months later that I finally tried their coffee; an Americano which, my friend belatedly warns me, is "kind of jittery "--perhaps implying that this jittery girl start with something a little less potent. Well, potent it was, but jitter I did not. Very strong, but very smooth, I even heard a customer candidly call it "the best coffee in Toronto" with his own mouth.
Such a powerful bean begs for some sweets, and I suddenly became hyper-aware of the fact that I haven't even so much as glanced at their baked offerings (this being what happens when I fall victim to sandwich-vision).
It was high time for a cookie, but I had sadly missed the early-day array, and was left with chocolate chip as my only option. This would have been fine if it weren't for my irrational hatred of the stuff. Bummer. I have heard great things about them, though.
These days, it seems that whenever I'm out gallivanting, F'Coffee isn't far away; in the midst of a visit to the Riverdale Art Walk last weekend, or on the way to my roommate's work place this afternoon, I turn my head and it's there. I think it may be stalking me.
A close look at the sign finally reveals the "hidden" piece of the name "puzzle" in the "fine print" above: "there's always time...(a-haa!)". " F'Coffee." This fabulously lazy philosophy, expressed in an equally-so diction is almost too awesome for me to bear.
It also seems rather appropriate (for the place itself), very necessary (for those who have yet to learn), and would probably make a fitting epitaph for yours truly.
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My almost, daily breakfast stop, and I totally agree with Dana, the coffee is the best in the city. If you are lucky enough to get there when the cookies come out of the oven, you won't be disappointed.
and da london fog wasn't bad either!
Ps. Have records will travel Peacelvis
The large chili/bagel combo, at $5.50, cannot be beat.
I am very cheap, and don't like to spend money, but lunch at F'Coffee is often hard to resist - even when I've brought my own!
Also, the staff are great. Very friendly, fast, and thorough.
Not to be missed for anyone in the neighbourhood.
The atmo is very laid-back and low-key, so if you're looking to pose, go down the street.
7am-5pm M-F
10am-4pm Sat
Closed Sun
If you're stopping by on Sundays ... then there might be a chance that I
appear to be never open at F'Coffee. But otherwise , I've been open mon-fri
7am - 5pm since opening two and a half years back. Sat 10 - 4.
Often open later when folks come by for the patio this time of year.
Baking my stuff on site ,roasting coffee , organizing a modest cafe
menu of fresh organic this and that .... means that my shop's hours can't suit everybody's schedule. But outside of my 9 or 10 days off between
Christmas and new years ... it's Mon-Fri 10-5 Sat 10-4. Thanks !
rob / f'coffee
hours for eveverybody's schedule.
1. The owner is very rude! You ask for something like a soy latte (in an effort not to get a burned drink) and he mumbles profanities under his breath because you are making him go out of his way. It is a cafe! People will sometimes order soy lattes! Some of those people will be lactose intolerant. I'm not sure if he's just lazy or intolerant or lactose intolerants.
2. Lattes and cappuccinos are not made properly. Milk is always reheated always burnt.
3. Their pricing system isn't a system. One day i'm charged 5 dollars for something, the next time i'm charge 6.50 for the exact same order! (This has happened more then once.)
4. The place is just generally dirty! If their counters and floor are a sign of their kitchen's condition I would be (and am) afraid of contamination.
Great place all around and everyone should be down with having them in the neighbourhood. One day I will make it back in time!
Oh, and v. sweet patio too.
Great place for a meeting, relaxing out on the back patio with a pint or grabbing a quick breakfast bagel and coffee in the morning.
The homemade cookies are out of this world - if you're lucky enough to arrive when they're just out of the oven.
The veggie chili has been a staple of my diet for a couple of years.
grill cheese good
coffee good
yabba dabba do
The coffee (cappuccino) was not worth better than a Tim Horton's Cappuccino!!!
WILL NEVER GO BACK THE OWNER IS A MORON
prices do vary , as i am quite frequently
cutting folks a deal, no particular reason.
they are always welcome to pay the full
posted prices if this is more satisfactory.-r
I apologize for your perceived experience.
I do thank you for your brevity here,
although appreciated your page long unsigned
hate-mail rant , delivered by Canpost.
Honestly !
the Moron
There are hundreds of much better place in the city.
Keep it up Rob:)
This is not the place to order espresso.
What I like about F'Coffee is the aforementioned lack of 'tude, or perhaps pose is the better term. I'm 49, don't work in film or design, don't have a Macbook or a piercing, don't listen to the Chickasaw Mud Puppies or vote Dipper or Green. Nothing really wrong with any of those things, individually but at some of the coffee shops, you feel that you must hit 8 out of 10 and yes Mercury and Dark Horse, I am thinking of you.
I like my world with a bit of grit and a bit of art in it but not when it seems overly contrived. I suppose that it's the same reason why I prefer the Cameron House to say, Shanghai Cowgirl.
that is pretty bang on. less contrived and a bit more grainy