I decided to Yelp my experience from last; It was a memorable experience for the wrong reasons. On my birthday, last night I decided to go for some dessert. Unfortunately I went to the nearest coffee shop for this, but- the cashier was on a bad one last night. I ask her about desserts she snapped back -I asked or for coffee she snaps back, and initially she snapped at us that "the kitchen is closed" before she knew what we needed to order. The manager should hire people that smile at the counter -or, at the least, someone who wants to work there. read more

Don't waste ur money. Coffee is thick, CASH ONLY! Which I was not aware so thank fully i had some cash then ran outside to ask my husband for some. Really didn't care for this place. Which sucks cuz it has a great location. read more

I came here because I needed a new scenery to do my homework. I got there and it wasn't too crowded which was nice. I ordered a smooth which I appreciated that they had bc I was already highly caffeinated so I didn't need any more coffee. But I realized they are cash only! The barista pointed out the ATM machine so I head there and the machine is broken I wasn't going to give up yet bc I needed the space to do homework so luckily the pizza spot next door had a working ATM machine. I came back and finally ordered my smoothie. The WiFi was kind of slow but enough to get my work done. Probably the best thing was the really nice staff and how comfortable the place was. I'll prob go again to actually try out their coffee. read more

NEVER AGAIN. got an acai bowl with frozen fruit piled on top... I'll never get anything from here.

I love the vibe here. 2 stories. Red brick. Chai is OMG hot. Large bookcases with.....BOOKS. Looks like they have live entertainment. I am not sure you can wrong opening next to a gay bar. High ceilings, friendly staff. I will be back. read more

One of the best coffee places in riverside. Whatever I get, they do not disappoint. They have many different options and a great environment as well if you're looking for a place to study. read more

Super cool place to get work done. Spacious, plenty of seating, wifi, & the cheap prices but excellent coffee. Darren was a super friendly & nice guy too. I like the decor of the place along with the upstairs balcony. Will definitely come back. ***also they only take cash. read more

I've been coming to back to the grind for years and it's definitely one of the coolest places in Riverside. The place has a unique bohemian vibe. I've always been greeted kindly when I walk in and have always been able to find a seat at a table, sofas, or the multiple patios. The drinks and food are delicious and the menu is always expanding. One of the best things about back to the grind is that it's a great hang out place. They have free WiFi if you need to do work on a laptop. There's a lot of room if you're hanging out with a group, and best of all lots of activities going on throughout the week. My favorite is the Monday night basement poetry and music open Mic night. If you're in Riverside this is definitely a place to check out. read more

Nice local coffee shop. The coffee and tea offerings aren't out of the ordinary. They have smoothies and when we were there it looked like the freezer that held the gelato wasn't working. Ewww melted gelato. The events that Back To the Grind hosts is what makes it really special. They have a fantastic charming space and a cool basement that holds open mic night, poetry readings, community support groups, etc. I went for an author reading. It was a cool hip experience. read more

I have mixed feeling about this one. I've been in a few times hoping for a better experience. The place LOOKS very cool and tries to come off as a hipster kinda dive. Unfortunately the last few times I was there were not good and it wasn't the mgmt. Next door is a gay bar and in the evening the spill over crowd was not exactly 'my group', the feel we got was 'we own this place and what are you doing in our space'. Friendly but not inviting. The other times I have been in there (more often than not) the other patrons were either sleeping at their tables, loudly holding conversations that frankly I did not care to be part of, or the individual could definitely use a shower (4-5 days ago). (as someone said in another post it is downtown Riverside after all), I love a good Chai Tea but I don't find it worthwhile to do it here anymore. Paying for the parking puts it over the edge. read more

So MAYBE I shouldn't have read all these reviews before coming here because I had some pretty HIGH expectations to fill when I walked in. I was disappointed. The place looked awesome in the pictures, but when I walked in here, I was surprised. They had advertisements EVERYWHERE. Now, I understand that they have to make their money somehow but they should dedicate a specific wall for this. I mean there were even advertisements on the CUPS. The guy who helped us was pretty cool when he wasn't talking to his friend and playing Donkey Kong. He helped us every time we went up (which was a good 5 times since we were trying EVERYTHING.) The coffee was very mediocre. And the tea wasn't special. Their chicken tenders, now those were good. I wanted to love this place, I really did. read more

Went in here because romanos next door was closed. Ordered a veggie sandwhich which was the work sandwich ive had in my life. The bread I thought was toasted- it was actually just 3 weeks stale. Totmato was mushy just very bad. Boyfriend got vegan pizza. Was frozen and she put it in the toaster with no gloves on. Vegan pizza is just gross in general. Dint get any drinks but now im not going back to try read more

tons of solid coffee options with a hometown feel to it...except for the fact that it's huge. Really like the atmosphere, books and couches everywhere. Great place to go with a buddy and just chill, even by yourself for some good work or reading time. read more

Back to the Grind - Entrance--look at that happy sun! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Riverside, California

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I came here a few times back in 2006 to study w/ my friend. The lighting wasn't the best for studying, but the environment was really chill. I liked sitting there pretending to study haha. I don't know how the place is now, but if it hasn't changed... I'd consider going back for sure. read more

The ambiance of the place is pretty awesome. I didn't think I could find a place like this in Riverside. I love the huge wall of books especially. They have wifi and a good amount of tables and such so it would be a good place to study. For the drinks, I tried their cafe Au lait and my friend got the Thai iced tea and both were good. The worker was extremely friendly and sociable. A definite go back :) read more

There are very few places that stand out to me when it comes to coffee. My cousin's table in Argentina is one of them. Over the years the places I frequented closed and nothing would come along to take its place. Back to the Grind is the healing that this java junkie needed. Finally somewhere that makes coffee like they know how. Finally a place bustling with people but still quiet enough to appreciate background jazz. And finally a place that might just heal me from my addiction to Starbucks. Their food is good, coffee is great and their service is friendly and nice. This place is it ". read more

The guy who made my drink was so rude. Never will I return. Poor customer service. Instead of talking down on Starbucks to me the guy should be worried about giving good customer services so that I would want to return. I really hope someone addresses this. read more

if I could give this zero stars I would. went in with my partner for some lunch and the guy there was so mean for no reason. I just asked him what came in the veggie burger and he got really upset saying "idk like lettuce, tomato, bread, it's a burger" and I asked if it was a bean patty or meat replacement, pretty reasonable question I think, and he said he didn't know and stared at me. idk why I ended up going through with the order he came off so aggressive and threatening, slamming the card reader down and sighing/rolling his eyes like we did something wrong. I'm all for standing up to rude customers but like idk what I did and frankly I felt unsafe receiving this type of energy from a white guy I'm ngl. I wanted to leave but I was too scared to even acknowledge his hostility in fear that he might retaliate even more. what we did I do not know. the food wasn't even good. the bread was so stiff it hurt to bite, and the sandwich itself was mid tier at best. I hate seeing shops like this use "art, vibes, music, community" shit as an aesthetic and being an extremely unsafe space for people in that community. time to look for a new spot in my city, honestly big fuck u to these pretentious shops. read more

HELLOOOO! The decor of this shop has a very vintage/eclectic feel to it-reminds me of ATX with its weird art on the wall and mismatch chairs. The drinks are pretty standard for coffeeshops, nothing mind blowing but not bad either. Overall, it's a great place to get a drink and chat! read more

I've been going to Back to the Grind for years!!! Literally! It all started about 3 years ago when I had my first smoothie (some berry one with raspberries in it) and then as time went on and week by week I tried more and more drinks (and sandwiches, too!) Some friends hold a Bible study there on tuesday nights in the basement, Starts around 7 or 730 I think. But what's cool is there love for every kind of person that walks in and their acceptance of everyone! I've also witnessed many open-mic nights and art shows, as well as scheduled bands come and play (like this last Friday during Saturation Fest! Summon the Yeti was LEGIT!). Atmosphere is rugged and artsy, with an entire WALL of books you are welcome to read and a huge case of board games. There's always art up in the basement, too. You can rent the room and do whatever you want. Plus, the back and stairs to the upper floor overlooking the shop are super cool. FREE WIFI too, for us college kids. I've yet to have a bad experience with any of the workers or my orders. That's what keeps me coming back! Great service and great drinks, coffee and non! Personally, my favorite is the Almond Roca Mocha over ice (I think I spelled roca right?) Not too sweet with a great, smooth taste. If you get a blended vanilla latte, that's cool too. So is their chai... and their mocha.. and their americano.. and all of there teas.. and sandwiches... Okay, so I'm a regular and I love the place. I do brew espresso at home and make my own coffee drinks and I think they do a great job as well at everything they do. Props to the people behind the counter! You all rock! Can't wait to see y'all again. Seriously, if you like coffee and culture, go here. Today. read more

I like the ambiance of this place (dark and good for studying), and the fact that they have a few vegan food options. I will say that those who complain about cash only shouldn't blame the cafe; those credit card companies are a racket anyway with the 3-5% they take off every purchase. However their selection of vegan food is a bit uninspired; stuff I could whip up in my kitchen right quick and/or with little flavor. I really wish that given the lack of options in the surrounding area that they'd step it up a notch. Maybe someday this wish will come true and I'll bump this to 4 stars, as I feel a bit guilty about just the three given the mere fact that there is vegan food. read more

Tired of all the big corporations selling you their blasé versions of cafe culture and need something more interesting than a strip mall cafe? This place is the answer. read more

Quiet, perfect volume on the music. Had to feed the 6 year old, perfect grilled cheese sandwich. Thirsty, both our drinks were cold and tasty. Had to use the restroom, clean and well stocked. Employees were pleasant. Overall fantastic time. Easy parking. Free down one block by yoga studio. read more

Back to the Grind - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Riverside, California

Best lil place to come and chill at. Small or large group, doesn't matter. Drop by and enjoy the coffee, the food, and the ambiance. Don't be out off by the employees attitudes-- the time there is worth it. Enjoy the artwork or the comfy seating. All in all, I adore it here. read more

My favorite place to be, honestly. I love the people there (workers and customers.) I've made a lot of friends an the shop. It is a strange place, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. It's an excellent place to go if you're a fan of anything artsy. They're EXTREMELY pro-art. This is my home away from home. read more

The atmosphere is perfect. Just like how you would picture a coffee house to be. I enjoy watching the local artists that perform down in the basement. The drinks they serve, however, is a different story. I have never had a drink that I could finish, and I'm honestly not a picky coffee drinker. They tend to make things too sweet or too artificial-tasting. read more

In a region severely lacking cozy, independent coffee shops, this is the best I've found so far. I'm not a coffee drinker but I've heard numerous people say their coffee sucks. Aside from this, their tea selection is pretty good. No ac, which is really unfortunate in a town where it's 90+ for a huge chunk of the year. They're also very lax about cigarette smoking, with people constantly puffing away inches from the front door, blowing noxious smoke into the cafe. This is probably illegal. But, the best part of this place is that they seem very community oriented, and supportive of local arts. And, it actually feels nice in there, with old architecture, real wood and gently worn, mismatched furniture, instead of generic cut and paste, corporate interior decorating. read more

I have been here twice and had enjoyable experiences both times. I have had their bagels, and a almond latte which was probably one of the best things. The atmosphere is as everyone says, like plucked from the 1970-1980s. The service is awesome, the man who runs the counter (Darren) is good people. Everyone there simply either does their own thing. It's cool, laid back, has couches, and tables. read more

Always great service, drinks, and snacks. Creative, inspiring, and welcoming environment. Safe place to be no matter who you are, how old you are, etcetera... and that means a lot to me. The women's bathroom could be better, and the A/C needs to be fixed (during the summer), but that's ok. It will come in time. :) I can't wait to come back in again soon. Thank you, Darren & all employees!! :) I hope to be able to donate to your fundraiser soon. read more

This place my regular go to when I study days. Quite and every Tuesday night they have live performs. I love this place!! read more

Back to the Grind - Roasted Turkey croissants - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Riverside, California

I came to their open mic night and I was very disappointed. I came to support my friend and came all the way out from Lancaster (about 2.5 hr drive during traffic hour!) to see my friend read his poem before I make my 2 hr plus drive home. My friend got there early to sign up paid his fee as did I and was given attitude by the host telling him that he might not go on tonight but will put him on the list. We waited patiently until finally we decided to ask and see how much longer until he goes on and the rude hostess told us that she had went out of order and was not going to get to him tonight! I am so upset because we waited our turn and this lady refuse to go in order. She gave her favorite acts more time (allowed time is 4 min) some acts got 10 mins. She also let her favorite acts that came in an hour later go before him. I do not like this host whatsoever. She play favoritism and doesn't allow new people go up unless her favorites go up first.!!! I'm am very disappointed in this open mic night and this lady host TaIene believe is her name. read more

Cool coffee shop. I only gripe have is that they didn't have any staws lol. Yeah of anything to run out of its straws. Still giving them a 5 star and will be coming back again. Such a nice location to come grab a drink and enjoy a nice book. read more

Now this is my favorite place to take a date, it's quirky it has a lot of personality in the style of the book cases, comfy couches, and events they host. I enjoy the different levels that you can sit in the front and people watch or play video games by the restrooms, head towards the back of the coffeehouse to chill outside and have a nice chat with someone or head upstairs and get a good view of everything. The vegan paninis smell heavenly but I've yet to have one. I enjoy the open mics down in the basement that has a industrial look decorated by local artists. Floasis Spoken Word poetry is the best place to take some chill good friends to and just vibe out. This place hosts many events throughout the month so I suggest taking a picture of their calendar while you're there or keep yourself posted by checking their events section of their Facebook page. read more

I just love the atmosphere here, especially on a rainy night! Ran in here to take shelter from the rain while heading towards Festival of the Lights and ended up not going to the Festival at all! I didn't order any coffee or tea, but I did have a hot apple cider and it was absolutely divine. read more

This was a hard location to get to. Parking really sucks. The staff was friendly and helpful. Drinks were good. But they were low or out on ingredients. Prices not to bad. This is a fun unique coffee shop. It was clean alot of seating and love the vibe and atmosphere. They have a book game wall. Bathrooms clean also a back patio for outdoor seating. They only do cash no ATMs just an FYI. Overall my my taste and experience would recommend it. read more

Favorite vegan smoothie is Kindergarten Special anf the BBQ pizza is the best. The owner is badass !

I love this place!!!! I came in and the man behind the counter was so kind!!! He had a huge smile on his face and was all around super nice! I love the atmosphere and the music, not to mention, the food is delicious and the seating is super comfy! I got the Kidergarden Special and a veggie wrap. Highly recommend this in the wall coffee shop! It's an awesome place to catch up or just hang with your friends. read more

Back to the Grind - Kindergarten Special and veggie wrap - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Riverside, California

I've been here a handful of times & I can't get enough! Favorite has to be their chocolate mocha and their pecan bar, delicious! They've had small bands or solos playing every time I've gone, super awesome! The setting itself is cute & unique. NOTE: shop doesn't have AC so hot days/nights it's a bit tough. Highly recommend. read more

WiFi seems solid now and makes for a spacious study environment when there aren't too many things going on. Lots of tables and a new addition of craft beers to the menu! They got it all so you can actually spend the day here: caffeine, food, drinks, and internet. read more

Wonderful friendly atmosphere. Great staff very kind. I love this place 'cause here is the best coffee. read more