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    Ground Up Coffee

    4.5 (596 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Ground Up Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    GROUND UP COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Ground Up Coffee

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    Upgraded for almond milk when I got half and half.
    Crystal C.

    I ordered a regular cold brew, I was asked what creamer would I like. I said almond milk but change my mind to half and half prior to payment. I was still charged the Almond milk +$0.75 in the order. I clarified before tapping my card, $6.25 for a regular cold brew? She said correct unless I wanted a Large size which would be a difference in price. I tapped and asked for a receipt. When getting my drink, I asked the barista why I wasn't charged $5.50 as stated on the menu board for a regular cold brew. He said it was because I asked for almond milk. And the charged for $6.25 remained. I left confused with my order- regular cold brew with half and half. I was upcharged for a standard drink. The drink itself is watered down with no flavor. There is better cold brew found anywhere else. Also, the phone number on the receipt doesn't take you to the store, you could only leave a voice message. The website is under construction and there is no other way to contact the coffee shop. Completely disappointed in the drink, service and coffee shop.

    Entrance
    Veronica P.

    Ground Up local coffee spot located next door to J&S. Finally decided to try it out. I ordered the Banana Latte. I added Mocha. It was a perfect blend of coffee, banana & Mocha. Coffee wasn't too strong. Service was quick and easy. They were a little busy but the two ladies got the orders out in timely matter. It's a very small quaint little shop sitting on the Main Street Garfield. Parking can be tough. I've had better coffee but this not a bad local place to give a try. Beats over priced Starbucks any day. I'll definitely be back when in the area.

    Order and pickup
    Brianna C.

    We came here on Memorial Day around 9 am and there was already a steady flow of traffic but not too long of a line to order. We were greeted as soon as we walked in! We waited in line about 5 minutes which gave me time to check out their main menu and a cute customer favorites menu. I also appreciated the art on the walls, the sticker fridge, and the bookshelf with books of all types and games. I ordered the April iced: quad shot latte, 1 pump honey, cinnamon, and oat milk. J ordered a large cold brew. The April is good, the espresso is very present but not overwhelming and I knew what to expect. The cold brew could be stronger but it tastes good.

    Hot Vanilla Cinnamon Latte and Hot Mocha Latte Turkey Chessse Crosssiant
    Christina P.

    This has become my new favorite local coffee spot. I stop by before work all the time, and it's nice seeing a small community coffee shop getting more popular. It's conveniently right off the 60 freeway, with both indoor and outdoor seating and a welcoming local feel. The service is quick and efficient, and I appreciate supporting places like this over big corporate chains. I've tried the turkey & cheese croissant, spinach & ricotta croissant, everything bagel, and chocolate chip cookie, all really good. I also like that they heat everything in a toaster oven instead of a microwave. The coffee is consistently good, and I'll definitely keep coming back. Worth checking out if you're in the area.

    Drp coffee and cortado

    My relatives bought me a bag of Ground Up whole beans when they came to visit me a couple months ago. I used that bag of beans for coffee every day for its short existence (maybe a week). I was thoroughly impressed. The depth of flavor along with its mild acidity and bitterness made a very good and balanced cup of coffee. When I came out to visit my relatives this week, Ground Up was my first stop for coffee. I had been here twice before, but it had been over a year. It was 10am but it felt like 80 degrees. Still, I ordered my cortado and drip coffee. Two minutes later they called out that a cortado was ready. I didn't think it was my order because I hadn't received my drip coffee yet. They called out a drip coffee next, and I realized the drinks were mine. That was quick! And there were several people in the cafe. Both drinks were equally excellent, just as I remembered. I asked the barista what beans were used in my drinks. He told me the Espresso blend for the cortado and the Naranjos for the drip. I bought a bag of whole beans of each. I'll try to make those bags a last little longer this time.

    The turkey croissant was perfect. Warm and toasty.  I loved the coffee. Wish I was having some now!!
    Claudia S.

    I think I had something called Riffa - all I remember was it was delicious with all the right notes of cinnamon and some other ingredients. I had the turkey croissant warmed, and it was perfect. Enjoyed the comfortable setting and music. Server was very nice and welcoming. Will definitely return to get another awesome coffee fix. There's some indoor chairs for study, nice outside, and a window counter with stools. A must when I'm near Montebello.

    large cold matcha latte with oat milk
    Kay M.

    They have a very small parking lot in the back. There's limited street parking. Came during a weekend. They were not busy. Got the large cold matcha latte with oat milk for 8 something. Saw that they squirted some clear sweetener on the drink. The drink was pretty good. There was plenty of seating indoor and outdoor. There were also plenty of outlets. They did clear out the place at 3pm. Good place to catch up with friends.

    Matcha Latte w Oatmilk
    Tyler S.

    Clean aesthetic, cozy vibe, and real community energy at Ground Up Coffee. Small shop, big culture feel. Matcha Latte with oat milk was freshly prepped, smooth, and on point. Quick service, no extra noise -- just quality done right. Solid neighborhood staple.

    Interior and Counter (Part 1)
    Ian A.

    Ground Up Coffee (Montebello) is special. The moment I sipped my Banana Oat Latte ($6.25 - iced) my eyes widened in genuine surprise. The flavor of fresh banana was immediate! Next, its loving caffeine fluttered vibrantly causing a bright smile to widen. This is indescribably delicious! I arrived at Ground Up Coffee (Montebello) on Monday (around 11:50AM). The parking situation is HORRIBLE. The proposed private parking in the back was completely full. The public parking in the front was completely clogged. I had to park several minutes away near a golf course where a sign proudly declared how the city won't be responsible if your car gets damaged. Later, I find myself almost blocked in as more cars later surround me. Yet, despite how horrible, I still understand the hype. Ground Up Coffee (Montebello) is popular for a very good reason. The counter lacked a long line, but I still waited three minutes and 11 seconds until being helped. It appears the one staff member had a pattern of taking one order, making that one order, and returning to take another order. It moved very slow for having one person ahead of me. Staff is friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Staff (receipt said Nathanael) answered all my questions and struck friendly conversations with familiar patrons. I ordered the Banana Oat Latte ($6.25 - iced), and my drink was completed in one minute and 49 seconds. Fast! As mentioned prior, I adored the Banana Oat Latte ($6.25 - iced). It's delicious, fresh coffee. This coffee was not bitter nor overly sweetened; rather, it brought the taste of fresh & light banana. The caffeine is neither obtrusive nor punchy; instead, its caffeine felt clean and enduring. This Banana Oat Latte felt chill, smooth, and refreshing. It almost teetered towards tasting silky like a freshly brewed milk tea. Phenomenal!! Regarding ambiance, Ground Up Coffee (Montebello) uses its small space well. There's indoor and outdoor seating. The interior is well-ventilated and clean. The music was slow but with a perky beat. Its inside includes three tiny tables with two chairs each; there's one tall counter with two tall chairs; and there's one long bench. Each of these seating areas were near an electrical outlet for devices. Also, there's a small book/entertainment corner that included Jenga, playing cards, and Scrabble. There's also a gender neutral restroom in the back. For its outside, most of its outside tables are well-shaded. There's six outside tables and one bench. Unfortunately, its outside patio has no music. Instead, customers will have the breeze of the car exhaust driving by, and the sounds of zooming vehicles. However, I did like how there's two public water bowls for dogs. Overall, Ground Up Coffee (Montebello) serves magical coffee. My distaste for its awful parking vanished as I felt myself drift away in caffeine bliss. The Banana Oat Latte ($6.25 - iced) brewed up a burst of joy. Delightful! I happily recommend! 4.8 out of 5

    Latte and a ham/cheese croissant
    Eileen M.

    Really enjoyed this coffee shop. It was super easy to find and right off the freeway. They have their own parking lot, which was super convenient. There is a spacious outdoor patio with a few tables and counterspace on the inside. Friendly and patient service. I read that they are known for the vanilla cinnamon latte, so that is what i went for. A large latte has 4 shots and a small latte has 2 shots. I got the small since it's almost 10 am already.. (i'm trying) I also got a ham and cheese croissant. It was on the biggerside, had a nice crunchiness on the top and tasty ham and cheese. Now I'm sitting outside watching all the people come in and out.. and quite a few people have come and gone. When i arrived the patio was almost empty and now it is full. Cute spot.. i will come again when i am in the area.

    Cinnamon vanilla latte
    Alexis M.

    I really enjoyed my time here I spent about an hour or two getting some work done and being on my phone. Such a yummy spot. Super cute interior. They keep it COLD; Perfect for this heatwave. . . I got the popular vanilla cinnamon latte with oat milk and it was so good. I'm a coffee drinker so it doesn't affect me much when I drink a lot. So it was nice that the large has four shots & it really got me in the zone focused on my work!

    Ashley M.

    I enjoy ground up coffee very much, I used to come here very often since I was a student at ELAC which is pretty much down the street. Since I was in the area this time I decided to revisit for old times sake. The shop is quaint & cute, they have some seating indoors & outdoors. The shop is quiet so it's a good place to come & chill or stay and work on things if you need to. They don't have the biggest selection in drinks which I can appreciate because it gives them time to focus on what they have. My favorite is the vanilla cinnamon latte which is perfect. The taste of the coffee isn't strong nor is it weak I think it's just right if I'm being honest. It also isn't the sweetest with just a hint of vanilla & the cinnamon that brings it all together. That's what I can appreciate out of a good coffee anyway. Overall I love this place and will revisit whenever I'm in the area, price point is good, staff is friendly, and vibe is chill.

    Hazelnut latte

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

    Such strong and delicious coffee, lattes are so good and the atmosphere is so cute. Thank you for keeping it clean and welcoming.

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    5 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Cute, Latino owned, free WiFi and the coffee is great. Been in twice this week! Support small

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    4 months ago

    The two male baristas are constantly flirting with customers. Very unprofessional. I don't understand how this is allowed.

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    Ground Up Coffee Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ground Up Coffee

    Do you have free wifi?

    Yes, we do.

    Do they have wifi?

    Yes, we do.

    Are there outlets available near tables to charge a phone or laptop?

    Yes, we have lots of outlets inside. But, none outside.

    Hi, I want to support a local business by buying roasted coffee beans for my home breville machine. Do you sell roasted beans, and are they roasted by you or someone nearby with a roasted date? If so, I like to go buy some every week.

    Yes, they are roasted by us and we roast fresh beans every week. Thank you for inquiring.

    Is the patio/ indoor tables available for studying?

    Yes they are. No time limit.

    Hello. I was wondering what your hours or modes of operation is with the coronavirus closures on businesses? Is it take-out only?

    Hi. Yes it is take-out only until the mandate has been lifted. Hours remain the same for now. Monday - Saturday, 7am - 4pm. Thanks

    Do they have air conditioning?

    Yes

    Do you guys have oat milk as a sub?

    Yes we do!

    Hello I was wondering if I brought my own reusable cup would you guys put my drink in it? I'm willing to pay a bit more

    They're cool with that. Never charged me extra when I've brought my own cup.

    Do they sell bags of roasted whole beans?

    Yes. We rotate origins and always offer freshly roasted beans.

    View All 17 Questions

    Review Highlights - Ground Up Coffee

    I had the Nitro Brew, which is cold coffee the barista (Ryan) was nice enough to pour milk in it for me.

    Mentioned in 20 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Lilly’s Cafe

    Lilly’s Cafe

    3.8
    (101 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    I usually only buy matcha in K-Town because it is the only place where I have consistently found…read morehigh-quality matcha. However, I decided to give this café a try because East LA cafés are rare, and I wanted to support this particular business. I ordered a matcha, a coffee for my sister, and a few baked goods. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. The matcha was poor quality, the coffee was mediocre, and the baked goods tasted like items from Ralphs or Costco. They seemed almost stale, were clearly not baked in-house, and lacked everything you'd expect from a baked item from a café. What was especially frustrating was that the matcha et al. is priced as if it were ceremonial grade, despite the quality being far below that standard. The bakery items are prepackaged products arranged to fit the café's aesthetic rather than freshly made offerings. The space itself is cute, and the woman who helped us was very kind. However, the quality of the food and drinks simply does not justify the prices. I really wanted to like this place and support a local East LA café, but the overall experience fell FAR short of expectations.

    I love this place so so so much!! I got a banana matcha and my friend got a strawberry matcha, both…read more10 out of 10. The employees were really nice and patient with me ordering when i was picking my bakery. I got a chocolate croissant and chocolate donut. Really good definitely should try. The ambiance, I love it so much. Outside of the restaurant was very clean loved the white flowers next to the chairs and tables. Inside it shocked me. It was so beautiful. I loved how they organized and the pink wall stand out to me!

    Photos
    Bakery baked goods
    Bakery baked goods
    Tiramisu Cakes & Cappuccino Cups
    Tiramisu Cakes & Cappuccino Cups
    Fruit Tarts

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    Fruit Tarts
    Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab

    Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab

    4.2
    (114 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    Free parking
    Free WiFi

    Glad to see another coffee shop in Monterey Park, and such a cute one! Its clean, modern, and…read morecomfortable for studying/working. There is a good amount of seating and outlets, but it can fill up because people tend to spend several hours doing work. I've had their Chai latte, americano, and some other drinks. All were really delicious! They also have pastries and sweets from the case. I've tried their new butter mochi and didn't care for it though. The staff here is friendly and helpful as well.

    Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab is a decent cafe with plenty of seating, making it a comfortable spot to…read morerelax or get some work done. Coffee - 3/5. The coffee was well-made - it wasn't burnt, overly bitter, or sour, so the extraction seemed solid. However, the flavor felt flat and watered down. It lacked the aroma, body, and rich roasted notes that make a cup memorable. Nothing really stood out, leaving it tasting more diluted than satisfying. Also, I don't think the barista could froth the coffee well. Instead of a nice velvety, dense froth, the froth was a bubbly foam (see photo). Food - 3/5. I visited around 9 a.m., but the pastry selection was surprisingly limited (see photo). The pastries also didn't taste particularly fresh; they had more of the texture and flavor you'd expect from pastries sitting out later in the day rather than freshly baked items you'd hope to find early in the morning. The café has a modern, hip vibe and a warm, inviting atmosphere. It's spacious, with plenty of seating, making it a pleasant place to spend some time. Overall, Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab is a fine neighborhood café if you're looking for a comfortable place to sit and enjoy a coffee. Unfortunately, neither the coffee nor the food left much of an impression. Nothing was particularly bad, but nothing really stood out either. While the ambiance is probably its strongest point, the coffee is just average.

    Photos
    Goguma Crème Brûlée Bun
    Goguma Crème Brûlée Bun
    Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab
    Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab

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    Damo

    Damo

    4.6
    (138 reviews)
    5.8 mi
    $$

    Damo has quickly become one of my favorite spots in the Arts District. Their premium matcha is…read morerich, smooth, and balanced without any bitterness. You can really taste the quality in every sip, and it's clear they take their sourcing and preparation seriously. The minimalistic interior is also a plus for this location. It's a great space for studying, catching up with friends, or just taking a break. It's a spacious interior with much more seating compared to the Koreatown location.

    8/4/2026 3 1/2 Stars…read more First time at Damo. MATCHA EINSPANER Very creamy matcha. Matcha flavor is there, but it's not distinct matcha where you can taste the nuances of the matcha flavors. The cream top does make it very creamy and it does mask majority of the matcha flavor. It did taste like a dessert drink. It was enjoyable though. COLD BREW VANILLA Weirdly sour and smoky flavored cold brew. Slight floral flavor too. It was such an odd combination of flavors with the vanilla cold foam. The lingering aftertaste was not good either. It's neither this nor that. Would not recommend! FINANCIERS Their financiers are made by a local bakery called Musk. It seems their financier flavors are changed often, so no same flavors are in rotation. Sausage & Parmesan - The almond cake's vanilla flavor with the sausage and salty parmesan was a unique flavor. The almond cake was nice and spongy. It did take a bit of time to get used to the savory flavors with the almond cake. It's like a breakfast in an unexpected way. Nutella - Buttery almond cake with nutella and roasted hazelnuts. Enjoyed it! I think Nutella fans would like it. Mugwort + Fig - Buttery in the beginning and it ends with a good, medium-strength flavor of mugwort. Fig was garnish on top, so you barely get it. However, I like that they added the sweetness of the figs with the earthy bitter mugwort. Overall, it was uniquely delicious and mugwort was the star. Yuza + Apricot - A tad sweeter than expected due to the outer brush of yuza aka yuzu simple syrup. Loved the chewy apricot on top. It really brought a lovely fruityness to the financier. The yuzu flavor was there alongside the butteryness of the almond cake. All the financiers were done well! Delicious! Recommend trying at least one when you're at this location. Not sure if their financiers are offered at their other locations. CUSTOMER SERVICE It was good. Not terribly friendly, but still answered my questions. Staff were all busy making the drinks. AMBIANCE + SEATS Really large space with rows of tables and chairs. It was strange walking in and seeing various tables and seats to one side and it almost looked like a cafe used as office space. Seeing all the people sitting down on their laptops or talking, as though they're having a casual business meeting there. It was just strange. The tables were mixed wooden tables and chairs. There were long benches too for people waiting for takeout orders. The large space felt so roomy, I get why the tables were all taken. PARKING Street parking is available, yet when I was there in the early afternoon on a Tuesday, it was packed! The only place to park was the paid parking lot right across from Damo. Parking was $5.00. I wouldn't recommend parking elsewhere outside of that street, as it is a sketchy area and lots of homeless encampments around the area. Would I return? Not sure. I like the large, roomy warehouse space with lots of tables to sit in, but the cafe being in a sketchy area gives me hesitation. Not in love with $5.00 parking too. One of my drinks was good, but the other was bad. The only thing I loved was the financiers.

    Photos
    Einspanner, matcha latte, and hojicha latte!
    Einspanner, matcha latte, and hojicha latte!
    From Left to Right: Strawberry Matcha with Cream Top, Strawberry Matcha Coconut refresher, and Black Einspanner
    From Left to Right: Strawberry Matcha with Cream Top, Strawberry Matcha Coconut refresher, and Black Einspanner
    Matcha Einspeners (Less Sweet)

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    Matcha Einspeners (Less Sweet)
    The Brown Owl Cafe

    The Brown Owl Cafe

    3.7
    (74 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $

    I've been here twice and waiting until the next time I visit because this is a great…read morehole-in-the-wall in East LA! I've seen a lot of mixed reviews stating that their service, drinks, and food is subpar but I haven't experienced that yet because maybe they're just mad. As far as drinks go, we've tried their Abuelita Latte, Horchata Bliss Latte, and Honey Latte. I've opted for oat milk for every single one and they've all been spectacular! Great espresso tones and overall flavor. As far as sandwiches go, we've tried their Chipotle Melt, Chicken Pesto, and Black Forest Ham. They're all good but the Chicken Pesto stood out the most and it was one of the best sandwiches I've had. A little pricey but very delicious! Service has been great every single time. The wait time hasn't been too bad for us but I would consider maybe calling in if you're in a rush because it may take longer than you'd normally expect from a smaller business like this one. Parking onsite is shared by East Los Tacos but there's additional parking available across the street. However, I would recommend taking your valuables and keeping a close eye on your vehicle if parked across the street because the area there is very sketchy.

    This was our first time trying this cute hidden gem. Located next to LA Reina tortillas and a taco…read morespot you could easily pass it like we did. Coffee is always a lil better when you're treated to it. I was gifted a hot Cafe latte. The vibe is cool with a spacious sitting situation. Were looking forward to coming back to try another drink and taste their food items.

    Photos
    Chill spot.
    Chill spot.
    Avocado toast with eggs
    Avocado toast with eggs
    Blood lemonade

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    Blood lemonade
    Picaresca Barra De Cafe

    Picaresca Barra De Cafe

    4.4
    (414 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    Picaresca is hands down my favorite coffee shop in Boyle Heights! It's Mexican owned and you can…read moretruly feel the passion they put into everything they do. The owners are always welcoming, friendly, and genuinely make every customer feel at home. Their customer service is exceptional and one of the main reasons my family and I keep coming back. The food is amazing! Their chicharrón burrito is the best I've had, and the chilaquiles are always fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Their coffee is just as impressive--they roast their own beans, make their own café de olla syrup, and you can even buy their coffee beans to enjoy at home. Every cup tastes fresh, rich, and authentic. I also love the atmosphere. The artwork throughout the shop is beautiful and gives the space so much personality. It's the kind of place where you want to sit, relax, and enjoy your coffee. Another thing I appreciate is that their prices are more affordable than many other coffee shops, especially considering the quality of the food, coffee, and service. My kids absolutely love coming here, and it's become one of our favorite family spots. If you're in Boyle Heights and looking for incredible coffee, delicious food, beautiful local art, fair prices, and some of the kindest people you'll ever meet, Picaresca is a must-visit. I can't recommend them enough!

    I've been coming to this cafe for a while now. But, every time I visit, I am constantly telling…read moremyself "yeah ima give myself a break from here for at least a week or two" because of the food OR the customer service, AND sometimes both. This last time might truly be the last time for me. This past weekend I went with my family to have breakfast and it was okay.. One girl who took our order was kind but there's this other girl who's usually always working there with short hair who always has this unwelcoming behavior.. Mind you, the ones who are in the front taking orders are like the "face" of the cafe and it'll reflect what kind of experience the customer will have. (Speaking from someone who has experience in customer service, especially in the food industry.) We ordered our food and found a table outside but it was dirty so I went to ask to ask the girl if she can give ME something to wipe down the tables. I don't have a problem doing so because it's just a habit of mine. She said that she'll tell someone to go outside and clean it. That short haired girl came out and cleaned our table.. the time we went was busy so I understand if they couldn't do their rounds of cleanups but even when it's slow, it's still not done and I don't understand? The cooks and baristas are obviously busy trying to take orders out, the least that some cashiers can do in the front is to communicate with one another to be able to cover both in AND out of the cafe.. Then, I asked for another salsa because I was given one and I usually always ask for another one and I'm never given problems over it or question about it but this time the SAME short haired girl with attitude asked if I wanted to swap it out for the one that's already on my plate? I was confused because I was never asked that before.. it made me feel like I had to choose one or the other because two wasn't the option It's salsa.. no pasa nada si me das dos.. I started questioning myself like am I tripping? But my family member was with me, witnessing everything, that she brought it up before I did. Mind you, our entire meal came out to $77... in this time AND economy, it's not that easy to just go anywhere and spend that type of money. So, when one does it, it's because we want to either treat ourselves AND our loved ones. The experience didn't feel like it was worth our money.. and c'mon, to be spending THAT much IN Boyle Heights is wild. Don't get me wrong, people in the hood also deserve a cool and calm ambience pero si se pasan with the prices and on top of that the customer service is mid? Also, can I mention about the dishes situation? Crazy how we spent $77 to put our own dishes in the bin? Not even Wingstop lets you do that!? Again, it's all about the customer service and the experience for the customer. Especially if it's the customers who are INVESTING hard working money into the cafe with every purchase. Now, there's only TWO other girls who are the sweetest and I wish I knew there names but they're the reason why I always give it another chance. Besides that, the customer service is always off. And the baristas gotta learn some customer service too. Smile and look up for once, it's really not that hard and making coffee isn't THAT serious. I've been off of social media for a while now but this place definitely brings in many "instagram" people.. so sometimes the atmosphere also feels performative and I've noticed it attracts that. I came across this place just by driving by and curious to wanting to try it but I also had some doubts beforehand. I gave this place multiple chances but it continued to prove me RIGHT From what I've seen, it doesn't seem like true Boyle Heights/East LA locals go to this cafe... the prices don't really cater to the community they're in! It caters another group of people for attraction and just another form of hipster It be the ones who are raza who exploit their own culture for money and attention because being and claiming brown culture is "cool" now. Don't get it twisted, the real ones see through it.

    Photos
    Inside seating area.
    Inside seating area.
    Breakfast burrito. Bacon, potatoes, egg, cheese.
    Breakfast burrito. Bacon, potatoes, egg, cheese.
    Machaca burrito

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    Machaca burrito

    Ground Up Coffee - coffee - Updated August 2026

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