I will preface this review with two pieces of relevant information: 1). I have moved to Santa Cruz only six months ago and 2). I have moved here from a city, that shall go unnamed, but suffice it to say that it is a city which Santa Cruzians more often associate with its famed dietitians than its culinary contributors and chance to remark caustically on its impressive traffic density rather than its equally impressive cultural density. That said, it is with great joy that today I discovered a drive-thru coffee spot in an unassuming grocery store parking lot, one with a breadth of options and an impressive speed of service. In the parts from which I hail, the drive-thru window is akin to the Seagulls of Santa Cruz, they are dependably everywhere and nowhere at once, and taken for granted. Here in Santa Cruz, the drive-thru is viewed as some sort of anachronistic spasm, or a slovenly reject banished to the outer edges of Surf City and treated with the disdain of a blemish on an otherwise resolute city planning track record. But not so here with Lulu's, dear Santa Cruz! Lo' how it sings out in the ocean breeze! With a varied selection of unique brews (even chicory, yes an iced New Orleans!)-- and all from a fine local purveyor, not some strange dogmatic behemoth from the North. You have won here, Santa Cruz, with little Lulu's drive- thru, and you have won me over. For a moment there I forgot I wasn't in LA, and that for me is a high complement. read more

Lulu's Midtown - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I feel really bad to say that our experience with Lulu's coffee was not a great one. The place is super cute, and the barista was so sweet, but maybe she was new & just hadn't been properly trained on how to make coffee, Idk. Yesterday, while charging at the Tesla station in the same parking lot, we decided to go grab a coffee. We asked a few questions about the different drinks (as we had never been there before & were unsure as to what was in certain menu items). They have cute names like Iron man for their bulletproof coffee & New Orleans for the coffee with Chicory. We decided to stick with our favs- an iced caramel latte & an iced Chai Latte. $14 for 2 iced coffees & we got into the car & on our way. I asked my daughter how her Chai was. She said "I'm sorry Mom, but this is awful, I can't drink it". I took a sip & a powerful mouthful of chunky cinnamon filled my mouth- I choked & spit it out. It was full of powdered cinnamon. My Carmel latte was chunky as well- although what made it chunky was a complete mystery to me. It wasn't coffee grounds or espresso, but almost like she overheated and curdled the milk- which would also be odd considering they were both iced drinks. It was similar to having cottage cheese in your coffee & just eating a spoonful of cinnamon with the Chai. We threw them away, a sad waste of $14, and went to a different coffee house to find something that could actually be considered coffee. I would have gone back to tell the barista if we hadn't been on such a tight schedule that day. I hope this isn't a regular occurrence, although, I can't imagine how it would be if you run a boutique coffee shop- you should be able to make a couple of simple drinks. I love coffee, and I don't mean to sound like a coffee snob, but this was altogether terrible, so I hope it doesn't happen to anyone else. read more

Still expensive but their breakfast food is better now and they remember to make it for me ;) Cold brew is dank and the service has been better. read more

Delightful staff. Easy walkup if you're in the Whole Foods lot or there is a drive through. Good coffee. There is a small patio area in front of the building, but otherwise, get your coffee and be on your way. read more

Lulu's Midtown - Walk-up - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Very cute location and drive thru, but upon ordering the "freshly squeezed orange juice" I can tell it is not freshly squeezed. the price of this drink should be free because it tastes like piss. but my mom likes the soy latte, although it tastes different on each visit. read more

I've been coming here pretty regularly for a while, but last time I was there the barista was super rude, don't think I'll come back. I usually just get a coffee and tip a buck or two in cash, but this time I only had my card. The blonde girl barista was friendly at first, but as soon as I pulled my card out her demeanor changed completely. She dropped her smile, her tone of voice was curt, and her body language when handing me my coffee felt like an intentional "F you". She also darted to the back of the booth before I could ask for napkins. They have GREAT coffee and pastries, but they could have the best in the whole world and it still wouldn't be worth receiving that kind of abrasive energy first thing in the morning. read more

We have found our new local coffee place! We came here for our first time this morning on our way to work mainly because it is close to home and they have a drive through. The woman working the window was so cool and and even tempered, it is nice not to deal with someone who is super crabby about having to work so early in the morning! I ordered an almond/raspberry latte and my husband had a cinnamon mocha. They whip their own fresh cream to put on their mochas!! I want to order a whip creamy drink next time just to see what it is like. My husband got himself a breakfast burrito and everything was so fresh, he was really happy. And everything was a great price! I really appreciate a place that doesn't bend you over with high prices just because they use fresh and organic ingredients **cough**cough**los angeles eateries**cough**cough** read more

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I went into the Lulu's drive-through on Monday to buy an eggnog latte with no special add-ons, and was told by the employee that the cost to me would be 8 1/2 dollars. Needless to say, I left and went to Verve (which is also overpriced, but less so). Just for shits and giggles, I looked up the cost of the ingredients: 89 cents. Enough said. read more

This is my go-to coffee spot. Service is always friendly and super quick! They always remember my drink of choice and usually have it started before I'm even at the window to order. They're the only place I've found that carries the exact milk-alternative I prefer. They even have treats for my dog! read more

Seriously! I just paid nearly 7$ for a small latte. I really love Lulus and try to support local businesses but this is just out right wrong. I was charged $1 or more for non-dairy milk. So what did the $5.75 pay for? An espresso shot?! I love the simple pleasures in life but I can't support a company or not speak up when a local coffee costs nearly 1 hr of minimum wage. I'd love to speak with the owner about not charging for non-dairy milk. Super disappointed and won't be coming back. Several family members and coworkers have shared the same thing to me. It's really sad as they are loosing a lot of business and won't be getting any recommendations from me. read more

Lulu's Midtown - Over priced latte-charged way too much for non-dairy milk! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Disappointing. I really wanted to like Lulu's Midtown. Such a nice idea, to have a drive-through (with a few outdoor tables) in the Whole Food's parking lot. We can walk over from the place we stay when visiting our son and family... And, we can take our dog with us. The young woman taking orders was very nice. The food was the problem. We shared a ham & cheese croissant. It was cold, doughy, and very disappointing. I would give it another chance, on a future visit; ordering something different next time. But for now, we'll stick with The Buttery. read more

It's just a drive through. There really isnt decent seating here in the middle of the Whole Foods parking lot. And the cappucinos are more like lattes. Also the prices are more expensive by about 75 cents than anywhere around read more

Lulu's Midtown - Cool wall up window and drive through - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Love, love this coffee shop. We go almost daily and they have the friendliest staff around. Great service and coffee.

"Many kinds of monkeys have a strong taste for tea, coffee and spirituous liqueurs." ~Charles Darwin It is really unfortunate that the mere mention of Charles Darwin's ideas are so controversial in some circles. Thankfully I don't run in those circles, but these Wal-Mart shopping, bible-thumping, conservative idealists seem to believe that Mr. Darwin came up with the idea of evolution. He didn't. He merely formulated an algorithmic process that explains nearly all natural phenomena. It goes a little something like this: "If entities are subject to varying conditions; and if resources are limited, resulting in a struggle for survival; and if characteristics of individuals are passed to future generations; then a process will occur in which entities adapt to become more fit for the environment in which they need to survive. At this point you're probably wondering what the hell this diatribe has to do with coffee... bear with me for a second. Remember back in the 90s when that little old lady visited a drive-thru to get her McCoffee fix and spilled the boiling contents on her lap scalding her nether regions beyond repair? Yeah, Darwin award recipient right there. Luckily drive-thru coffee bars have learned to adapt to become more fit for their environments. They now take the necessary precautions to serve their coffee with lids that more difficult to pop off and scald old ladies' genitalia. This paved the way for me to enjoy a delicious Lulu's double cappuccino and scone in my vehicle in the morning without the fear of incinerating my junk. Thanks Lulu's for inadvertently looking out for my junk. read more

I had the best drink here yesterday! A twist on the Bowl of Soul: peppermint tea, 50/50 soy/coconut milk, and extra honey. It was SO lovely. I think the sweet person who made it for me is Kira (?) - maybe you could add this to your menu and call it (Kira's) Snowflake! It reminded me of snow. Super sweet little drive thru. I do wish they allowed credit card tips though, I rarely carry cash! read more

I'm not sure my mobile App got the right location but I was in the Rotunda LuLu's. There isn't anything really special about the coffee here. It is average but what I liked was the total Santa Cruz vibe you get from the moment you walk in the door. Greeted by a hip college student who made genuine small talk with me as I decided what to order. I am all about keeping it real and good customer service. A mocha took awhile to get to me but that's okay because I am a professional people watcher. This place delivers without fail. As a comedian, I am constantly writing material based off of my observations. Let's put it this way, I couldn't type any faster on my iphone notes App fast enough to keep up with the show inside this joint :) FREE WIFI TOO. read more

Coconut Latte! Great speciality drink! Great to spice your day for a drink! I can tell how the owner has put so much heart and passion into the coffee business, including art designs and style read more

Oh boy do I hate giving bad reviews based entirely on poor service but the two geniuses working today earned one. They just could not figure out how to use my debit card. They told me there was a problem with the card so I offered to pay with the PayPal app. When I brought up the business in the app and showed them the instructions they had no clue what to do. They just stood there blankly staring at me with stonery eyes. So I called my bank to see if there were any issues with the card. Nope. None at all. I asked the girl to try one more time to see if there was maybe an issue with the magnetic strip. She rolled her eyes and said 'sure.' But unless it takes less than 5 seconds to run a transaction there's no way she actually tried again. Frustrated I walked to Whole Foods to see if there was anything wrong with the card and sure enough, it was fine. Maybe this place is great if you live in Santa Cruz and can handle employees with blood shot eyes that act like zombies. As for me, I'd rather order coffee off a McDonalds self service screen than put up with this crap again. read more

First time here. Quick and friendly. New Orleans style coffee was potent and sweet. Just like I like it. Highly recommend! read more

Lulu's Midtown - New Orleans style iced coffee on this hot day was delish! Definitely recommend. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

The best applewood smoked bacon biscuits are to die for!!! Coffee always amazing, treats for my pup, and stellar service! Go early, they sell out! read more

So wait....I can pick up a coffee in my jammies and not get out of the car? And it's going to be super tasty? Where have you been!?!? Love this setup, if the line is looking long and I'm (somewhat) dressed, I can walk up to the ordering window. If not, sit back and relax with the tunes in the car while I wait for the super friendly baristas to serve the coffee beverage. Caffeinated drive-thru.....heaven read more

Confession: I'm a complete sucker for a drive-thru coffee shop. They are quick and consistent. And they acknowledge and appreciate a tip - and I appreciate that! read more

Today was my first time using the Drive-thru window here. The employee was SO nice, I loved him! That's worth the two stars. Unfortunately, my coffee is icky. I ordered a mocha...Does not taste like mocha...Tastes like regular coffee that's been sitting out for a few hours...No flavor except for the bitter aftertaste. Really bummed, as there aren't any other coffee places near where I'm staying currently. I'll just have to go without in the future! I'd go back for the service, NOT for the coffee drinks! read more

Great service ! The Coffee & turkey pesto panini is amazing! Baristas are super friendly & they deliver now 5 star.

Awesome service with a smile. Great coffee and food. I love this place! The andouille sausage sandwich is especially good, and the house- made eggnog. :) I'll see you guys soon for another mocha. :) read more

Love the walk-up and great coffee and food. Super friendly staff and locally roasted coffee beans. Locally owned is a great plus. read more

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I love this place. It's the only Lulu's I frequent actually.. so convenient! ... the staff rocks. ... the sausage and vegetarian burritos are amazing. .... the yogurt and muesli is great as well. read more

Love coming here! It is convenient on my way to work and their coffee is so delicious. They also have a lot of good options for quick breakfasts. Today I had the peach and berry scone which sounded unusual but I am so glad I tried it. I have tried other baked goods and have not been disappointed. I haven't even started telling you about their breakfast burritos! They are amazing and fresh. I want to know where the sausage comes from because it is so good. And I love that there are beans and tons of cheese in the burritos. One more thing, the staff is always really friendly and attentive even when there is a line and they are rushing to fill orders. read more

The barista was so sweet and the coffee was amazing. I went with my mom and we got an iced chai and iced coconut latte. The chai was just the way my mom liked it but I'd prefer it a little sweeter. The barista let us know that the chai is unsweetened before hand which was awesome. The coconut latte was super good! I was bit skeptical at first since they put coconut oil in it but I'm so glad I tried it out. It taste like a sweet toasted coconut. Amazing service and amazing drinks ! read more

This was the most disgusting sandwich I've ever been served. Ordered a bacon, cheddar, and egg sandwich and received a rock hard biscuit with Thousand Island - hollandaise sauce dripping all over 1 piece of bacon ripped in 3 pieces on some no egg mixture. Threw this "food" into the trash almost immediately after trying it. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I feel sorry for the people of Santa Cruz that have to put up with this disgusting food read more

I come here a few times a week, everyone here is so welcoming! Their Bowl of souls are the absolute best!

Visiting from Austin, TX. Read the reviews and decided to go for the New Orleans! Iced coffee with chickory root, vanilla syrup, and whole milk. Delicious! And, the guy and girl working the Sunday morning shift on 8/22/16 were so amazingly friendly and helpful. They even extended an invitation to let them know how I liked my coffee next time I come back! Pretty sure there's something that every business could learn from. Invite us back to do more business with you! Great job! read more

They wanted to charge an extra 1.50 for a splash of heavy cream in my cold brew coffee. No other coffee shop in town charges for a splash of milk in coffee. Won't be coming back here, luckily there are lots of awesome coffee shops in town. If you're visiting Santa Cruz try Verve or Cat and Cloud. Way nicer service, better coffee, and free milk with your coffee. Ridiculous.... read more

I had a rude encounter with this morning here. I was giving my card back and was putting it away in my wallet and when I was reaching to give a tip someone shouted from inside "just go lady"! Not to mention my coffee was not good at all! read more

I happened upon this place this morning. The gals working were very friendly. I hope they find a better work environment soon. The owner was there training and it was horrifying. The way he spoke to the young lady was so rude. He offered my dog a treat then when she went to give it to the dog he yelled at her and closed the door on my dogs face. My dog didn't get the treat. He just barked orders instead of explaining things to her. As a patron, I was embarrassed that I supported the business. The coffee shop didn't have coffee brewed when I came in at 8am (owner was in charge of it) and when I did get it, it was really bad and I didn't finish it. I will be supporting businesses with better ownership in the future. read more

What's up with this establishment's employees? Airheads? Potheads? They could not get a simple order for a latte correctly. I asked for latte to be flat (no foam) and ended up having foam up the ying yang. What a waste of $4.25. Should have gone to Stabucks and paid less. read more

I was treated terribly this AM. It was 27 degrees and there were four cars in the drive thru line so my cousin and I walked up to the window. We were not acknowledged at all. There were two employees working and they helped all four cars and said nothing to us. The man working shut the door cause it was cold. I would know because I was standing in the freezing. Then as the man working walked a coffee out to a parked car he laughing said to us as we left, giving up? I said, yes. You haven't helped us or acknowledged us and it's 27 degrees out. What happened to helping one car one walk up?! I was furious. I called the owner and never got a call back! read more

Best brew in this part of town. Drive through and walk up window only. So take out orders only. If you're looking to sit down and socialize, this is not the place. Strictly a coffee stop. Limited selection of whole bean for sale. read more

I love Lulu's coffee and I also love the convenience of a drive thru but this morning my order was delivered with a kind gesture. On my way out of town to visit my elderly mother who is in the hospital I stopped for a cup of coffee for the road. The barista asked me if she could get me anything else. I flippantly said "wings, so I could fly to the Central Valley." I then explained my travels. As I went to pay for my coffee the barista handed me back my money and said, "it's on me. Have a safe trip and I hope your mom gets better soon." The kindness of that barista will keep me coming back. read more

Sorry that my follow up review has to be so far off from my first one but while the coffee is delicious, no doubt, some of the best me or my wife have had, 2 things have come up that rub me the wrong way. 1. If you are going to have an item on your menu, then I feel,you should be sure to have stock of it. On 4 separate occasions I have been told that they are out of New Orleans Ice Coffee. Once I understand but four times? So then I'm in the drive thru ordering something I really didn't have my heart set on. It happens at various times throughout the day, not always in morning or afternoon. 2. First come first serve. Sorry, I am choosing the drive thru coffee because I want the convenience and perceived expedience that a drive thru generally gives. However when I am waiting in my car and I see no less than 4 people stroll up to the 'walk up' window and get served before me I start getting annoyed...severely. I will likely come back to LuLu's since the coffee is so good but it won't be nearly as frequently as we once did. read more