MugShots Cafe

I really enjoyed my inaugural visit to MugShots Café. The hole in the wall breakfast and lunch spot offers simple and fresh food at a surprisingly inexpensive price. A hearty chicken salad sandwich on 12 grain bread, a cup of macaroni salad, and a can of soda was less than $ 7. It’s a truly unbeatable price given its downtown location. The food itself was really good. Again, nothing too fancy here, just simple food done right. Don’t be scared off by the long line, as the staff maintain an impressive and efficient operation to get you back to the office fast. I look forward to my next visit to MugShots.

Dropped in for a quick cheap lunch and was totally satisfied. They include tax in the price (amazing! Everyone should do that!), accepted credit card, only took 10 minutes even with a dozen people in front, and tasted great, very reasonable price — $ 6 for great sandwich.

Downtown Albany has a lot of hidden sandwich/​wrap shops for those of us who work downtown. I came here with a friend for lunch during our break having never even seen or heard of this café. The inside is cute but very small. I think there’s only two tables inside, but there’s seating outside, weather permitting. I was in the mood for a hot wrap or sandwich and was disappointed that everything on their menu is served cold. I got the Pine St wrap because I was in the mood for turkey and bacon. The wrap was HUGE and full of really fresh quality ingredients. The circumference of the wrap was probably bigger than the brim of a coffee mug. It could’ve used more bacon and less cheese though. I was served sliced apples on the side which was a healthy alternative to fries or chips. The wrap itself was just under 8 dollars which is kind of pricey to me, but they do use really fresh and good quality ingredients. They do have a decent sized menu, but I wish they would offer the option to serve the wraps/​sandwiches hot or cold. I recently came back and ordered the summer salad with chicken and it was pretty good delicious dressing but the consistency of the chicken salad grossed me out and it had a weird taste to it. I’ve also been able to try their Sheridan sandwich and it’s amazing. They really are generous with their meats. Overall, I will continue to come here when I am craving a good quality sandwich.

I had two drinks on separate occasions from this place.
One time, I had a large Ice Coffee.
Second time, I had a large Pomegranate Ice Tea.
Both drinks were pretty darn good.
The prices are inexpensive (compared with Starbucks and StageCoach Café). Inside there are about two small tables. During nice weather, there are also two tables outside. However, the best seating is across the street at the park.
I highly recommend this place if you want tasty drinks without having your wallet robbed.

I wanted to make it my local lunch hangout while I worked downtown. However, several things made me finally decide to not go back. I ordered hummus which was not fresh. It tasted like it had been around for a few days. Then I went back to try the tuna but I was early — 11:45. My work schedule is early morning. When I asked if they would make a sandwich (they had a full staff and the place was empty) they said no I had to wait until after noon. I found the attitude of the woman behind the counter to be less than friendly for an independent business trying to make it. I thought she may have just been grouchy, so I tried once more. This time I was also a little early. They seemed to be all set up and ready to go. But no beans. As far as I am concerned, if they can’t flex their «rules» 15 minutes once and a while, it means they do not want my business. I did go here to get a tea once and a while. I was left feeling the staff can’t handle the volume of business they do at lunch in a friendly manner. I am not going back.

It’s tucked away, but it’s worth finding. Part of my daily routine.

Homemade soups. Fantastic salads. Wonderful soups. Friendly staff. It’s part of my everyday routine.

Lots of choices for sandwiches and coffee. Specialty coffee drinks. Better than going to Starbucks! Clean and good vibe. Will be back. Good spot to start the day. I got a breakfast sandwich and a Milky Way coffee drink. Good stuff!

Not just good coffee — they also have very good salads and sandwiches. Only downside is very limited seating inside. Luckily there is always plenty of space in the park right outside their door.

It’s a coffee shop, but their salad, sandwiches and combos are off the hook. One of my lunch «best of for the price» in Albany. There is no place to sit other than two small café inside and two small café tables outside so it primarily a «to go» place, but on a nice day you get to sit in a beautiful little park. I am not a big specialty coffee person but I am told they are exceptional and about ½ the price of Starbucks. So try it, you will wait in line during lunch because the secret is out, but it is definitely worth the wait!

I like MugShots. Good salad, some good sandwiches, soup, soft serve ice cream in the summer (although it’s not the highest quality), yummy coffee and espresso drinks. I’d give it 4 stars if they made their own chicken salad, but it is clearly canned – no thank you. You can get half a salad and half a roast beef sandwich (the Washington Ave), bag of chips and a drink, call it a day. I’m curious to know whether their eggs on breakfast sandwiches are real or not. Few things sadder than a microwaved egg (except canned chicken salad). I wish this place was bigger so you could go for lunch in the winter with more than 1 person and with some confidence of sitting.

MugShots may be hard to find. It’s tucked away next to Tricentennial Park, and only open from 7 am to 3:30 pm M-​F. It’s a cute little shop with outdoor seating, and offers coffee, tea and even breakfast/​lunch menu.
Maybe I’m just a coffee snob, but I’m not the biggest fan of their coffee. I usually just get a black coffee and it’s OK. I haven’t tried their speciality drinks, so I can’t comment on that. I have tried some of their smoothies (mango and strawberry) and I can’t say I like it. It tastes like they added too much milk and sugar, and not enough actual fruit.
Those were the only cons I had. Other than that, I’m a huge fan of their lunch menu! They have a pretty good lunch special– Any sandwich or salad + bag of chips + drink for about $ 7 with tax. Their sandwiches and salads are HUGE, so I usually save the other half of the sandwich for later. So it’s like getting two meals for $ 7… well, that’s how I see it. :)
My favorites are: The Corinne, The Brittany and the Columbia Street sandwich. (They have cute names for their stuff, too.) The Pearl Street (half any sandwich and half spring salad) is also a good option too that I get often.
I’m really surprised that this café wasn’t listed on Unilocal,especially since there’s usually a lot of people there during lunch time.
TIP: They also have a wall of pictures of (what I’m guessing) regulars. Maybe if you go often enough, they’ll ask you to take your picture. I’m hoping my face will be up there soon! :)