Bugsy’s Brew Coffee Shop

Super awkward. Went in with my young kid to grab a bite and get iced tea. No decaf iced tea available. Only some muffins and a few other snacks, no decent real food. That’s not so much the issue but my concern is the customer service. We were the only people there and the teenage boy working there barely said hello to us even at the counter. He obviously is in the wrong job since definitely not a people person. Place looked like a boys’ basement room. Teenage employee decided to do some really loud annoying vacuuming, couldn’t it have waited two minutes until we left?

Stopped at Bugsy’s Brew today because I didn’t feel like waiting at Starbucks for 20 minutes. Got the Moran latte, espresso and Irish cream, and I was instantly blown away with the first sip. I am an avid coffee drinker and I love to try all the non-​commercial coffee shops here in SD. So far that has to be the best coffee I’ve ever tried. Would definitely recommend everyone I know to go to Bugsy’s and try the Moran latte! Definitely will be returning

I found this place on Unilocal and was hoping it would be good. I got an iced mocha and it tasted like milk with a little chocolate in it, I couldn’t taste any espresso in it. The guy said there was two shots in it. I didn’t even drink it all… The guy was nice, but didn’t seem to know what he was doing. Also the drinks have special names and should say what they actually are in small writing under the names so you know what to order. My drink was not worth 4 something! Sorry to say I won’t be back.

This was garbage. Seriously bought a Latté and it was so bad I through it in the garbage. I tried. I really did. But not even a ¹⁄₅ of the way through I couldn’t do it anymore. The latté tasted like it came out of a nestlé machine in a gas station. Straight up sugar and powdered milk. Couldn’t tell if there was espresso in it at all.
I asked for a bagel and was told that it would take more than 10 minutes because their toaster oven takes forever. They didn’t have a toaster. The bagel wasn’t made in store or some off site bakery. It came from a bag, which was fine I guess but the bagel ultimately wasn’t toasty… it was just warm. It was wrapped it foil and I took it to go. By the time I ate it it was chewy and hard.
As of this writing there’s no internet access for customers or for the business itself, and therefore no debit or credit card transactions.

I really liked this place. I had an iced coffee and a chocolate milk, they made on demand, for my young daughter. The coffee was good. The place is a lot like Lestats but without the weird foot traffic. I’ll be back for sure.

Very friendly employees! My husband said their iced vanilla latte was great, a wonderful rich coffee flavor. I am not a coffee drinker, but I like that they sell juices and great bagels and pastries.

I like that this place usually has AC on and is not crazy hot or crowded. The coffee is good; I especially like the Irish Cream. But they do not sell food so make sure if you are coming to study/​do work you bring something. Also, today they had a couple of guys there having their «band practice.» Not playing a show, just hanging out and playing this and that. I am all for live music in coffee shops, but not practice sessions. It made it harder to get my work done. Overall, a fine place.

The coffee is good, but they don’t seem to actually follow their set business hours. I was going to get a cup of coffee this morning from them (Saturday at 8:15am) and their business is supposed to be open at 7am except it wasn’t! How disappointing. How are you going to run a coffee shop if you don’t even open your business for paying costumers like myself who need their coffee fix in the morning?!

Coffee is still fine, but the service was subpar during my last trip. The guy behind the counter was on his phone when I approached the counter and told me it was his manager and then continued to ignore me and text whomever for the next 60 – 90 seconds. When I got my drink, he eyed the receipt on which I’d left no tip and gave me a less than thrilled facial expression. Not inclined to return soon.

Wanted to try this place due to the good reviews on Unilocal.I was very disappointed. They had different names for their drinks with no descriptions for what they are.
The drink I ordered tastes like chocolate milk, couldn’t even taste the espresso. Waste of $ 4.50: (

An interesting little shop in La Mesa. Super friendly barista with an awesome recommendation skill set. I greatly enjoyed my beverage while meeting up with a friend. Very different atmosphere from Starbucks, and worth the little drive away from the popular chains to this quaint shop. The music was a bit loud for conversation, but that’s minor by comparison to the rest of the visit. It did seem a little beat up, could use a good deep cleaning as a lot of main areas were dusty and neglected. Like the trash and recycled had an odor and were very full hours before closing, and they weren’t all that busy :-/​In all reality, reminded me a bit of a college lounge. But if you’re into that, that’s cool! I love that college atmosphere, so it kind of worked other than the cleaning.

First time going there the staff was very helpful and friendly. I had an ice caramel iced coffee the flavor and quality of the coffee wss way better than other places ive had before. Definitely this is the place I will be buying mu coffee from. GOOD COFFEE !!!

I really want to like this place, but the two times I have been there have not been good. The first time, I wanted a quad espresso. That’s a pretty basic order, and most places charge a bit more for the first shot and less for each extra. In anycase I’m never charged over $ 4 for a quad. But the kid serving me seemed a bit confused, and my order came out to over $ 6. I said something like, «really, are you sure?», but the kid seemed in over his head so I just paid.
I went back last week for an iced coffee. I have an Entertainment coupon for a buy one get one free, so I figured I’d get one for Wifey as well. The woman behind that counter said, «That’s not going to happen, we’re not taking those.» I asked why and was told «it’s complicated.» Uhh… okay. Whatever dispute or misunderstanding you had with the Entertainment people surely isn’t worth a $ 2.25 iced coffee. I didn’t complain or anything, it just seemed like a weird stance to take towards a customer.
I got the iced coffee anyways, and it tasted like once brewed coffee that had been refrigerated. Which, again, fine, but other places have stepped up their iced coffee game, using Toddy’s, double brewing the coffee before refrigerating it. This just wasn’t that good.
I’ll be back, because I really support the idea of non-​Starbucks in La Mesa… it’s just a shame Cosmo’s is the only place that comes close to getting it right.

This is my FAVORITE spot! Ian and Anna are the 2 baristas and they are phenomenal! Plus the owner dan is a super cool guy! the coffee is always amazing the prices are great I come her almost everyday to et my coffee fix in the morning! BEST COFFEE SHOP EVER!!!

Love this gem hidden in La Mesa. Every weekend I try to check out a coffee shop i haven’t gone to yet! Bugsy’s was very close to where I had a doctor’s appointment on a wonderful Sunday morning. I roll in and the barista was mingling with the customers, which made it seem like they have a lot of regulars. Their drink menu is extensive, with a lot of fun names, and options. I just wanted an ice vanilla latte with non fat milk since it was so hot outside. She rang me up, she made my drink and I sat around for awhile. The drink was soooo good. Just the right amount of sweetness, good balance with the ice, and it was exactly what I wanted. It takes a lot for a coffee shop that you’ve never been to before to make the drink right.
The location looks like they have a set up for an open mic night, intended for locals and such. Also if you go straight, passing the location, it’s convenient to the Lemon Ave Freeway entrance, which is always nice. Parking is easy, btw.

I like discovery. And I have the added joy of my latest discovery being within walking distance from home. Bugsy’s Brew is a one of a kind gem. The moment I stepped through their doors all of my senses were engaged and just like that I fell in love. They have the most amazing aromas of coffee freshly baked sweets and then taking in the books you can read and the old photos of La Mesa. Just awesome. I decided on the special Uncle Salty Latte. It’s a slice of heaven. Who doesn’t appreciate salted caramel perfection. I’m looking forward to discovering more of the pleasures they offer.

Discovered this gem by accident. It’s cool! Relaxing. Great study area – has tables and quiet. It also has open mic. Guitars for you to play if you know how! Big screen TV for sports. A nice coffee shop for hang out.

Great coffee shop. It’s a perfect little neighborhood spot. Lots of seating for a small shop, tons of character. Good prices and excellent service. I really like the coffee here. I have yet to try any of the food items, but they do look tasty. They share a lot with other businesses so parking can be tight, but there’s also street parking as well.

I lam a booster of Mom & Pop biz. This newcomer (2011?) shows a big personality and, if reviews are believed, makes visitors, especially locals, all warm & fuzzy.
My visit on a Friday at lunch time was a bit dismal. No music. Wide screen TV droning. One other customer. Furniture all askew, despite barista doing an obligatory sweeper pass of the nicely shined concrete floors.
It is SO local, however, that I felt as if I had beamed down to a kind family’s basement. Bean bag chair, flanked by rows of toys, a soccer ball (really? «No balls in the house!»), two chalkboards — one for 3′ high people and one for staff — old National Geographics, and a lending library.
The owner’s last name is Moran so a tongue in cheek tribute to a gangster supports the coffee shop’s name. However, prominently hung inside at the front door is a 1930s police portrait with the officers identified. Cool, actually, along with the other black & white photos showing the neighborhood about 90 years ago.
O yeah, this is a coffee shop, right? My caramel latte was too sugary for my taste. Others may disagree, but that simply overwhelms a coffee.

I stopped in here for an Americano and perhaps a scone or biscotti. They did make Americano and a very good one, but their pastries were very limited: no scones and they were out of biscotti’s. The employee told me they are on the menu, but they normally don’t carry them, which was a bummer, because there is nothing like dipping one into hot coffee.
The two shot Americano, made from Ryan Bros. Coffee, was very smooth, very rich in flavor, and had just the right kick to get me started. The place has plenty of indoor comfortable seating, free Wi-​Fi, and music. Hospitality was very nice and friendly.
I would suggest they keep those pastries and dessert eats filled, especially on a weekend morning, during peek hours, but I sure am a fan of that espresso…3.5 stars.
Nice coffee shop.