Cafe Aroma

Shady! How is this place still in business? Me and my friend went in to get a coffee because we were in the area. The woman, who seemed to be the owner, somehow upsold and charged me $ 5 for a $ 2 iced tea. (Think of the «Crytol gel» standup on YouTube and you’ll know what I mean). No drink on the menu was $ 5 by the way. She appears to be a nice lady but she’s a crook.

Hate this place! So I think my sophomore year before I graduated fairfax I went inside with my friends. (we did this every morning). I went and sat down with an outside drink in my hand and the b**** came and pulled my chair from under me and told me to get out. I was sooooo mad. I couldn’t believe her. She is a bit old so I gave her a break but man. She wonders why nobody wants to buy anything from there… She had a B and doesn’t even hang it in the window… Disgusting.
Another thing… Her soda machines aren’t even cold lol. Someone put this lady out of business.
PS. The café two doors down is amazing.:)

I must concur with the many reviews here on this «Establishment». What is most troubling though is the experience my daughter had yesterday. She was with a few classmates yesterday who decided to stop into the Aroma Café when the owners daughter accused one of the boys of stealing chips. Then called the police. By the time the LAPD arrived the kids were waling in the alley towards Fairfax and were told to stop. According to my daughter they didn’t think they were being addressed and continued walking. Then the officers demanded the boy with the red backpack stop. They detained him in cuffs but did not find the bag of chips. Evidently the café has security cameras so this infraction should have been recorded. I would like to see the evidence. According to the owner this has been an ongoing problem. If I was worried about chips being stolen from the High School students I would move the chips and remove all opportunity for theft. If this is the kind of problems going on there I in no way shape or form want to be there or see the kids there either. This is a dangerous place where someone is going to get Hurt! or worse dead. I am recommending all parents of students at Fairfax High School ask their children to refrain from going into this restaurant as they are not welcome there. Your child could be her next victim or be the one accused. Be a part of the solution and DO NOT Patronize this place.
I might add I went there this morning to find out what happened yesterday and discussed this with the Owners daughter and then her mother who went off on me like I had stollen the chips! and then went on to insult me by saying my daughter was with trouble makers and to paraphrase would deserve what’s coming to her. My A+ student. We live in dangerous times and I would think avoiding this place would be my very best advice. There are lots of other places for over priced Bad coffee and worse service!
Should you choose to buy anything here be sure to get your receipt. This may be your only armor! She has been written up as over charging so this way you have your proof as to what you paid for your order and that you did actually paid for it! As for my child, she is not permitted within 100 yards of this place. STEER CLEAR!!!

I love this place. Best shakes and wraps but what makes it the best is the owner K… she is awesome! Her enthusiasm is contagious. Great, great spot. (And affordable, too)

Went in because the window said they served Boba. Once inside the lady working asked me what I wanted. I told her I came in because of the Boba sign and that I loved Boba. She told me they had lots of boba drinks and I could add it to anything on the menu. Or at least that’s what I thought she said, her English was terrible.
So I order a smoothie with Boba, which says $ 4.25. She charges me $ 5, but I figure it must cost extra to add the Boba. I get my smoothie. There is no boba. I repeat, no boba in my boba drink. I ask her, «Why isn’t there Boba in my Boba smoothie?»
Her reply? «I didn’t make any Boba today»
I tried to explain the issue, but again, terrible English on her part, so I ended up just leaving with my stupid boring smoothie. I won’t ever be returning there.

Needed a place with WiFi to upload a video for a client. I figured that before I asked for the WiFi password I’d order a drink. I decided on a small iced chai. Which should’ve been around $ 2.15. I was given a large iced chai and was charged $ 5. The lady was Asian and seems like her English was bad so I didn’t feel the need to complain, plus if the drink was good it wouldn’t be a big deal.
It was horrible. Definitely powder based.
That’s not the worst part. The worst part is as I’m typing this my 900mb video is STILL uploading. Over 25 minutes to upload a 90mb video? The WiFi here is seriously lacking.
The owner seems to cut costs at every corner, lie about their prices, and doesn’t do anything about cleanliness. Avoid this place.

What a shabby, sad little café. I stopped by for tea and to read for a bit, pass some time, and the entire experience was unpleasant.
Loud music. Too loud. When I think of a café I think relaxation and calming vibes. Not possible here where the classical and opera music were blaring. It’s as if the café is trying to boom the music to the streets, screaming «We’re so sophisticated here, can’t you tell from our musical selection?» It’s tacky. After about 20 minutes of attempting to stay focused on my book of choice over the blaring speakers I opted to leave.
Even if tunes were to lure in a snooty clientele they would quickly be disappointed. The furniture consists of a few broken down chairs and a couch that has clearly seen better days. Glance to the register and you’ll spot a haphazard shelving unit next to the counter where candy and chips are for sale, the same fare you’d expect at a 7-​Eleven. To the right of that, an ATM awkwardly placed.
The blender noise is maddening. From the exterior you would think they offer organic tea and espresso. Not really. They had tea, random generic brand tea bags, but mostly they sell sandwiches, the aforementioned cheap snacks, and blended drinks. Think of a 7-​Eleven meets a lowbrow Starbucks.
I originally was thinking one star for this place but I suppose it’s not all their fault. They are directly across from a high school and I imagine the average high schooler probably prefers a blended sugary drink and a pack of Cheetos over a pot of organic Darjeeling tea. It is what it is, a quick stop for teenagers who need bang for the buck and don’t really care for much else. If that fits what you’re looking for, then go for it. But for me, this was my first and only visit to Café Aroma.

Owner needs to mind her own business and not insult her customers for the lives they choose or who and why they hang out with people. Everything is overpriced and expired. She can be offensive when she wants to be, making customers uncomfortable.

Do not go here. It is really not worth it and you could be ripped off. I ordered a grilled turkey sandwich and waited. While I was waiting, three different people came in to buy either a snack or a drink. It was so bizarre because the woman at the counter short changed all three of them, and all three of the customers each caught it and called her out as if it is a regular happening.
When I received my so called grilled sandwich and it was clearly not grilled. I could clearly see that the sandwich had been microwaved inside plastic wrap. What’s worse is that the plastic melted on my sandwich. It smelled awful and of course the sandwich tasted like plastic. Needless to say I didn’t continue to eat it after the first bite. This was not what I ordered and I of course asked for my money back. The woman refused and told me to get out. Unbelievable. I was at a loss for words at unsanitary this business was and will not ever buy anything from them due to their dishonest practices.

I have a wicked bruise from visiting Café Aroma yesterday. Their candy hutch’s door slammed down on my arm with a big bang after staying up for several seconds while I reached for a snickers.
The weird part is that the older Asian woman behind the counter laughed really hard at me. Not with me or in that uncomfortable way. Just THAT WAS FUNNY! HA! YOU GOT HURT! Yeah, i get there is physical comedy there, but I was definitely looking at her sadly as I cradled my arm. Super weird.
I get that this place is under-​designed and about serving the quick cash from high schoolers and actors on break.
Still, if you’re looking for a friendly place, go somewhere without the sociopath.

Unless you’re a high school student looking for Takis, keep walkin’. The staff is worn down from tons of rude kids, I’m sure, but don’t take it out on others. I’ll spend my $ 7 on coffee elsewhere.

I hate slamming small local businesses, because they give charm and character to our neighborhoods against the ongoing invasion of big chains that make everything look and taste the same everywhere. However, from my experience, this particular business is hurting the whole category.
I was driving along Melrose Ave after a long highway drive and in dire need of a personal stop, when I saw this place, with a big Organic sign. Glad that I had found a local joint, (and with organic coffee!) instead of the usual Starbucks, I entered the place. The interior looked pretty run-​down, and to my desperation, I did not see any restroom door. I asked the lady behind the counter and she rudely replied they had one without providing any extra information. Only after I ordered an espresso and paid the hefty $ 3 that she asked me, she proceeded to give me the key. The so well-​protected restroom, which is accessed from a metal door outside of the café, was one of the dirtiest I’ve ever seen in a commercial establishment. No soap, no paper, and stenchy liquid all over.
When I returned to the café to at least enjoy my precious espresso, I saw that the board above the counter priced it at $ 2. Feeling cheated, I questioned the charming lady, who snarkily replied that the $ 3 included the use of the restroom.
Only later, rethinking about the restroom conditions, I realized that the extra buck must have been indeed the «organic» supplement.

Not a place I would personally go for atmosphere. It’s kind of worn out and unkempt. However, I’ve been sitting on the couch here for an hour listening and watching to how the owner treats her neighbors and customers: like old friends.

This place is terrible. Small, cramped, over-​priced, with customer service that is either rude or incoherent (every single time a friend or myself has purchased a simple breakfast bagel — bacon, egg, cheese — there was a screwup). Not to mention how long it takes to receive a simple order even when I am literally the only customer in the store, and… I simply cannot stand this place.
One time a year or two ago I came in, and noticed a cockroach in the glass containing bagels and muffins underneath the cashier. I told the cashier woman, who quietly took the one plate of muffins that the cockroach was crawling on (but not all the others plates directly next to it), and brought the muffins to the back. That’s it. She didn’t clean it or anything, and she just went back to selling. This has irked me ever since that happened, and I only very rarely still come here now, either when a friend is hungry or when I want to sit on the very comfortable couch in the front of the café.
If you want a good bag of chips or sandwich, go to Detention Café. It’s right next door and is thousands of times better than this place. Cheaper and friendlier, too.

i love the food but i don’t understand why servers here always pick the most expensive dish whenever i ask them for «recommendation»
I asked the server if they tried them and they respond «no»
these server is so stupid and ripping off customers. if you haven’t tried the dish then don’t recommend it
Stupid

I really want to like this place because it’s so convenient and the coffee is tasty. Unfortunately, the owner has lied to me one too many times. Today she told me the small was actually a medium, when she has the sizes labeled on display. I’ve gotten a medium there before and she definitely gave me a small today.
Also, sometimes she makes up her own prices. And don’t order a decaf, she’ll charge you an extra whole dollar.
I don’t like being lied to. And it’s happened one two many times. And the small coffee I got today, even though I asked for a medium? It was cold.

Came here today wondering if I could get change for a $ 20. Unlike most places they are happily obliged to do it for you. Instead we got a rude Asian lady asking us to buy something first before giving us the change. So we quickly grabbed something from the fridge. It was an Arizona Ice Tea which was parked for 99 cents. Instead she charged us for $ 2 and when we heard the price we questioned her she stated that the gas stations also charged the same price. Needless to say I will never be coming back and would coming here.

I went here with friends for the first time… It always looks packed so I wanted to give it a try and find out what makes this place different from a Starbucks or Coffee Bean? The menu maybe or atmosphere? The food and tea were fine the service was very slow and not so friendly. We ordered a dessert that required us to use silverware and it took practically 30 minutes to get someone’s attention. They have a parking lot which is valet only and is cash only… Will not go back …

Hate this place… Rude service Plus they automatically charge you 15% service charge because they suck they are afraid your wont tip them! The manager said they don’t get customers that tip so they do it automatically. A tip is a tip its not mandatory in this country but lf you make it automatic PRINT IT CLEARLY ON EVRY PAGE OF THE MENU and not in the fine print. If your service didn’t suck they you wouldn’t have to CHEAT CUSTOMERS!

Save your nickle; I should have. I try to time how long I’ll be away so that I don’t waste any money on a parking meter. Nothing annoys me more than leaving a parking space with a lot of time left on the parking meter. So I deposited a nickle which buys me 3 minutes on the meter. I figured that I’m only getting a bagel with cream cheese and a bottled drink and I parked right in front of the door. How long can that take?
There wasn’t anyone in line ahead of me and there was only one other person in the place reading the paper. I paid in cash, by the way. It took longer than three minutes and my time expired for just a bagel with cream cheese and a bottled drink. I was left standing alone at the register with the thought of, «How long is this going to take?»
Upon entering Café Aroma, the place looks like it’s about to close down. The shelves are half empty of merchandise. I even bought the last and only sesame bagel. There is no friendly service. Most of the lights are off (to conserve energy?). It doesn’t smell like coffee. Let me repeat that, this café does not smell like coffee. The name of the place is Café AROMA and it doesn’t smell like coffee? I’m flabbergasted. Go to any other café or coffee shop… hell, even go to a donut shop, and it will smell like coffee. I’ve been to Café Aroma twice now and it’s dark, empty, and uninviting.
Next time, I’ll save my nickle for another place that I actually want to go to.