The Foundry: Coffee + Community

Well this is too sad! I haven’t been in this area in a very long time it seems.
The Foundry was my spot to meet up with travelin’ hippie friends to hear stories and catch up. I was planning to ask a friend here this weekend.
Very sad to hear they closed. Wonder what will take over?

Looks like its permanently closed?

Bad, bad news! I stopped in this morning for a red-​eye (it was a long night last night and I needed an extra boost) at my favorite non-​profit coffee house, and saw a note with disturbing news: The Foundry will be closing for good on June 20^th. Oh noes!!!
It’s a shame, because this place has always been super cool! Great prices, quick and friendly service, and a super-​chill laid back atmosphere, and of course, right in the heart of the Monte Vista historic district. They also feature (d) live, LOCAL music and artwork from local artists. And the coolest twist? Run by the Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, with all the proceeds going toward charitable works.
The guy who expertly fixed my red-​eye this morning told me that he is working on opening/​continuing his own coffee place after the Foundry closes, and it will be a little bit further toward downtown on San Pedro, so there will still be a near-​downtown option for local coffee. But until then, you have one week to get back there and enjoy it, or stop by for the first time. At the very least, when your children and grandchildren ask you about it, you’ll be able to wistfully turn your head toward the sunset and, with a single tear running down your cheek, say «I was there, son. I was there.»

Finally! A cozy place to study that has a homey feeling to it + good lighting. The Foundry is one of those hidden secrets of the student study world in San Antonio. I’ve been to the Foundry two days in a row so far, and I’ll definitely be coming back in the future for studying and for their music events.
Food/​Beverages: The Foundry serves a good variety of coffee drinks in little and big sizes, and I’m sure that the baristas can whip up anything that your palate seeks. There are also tea, juice, and soft drink options for those who shy away from coffee drinks. I’ve gotten two delicious soy lattes (with a turtle design on one of them, thanks, Aaron!!), so I’ve been happy with their coffee drinks. There’s also this deal where for $ 2, you can get free refills of coffee — what a steal! The Foundry also has pastries and hot foods as well. The pastries all look home-​made, and the food is pretty decent (albeit a little pricey). If you order food, I’d suggest going with a panini and not with a quiche. My quiche was a little cold in the middle when I ordered it.
Ambiance: This coffee house has a very cozy feel to it. One thing that I love about it is that none of the chairs match the tables. It’s typically fairly quiet with lots of people studying/​working. There are two rooms, so there’s plenty of space, and there are also comfy couches in case there aren’t any tables free. There is free-​wifi and plenty of plugs for those who need electricity. Also, there’s a wide variety of people who frequent The Foundry, so it’s a great place to people watch, too.
Service: I really like the staff here. They are all young, very nice, and always have great smiles. They make you feel really welcomed.
Pricing: The coffee drinks are priced as I would expect at any coffee house. The food is slightly pricier than I’d prefer (~$ 7.50 for a panini), but I’m willing to pay for the great atmosphere.
Also, if you plan on making regular trips to The Foundry, you can bring your own mug, and they’ll keep it up on a rack for you! Now, that’s building community. :)

I’m 100% certain I have reviewed The Foundry before but, alas, it does not seem so. So, I’m adding now.
I wandered in this week with a girlfriend to get some work done. We made our way through the coffee shop hipster kids hanging out and get to the counter to order. The girl working was adorable and so, so sweet. I told her my usual order: cup of coffee with two shots of espresso. Here, it’s called by the more traditional name of a red eye. Served to you in a large cup with two shots of espresso but you pour the coffee yourself. Walk over to the bar and pick your poison, I opted for Texas Pecan to the delight of my tastebuds.
What I love about this place is what it represents. Your money here is well spent and goes to support a local church. The people working are all volunteer but still know how to whip up delicious coffee beverages that will both caffeinate you and make your mouth happy. Free wi-​fi makes working easier and a chill crowd means you need to step outside to take any phone calls. But they also have an adorable patio.
Overall, this coffee shop is a win and I love having options in my neighborhood when my other coffee shop is too popular to accommodate my lifestyle.

I really like this place. It is a cool, laid back coffee house that is not pretentious in the least. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and skilled baristas. I’m particular about my cappuccinos; I like them VERY dry with lots of microfoam. They make it just right here, something that can be extremely hard to find in San Antonio. If you are a mocha fan do yourself a favor and order the «Mayan Mocha» it is fantastic!

The Foundry puts the for-​profit coffee-​chain model to shame with a volunteer staff and the kind of broken-​in homey furniture that made Austin’s original Ruta Maya a counter-​culture staple. (I’d swear they have some of the old drop-​leaf tables from the first Liberty Bar …) Yes, it’s an outreach ministry of a local church, but they’re about as in-​your-​face as Minnesota Lutherans. The coffee is good — never burned — and priced better than most shops in town. The pastries I’ve had tend toward the dry, overly sweet, and uninteresting, but Lily’s Cookies is right next door if you need a little sugar. Free WiFi, plenty of places to plug in, and a personalized-​mug program for regulars. Most importantly, the place just feels like a neighborhood coffee shop should.

Stopped in for a coffee and was super pleased with the cup! Wow, under $ 2, free refills and a hot, robust cup at that!
I also ordered a bagel, which was unremarkable yet appreciated as I had not had breakfast that morning. Toasted with a bit of real, instead of individually packaged, cream cheese would have done it well. Also well priced, so can’t really complain.
The art on the wall added so much to the ambiance and is for sale too.

I have been going to the Foundry for the past 3 years and it continues to be my favorite coffee house to spend my time. I go to college nearby and it is at a very convenient location (not to mention next door to Lily’s Cookies) right off McCullough and Huisache Ave.
Not only do they have a very friendly staff, most of whom are volunteers, but they have an excellent cup of coffee at a terrific price (house coffee is $ 2 with unlimited refills). They serve breakfast tacos from Taco Taco (once voted the best tacos in America) and have a delicious lunch menu (ingredients are always fresh and I’m always envious as servers walk by with the plates). They also have live music pretty much every Tuesday & Thursday).
As a student, however, my favorite aspect of the Foundry has been he cozy atmosphere. It’s a great place to bury yourself in a good book, isolate yourself to get work done, and meet friends. The only drawback I’ve experienced is the limited hours it’s open, specifically in regards to nights and weekends. I do realize that Sundays are closed due to religious reasons since they are run by the Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, but that’s usually when I get all of my work done so it would be nice to be able to go there.
Overall, I have had nothing but great experiences at The Foundry. They sell a great cup of coffee for an even better price, knowing that it’s a purchase you can feel good about making because the money goes to someone in need. It’s cozy, friendly, and a great place to spend your time.