Crank & Grind

I love Crank & Grind coffee! I always enjoy trying out smaller businesses and giving them my local support. Since it is near Starbucks and located in a bike shop, I feel like it does not get the recognition it needs. I usually like to grab a pick me up before work and my favorite is the Banana Grinder. I get this one because there is protein powder and before a long bartending shift, this holds me over. I also add a shot of espresso :) I also love their banana bread they have here as well.

I’m not one to care enough to write a review but my experience at this shop was unnecessarily unpleasant. I’ve had my fair share of snotty coffee shops and this place was no different. In an unconventional set-​up, the shop coexists with a bike shop… creating a strange and somewhat uncomfortable vibe. The employee at the cashier was curt and impertinent – answering my questions hastily and as if he had way better things to do. Also, he said their bullet-​proof coffee can’t be put over ice? …Everything can be put over ice. That’s like saying tea can’t be iced. I could’ve ran to the drugstore across the street and plopped ice into it.
So, I settled for the iced coffee and a muffin. The muffin was embarrassingly awful and the iced coffee was decent (that’s what the one star is for). But it was on the expensive side. What a plus.
I recommend this business hire people who aren’t such lowlives and don’t emulate a snotty, SoCal attitude that everyone hates (and what SoCal is notorious for, but not in a good way). A thriving coffee shop is most often a place that has friendly, kick-​ass baristas who make customers want to come back. It makes the coffee taste better, too.
Oh, and get rid of those muffins.

Best coffee in south Orange County, hands down. Great service and everyone is extremely knowledgeable. I’ve also brought their cold brew to a cream-​and-​sugar friend and not only did she exclaim at the quality after her first sip, she never even got around to fancying up her drink– just finished it straight black. I interact with Aran on an almost daily basis and, even though I always seem to have a new question about my own at-​home pour over and cold brew methods, he’s always patient and helpful with his answers. I’d never heard of Madcap coffee before but the beans are outstanding and I snagged some to recreate my own C&G experience at home (doesn’t even come close). These guys are five freeway miles opposite my commute (I live all the way out in lake Elsinore, can’t find squat for coffee out here) and I gladly make the trek daily. Thanks you guys, for being the rock to cling to in a sea of Starbucks. I’ll never complain about finding good coffee in south Orange County again.

A bike shop and coffee bar, who would think to find the best coffee in town there? Also had a fantastic blueberry muffin. The employees were welcoming and fun.

So disappointed! We have been coming here for over a year, and loved the laid back atmosphere and good quality coffee. I have a service dog, and will pick him up when we go in so that he doesn’t bother other people.
In the last two weeks, we have had several employees discriminate and be rude about bringing my SERVICE dog into the coffee/​bike shop.
There is no sign on the door that says no dogs, and service dogs legally are always allowed. We will not be back unless the quality of customer service vastly improves.

Good service, decent coffee. A fun little spot to sit and enjoy your coffee. This location is located inside a bike shop. Very quiet and relaxing atmoshere. The restroom was fairly clean and spacious. Will look forward to coming back in the near future for some espresso.

The best coffee in town! Aran is the best coffee barista, his coffee art rocks! but so does Anthony’s, James, Chris, & Nate. I frequently visit and can’t tell you how I love there coffee. They use Kean Beans!

My husband and I are new to the area, so every weekend we walk our dog down to a new restaurant or coffee shop. Crank and Grind has excellent coffee and a nice presentation. The only complaint I have is that the outdoor seating doesn’t have any shade, so it’s not conducive to pets during the summer months.

Talk about a hidden gem!
I’ve walked passed this place for years on my way to starbucks and one day just decided to pop in and see what it’s all about.
This is definitely one of the coolest little coffee shops I’ve found! The coffee is amazing and I really enjoy chatting with the people working there. Everyone is super helpful and they do a great job of creating a little space where you can sit down and get some work done, have a chat, or just hang out for a few minutes.
Five stars for the spot, five stars for the people working there, and really enjoying going there instead of Starbucks.

Honestly, Crank and Grind is a hidden gem. Not only is the espresso great, but there’s always a place to sit, good wifi, and plenty of parking.
Note: Don’t be deterred, the coffee shop is actually located within the bike shop itself.
Extra Note: The reason their espresso is excellent: They use Kean Coffee. I’m sensing a trend here.

So, it’s inside a bike shop, don’t be scared. Great quality coffee, good pastries, good prices, friendly staff, Pleasant environment, not crowded and again not crowded. I had a latte and a garbanzo curry pastry, which was delicious, fresh and flaky. There is plenty of parking and never a line, will definitely be coming back regularly. Recommended for a new chill place to enjoy your joe. Plus you can browse some bikes and gear while you are here.

I stopped here early because I was new to the coast and wanted to try a good coffee house. I love coffee and love biking so when I found this on Unilocal I figured it would be great but it just wasn’t.
The service was non existent. The cashier guy wasn’t friendly and seemed distracted. He prepared my coffee but was much more interested in talking to his coworker about some girl or something.
I prepared my coffee and took a seat. You gotta ask for the WiFi password and when I did the cashier guy again seemed a little annoyed…
The coffee wasn’t terrible but I’ve had way better. The environment was OK but it bothered me that the tables were not wiped down. I was there pretty early so I doubt it was from anyone earlier and likely left that way from the night before.
I went outside hoping to enjoy some California sunshine but their patio area isn’t very welcoming. It was a real shame of a visit.

Ok I have tried many, many coffee places and many kinds of beans. From plain Colombian, to Ethiopian and even Kean coffee at other places wasnt good. BUT this place made it so smooth and tasty that I sipped the entire cup down quicker than usual ;-)
Hands down this is The Best coffee, mocha i have ever tasted thus far!
CONS.:
Ok the only cons is dirty bathroom that’s kinda weird unisex? Weird go see first time ever a guy’s toilet version… whats it called? Lol. Well. Also the not inviting feel if you do want to chill, read the papers, book or something and enjoy your coffee… Feels like better take it to go. To the beach or. Just go… lol.

Truly as good as it gets. The best coffee and pastries in Dana Point. Plusssss the nicest bunch of people that tend bar here that are actually passionate about coffee, not just pushing it as a way to make some extra cash. Even better, the owner is local and the pastries and coffee is brewed locally.
Oh, and they actually know how to brew almond milk.

Soooooo amazing! I wish I biked and needed to come here for bike stuff but I’m just obsessed coffee so. Prices are great and the barista was so sweet and made my first visit special I got the jacked up americano, bulletproof coffee grass fed cow butter thingy whatever the big hype coffee drink that is. I’ve been too lazy to get the ingredients and make it at home so was stoked to try it.
Ok so it’s the best thing ever, it was per.fect. Definitely will be coming back. Think I’m addicted.

This is our go-​to coffee shop in South OC. They consistently deliver a good Vanilla Latte and I have never tasted any burnt beans. (Something I think Starbucks often does.). I don’ know how people can bypass this place for Starbucks up the street.
The only reason why I don’t give it a 5 star rating is that it’s really more a bike shop than true coffee shop where you feel you are charmed into staying and reading a good book etc.

I love this place has awesome Keans coffee. In a bike shop you would never know that they serve one of the best coffee. Hidden the gem with no lines ever. Skip Starbucks and see what your missing.

If you are looking for some top-​notch coffee in the South OC head on down to Crank and Grind located off PCH in Dana Point. This hidden coffee shop serves the best coffee that I have found in my area and you can definitely taste the quality difference over Starbucks and other coffee chains. They serve some awesome caffeine-​packed, aromatic espresso that is full bodied and their coffee is also strong and always tastes consistent. They got some cool people working here too.
Great coffee. Great atmosphere. What more could you ask for? Check this place out.

So great! Great atmosphere, Tony is super sweet and it’s a great place to hang out and work in Dana Point. It’s in a bike shop, so there’s plenty of cool activity and health conscious people, clean restrooms, just a good experience. Better than Starbucks. :)

Strong iced-​latte. Mmm… tasty, and easy to park (own parking lot). Just needed some good coffee on the way down to San Diego, and I enjoyed getting a cup of coffee here.
At first, I was really confused to how it was literally the same location and interior as a bicycle shop. But then when you go inside, you see the cute brown seating area, and nice bar stool tables as well. They have outlets if you need to study… saw a lot of people there just talking with friends over coffee.