Philz Coffee, a popular San Francisco-based coffee chain, opened its first Claremont location on Nov 13. The café, which is located next to La Popular on West Bonita Avenue in the Claremont Village, hosted a Soft Launch Community Opening on Nov. 12, where students and Claremont community members alike signed up and received tickets for a free coffee and free food item.
Originally founded by Phil Jaber in 2003 in San Francisco’s Mission District, Philz Coffee has 70 locations nationwide and seven signature blends. Their specialty coffees include items like Mint Mojito, Ginger Snap, Iced Coffee Rosé and Oatmeal Cookie Cold Brew. Winter seasonal offerings include Winter Bliss, a cinnamon and nutmeg Ghirardelli Mocha coffee and Gratitude, a walnut, caramel and dried citrus coffee.
The café offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Its interior boasts colorful muraled walls, light wooden furniture and an elaborate coffee bar. Light instrumentals accompany the hustle and bustle one would expect at a local coffee joint.
“I like the murals on the wall. It’s a good study spot. Lots of tables,” Maria Lechuga, a local Claremont resident, said.
The question is: will Philz Coffee become the new Claremont hot spot? Or does it have to compete with the other cafés in close proximity, such as Nosy Neighbors, Starbucks Coffee, Iron & Kin, The Coffee Bean and Last Drop Café, before it can claim the title? Students had mixed opinions.
“I think it could be a little cozier,” Louis Layman CM ’26 said. “It feels a little corporate right now.”
“I’d probably come back for like, a quick, like, pick me up in the Village but probably not to study,” Lechuga said.
Participants at the Soft Launch had a variety of perspectives to offer. Many described their coffee and breakfast burrito reviews graciously, adding points because they were free.
“I can’t really discern what’s going on in this burrito, but it’s a good free breakfast,” Bryan Soh CM ’25 said.
Dedicated Philz fans gave rave reviews.
“I’ve been going there for years when I was in college in Irvine,” Lechuga said. “So this is really awesome and the closest Philz before this one was Anaheim’s like 20 minutes away.”
Philz Coffee fits into the Claremont Village’s current offerings. When asked what Phil from Philz Coffee would look like as a person, students jumped to respond.
“He would probably be bald. He wears a baseball cap and also has a little hoop [earring],” Serena Li PO ’26 said.
“[He’d be] a 5’7” man with a handlebar mustache, slight beard … he’s a granola man who wears like vests and hiking boots, specifically Merrills,” local resident Kirsten Chan said.
“Phil would go to Pitzer,” Emily Gao PO ’26 said.
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