Mr. Espresso

the espresso is the reason to come here. mr. espresso has been roasting in oakland for decades, and 696 3rd st sits in a part of the city that feels genuinely industrial, not the kind of neighborhood that got cleaned up for brunch crowds. that background matters: this isn't a shop performing seriousness, it's one that has operated long enough to know exactly what it's doing. you don't need to overthink your order. the espresso, straight or with a little milk, is the throughline. the roasting operation is on-site, which means what's in your cup was likely roasted nearby and recently. third street in the morning, espresso in hand, is a pretty decent argument for crossing the bay.