Ada's offers yummy food and good coffee. Lovely people behind the counter. It is a favorite place to meet friends for lunch(and squeeze in a visit to the library).

They also do a nice job with party catering! I have been a lucky guest at several parties they catered.

Great story about a wonderful program, providing insights from the people who work behind the counter. I've been there just once, and enjoyed the food, service and atmosphere. Their dishes often serve as good takeout for those evenings when you don't feel like cooking, or going out. Will definitely visit more often.

For those who are curious, here's a link to their menu: Web Link
and also to their days/hours: http://www.adascafe.org

Thank you Jamey Padojino for a very nice article on Ada's Cafe! We are fortunate to have Ada's Cafe in our community and the location is ideal for both library users and people visiting Mitchell Park. I wish Ada's Cafe continued success!

Ada's Cafe sponsors youth baseball in the area, another indication of its involvement with the community.

i am glad to hear that caring for employees is part of ada's mission.

sadly, i find their prices WAY too expensive to get anything for me and my kids when we're at the library. i also strongly dislike the fact that the prices aren't listed. if you want a surprise, go in and order a coffee and see how much they ring you up for.

the city has been more than generous on the lease terms and other support.

Frankie - ADA's prices are in line with other restaurants in Palo Alto and are cheaper than Starbucks. I agree that prices should be listed, they are on the website.

Responding to the comment above by Frankie - "the city has been more than generous on the lease terms and other support" - my understanding is that nothing could be further from the truth. The City has provided no support for Ada's with respect to either its lease or the operating terms at the cafe. Ada's was selected as the vendor of the cafe after a public RFP process where the same commercial lease terms were offered to all respondents. Peets, Starbucks, Coupa Cafe and other businesses submitted respondents but Ada's was selected because of the community benefits it would create, its reputation for quality products and service and its empowering non-profit mission in terms of hiring adults with developmental disabilities.

In terms of prices - a 12oz cup of drip coffee at Ada's is less expensive than any of the name brand coffee shop options (and it is better coffee too) and the espresso drinks are priced comparably (while being served with local, organic steamed milk). Cookies - a favorite of my kids - are not cheap but neither are they more expensive than the prices charged at other places.

I agree that they should list the prices but given how often they have to change in light of increasing food prices and rising wages per law, i imagine it is hard to keep them current on the chalk boards.

Posted by frankie, a resident of Downtown North, wrote:

>> i am glad to hear that caring for employees is part of ada's mission.

>> sadly, i find their prices WAY too expensive to get anything for me and my kids when we're at the library. (...)

Frankie, if you like the products, consider that your purchase supports a highly appreciated job situation for the people with disabilities who work there. I think it is a great setup for everybody involved.