Our city is chock-full of interesting people and wild personalities. Overwhelmed by the coolness? Every week we'll pick one standout local we'd love to be friends with to answer seven essential questions about their life in San Francisco.
What began as a love affair with blending coffee in a corner store 25 years ago has turned into a mini coffee empire for Phil Jaber, the godfather of single brew coffee and beloved SF legend. The first Philz opened in the Mission at 24th at Folsom in 2003, and today there are thirteen shops throughout the Bay Area (including one in Facebook's HQ). And there will soon be more. Philz reportedly raised a low, eight-figure round of funding in the beginning of May, further proving Phil's concept is pretty spectacular.
In case you're the one person in San Francisco who has yet to go to Philz, here's how it works: You choose your coffee blend from a huge array of options, the staff takes the beans and grinds them, makes your individual coffee using a single-drip method, and then adds in cream (or almond/soy/nonfat milk, etc.) and/or sugar according to your preference. And if you're feeling wild, you can top off your coffee with a few mint leaves. It's fun, it feels totally personal, and even though 7x7's online team usually prefers espresso, Philz is a serious office favorite.
Although Phil's son Jacob is now the company's CEO, Phil is still the heart and soul of the company, visiting each shop and spreading his own blend of caffeinated love, and we are so excited to bring you his answers to the We Wanna Be Friend's With Q&A!
1. What neighborhood do you currently call home? Would you ever move or are you happy in your 'hood?
Every shop I have I call home. I'm in love with all my neighborhoods and plan on joining more!
2. What's your hands-down, absolute favorite thing to eat in SF?
Dim sum, especially shrimp dumplings at Yank Sing, but I eat anything that doesn't eat me.
3. What's your perfect night on the town?
Dinner with friends and family at Kokkari Estiatorio.
4. When you need a low-key afternoon, where do you go for down time?
Home to be with my family.
5. What's your favorite place to go on a day trip from the city?
I like to visit my daughter in Orange County. She's making me a grandpa soon.
6. Quick-fire round:
Burrito or Burger?
Burger.
Presidio or Golden Gate Park?
Golden Gate Park.
Bi-Rite or Mitchell's?
Mitchell's.
Bike or MUNI?
Bike.
Fort Mason or Dolores Park?
Dolores Park.
The Independent or the Fillmore?
Fillmore.
Baker Beach or Ocean Beach?
Ocean Beach.
7. Three words that describe your life in SF?
Love, Faith & Truth!
Want more Phil?
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