Diesel Cafe

05/16/10

Best coffee/lunch spot in Somerville

by juliacantor , Citysearch Contributor

Diesel is more than a cool coffee spot. They do have amazing coffee drinks, lattes, and teas, but they also have an exquisite list of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and much more. It is the only cafe I know with an antique photo booth and no trash cans. It caters to the environmentally friendly crowd (obviously heavy in the recycling category), and the Tufts students in the area. It can be very difficult to find a seat, especially one you really want. They have wireless internet access, which is great, but also entices people to stay for hours on end.

While I don't think you can really go wrong picking breakfast, lunch, or brunch at Diesel, my favorite is the 02144, which is a vegetarian wrap with hummus, greens, carrots, sprouts, and more.

05/10/10

Not only the neighborhood living room, the front porch, too!

by shava23 , Citysearch Contributor

Now that the weather is warming up, I'm even more looking forward to hanging at the Diesel, hoping to get one of the half dozen tables in the front. During the warm weather, they open up the glass storefront -- appropriately, really a glass garage door -- and you are simultaneously inside and outside!

As a natural redhead, I burn crisp in about 15 minutes, so I've always sought out shaded patios, and this qualifies in my book. Plus the front seating lets you check out who comes in and out, and so I see all my friends from the neighborhood.

The Diesel is a classic coffeehouse, with art on the walls, and everyone there from the old Somerville grayhairs to hipsters to Tufts students cramming in the corners. It's the social anchor of Davis.

• Pros: comfy, good coffee, social conscience, wifi
• Cons: limited menu, often crowded, pay for wifi

02/23/10

Cara-mmm-el Latte!

by TBella , Citysearch Contributor

I'm not quite hipster enough for Diesel Cafe. I'm not a Tufts student or vegan or bassist or struggling novelist or whomever else hangs out here at all hours of the day every day.

What I am is addicted to espresso, and that's really what keeps me coming back when I'm in the area. I've never really eaten here. I think I had a yogurt parfait once (good! from what I remember). This review is based solely on the amazingness that is the Iced Caramel Latte.

The Iced Caramel Latte is a thing of beauty. The most perfect Iced Caramel Latte outside of California (COFFEE BEAN, I LOVE YOU! COME TO MASSACHUSETTS!). The espresso is smooth and rich, with the perfect balance of milk and syrup. They even top the iced latte with a little foam. Love it! The first sip is like a sweet dream. I spent weekends for the better part of a year in Davis, so how I would pry myself out of bed to run was with the promise of this tasty beverage as reward. Mem'ries!

• Pros: Caramel Latte
• Cons: *shrugs*

08/15/08

Diesel Cafe is my religion

by kchowhound

I have yet to introduce somebody to the Lil Piston sandwich at Diesel Cafe who does not immediately fall in love with it - from prissy girls to football jocks. Amazing. For a little over 8 dollars (yes a pretty expensive sandwich but totally worth it) you can get this AMAZING sandwich with huge chunks of fresh mozarella, mixed greens, delicious pesto, tomato and yummy turkey. It sounds like a typical sandwich but I have not yet been able to find a decent replication anywhere else. The place sometimes uses up certain ingredients before the end of the day, but this is because they would rather serve the freshest ingredients possible, or nothing at all. In college I used to come here and study and sip on some of their delicous free trade coffee. I made the horrible mistake of bringing Starbucks in there once - don't do it. I got yelled at. I wish I could have some Diesel right now!

• Pros: Mouth watering sandwich, fun vibe
• Cons: A little on the expensive side but totally worth it, parking, only one meat available (turkey)

08/01/07

My favorite study hangout

by zoechance

Diesel Cafe is not that cheap and it doesn't have much vegan food, but it's got a cozy, welcoming vibe that makes it KICK A$$. I subscribe to their WiFi service ($13/month) and make good use of it - judging by the number of laptops around, so do a slew of others. I dig the comfy couches and the rotating art exhibits, and I like it that various social groups meet in the back corner on different nights, like the knitting klatch and the lesbian single moms. Plus where else can you find a black and white photo booth to commemorate your fine self?? Whoever you are, whatever you want, you'll feel welcome here.

• Pros: Great place to study for hours on end
• Cons: Gets darn crowded at night