Java on Ocean barista Dahlia Bolaños serves each cup with a side of positive energy.
A job at Ingleside’s mainstay cafe came serendipitously for the 20-year-old who grew up and lives in the Excelsior and first started going to the cafe while in middle school.
Last year, recently returned from a study abroad trip in Italy, cafe owner Hossam Kaddoura asked Bolaños if she wanted to work there or if she knew anyone who would. Bolaños took the opportunity and started her first-ever barista job.
“I love all the customers,” Bolaños said. “I love the vibe, aesthetic of the cafe — it's so cute! — and all my coworkers. We're kind of just like a little family in the cafe.”
Bolaños, a second-year student at City College of San Francisco studying environmental science, said she eagerly shows up to work each day to meet and greet people in the neighborhood.
“I love talking to people, and I love making connections,” Bolaños said. “I think that growing up in San Francisco and then going to college here as well, that can be a little bit hard. You can get pretty comfortable in the bubble.”
The Ingleside Light caught up with Bolaños to hear more about what it’s like to work at Java on Ocean.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What does a typical shift look like for you?
I usually work in the afternoon until closing-ish. Just a few hours, and sometimes after class.
We usually are kind of doing a little bit of everything, so I make food, I do the drinks, I clean the cafe and I talk to people. There's usually one other person on shift with me. It usually goes really well. It can get pretty busy and hectic when there are a lot of people, but to me, I like that. It makes it a little bit more exciting and more fun.
Do you have a favorite memory so far from working at Java on Ocean?
When I first started, I was super nervous. It was my first barista job. There was a customer who came in and I had never seen him before or anything. Still, I took his order, I made it, I gave it to him and then when I was giving it to him, he was like, “Just so you know, I have owned like three different cafes in my lifetime, and you just have the perfect vibe for a barista and working in a cafe and I would totally hire you. You're just super welcoming. You love talking to people and I can tell that you're super good at your job.” From there, I just had the confidence to keep working. It was so, so sweet.
What is something about working at Java that people may not know or people may not expect?
I feel like usually with normal cafes, you kind of have a certain role, maybe just working as a cashier or working drinks or working food, but working at Java, you're kind of doing a little bit of everything. I think that is really helpful for future jobs. You kind of become a well-rounded employee because you're learning how to do all of these different types of things, like customer service, cleaning, dishes, whatever. I think you can kind of see us working in the back because it is pretty open, but as a customer, it is really hard to notice how much we're doing in just one shift or just in two hours or something.
What is one piece of advice you have for someone who also wants to become a barista or get into that industry?
Be annoying with your questions. Ask as many questions as you can, as you want, like when you're training or shadowing. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if you have been working there for a long time; sometimes we just don't learn how to do something. Just go easy on yourself. Don't be scared. It's fun to meet new people. People aren't as scary as they may seem.
