The Purple Perk
2212 – 4th Street SW
403-244-1300
Hours of operation: Mon – Sat 7 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sun 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Rating: ****
Price range: $$
Reservations: No
Client negotiations: No
Lunch w/co-workers: Yes
Social Lunch: Yes
Quick solo lunch: Yes
Time in: 12:20 p.m.
Ordered: 12:30 p.m.
Food arrived: 12:40 p.m.
Time out: 1:00 p.m.
Total time: 40 minutes
Low $: Chocolate Chip Cookie, $2
High $: Lasagna, $8.95
Lunch menu: Same Menu, daily lunch specials
Licensed: No
Known as “the Perk” to loyalists, The Purple Perk has become the go-to coffee shop of the Mission area.
It has the look of an ice-cream shop from days gone by, with a beautifully curved front counter, dark woods on the counter’s façade and on the ceiling, and beautifully tiled floors. The retro vibe of the place is perfectly matched by modern day niceties like free wireless internet, which many patrons take full advantage of with laptops in tow when they get there.
At lunch, however, a crowd accumulates not just for the fresh coffee or the web access, but for the grub too. Well-made, simple dishes are offered up with a dash of flair and a simple aesthetic and the result is a busy lunch rush.
Being a fan of their coffees, teas and sweets, I was eager to try out their lunch fare. The Chicken Pot Pie ($6.95) that I ordered was heated to perfection and its ingredient combination tasted just right. It also came with a side of their crispy homemade chips, which many dishes do. The food is made onsite and can be taken out to eat at home or in the office, or heated up to enjoy in the cafe.
I’d highly recommend the Purple Perk as a great place to lunch, dine, snack, and of course, to have coffee. The prices are reasonable, the staff is friendly, the food is tasty, and the atmosphere delightful. Try it, you’ll see!
