Ambition Coffee & Eatery, Inc in Schenectady

Imagine 90’s McDonald’s prices with the quality of Panera.Great food. Great staff. Incredible prices! $3 for a hot bacon/egg/cheese sandwich on wheat toast ready in under 5 min? That’s insanely cheap, and it’s really good.

Great coffee options and good food. Great place to get a Sunday brunch and meet friends.

Great place for breakfast!! Yummy home fries - the best I’ve had out!! Great service - friendly staff!!! A great find!!!

One of my most favorite breakfast/brunch/lunch places of all time. Love love love Ambition.

LOVE, LOVE the funky place with good food and great friendly service.

The food was wonderful and the service was impeccable. Our waiter Taylor was very funny and we all had a great experience!

Ambition has been one of my go-to breakfast spots as a Union student. On my most recent visit, I saw this appalling sign hanging on the wall. I’m incredibly disappointed and hope they will take appropriate action.

Was just grabing a coffe on the way out of town. The guy at the counter made some quick recommendations and breakfast Sammys 2go. Egg ham and cheese on a bagel for 3 bucks. Crazy good deal and good sando. Coffee was great too. Atmosphere inside is awesome.

Ordered sandwiches and got the. Within 10 minutes. Super speedy and was yummy

The Verklempt and orange juice were great! Definitely check out this place for brunch, or for whenever! Very conveniently located near the farmers market on Sundays.

Outside Eating! Great for if you have a pet! Loved the Food and Service.

This place is really cool! Kind of a super small hole in the wall type of place. Its like one long narrow corridor. Great breakfast food! The croissant breakfast sammie was unreal. They use 2 eggs for their sandwiches, and meat is extra add on, but the sammie is completely customizable. Im not a home froes person, but I finished mine because they were bomb dot com.

This place is a hidden gem. The food is fabulous but the real value-add is the staff - nice beyond reasonable expectations.

This is a favorite stop on Jay Street in Schenectady. Trendy area for coffee and/or lunch. Really good Latte

One of my fave brunch spots. Awesome food, service and staff. Well priced. Highly recommend.

I eat at Ambition at least once a week. Its a staple of my diet. Ive not once had a sandwich I didnt love. The funky vibe and awesome folks who work here make this a Schenectady staple for brunch and lunch. Love this place

I couldnt wait to write a review for this restaurant. We were in town for a softball tournament and went here based on reviews. All the reviews were spot on. Our server was really awesome and made us feel right at home. Food was absolutely delicious and was served pretty quickly. This is a highly recommend for me. I would go back here in a heartbeat.

The Service Of Jermaine B. Was very poor, 3 of us ordered $42.66 in food and when we asked for ICED Tea he served it warm we asked for ice he brought us a cup of ice then asked for lemon and he brought 1 slice of lemon for 3 of us to share then we still needed more Ice and he brought another cup of ice and slammed it on the table he was very snappy towards us very poor customer service especially when the service should be outstanding and exceptional but he was poorly trained apparently because we are not satisfied with the service here, foremost we are business owners here in Schenectady and we were coming to Ambition since 2012 and the business has became very decayed and unkept anyways to make a long story short it used to be more welcoming and LGBTQA Friendly but we felt strongly un welcomed by the poor service!Update: Marc thanks for reaching out to us we are happy to hear your employee validated what we stated however the food was fairly good just wish their were better options for choices of sides not everyone loves chips, and the sandwich special the spiciness of the sandwich overpowered the whole taste of the sandwich.

Great place for a date or catching up with a friend- cozy, casual, friendly feel. I had the Cranberry club sandwitch and it was delicous. Service is very friendly and top notch! Highly recommend!

Great coffee, delicious and interesting food - the omelette and sandwich we had was incredibly tasty- and a great atmosphere. Highly recommend.

Wanted brunch and didnt feel like going too far so figured I would go here since I had been before. I was tossing up two different places and this one was open earlier than the other.Waitress was pleasant. Ordered a Bloody Mary and got spicy tomato juice. Had a bacon, ham and cheese omelet with rye toast and home fries. Food was cooked well and tasted good. Decided to order another Bloody Mary thinking maybe my tastes were off but nope got another spicy tomato juice.Thinking I should have went with my second choice but the food made it ok.

The service was excellent. The coffee was good - fresh, hot and flavorful. The Moroccan soup was perfectly flavored and filling, really good. The special wrap (chicken, artichokes, bacon and dressingwas ok. It was fresh but I couldnt taste the artichokes or the bacon, only the chicken and dressing.

Ambition has delicious food, amazing quirky decor, and the best servers. (we love Morgan!-give her a raiseI always recommend bringing out of towners here for an amazing Schenectady experience 💗

Food is only okay. So dark in here that it always looks kind of dirty even if it is not. No one is moving all that stuff on the walls to clean regularly so I choose not to eat here anymore. I dont know why everyone raves about this place. Plus all of the good staff recently left.

Great food: chicken curry soup, big fat Greek wrap with chicken, yum! Vegetarian foods also and great service, thanks Darius. What a great place to discover. Will definitely be back!

Nice place and friendly service. My only complaint food was not hot, and the bacon was not cooked crispy as requested. But will definitely give it another try.

Clientele and staff have been favorably impacted by the legalization. Expect mind-bending consciousness raising events. But remember the cute girl in the back isnt really looking at you. Thats just wishful thinking.

Went for brunch. Crowded, fun atmosphere. We were sat quickly, and had drinks in hand within minutes. Ordered and sat back to sip and chat. Server came by a few times to check in.Our food arrived after about 45 minutes, so we were very ready to dig in. He had an omelet and home fries - both fine. Not great, but fine. I had a chicken salad wrap and some tortilla chips that it apparently comes with. Again, fine. Mostly bland. But neither were bad.Mimosas were good, iced coffee I would generously say was OK.Bill with a 20% tip came to $80.Will try again in a few months, but not sprinting back anytime soon.

Great staff welcomed us, and they took time offering samples of different brews. When finding out we were just stopping in they offered recommendations, and helpful tips. The coffee was delicious as were the pastries they offer! Make sure to get a Baileys chocolate chip muffin for the road! They even suggested warming it up to make sure we enjoyed it as much as possible. Really great local place, and one I will visit again anytime in the area

Its a funky little restaurant near a lot of little boutiques. The men were beyond friendly, we felt like home, being away from home. The bagel sandwich was Amazing and the muffins were moist and not too sweet. We loved it, even if you just go for a drink its a fun atmosphere.

What a cute place... food was delicious!!! Breakfast potatoes with peppers and onions are amazing!

Do not eat here. Today I watched a new employee (first daydo a stellar and absolutely amazing job only to be verbally degraded and berated for a mistake that the owner and only cook, Mark messed up on. I watched this happen with my own two eyes. Even after she apologized profusely for HIS mistake he told her to leave. He physically pulled out trash to make the server feel bad mind you for his mistake. I wouldn’t let my dog eat here under his management. He’s a pathetic small man for doing what he did to this absolutely stellar server! Even his own staff were perplexed at his lack of decency and attitude. NO WONDER HES ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WORKERS. I wouldn’t be caught dead working for this feeble minded pathetic excuse of a man.

Restaurant only had one waiter for all 20 tables. The waiter could not remember anything we ordered even after telling him repeatedly. The coffee was brown water. Coffee took 20 minutes to arrive and waiter forgot to bring creamer or almond milk. After 45 minutes with no food and or coffee creamer we decided to leave. Worst restaurant experience in my life. How is this place open?

I have been going here a good amount of times for breakfast and its overall very good. They are always consistent in delivering good food. The customer service is a good but the last time I went I was lacking a bit. The bathroom are very small and dirty, but the food and environment overall is pretty good.

Ambition is steeped in local flavor. I went there for the first time when I was in high school for an Open Mic. Later, I went to SCCC for college, and I often went to Ambition to just soak up the feeling of the place. The art on the walls, the relaxed atmosphere, the idea that I was in a place that had been around to feed performers before they went on stage later felt so cool.I headed back yesterday because I was in the area, and it hit me with so much nostalgia. Plus, the food was just as delicious as ever. The bread pudding muffins are out of this world good. Well worth a stop in for coffee and maybe a little something sweet.

There is a good reason why Ambition has such a strong following and is the go-to spot for so many people living, working and visiting in Schenectady. Their home fries are 5 stars and they have a large breakfast menu that is great. But their dinner options are NEXT LEVEL! The fact that their tiny kitchen can consistently put out such incredible food is amazing. Now, the only sad part is they dont always offer dinner, its usually just for Proctors shows. But wow, if you get a chance to come for dinner, cancel all your other plans and come here. Fresh, delicious food from appetizers, through their huge main course portions and great deserts. Try something new and you wont be disappointed.

I used to love this place. It has become one of the top worst places ive been to. The bagel and cream cheese with lox made me violently ill, and the waiter was inattentive to the point where after asking for silverware and waiting 15 minutes for it, i had to go back up to the counter to ask for it again, and thereupon had to wait several more minutes. No silverware, no straws, inattentive waiter and the food made me sick. Sad to say i will NOT be returning after this.

Ambition has been part of the heart of Schenectady since before the citys turnaround. A unique gay cafe that looks like a hole in the wall from a big city. The staff has always been relaxed and friendly. Its remarkable how they manage it year after year. The food is great too. Soups, salads, and sandwiches that have always been my go to for lunch. Several parking lots within a block or two. If you dont need fancy but still want good, I cant think of a better recommendation. Even the whistling kettle a couple of doors down isnt as good.

This is seriously a hidden gem. The atmosphere is trendy but laid back. Staff were amazing and the food was delightful! If youre ever in town you have to check it out.

Went to Ambition to get a to-go order for the first time today with a colleague, the staff was extremely friendly and the entire vibe of the restaurant is wonderful. So casual and relaxed yet eclectic. The menu has something for everyone and the food is phenomenal. I tried the Cranberry Club and it was absolutely delicious. Service was quick which was great for my half hour lunch break. Ill be making this my new lunch spot for when Im at the office. Do yourself a favor and try Ambition!

Young, ambitious crew but quite intelligent. Thanks for the chocolate bar.

It had been a while since I swung by ambition cafe, but I wanted to show my friend this cute Schenectady staple. They do pandemic seating, but we found a spot near the back of the cafe. The staff was incredibly friendly, and very accommodating. The restaurant designed is very old school, with fun celebrity murals, photos and news articles about the cafe, bottle cap poles, and a fun mishmash of everything the owner collects.As I remember from the last time I was there, the menu is eclectic and has some nice vegan options. Most orders come with a bag of chips or a side salad, which was a pretty decent size. We were also thrilled to see that they had fountain sodas, so we could order our Diet Cokes.We both ordered Jeremys Package, which is made with grilled turkey, apples, bacon, tomato, cheddar, cranberry pesto, and balsamic reduction on pretzel bread. Boy did this sandwich live up to the hype. It was scrumptious, with a sweet little edge, and the acid of the crisp apple tartness balanced out the fattiness of the bacon and turkey. The pretzel bun tasted just like a pretzel, and it was warm and soft inside. Very happy!The salad is also very good. It was mixed greens, and I got the honey mustard vinaigrette. He worked really well, and was a perfect compliment to the dish.Im so glad we hit this place up for lunch. I forgot how great Ambition Cafe has always been, and Im really glad to see theyre keeping it up.

Excellent staff and affordable breakfast and lunch bistro style sandwiches and salads. GF Toast and sandwiches too!LGBT and everyone else friendly and safe. Clean as a whistle!

Stopped for a late breakfast around 11:30 the other day. The server let me know that they stopped serving breakfast at 11:00 but he made several excellent suggestions off of the lunch menu. I ended up going with the lox 8 sandwich. It was delicious! Always great food, excellent service and very careful about complying to COVID-19 protocols.

Went here for brunch and ate outside, the staff warned us bees were a bit intrusive, they were right! As for the food and service, absolutely great! We had a Kahlua boozy Muffin, Barry Manilow pancakes, a meat lovers omelette (special of the dayand my husband ordered the Mimosa. Nothing to complain about, food was served fresh and quick, service was attentive and pleasant. We are very happy we tried Ambition! I highly recommend! Cant wait to try lunch there!

Great breakfast and a cute little Cafe! Good meal choices and the prices are reasonable. There is a bar, in case you want a mimosa or bloody with your breakfast! Its also situated on a cute little closed off block where you can Browse the shops without worrying about traffic. Loved it... I will definitely visit again!

Staying in downtown Schenectady for the wedding of our dear friends. Stopped at Ambition for breakfast. Interesting old building with lots of atmosphere located on historic Jay Street. Had an excellent omelet, my wife had a generous portion of French Toast with fresh Strawberries. Friendly attentive service. Alcoholic beverages available as well.

Ambition for me is a comfortable #5star awesome! Great place to bring your heart right next to you, Here in my pictures,I was waiting to meet my true love for the 1st time, each second felt like an eternity,in anticipation of meeting the love I have now

Greeted by a sign that said "Happy Not Monday" I felt immediately welcomed by Ambition Coffee & Eatery. The smell of grease and sugar promised a satisfying breakfast for my empty belly. Overall it was a worthwhile breakfast stop.The vibe was eclectic, with all the interesting images across the space. Enjoyed all the silly sayings, (e.g. "Danger: Men Cooking", and "Beware pickpockets and loose women".posted everywhere. It felt, at least in part, like a small corner of Mardi Gras had found its way up to Schenectady.My meal; a meaty omelette was fine. I wouldnt say the best Ive ever had, but very, very far from the worst. My daughters pancakes were entirely uninspired; the white flour was evident in the rubbery nature of the meal. In all, I was disappointed by the menu. After such a high bar had been set by the decor, the menu was rather pedestrian. Had this been more of a local mom & pop diner, I would have been much less disappointed.The service was pleasant, and with car trouble, our server stood out by asking around for a garage recommendation from the locals. Totally above and beyond expectations.Overall, Id recommend Ambition if youre looking for a salt-of-the-earth breakfast with a funky environment. I would definitely go back after exploring other restaurants in the area.

I love this place. Definitely had a unique atmosphere, with classic pop culture decor. Its humorous and laid back. You can get breakfast or lunch - their sandwiches are their specialty (try the Stacys Mom!). Also, gourmet coffee, chai and latte. One of the best hidden secrets in Schenectady. They have a full bar too!