-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 IGrJxpvzaO4JPy7L2npW7e8QdkXYCdgEdKj2W1ZmXEo2OKuzhcOjjuRiZwERC3p/
 ZSr0oJ64zw6VM7UhjCSu0Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000935836-03-000215.txt : 20030530
<SEC-HEADER>0000935836-03-000215.hdr.sgml : 20030530
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030530122304
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000935836-03-000215
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030512
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030530

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SPENCER RICHARD S III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001235465

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21203
		FILM NUMBER:		03725026

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 EVENTH AVENUE STE 105
		CITY:			SANTA CRUZ
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95062

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 SEVENTH AVENUE STE 105
		CITY:			SANTA CRUZ
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95062

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DIEDRICH COFFEE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000947661
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-FOOD STORES [5400]
		IRS NUMBER:				330086628
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0127

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2144 MICHELSON DRIVE
		STREET 2:		STE A
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			9262682612
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9492601600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2144 MICHELSON DRIVE
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92612

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WESTCLIFF CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC/CA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001057396
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21203
		FILM NUMBER:		03725027

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 7TH AVE SUITE 105
		CITY:			SANTA CRUZ
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95062
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4084770422

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 SEVENTH AVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 105
		CITY:			SANTA CRUZ
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95602
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-12</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2003-05-14</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000947661</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DIEDRICH COFFEE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DDRX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001057396</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WESTCLIFF CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC/CA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001235465</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SPENCER RICHARD S III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-12</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>195600</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>3.55</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>955229</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>I</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <natureOfOwnership>
                <value>See Note</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </natureOfOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-12</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>195600</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>3.55</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>955229</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>I</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <natureOfOwnership>
                <value>See Note</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </natureOfOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Reporting Persons are Westcliff Capital Management, LLC and Richard S. Spencer III, a manager and the majority member of Westcliff. Each Reporting Person disclaims membership in a group with any non-reporting person within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(i) and Rule 16a-1(a)(1) under the Exchange Act. These securities are owned by clients of Westcliff. Each Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership in such securities except to the extent of such Reporting Person's pecuniary interest. The transactions reported represent the sale of shares by clients of Westcliff and the purchase of an equal number of shares by other clients of Westcliff, resulting in a change in Westcliff's and Mr. Spencer's pecuniary interest in the shares. Such purchases and sales were effected through a broker unaffiliated with Westcliff or Mr. Spencer.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Westcliff Capital Management LLC By Richard S. Spencer, III, Manager</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Richard S. Spencer, III</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----