Chatted up co-owner Amy a recent weekend morning and she was just a genuine lovely friendly person. Told me how her husband's love of coffee brought him to Guatemala (where they purchase their beans), converted her a little over a year ago to the addictive brew, and led them to open up Cartel mid-January of this year. Despite having been a convert to the whole coffee thing, Amy made me a very smooth, very effective $2 Americano - served up in an eco-conscious 100% corn takeaway cup.
They roast their beans on premises and have places to lounge and meander within their space. It is very spacey, somewhat warehousey - which isn't exactly my groove but nevertheless, I will be back with more friends and time to spare in the near future. Quality and good prices are at the forefront of this operation.