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| - It takes some ingenuity to stand out in a such a sea of coffee shops, but Café Maya does just that with their fresh, Mexican-inspired take on coffee and locally sourced baked goods.
In addition to the traditional latte, cappuccino and espresso drinks expected of a java joint, Café Maya serves a few signature drinks that are in line with their Mexican-inspired concept.
I ordered the Café de Olla, which was described via their Facebook page as a mix of coffee grounds, cinnamon, orange peel and a touch of sugar. The result is a cup resembling black coffee, yet rich with cinnamon and citrus notes. The sweetness is subtle but the flavors from the spices and orange shine through enough so added sugar wasn't needed in my cup.
Unique drinks aside, Café Maya also serves baked goods and heartier food options--waffles, oatmeal, sandwiches, soups, quesadillas...
Arrive early for the greatest selection of bakery items, as the display case empties out quickly and is limited once afternoon hits. I was able to snatch the last double chocolate chip muffin and found out that Café Maya sources their baked items from local favorite French bakery around the corner, Le Petit Croissant. The sugar of the muffin was a perfect fit for the conservatively sweet Cafe de Olla, all about that balance.
The environment at the cafe is welcoming thanks to a staff that goes beyond the expected etiquette of a traditional coffee shop. Workers walk around to tables checking on customers and holding conversations with its older base of patrons who frequent the shop.
I'm intrigued by the Mocha Maya and Horchatte drinks, so I'm likely to revisit the shop if I make it back to the west side!
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