Coffee, Comfort, and Community, Why Locals Love Los Dos Cristianos Coffee in North Port, FL
Coffee is the new color black. It is the kingpin of the drinks game, weighing in ahead of fruity waters and expensive teas. Coffee is as much an activity as a drink. Perusing the aisles of Target or making a run through any HomeGoods store? Better grab a nice, brewed cup of joe to elevate the task. Have a list of errands to run and feel like you are running on empty? Never go too far without your favorite coffee; it makes all of the travels, tedious chores, and bumps in the road a little less annoying. And forget about happy hours and hangovers, meeting friends over a great cup of coffee is a much cheaper and healthier trend.
Now that it is September all of the flavors including the ever-controversial pumpkin are back and ready to spice up your drink. Where do you fall on the topic of “yay or nay” for all things pumpkin? I must admit, I am a sucker for pumpkin beginning late August and wrapping up sometime late November when I switch to peppermint mocha and other Christmas favorites. In North Port, our coffee shop offerings are growing which is so nice to have variety. Large coffee chains are popping up on the busiest intersections around town as are mom-and-pop shops where the locals tend to hang out. A favorite amongst many in North Port is Los Dos Cristianos Coffee, located at 1120 Plantation Boulevard, and another location at Port Charlotte Fawcett Hospital. They started with a mission “to help feed and vaccinate the children and families of the coffee-producing world by supplying top quality coffee, while providing a memorable experience for our customers.” Los Dos Cristianos Coffee – Los Dos Cristianos Landing site Excellent coffee and sandwiches, cozy seating with a cute ambiance, conveniently located and a good steward of the community? Count me in, I’ll have a pumpkin latte, please. Who We Are – Los Dos Cristianos Coffee.
Los Dos Cristianos is usually busy first thing in the morning, (they are open Monday through Friday 7AM until 2PM and Saturday 8AM until 1PM) You will find a steady line of locals, heading into work with a great cup of coffee and a smile they received from the friendly baristas. But there is always room for friends to mingle on the comfy couch, mom’s groups to gather, families to enjoy a table game while they enjoy their eats and drinks and even for potential employers and job seekers to talk over a cup of coffee. They make every order custom and some of their drinks and sandwiches are quite intricate so it’s not the quick drive-through place you might be accustomed to but so worth a few minutes’ wait. Even though fancy drinks are impressive, whether frozen, iced, shaken and with real milk, oat milk or no milk, I also love a good, strong cup of black coffee, sans cream and sugar. Los Dos has several varieties of beans, all ethically-sourced which are so robust and deep tasting, it is hard to go home and brew your own cup after indulging in theirs, and it is also disappointing to pull into a familiar coffee chain drive thru knowing it’s just not going to be as good as Los Dos Cristianos. Coffee Selection Process – Los Dos Cristianos Coffee Loving to mix it up a bit and enjoying the seasonal coffee offers (even when the weather outside is still hot and humid) I will try a new coffee drink every time I visit Los Dos. I love their line of flavorings, which are of exceptional quality, and always served exactly as you ask (half a pump, just a little sugar, or however you describe it, their baristas listen.) Their paninis are excellent, served with quality pork and on bread that is pressed so that you get a little crisp when you bite. Their muffins are fresh and big, and the breakfast sandwiches are always filling and usually enough to save for a late morning snack.
Los Dos Cristiano’s also grinds their beans for other shops and restaurants in the area, as well as offering it for delivery on their online store. Online Store – Los Dos Cristianos Coffee They frequently participate in fund-raisers and toy drives for the community which makes supporting their little shop all the sweeter as a local. They also offer a discount card which can be used for one free drink once the card is filled out. For Facebook specials, please visit Los Dos Cristianos Coffee | North Port FL | Facebook.
Photos courtesy of Los Dos Cristiano’s Facebook page