Newly-opened Greater Coffee Co. in Harlingen a bright, delicious scene
HARLINGEN — Is there anything greater enjoying a good cup of coffee with even better company on a day off?
For my girlfriend and I, weekends are usually jam packed with various chores and responsibilities that generally get pushed aside as a result of the usual flow of the work week. It’s nice to find a place to slow down a bit.
We found that place in Harlingen at Greater Coffee Co., which is located at 101 Stuart Place Road, Suite F.
By chance, it just so happened to be the day of their grand opening. I suppose that’s why there were so many blue, gold and white balloons snaking along one of the walls.
We walked up to the counter and looked over their menu for a brief moment. One of the baristas greeted us and asked us if we had any questions about the menu.
My girlfriend did most of the talking for me. She really is the greatest. I hate saying things to people.
She asked for his recommendation, to which he said the Spiced Vanilla Latte. He said that it was the drink of choice for most of his clients that day. She went ahead and ordered that for me.
As for her drink of choice, and as a non-coffee drinker, she decided to try the Chai Latte. She is also not much of a fan of dairy products, but fortunately Greater Coffee Co. offers a lactose free option. She ordered the Chai Latte with some sugar-free hazelnut syrup.
We sat at a table along one of the walls, which is essentially one long booth with some chairs paired opposite of each table. She took out her copy of the Jan. 27 issue of the New Yorker and began to read. I just started reading “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry. I’m about 60 pages in, and I’m loving it so far.
Most, if not all, of the coffee shops I’ve been to have dimmed or soft lighting, which I feel makes the coffee-enjoying experience all the more comforting. I can’t say that that was the case at Greater Coffee, but it did make reading less of a struggle.
I’d read a couple paragraphs when my girlfriend asked if I’d like to help her solve the crossword puzzle in the back of her magazine.
I wouldn’t say that I’m the most helpful when it comes to solving New Yorker crossword puzzles. I am usually only useful for the music or sports-related clues. Did you know that Linda Rondstadt also sings a version of Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou”?
My girlfriend didn’t. I did. She knew everything else, but she clearly needed me for that bit of trivia. That’s why she keeps me around, for those of you wondering.
While we worked through the puzzle, our drinks were brought to our table by one of the two baristas, both of whom were very much on top of everything. Aside from being friendly and knowledgeable about their drink options, they constantly checked on us and their other customers, making sure that we were satisfied with the entire experience.
Both drinks were delicious. You can’t really go wrong with a vanilla latte. While I don’t necessarily have a sweet tooth, I would have preferred that my drink was just a bit sweeter. It was creamy, and the espresso flavor was smooth. I couldn’t really taste the spiced vanilla syrup, but the espresso flavor was more than satisfying.
With all that being said, my girlfriend and I both agreed that her Chai Latte was the real star of our coffee excursion. The drink was served with what looked like a dash of nutmeg sprinkled on top. The drink was light and comforting with an herbal taste that wasn’t too sweet.
Before we left, I ordered my usual cold brew with vanilla syrup and a splash of whole milk. Cold brew can be hit or miss depending on the type of coffee and the brewing process. It was definitely a hit at Greater Coffee Co. The drink was well balanced with not too much milk to dilute the flavorful coffee.
Overall, it was quite an enjoyable experience. Given Greater Coffee Co.’s brief existence, they are definitely on to something. I am excited to see how they grow over time, and I invite you to give them a try.
Greater Coffee Co. is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
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