Scholars Caffe Barista: "Widsom in a Cup"

Neighborhood cafés are not one of Laredo's fortes, yet there is an exception. Just recently, Scholars Caffe Barista opened its doors to the public with a very sophisticated yet educational flair.

Upon entering, the overall ambiance was very welcoming, whether you were with company or alone. And if you ever find yourself alone, you can enjoy one of the books from Scholar's vast collection ranging from art to thrillers.

What were supposed to be quick glances at the menu sparked into an interesting conversation, since the sizes of the drinks were according to classifications: freshman, sophomore, junior and senior.

 The classifications were only the beginning of how scholarly Scholars truly is. Along with the different coffee specialty drinks, Italian sodas and teas, there are also sandwiches named after prominent educational figures such as Dante, Einstein, and Cervantes. We had the opportunity to savor "Dante", which consisted of oven roasted turkey, cream cheese, cranberry and spinach, topped with olives and chips served in a basket. Numerous bites later, we still weren't able to produce Dante worthy poetry, yet the sandwich was delicious.

The Bridge had the opportunity to chat with Gerardo and Carmen Mendive, owners of Scholars Caffee Barista, who mentioned how they wanted the customer to feel at ease and welcomed rather than rushed and left with little desk space to sit back and enjoy their coffee. Indeed, it seemed as though the times of trying to cram all our reviews and laptop on a commercialized coffee shop table are over. One of the highlights about the café is the spaciousness it provides for customers to enjoy quality conversations, as well as the two private rooms which can be requested for conferences and even those hectic study sessions. The café has additional services to offer students including scanning, faxing, copying and free WiFi.

The moment we stepped out of the café, we were already planning our next visit to try Cervantes with the hopes of writing a delicious novel.

If you wish to try these scrumptious sandwiches or drinks, Scholars Caffee Barista is open Monday thru Sunday from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, located at 1701 Peaceful Meadows. For more information you may contact Scholars Caffee Barista at (956) 718-5855 or on Facebook under Scholars Caffee Barista.