38 replies to this topic

[sayaca]

What, no comments on the new coffee emporium at Centro Laguna? As a Day 1 customer I was sorely disappointed. Plain Cafe Americano was ho-hum, lacking the wonderful robust flavor of the joe at the cafe opposite the Ajijic church, Chapala's Coffee Tree and Coffee Hour. Chai so sweet it could have set off diabetic shock. Drinks and food idon't seem worth the high end price range. Pleasant ambiance is the only winning factor IMHO.

[CCC]

I was disappointed in the espresso. The A/C was nice. Will try them again when they are more established. I have had their coffee in other locations and it was much better. I hope it is just opening day issues.

[artsnob]

I had the black nut Frappacino to day it was great, I also like their regular coffee, and have been going regularly to their outlet near my apartment in Mex City, I like it better than the Star brand, only better not bitter!!!

[HelperGuy]

I tried Starbucks... once. I'll try this place once, too.

[MyHomeSweetHome]

We tried it. Retired expat hang out at the time. It was over staffed & definitely in training. Frapps were good. I tried a green tea w/mint. Great atmosphere, didn't even realize it was opening day. Wanted to buy a mug but will have to wait and see if they'll go on sale. I think they'll do great, especially on weekends & vacation season being it's a reputable chain in a great location w/parking. Bugs will get worked out. We'll go back. A/C was chilly.

[JayBearII]

This is going to be a great place to meet people, blind dates or realtors--it's easy to find, plenty of parking. Would rather have this than an IHOP or a Mickey D's.

[sparks]

A reputable chain and they don't have a decent dark roast?

[Atlas]

I had an espresso today; costly @ 22 pesos but excellent. I've tried them before in the Gallerias and prefer the Italian Coffee Company. I'll take a Starbucks anyday or a Burger King would have been great in that location.

[Travis]

I predict Black Coffee will be hugely popular with well-healed Mexicanos, assuming enough of them bother to visit this area in the future. It may even prove to be an anchor for that otherwise forlorn mall.

(Disclosure: I'm in advertising/marketing, and the arrival of "Black Coffee" is really interesting to me. And....by the way....it may as well be a Starbucks....or a McDonalds....or a.....whatever....they are all the same thing.)

Also, as always, Black Coffee is not about the foreign community.

As for me, I will check it out from interest, then I'll almost certainly continue to patronize Cafe Grano in Ajijic - across from the Parroquia - spectacularly great coffee, lovely people, local owners, good purposes and practices, etc. Cafe Grano is a gift and we're fortunate to have it here.

[ValGal]

I went today and paid 31 pesos for an ice tea. It was a cup full of ice and about 6 ounces of green tea. Way too expensive. Great atmosphere. Was full of smartly dressed Mexican women and a few Mexican business men. I would say more than half the customers were Mexican. I wondered if they were friends of the owners, just supporting the business. I felt like I was in Mexico City..... I will try their regular coffee next.

[gogirl]

I went there in the evening of opening night around 7:00 or so just to get a dessert. It was not very busy but mostly Mexicans. I checked out the dessert case and there was 1 woman ahead of me with about 3 kids. And I waited and waited and waited. There were at least 4 people in the coffee area but only one guy at the register taking orders. I was never acknowledged and then another Mexican customer came in and the register guy started talking to him so I figured I didn't have a chance so I walked out. I may go back but don't know if the desserts are worth it.

[Ginger]

It's hard to judge any new place on their first day with new staff, etc. I'll wait a couple of weeks & try it then.

[jnc]

Stuck my head in the door the other day on the way to the bank. $24 pesos for a simple cup of Americano? Who are they kidding? I can't imagine many expats will be so foolish to pay prices like that for a simple cup of coffee, not to say what they're charging for fancier blends. Or at least not more than once. I also can't imagine that there are all that many Mexicans in the area who are so well-heeled that they will pay that much for coffee. I may have to pay prices like that at the Guad airport while waiting for a plane because I'm a captive customer, but not when I have plenty of other choices with more atmosphere and lower prices. Of course, this is only my humble opinion.

[Love It Here]

I haven't been in there, and I don't plan on going there. I knew when it was being built that it would be way over priced. Where do
they come up with their prices? Do they think that everyone who lives here has plenty of money to spend on expensive drinks?
We tend to stay out of any businesses that charge gringo prices, like a poster said plenty of places to chose from.

[HelperGuy]

I predict Black Coffee will be hugely popular with well-healed Mexicanos, assuming enough of them bother to visit this area in the future. It may even prove to be an anchor for that otherwise forlorn mall.

(Disclosure: I'm in advertising/marketing, and the arrival of "Black Coffee" is really interesting to me. And....by the way....it may as well be a Starbucks....or a McDonalds....or a.....whatever....they are all the same thing.)

Also, as always, Black Coffee is not about the foreign community.

As for me, I will check it out from interest, then I'll almost certainly continue to patronize Cafe Grano in Ajijic - across from the Parroquia - spectacularly great coffee, lovely people, local owners, good purposes and practices, etc. Cafe Grano is a gift and we're fortunate to have it here.

Agree with what you say, except one thing: when they build at lakeside, it is about the foreign community.

[Atlas]

No it isn't. We represent less than 10% of local population and 0% of the Tapatios who visit on the weekends. The prices are the same in all Black Coffee Gallery stores. It isn't for me. Cafe Grano is better, even the espresso at the Cafe Dilleto stand in Walmart is decent and only 10 pesos. The coffee shop on the LCS grounds charges 16 for espresso and it's every bit as good as Black Coffee.

[carib]

I haven't been in there, and I don't plan on going there. I knew when it was being built that it would be way over priced. Where do
they come up with their prices? Do they think that everyone who lives here has plenty of money to spend on expensive drinks?
We tend to stay out of any businesses that charge gringo prices, like a poster said plenty of places to chose from.

Why do you think their prices are gear to gringos? Do you think this company will go under because we won't patronized them? This is a nationwide company marketing to Mexicans. We here a drop in the bucket. Sometimes we overestimate our money impact in the area. To some of my Mexican friends a 50 pesos coffee is reasonable which for me is outrageous. The difference, I don't have the kind of money they have. I was there today and I had a Frappuccino, excellent. I may treat myself again in a few months. Yo me lo merezco!!!!!

[shmiller]

I love the Black Coffee Gallery, more than Starbucks and local lakeside places, for several reasons. For me the combination of quality, cost, atmosphere, art and design, and cleanliness, is unbeatable.

[gringal]

Sometime around the crown jewel of the hot season........say, May.........it might feel like heaven in there. Might even compound heaven with an icy coffee and dessert..