Coupa Café: Campus dining takes a step up “Coupa Café offers breakfast, lunch and a variety of beverages that exceed the standards of most, if not all other, on-campus eateries. Based on the small size of Coupa’s counter in the atrium of Y2E2, the number of offerings is quite impressive. In terms of food, there are pancakes for breakfast (available all day), pastries for a snack any time and a number of lunch options, including sandwiches and salads. One of Coupa’s specialties is arepas, traditional Venezuelan sandwiches assembled between cornmeal cakes. A number of fillings are available, ranging from cheese to smoked salmon. I opted for the carne mechada, which is shredded beef cooked in a stew somewhat similar to Cuba’s more well-known ropa vieja ($5.95). The cornmeal griddle cake it was served on provided a nice change of pace from ordinary bread, and the arepa was nicely complemented by a hit of habeñero hot sauce. But the main attraction at Coupa Café is the coffee and beverage selection. The Coupal family trusts nobody else to provide their coffee. They buy directly from growers in Venezuela, and roast it themselves there before FedEx-ing it to the states. Coupa Café takes its coffee seriously, and it shows. A simple latte is good, and the cappuccino is even better. However, what stood out even more were the various forms of hot chocolate. The spicy Maya recipe provided a subtle chocolate taste with a unique kick to it, and the Abuela recipe provided pure chocolate bliss that was thick, slightly creamy and sweet. The mocha was simply the best I have ever tasted.” | Yelp Review Wait, wait, wait, one of my favorite coffee shops ever? On campus?
Yelp review When this place moved into Stanford's Y2E2 building I was skeptical. It's a tiny place, the only food and more importantly caffeine source in such a big academic building, how will it keep up? It turns out this little cafe that could, will puff along just fine! Full of a spirit that definitely generates more than the Venezuelan estate coffee it serves, Coupa Cafe has the population at Y2E2 firmly entranced! The cafe is packing throughout the day. You know you're close to Y2E2 by the numbers of passersby holding Coupa Cafe cups. International music verberates from the place almost constantly along with a vibe and an energy that is youthful and down-to-earth. The salads are scrumptious, the coffee will get you going at the first whiff and the staff is fun. Coupa Cafe is a nice addition to Stanford. |
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Yelp Review Don't tell my husband, but I have fallen in love with the Elephant Vanilla Chai at Coupa Cafe. I think about it all the time. |