Key West prior to eight in the morning is a very different place than Key West at night. Key West at night is what draws the twenty-somethings to visit. Key West in the morning is what makes the locals stay.
The best embodiment of the ideal Key West morning resides near the historic seaport. Cuban Coffee Queen resides in what was probably a shed back in the day, most of a us have seen bedrooms bigger. The eight-man line leading up to the window and the six people waiting to the side prove that you cannot judge a book by its cover.
I have come to notice that lines in coffee shops are usually the unhappiest places on earth: all the caffiene addicts miserable while they await their first fix. This makes Cuban Coffee Queen all the more unique because everyone from the staff to the patrons are smiling and friendly. Conversations are struck up between strangers, the early gym-goers stretch out together, tourists inquire about the menu and the locals offer an answer: this is the community people expect from good ol’ Paradise.
The wait is surprisingly short considering the large amount of people and the small amount of kitchen. In the meantime, the latin music blends nicely with the nearby windchimes and a staff member brings out treats for the dogs, who have all been here enough times to expect the tasty morsel.
Names are called out left and right, then finally mine. An Energy Blast smoothie, full of berries, bananas, yogurt, apple juice, brown rice protein, Maca root powder and cacao powder, followed by a Key Wester, two eggs, American cheese, and bacon pressed on Cuban Bread. It’s a simple breakfast that starts the day off so much brighter.
I’m sure I’ll call later in the day for a delivery of a cafe con leche and Cuban bagel for lunch. (Never heard of a Cuban Bagel? You’re missing out.) If you feel like channeling your inner Hemingway and writing, say, a food blog, well you can do that on one of the benches nearby thanks to the free wi-fi.
No comments:
Post a Comment