Carajillo Expendio — Restaurant in Chiapas

I visited Carajillo Café in San Cristobal on 11 Oct. 2020, supposedly to purchase coffee beans, because this place was recommended by the receptionist in my hotel. It seems to be a great place for coffee; but I was put off by the COVID-mask issue.

Two staff were there when I entered the store. One was wearing a mask; but the other wasn't. I initially started talking to the one with the mask on; and asked questions related to the coffee beans' profiles, prices, etc. Eventually, the staff without the mask started to chime in; and took over the conversation. Because the store is not a big place; and ample physical distancing is not possible, I politely asked him where his mask was.

The explanations given to me were:

The staff without the mask deals directly with the coffee bean farmers. The farmers don't wear their masks; thus the staff doesn't wear one either. Well, you were not in the farm that time. You were in the store dealing with your regular end-consumers/customers; thus masks are mandatory, to avoid the spread of the virus.

He forgot to bring his mask.

"Don't worry, I can take care of myself," said the staff without a mask.

I didn't want to engage in the mask debate; thus needless to say, I left the store, and NEVER came back. I bought bags of coffee beans from a...

We’ve made the mistake varios times over the past 4 years of repeatedly trying to participate as buyers, participantes in their desgustaciones, etc etc.

As plenty of folks have mentioned in comments, there are staff on site at carajillo and their other business Cafeologia with a deeply rooted ethnocentric rage that manifests in strange passive aggressive tantrums.

My friends/pareja (latino natives born and raiased nearby regionally) are indeed treated totally differently than I.

There’s also an element to the operation that they’ve bit off more than they can chew, in that they presume to create an air of sophistication in coffee but their staff spews inaccuracies and mistakes in their lectures. Whenever I try to find clarity or contribute conversationally in the exchange it’s just more passive aggressive defensiveness, and/or deferring to my Latino friends to cut me out of the dialogue.

The truth is, if you want to know the best coffee here and in Central America, it’s best to either go straight to the tostadores, or focus exclusively on culinary arts capitals such as CDMX… not faux elitist cafes.

Arturo, on staff, is cool tho and very...

San Cristobal is lousy with coffee, no doubt. And for all you 3rd to 5th wavers, this is your shop. (You know who you are. And, if you don’t, just check Google). The roast care and low temp milk is akin to anything you’d slurp in Portland, Van, or Vic. Excellent bean juice. Cream and sugar fixers need not apply. Serious chin beard and...