Semilla Coffee Lab — Restaurant in McAllen

Artsy, different and unique place. Cashier was very pleasant and helpful.

Charcoal: The drinks were good, but different. Definitely not your standard coffee or drink place. We both got charcoal-based drinks. Although they were good, they left charcoal pieces in our mouths and also left our lips and tongues black. Just kind of a weird sensation that not everyone may like.

Dessert: We didn’t try any dessert cakes, but they did look amazing.

Alcohol: This place does not serve alcohol (we came here thinking it was more of a bar with coffee drinks such as a White Russian).

Photography (?): They have cameras everywhere, but when we asked why, we did not receive an answer. It seems like they may develop film and have possibly a dark room in the back somewhere, but that’s just a guess.

Outside: A little difficult to find. It’s tucked in the back and around a corner. Horrible parking lot. A few tables for outside seating.

Inside: Small, quaint. Minimal seating. Industrial style.

Outsiders: Only thing negative is that we felt like outsiders. The locals made it very apparent with their attitudes and stares that we were...

I like the idea of having a coffee place like this in McAllen. However it only works if you feel good about going to a place like this. Semilla was recommended to me so I stopped by one day. Late morning. Only one customer in there besides me and two employees. I'm not a novice when it comes to this beverage and I also worked at a legitimate and beloved coffee joint in my early twenties. So when I was able to overlook how pretentious the employees were I was finally able to order. I asked for a crafted espresso drink so I could experience the crema and I was handed the most basic of drip coffee. Truly disappointing. Not only was it the most expensive drip coffee I've ever had, it was also one of the worse. I emailed the management as it was suggested on their Facebook page and I didn't get a single response. Not an email or message in response from them. I can't imagine this place will make it to...

Semilla Coffee Labs has changed quite a bit over the years, and it’s hard not to feel a bit of nostalgia for what it used to be. These thoughts are just my personal take, but the shift in vibe feels significant.

Lately, the space comes off as a bit snobby, and the quality of the coffee no longer stands out the way it once did. Parking is still a challenge, and the new cowboy aesthetic, including the oversized flag, feels like a sharp departure from the roots and identity that originally made this shop feel special.

It’s possible there’s been a change in management, or simply a change in direction. Either way, to me, it feels like the shop has lost a bit of its soul.

That said, these are just my opinions. I still think it’s worth checking out and supporting, especially if you’re new to the place. It may just resonate differently with you than it does with longtime...