CAFFENIO Fiesta — Restaurant in Mesa

I didn’t realize public roads were now available for rent! Should we go ahead and rename Southern & Alma to ‘Caffenio Drive-Thru Expressway’? On Tuesdays, it’s a free-for-all—lanes mysteriously vanish, traffic backs up like it’s Black Friday, and anyone trying to go through gets to play real-life Frogger just to make it home. But sure, let’s not talk about that—because clearly, pointing out a safety hazard means you ‘hate’ a business. My bad, I should’ve just grabbed a coffee and embraced the gridlock!

And as for the complaints being ‘off-topic’—right, because people trying to access their homes getting blocked by a coffee line is totally normal. Should they just reroute their lives for the sake of ‘amazing demand’? Maybe next week, we can officially convert public streets into private waiting zones. Who needs functioning intersections when there’s ‘quality coffee’ at stake? Emergency vehicles? Pedestrian safety? Pffft—irrelevant! Clearly, the real issue here is that we aren’t grateful enough for the privilege of waiting in a mile-long line!

The real issue isn’t the customers or the apartments—it’s the fact that Caffenio failed to properly plan for the traffic they were inviting. A business that operates a drive-thru is responsible for ensuring their setup doesn’t disrupt public roadways. If their popularity is causing traffic jams that spill onto major roads, that’s a failure of their site design and traffic control—not an ‘amazing demand’ badge of honor. And blaming the apartment complex? What exactly are they supposed to do? Relocate the entrance overnight? The responsibility falls on the business and the city to ensure safe traffic flow—not on residents who just want to get home without playing bumper cars with...

This is a Sonora-based company that I was eager to try when it first opened. I knew it had recently opened, so I was not surprised when I noticed the long lines in person/in the drive through. I was surprised when I learned that the long lines were not an obstacle for this cafe. They have security that effectively manages the two drive through lines and direct traffic. There were a large number of employees that each ensured the place ran smoothly in their respective roles. The outdoor seating was clean and there was a variety of seating to use. They use a single kiosk to place orders that is easy to use and understand. To ensure you can plan your order, they also have large menus with affordable prices and a description of the variety of items. The staff created my drink correctly and the cashier had great customer service skills. I waited less than 15 minutes and this was during peak time. My drink was made correctly and tasted delicious. It was not too bitter, sour, or strong. I usually am very selective with my coffee but was pleasantly surprised. The grounds they use are delicious and are of high quality. I highly recommend this place and will be returning. Lastly, my husband used to go here frequently when he was in uni. He said the cafe and coffee was very nostalgic for him as it brought him back to when he was in Mexico over...

s someone who drinks coffee regularly and enjoys trying different coffee shops, I had high hopes for this place, especially since it’s a Mexican coffee brand. However, my experience was underwhelming.

I ordered an iced hazelnut latte, expecting a well-balanced blend of coffee and flavor, but what I received was a drink that tasted overwhelmingly like milk. The hazelnut flavor was nearly nonexistent, and the coffee itself was weak and watered down. Instead of the rich, bold coffee notes I look for in a latte, it felt like I was drinking sweetened milk with a hint of drip coffee.

Beyond the coffee, I also tried a brownie and a banana nut muffin. Unfortunately, both were unremarkable, tasting no different from the standard baked goods found at any generic coffee shop. There were no standout flavors or textures that set them apart.

I understand that the shop is new, and long lines are expected. That wasn’t the issue—it was the lack of depth and quality in the coffee itself. A good coffee shop should prioritize the integrity of its coffee flavors, allowing the coffee to shine rather than be drowned out by excessive milk or dilution.

I really wanted to like this place, especially because of its cultural connection, but my experience was disappointing. Hopefully, others have a better experience, but for now, I don’t see...