Pangolin Cafe — Restaurant in Reno

Remember the scene in Good Will Hunting where Skylar (Minnie Driver) asks Will (Matt Damon) to go for coffee? Will responds: Great, or maybe we could get together and just eat a bunch of caramels. Skylar: What? Will: When you think about it, it's just as arbitrary as drinking coffee. Well, at Pangolin Café you can have your cake and eat it too! That is to say, you can meet for coffee or just eat a bunch of English toffee instead. Or a load of Turkish delight, if you prefer. Pangolin café is an adorable and friendly light-filled café in Midtown, Reno, and it’s worth a visit. I had just consumed a 2-day quota of caffeine at Coffeebar so I skipped a drink and got some English toffee and Turkish delight instead.

Ever watch Top Chef or Bake Off and get frustrated when the judges say: That’s delicious but I don’t think you can call it a [whatever] because a [whatever] is normally [something something]. That kinda applies to Pangolin: their English toffee is less chewy and sticky than typical English toffee and their Turkish delight is gummier than other versions that I’ve had. But that doesn’t really matter – what matters is how much you like it. I like the way they make their English toffee – it has a flavor and texture that’s more like butterscotch (and no, not Werther’s Originals, but real butterscotch) and (Queen of England voice) one finds that it’s much easier on one’s teeth as a result  Their Turkish delight is vegetarian (no gelatin) and the flavors were well done. For $3 it’s a fun food experiment – you get around 7 pieces (2 ounces) which you select yourself.

I’m also giving Pangolin Bakery 4/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact for the following reasons:

• Their homemade English toffee and Turkish delight (both vegetarian) provide a nice alternative to buying candy from multinational corporations with sketchy track records : ) • Packaging was minimal, although I’d prefer paper baggies, if possible. • Pangolin gave away free masks to customers during the summer to help keep Reno businesses alive. • They have supported pandemic relief efforts (VOA), first responders, and local artists. • Pangolin kept the entire staff on payroll when they had to shut down for Covid back in spring. • They plan to support pangolins with donations on World Pangolin Day (Feb 20). • The café was constructed using beautiful wood furniture that was made locally in Reno. • Organic coffee and plant-based milks are available (with a 75 cent charge, which is common in Reno :/) • More information is needed on ingredient sourcing and ethics (chocolate, sugar, etc.)...

I was in Reno for work for a few months and stumbled across this coffee shop with hopes of finding a latte that could help me forget about my favorite coffee shop at home (Austin, TX). Little did I know this place would become my new favorite. I was also in Reno during the midst of Covid. This place was so clean. They wipe down tables between guests. They have outdoor seating. Plenty of hand sanitizer. I always felt very safe here.

Okay onto the coffee - I have traveled all over the country for work, visiting many self-proclaimed “best coffee ever” cafes. Pangolin is without a doubt the best coffee I’ve ever tasted. Lattes. Cappuccinos. Teas. Fancy schmancy drinks. Whatever it is, I promise you will most be disappointed. Plus everyone there is literally the nicest. If you’re going for coffee, get a waffle. Actually get two and thank me later. I still crave those little bites of hard sugar mixed in with the yummy dough and beneath a nice sprinkle of powdered sugar.

And finally, get the Turkish delight. If you’ve never had it, you’ll be weirded out at first. What is this Turkish delight they speak of? It is the most delectable treat. I tried a few flavors but my go-to was raspberry. It’s like a sour candy that’s gewy and sweet. They give you a free sample with every drink, so you can experiment with different flavors. You also can order in bulk. Which is what I would do. Half pound of raspberry that I would have to literally lock away so I didn’t finish them in a day.

Midtown is a really cool, fun, place with lots of art, bars, restaurants and other coffee shops (which I never even got around to trying because I couldn’t ever justify not getting Pangolin). This place should absolutely be on your list if you haven’t tried it yet. Even if you’re just in Reno for a quick visit. Stop here and get coffee, eat the waffle and try Turkish delight. And then go back and do it all over again.

My only gripe is they’ve ruined coffee for me in Austin. My wife and I grapple with just moving there permanently but feels a bit ambitious to justify a cross-country move for a coffee shop. But regardless, not totally out of...

Of the three cafes I've tried this morning, this one is most remarkable.

It has my least favorite coffee of the three and is still the best shop. They get every detail right. The coffee is cheap, and you get a complimentary turkish delight (which was excellent).

The mugs and silverware were satisfying to hold and drink from, the interior was very comfortable, and I felt immediately at home. The service was so warm and friendly that I felt like a regular upon my first visit. The lighting is natural but not overwhelming. It's small with plenty of seating, but not cramped.

The coffee tastes something like Lavazza, Cafe Bustelo, or Folgers. Not at all to my tastes, but the details and price were so right that I didn't mind. It's the type of coffee-drinking experience you have on a relaxed Sunday morning with your family at home.

This cafe exemplifies the idea that it's not enough to sell a quality product to thrive as a business. In this case, it's not even necessary. I'm coming back and spending some more time here as...