Honu Coffee — Restaurant in Santa Clarita

My laptop and I visit a lot of cafes. As an author, I’m always looking for good places not only to eat and drink but to sit and write for hours. As a teacher, I believe in scoring according to specific criteria. With that in mind, these are my opinions about this one.

Food: * I didn’t order food, but my sister got the sausage and cheese empanada. She said it’s excellent, but be aware that they usually sell out (of all their empanadas) by about 9:00 a.m. Drinks: ** My sister and I both ordered decaf Surfin’ Honu, which is a frap involving coconut, peanut butter, chocolate, and coffee. I didn’t really taste the peanut butter, but it was still pretty tasty. Very thick. Our other sister got the Tsunami, which is a white mocha coconut latte. She ordered hers with macadamia milk and said it was quite tasty Prices: ** Similar to Starbucks. I didn’t like that no prices are listed on the menu on the wall. Variety of Menu Options Available: ** They have a variety of pastries: muffins, scones, croissants, empanadas, cookies, etc. There are also several specialty coffee drinks with a wide variety of flavored syrups. Variety of Non-Coffee Drink Options: * Not much in that area. However, at least all their coffee options are available in decaf. Wi-Fi/Charging Ports Available? Yes, both (and outlets) Pleasant Environment/Comfortable to Write In: ** It’s a pretty nice little cafe with a Hawaiian theme (in the drinks, decor, etc.). The music is a bit loud if you’re trying to concentrate on work, and a few songs have been quite obnoxious. There’s a very small downstairs seating area, with additional seating upstairs, including a variety of chair/table styles. Customer Service: ** One of my sisters asked for no whipped cream on her Surfin’ Honu, but it came with whipped cream. I didn’t want any either, but I forgot to mention that. However, mine (which I requested they put in my own insulated cup) came with no whipped cream, which I was glad of. The cashier was pleasant. What was the Restroom Like? Clean, pleasant, and spacious. Additional Comments: They have several board games available for people to play...

We've tried Honu a handful of times since we moved to the SCV a few years ago. We're not anti-the big chain coffee places, but happy to support a local spot if the product is good.

Re the good, the donuts are fantastic. They definiitely live up to the claim of at least among the best donut over. Nothing crazy like you might find at Voodoo, just super good donuts on a variety of basic flavors. They put to shame any other nearby chain donut.

The coffee, however, has been hit or miss for us. The first time we ordered the Nutty Hawaiian it was great, strong coffee presence with the Hawaiian flavors creating a unique, bold and tasty coffee experience.

The second time we ordered it, the coffee felt absent and it tasted like warmed milk and sugar. Bummer! Especially after loving it so much the first time. Okay, maybe they had an off day...we waited a while, came back several months later to cap off a Farmer's Market experience and ordered it again. Donut -- on point, but same disappointing Nutty Hawaiian. My wife even specified to make sure the coffee presence was strong in the drink, which was responded to with sort of a non-committal "okay." Same result...warmed milk and sugar, no coffee flavor, and not really any discernable elements of the Nutty Hawaiian flavors of one of their "signature drinks". So now I'm thinking that's the norm and not the amazing one we first had.

A coffee-forward coffee shop should have excellent coffee. Unfortunately, that hasn't been our experience.

We'd definitely come back for more...

I write for a music and coffee blog called Crooners In Coffeeshops, in which I interview local musicians at local coffeeshops. My writeup reflects the positive experience that I encountered at Honu Coffee on our interview date.

Tucked away in a cozy, Colonial-esque strip mall area of Santa Clarita adjacent lies the family-owned Honu Coffee. Once you step through the door, you’re immediately welcomed by not only by a kind staff and the aroma of fresh brewed coffee, but the home-y rustic decor highlighted by tastefully placed windows. Ample seating inside, outside and in their upstairs loft area paired with relaxing indie music make this the perfect place for meetings, studying, and coffee dates.

Honu Coffee’s menu features your classic coffee and tea staples with an island twist. Specialty drinks were appropriately themed from the ingredients (coconut, pineapple, and macadamia nut focused) to their names (i.e. Ono Chai, The Surfin’ Honu, and The Nutty Hawaiian). Due to my coconut intolerance, I played it safe and got myself a Cortado as a refreshing little pick-me-up. It was smooth, creamy, and didn’t taste burnt – exactly the...