There’s nothing more that I love then when I find a one of a kind place to enjoy food and drink. On my journey from Houston to Waco I decided to stop in Aggieland other wise known as College Station, TX. I needed some free wifi and a place to catch up on work so I took a pit stop at Sweet Eugenes House of Java. It is hidden jems like this that upset me that I live in the Big D that is yet to prove they can have even 1 coffee house close to the caliber Sweet Eugenes is.
I think an essential element a coffee houses has to be a cozy feel. If you walk in and it’s not welcoming then you just won’t stay long. It’s set up for grabbing your coffee and leaving. Starbucks ::cough::. That’s why big open spaces never work. But Sweet Eugenes pulls it off. It’s probably one of the largest coffee houses I’ve been to. Part of their large size is due to the fact they roast thier own green beans on site.
Ambiance. This place gets 5 stars. It’s got a hoge poge feel to it with old street lamps and many differet couches. There are people laying on leather couches reading and some studying at little cafe style tables that have mixed matched chairs. Behind every corner is a new little room filled with unique flavor and design. One room has an entire wall with old books that make it feel like a library you’d find in an old dusty mansion. Another room has a big opening in the wall so you can see right into the next room. Multi-color lights hanging from the wall and tin knights standing tall in a corner. Brick walls and tshirts that say “I spent the night with Euguene”. Classic place and the coffee was better than your average brew. I did notice what looked like a crepe station and the desserts looked yum.
Other notables:
Houston - Diedrichs Coffee: caramel fudge cheesecake
Waco - Common Grounds: cowboy coffee
SB

That place sounds heavenly, and the tshirt idea is genius. Sweet Eugene, please come rescue us in Starbucks hell, otherwise known as DALLAS!
Comment by Christine — August 17, 2006 @ 3:53 pm
got your voice message last night - loved it! and it made ME miss the good ol’ BU days too. oh move in day - i can remember both yours and mine so clearly. and sweet fancy common grounds. although i’m not a coffee lover, they somehow captured my heart and stole away many of my bearbucks and hours as i hid away in their big fluffy couches. the college years. they sure were wonderful.
Comment by BigSis — August 18, 2006 @ 3:15 am
ok that place IS heavenly. i own a MASSIVE coffee cup from there, and i use it frequently.
Comment by stephanie — August 18, 2006 @ 8:28 am
I think there is a strong link between college and coffee. Maybe one day I’ll open up a coffee shop. I wonder if you could do a coffee/wine/beer type place. Desserts and cafe type food. Wonder if that would work. I shall start exploring and researching all coffee shops to create the perfect combination. Big fluffy couches, great java, yummy desserts…
Any other opinions?
Comment by SB — August 18, 2006 @ 12:42 pm
SB - there is such a place. Next time you come to Houston, seek out Cafe Brazil on Westheimer very near Empire Cafe. They have amazing coffee, wine, beer, food, desserts, etc. Cool atmosphere, too.
Comment by Jenni Simmons — August 23, 2006 @ 10:40 pm