Eating Rainier: Compadre Coffee
by Laura and Robert MacDonald
The real test of a cafe is not the bitterness of its espresso. It's not the froth on its lattes. It's not even the strength of its drip. The real test of any cafe is how well or poorly they brew a cup of tea.
Nothing can be more gastronomically disappointing than stepping from a cold rainy day into a coffee shop only to be served a weak, lukewarm cup of water with a tea bag sitting dully on the saucer beside it.
Not so at Compadre Coffee. Leaving taste to the reader (for what could be more particular than one's tea preference), suffice to say they get all the particulars — the water, the tea, the cup and saucer- just right.
Compadre is situated on Rainier Ave. north of the MLK intersection (2931 Rainier Ave S). Set directly across from Franklin High School, you would think the place would be overrun with students desperate for sugary drinks come 4 P.M. on weekdays. But other than the one table of kids maturely talking about 'factorials' you would be wrong.
Beside the pastries you would expect to find at a coffee shop, both savory and sweet, they offer sandwiches, including an enticing looking Cubano, for a reasonable price. There are also smoothies and milkshakes on the menu.
Compadre may boast the best transportation options of any caf on this side of the city as it rests mere feet away from the Mt. Baker Transit Center and light rail station. The mellow atmosphere invites you to relax, miss your number 7, and watch the traffic roll by while you have a second cup.
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