Waldo's sits in a converted bungalow on Heights Blvd, just south of 11th. It's an interesting place to say the least. The front porch was occupied by the slacker/dog owner/smoker contingent, while the inside was quiet and subdued. Inside, there was a cozy sitting area to the left that was completely packed with this adorable group of elderly ladies. A lone barista manned the coffee station (uh oh), dispensing the obligatory caffeinated beverages and preparing the breakfast sandwiches.
The "uh oh" needs some explanation. When I moved to the Heights a few years back, there was not a good cup of coffee to be found. Anywhere. Seriously. Then, a new coffee shop opened on Yale that served a decent cup o' joe, had good muffins and other baked goods, and I thought "hells yeah this isn't so bad." Well, then things went downhill. Fast. Orders took forever to get delivered. Another occasion, they ran out of lids and handed me (I kid you not) a cup of coffee through the drive thru with no lid. Last straw, the guy behind the counter threw a fit (and a carton of cups across the store). I vowed never to return. A month or so later, I wasn't surprised to see it shuttered.
Back to the "uh oh." You're going to try to serve coffee AND make breakfast with one guy behind the counter? Really? I just don't see this ending well, although to give Waldo's credit, getting two cups of coffee didn't take long.
We purchased two espresso drinks. The vanilla latte and plain espresso drinks were just ok; the espresso lacked that essential espresso bitterness that is essential to a truly great coffee drink. I would rate it below Starbucks, and certainly way below Catalina Coffee in the Bizarro Heights.
Which brings me to the controversial subject of Starbucks. I know this seems counter to the manifesto, but I actually like Starbucks. Sure, it's not great coffee, but Starbucks has done more to advance the woeful state of coffee in this country than pretty much anyone else. I'm not suggesting that I would want Starbucks on Heights Boulevard, but there isn't one to be found between the one on the North Loop and the one on I-10. This in a city where there's one on every corner (sometimes two). How about classing up Shepherd (northbound), replacing one of the nasty fast food joints? Certainly, the new one on the North Loop classed up that area.
Rant over, Starbucks probably isn't coming (no more rapid expansion). An even BETTER idea: Catalina, open a location up here. Everybody wins!
Try Antidote on Studewood between White Oak and 11th/Pecore. Great coffee. Good food. And always enough people on staff.
ReplyDeleteI went to Waldo's once after they opened and was turned off by the mediocre coffee and the old-lady atmosphere. I really like Antidote and probably like Catalina the best. Also, for no frills drive-thru coffee, Bright and Early in Bizarro Heights is my pick. For convenience to me personally, I end up at Cedar Creek for coffee quite often (although it isn't the best cup of joe I've ever had, it is decent).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestions. Antidote is coming soon. Check out Food In Houston's review of Antidote.
ReplyDeletehttp://foodinhouston.blogspot.com/2008/11/antidote-coffee-collectors-of-prized.html
Antidote is the place for coffee in the Heights. Great beverages. Great snacks. The owners are wonderful people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone, I live 2 blocks from Antidote and they never disappoint.
ReplyDeleteWaldo's is fun to walk to because Heights Blvd is so pretty, but you definitely have to be patient sometimes there...
ReplyDeleteStarbucks can bring a lot of business to the local places!
you guys are crazy!
ReplyDeleteWaldo's is THE place: experienced baristas, great locally roasted Katz coffee, free wi-fi, room enough to spread out and do some serious study/work or listen to some live music on the weekend .. true to the 1920's bunglow it is and yet eccletic enough to host a different artist's work on the walls every month ...it IS the Heights...check it out!
obviously written by someone that doesn't get the Heights. If you love Starbuck's so much why not move back to the soul-less suburbs. I think Starbucks at Durham & I-10, in Target on Sawyer and now outside, and off 610 on North side is quite enough of Starbucks. Drop in to Antidote if you like the bare bones strip mall look. Last time I was in Waldo's I didn't see any old ladies.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, you forgot the one in the new Kroger on 11th.
ReplyDeleteIn retrospect (this post was written 7 months ago), perhaps all I'm saying is... can't we have a few good coffee shop in the heart of the Heights? Antidote is about the only one.
I don't know what Waldo's was like in April, but I do know that it's been a godsend this December. One barista has been able to whip out excellent espresso/chai tea/plain old house coffee quickly and without attitude. The place itself reminds me of visiting family. This place, as of right now, IS The Heights and I wouldn't trade it.
ReplyDelete