Merced County coffee shop poll winner has a Mexican flair
Merced County’s No. 1 coffee shop, as voted by Merced Sun-Star readers, is known for its take on Mexican-inspired drinks.
Hola Cafecito won the contest in a tight race, just edging out Coffee Bandits, Wired Internet Coffee Bar and The Sensory Lab by ASIP.
Hola Cafecito, at 429 W Main St. in Merced, won with 26% of the vote.
Angela Rodriguez — a service journalism reporter for McClatchy’s five California newspapers, including the Merced Sun-Star — is a Merced resident and a big fan of Hola Cafecito.
Here’s what she wrote about it: “As a relatively new Merced resident, I’ve been on the hunt for a go-to coffee spot — and Hola Cafecito quickly became a favorite.
“The cafe con leche is my top pick. It’s consistently perfectly crafted, with the perfect balance between sweetness and coffee flavor. Additionally, the staff is always welcoming, which makes every visit better than the last.”
Hola Cafecito, owned by Elizabeth Moreno and her husband, Oscar, opened in March. It also has a location in Hanford.
Here’s a look at the other coffee shops that garnered a large percentage of votes:
Coffee Bandits
Coffee Bandits is at 309 W Main St. in Merced.
“Coffee Bandits has a great vibe, and I love chilling in there with a strong espresso and a good book,” said Daniel O’Brien of Merced.
Wired Internet Coffee Bar
Wired Internet Coffee Bar is at 450 W. 18th St, Merced.
It is operated by the Merced County Office of Education. It serves as a fully functional café as well as a job training location for students in MCOE’s special-education program.
The Sensory Lab by ASIP
The Sensory Lab by ASIP is at 847 W. Main St. in Merced.
“The Sensory Lab by ASIP has a level of ambiance that isn’t matched by other coffee shops,” Merced’s Fortunato Acosta said in nominating the shop for the poll.
Other coffee shops garnering votes were:
- Joe on the Go Cafe, 2806 G St, Merced
- Jantz Cafe & Bakery, 3361 G St, Merced
- Alegre Coffee Co., 1616 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced
- El Cid Coffee, inside Cien Ojos Studios at 1740 Canal St., Merced
