Glazer’s Coffee: Come Over to the Dark Side

Review by Cynthia McCoy

Watery espresso makes your blood boil with rage. Anyone who’s had it at a gas station or airport vending machine knows the feeling. For coffee addicts, it’s more like medicine than gratification; for aficionados, it’s a pointless pursuit for satisfaction. Almost always, finding a good cup of joe in a city is trial and error. Enter Glazer’s Coffee, on King Street near University Avenue. If the rest of what you read sounds like an advertisement, it is. There’s no reason not to go to Glazer’s. Even if you live in ‘Ewa, drive to town and treat yourself. The blend (no pun intended) of assets this little coffee shop contains is a rare mix indeed. But there is good and bad news.



First, though, is the coffee. Or, I should say, the espresso, since Glazer’s doesn’t even make coffee. Those wanting coffee will have to order an Americano. Simple coffee-heads will be blown away, but the wonderful thing about espresso is that you can control the strength of your drink to amazing accuracy.

But how is the espresso, you ask? Their Web site would tell you “Seattle style," but I describe it as rich, thick, and dark as the night on a new moon, with a crema as foamy as a whole-milk latté. You see, our esteemed baristas pack, tamp, wipe away any excess, and pull your espresso to perfection. For aficionados, this is all a huge plus. Who hasn’t ordered an espresso drink somewhere and noticed the barista simply jamming it in and hitting the start button? It’s the coffee equivalent of fucking versus making love.

The atmosphere, however, is one of Glazer’s many qualities. It’s most definitely cozy, but like a goldfish that has grown too big for its space. Yes, the secret is out and legions of students have moved on from the sub-par Café 2600 around the corner to the high-class but still low-priced Glazer’s. Here’s to hoping it stays the local, affordable and wonderful place it is.

Despite the plethora of great attributes at Glazer’s, there are a couple of glaring detractors. One is the constricting space (those with laptops might have to wait for a seat, especially during peak times); the other is the overhead music, which is most often cheesy and sometimes downright awful. The worst I’ve heard is a Carpenters or Ella Fitzgerald song redone pop style. Eek. Bring your headphones to avoid such travesties.

Enter again our esteemed baristas. At Glazer’s, you’ll find friendly, hardworking people who love making coffee. For those of us who frequent coffee shops — especially good ones — you’ll be happy to know they also remember repeat customers and always greet them and listen to your order, rather than bang out whatever you typically order so they can get to the next customer.

With a truly rare combination of attributes — great espresso, wonderful service and a fantastic atmosphere — you have no reason not to drop in to Glazer’s for a cup of joe. Just try not to stay too long ... those of us with laptops are waiting for your seat.

[Editor's note: For more caffeine jitters, check out www.glazerscoffee.com!]