A while ago, my aunt was telling me about a place in Tijuana that roasted their own coffee and was owned by a guy that was a pretty big deal. A quick google search later, I learned she was spot on. There was a cafe in TJ that was slanging the real deal, third wave, legit coffee that I’m used to finding in LA…in Tijuana? I wouldn’t have thought it…
So after leaving La Diferencia, we surprised my favorite aunt Leti at work, and then headed over to check out Sospeso. When we walked in, Amy Winehouse was playing through the speakers, and I was immediately drawn to the bar. Siphon, aeropress, pour over, chemex…in Tijuana…I asked if I could take photos but was told I would have to go through administration for permission. So you wont see any photos of the bar, but it was a cool set up. They are definitely bringing something new to Baja, so I guess they want to keep their methods in house.
Having been to the best coffee bars in LA, Portland, and Vancouver, and after attending SCAA, and most recently Coffee Fest in SD, none of these methods were new to me, but I can see how they are new to Tijuana. The young man working was very passionate and educated about coffee and told me all about the different methods. I didn’t want to interrupt him and tell him I kinda know coffee culture and my blog is like 75% coffee shops…so I let him tell me. It was super neat to hear this all explained to me in Spanish though.
Sospeso is owned by Alberto Song Trujillo who is incredibly passionate about coffee and has all sorts of baller certifications. He roasts his own coffee, which is available for sale at the shop. The baristas are all trained and definitely know their stuff.
I convinced my aunt to get a siphon…which she had never heard of. The barista recommended their Guatemalan coffee, and my aunt loved seeing the process and declared her coffee to be amazing. I think I’ve turned yet another person into a coffee snob. Excellent!
RE and I ordered a couple of drinks. Everything was so smooth.
As we left Sospeso we were all really happy. Third Wave in Tijuana was now a reality!
Caffe Sospeso
Joaquín Clausell #10342 Zona Río,
Tijuana, C.P. 22320 México
