Before I ever tasted a single bean, the name stopped me cold. Calusa. A roaster bearing the name of…read morean Indigenous people -- the Calusa, the ancient shell-mound builders, the unconquered lords of South Florida's mangroves and waterways. People who never surrendered. People whose bones are folded into this very soil. As someone who walks through this world carrying Taíno blood and the memory of peoples whose names colonizers tried to erase, that word hit different. It wasn't a gimmick. It wasn't a logo. It was a declaration -- that this land has a story older than any espresso machine, and somebody here understood that. That understanding alone earned my curiosity and my respect before I'd even stepped through the door. "The name carried the weight of a people who never bent. That's the kind of legacy worth building a roastery around." Then I learned the story behind the man behind the roaster -- and it only deepened my respect. Luis Arteaga came home from serving in the United States Marine Corps and did what so many veterans do: he looked for work. No fanfare. No red carpet. Just a man with discipline in his bones and calluses on his hands, trying to find his next mission in a civilian world that doesn't always know what to do with people like that. He found his way to the original owners of Calusa Coffee Roasters. They saw in him what the Corps had always seen -- dependability, grit, and a willingness to learn. They gave him a job. A floor to stand on. And Luis did what Marines do -- he didn't just fill a position, he grew into something greater. Over time, through sweat and dedication and an unmistakable passion for the craft, he rose to become the owner of the very roastery that once took a chance on him. That's not a business story. That's an American story. A veteran's story. And it's exactly the kind of origin that makes a cup of coffee taste like something more than coffee. CALUSA COFFEE ROASTERS IS A SOUTH FLORIDA INSTITUTION Fast forward to today, and Calusa Coffee Roasters isn't just surviving -- it is a staple. Walk into the right cigar bar on a Friday evening and someone at the table will mention the name. Sit down at the right diner counter on a Tuesday morning and a regular will nod toward that familiar bag. In South Florida's rich, layered, cafecito-and-culture coffee landscape, that kind of word-of-mouth is earned over years of consistency, of showing up, of never letting the cup get small. Luis continues to build something that belongs to this community -- rooted in the terroir of a region as complex and layered as its people. The coffee is exceptional. Bold where it should be bold, nuanced where it earns it. The kind of roast that makes you sit down instead of rushing out. That's no accident. That's someone who respects the craft because he was forged in institutions that demand nothing less than your best. "When a Marine finds his mission in a roastery, every bag he puts his name on carries the same standard -- do it right or don't do it at all." Meeting Luis was one of those moments I didn't expect to move me the way it did. We are both moving through the coffee world trying to build something that means something -- something rooted in identity, in service, in the belief that what's in the cup should tell a story worth hearing. And here was a fellow Marine who had walked a road I recognize: uncertain ground, earned footing, and a refusal to quit. And finally, if you are in South Florida and you have not made the pilgrimage to Calusa Coffee Roasters on Commercial Blvd, you are overdue. Go for the coffee -- stay for the story. And if you're lucky enough to meet the man himself, shake his hand. He earned it in more ways than one. To Luis Arteaga and everyone at Calusa: thank you for carrying a name that honors this land. Thank you for honoring the service that shaped you. And thank you for a cup of coffee that carries the weight of all of it without spilling a drop. Semper Fi, brother. Keep roasting.

I stopped by Calusa Coffee Roasters to do coffee run for my fiancee. I ordered the iced Americano…read morefor myself and iced vanilla latte for my fiancee with oatmilk. My fiancee seemed content with their flavors and she didn't yell at me. So based on this, I would assume Calusa Coffee has some decent coffees. Please try this place and see if you enjoyed it as much as my fiancee. The location is a bit weird to enter and exit so be careful driving in and out. They offer limited parking so bring plenty of patience with you when visiting!

Great spot to work!! Quiet enough and the space is set for working. Staff was so sweet and had…read moregreat recommendations I don't get food out at coffee shops often, but I couldn't resist! Everything was delicious and I'll definitely be back!

Went during their "soft opening" accidentally - and was very disappointed. The marshmallow idea…read morewas very gimmicky, which I usually love, but I want a good rich flavored coffee paired with a gimmick and this was not. I got 2 featured iced lattes. I'd recommend a recipe remix and potential bean change to improve the flavor.

The beef empanadas are awesome and great atmosphere! The iced coffee was great. I will definitely…read morebe back soon

Stopped by for coffee and a croissant. Had an iced horchata and a guava croissant. Both were…read moredelicious. This is a very quaint coffee shop. Very welcoming. The people were very friendly and the service was outstanding ! Definitely would come back if in the area! A++++

I had a rough morning today emotionally and I was feeling pretty sad and depressed so I thought…read morethat I would participate in some self-care and treat myself to something. I had never been here before and I thought that I deserved a nice café coffee, so I went there, and I was helped immediately and efficiently, the ambience is lovely in there and they have mini treats as well as coffee and indoor and outdoor seating. It was exactly the little treat that I needed to help me feel Better

I stopped by Chez Café and had a mixed but overall interesting experience. The baked goods are…read moredefinitely the highlight -- fresh, fragrant, and clearly made with care. I tried a few pastries and loved how buttery, soft, and flavorful they were. If you're a bakery lover, this part alone makes the visit worthwhile. The desserts and pastries feel a bit upscale, and you can expect about a 15-20% price bump compared to similar cafés. The space itself is small, and it's really more of a grab‑and‑go spot than a place to sit and relax. There's no free tap water, so you're required to purchase bottled drinks, which may be a downside for some. The service was somewhat slow, though the staff was attentive once they engaged. However, the overall vibe wasn't very welcoming. A few long‑time customers seemed frustrated and even got up to complain after being ignored for a while, which was noticeable. Yummy pastries. Didn't see any stellar food. Our food was just average. We felt Café Brie on Atlantic had better food, but Chez has great pastries. Because of the limited seating, lack of water, and the uneven service experience, I'm not sure I'd choose to dine in. The drive‑thru or takeout might be the better option for enjoying their fresh baked goods without the wait.

Aroma Joe's is a solid go-to spot if you're into sweet, customizable drinks and quick drive-thru…read morecoffee. Their menu stands out compared to typical chains--especially with their "Rush" energy drinks and flavored iced coffees, which a lot say they are consistently good and more creative than some competitors. One of the biggest highlights is the friendly service. Staff are helpful and make the experience feel more personal. The atmosphere is usually clean and upbeat, making it a nice stop for your morning coffee run.

It's so great to have another drive-through coffee place that isn't Starbucks or Dunkin. The menu…read morehad a big variety from coffee to espresso to lemonade to energy drinks. We tried their Christmas drinks which were the Merry Mocha and the Peppermint Mocha. The Merry Mocha was not my favorite, but I recommend the Peppermint Mocha (I just wish it had more ice because the bottom of the drink was hot). I also tried the chocolate chip muffin which was good. There were two cars in front of me, and we waited about 15 minutes. The employees were friendly. I'll definitely be back to try more of their menu.

Staff was excellent and food was great! We had breakfast and each enjoyed our meals, especially the…read moreFrench toast.

Still my favorite place to eat The owners are just the best and bring their full selves to this…read moreplace. Everything I have had at Amy's is a culinary delight! And the prices are super reasonable You will not be disappointed. Try something new every time you go cuz you are gonna keep coming back here!!! Also see if u disagree that the owner is top of the line sweet and really cares that you have a good experience Omg don't leave without a cappuccino!!!

I've been here a couple times already and have a great coffee every time I come. I go to is the…read moreCortado and it's right around four dollars. The flavor is delicious as they use locally roasted beans from a shop down the street called Calussa coffee (also amazing). The lady who takes the order it's always super sweet and helpful when trying to pick out what I wanna order. There's a few tables and chairs inside if you wanna enjoy it there. Has a nice cozy vibe to it. Overall, I would recommend getting a nice cappuccino from this spot.

Very cute coffee and bites in the Publix plaza. The staff are so lovely and attentive!…read more I ordered a spicy chicken empanada, iced Americano, and their spinach pie. The chicken was a little dry, but packed with flavor! Just the right amount of spice. The spinach pie had the most delicious crust. I would prefer more seasoning, but they do have cholula hot sauce so that worked! The coffee used for the americano was great. I will definitely be al to try more menu items.

We host our book club of about 45 people here after hours. The food, coffee and staff are all…read moreamazing!! Our food and drinks come out very quickly, especially with how many people they are serving at once. Never disappointed with how great everything is!

This is a really cute coffee shop with lots of comfy seats and couches. They also have outdoor…read moreseating, which was nice because we could enjoy the fresh air while sipping on our drinks. I got the matcha latte and it was really good, sweet just how I like it. If you prefer your matcha really earthy, this might not be for you, but it was perfect for me. We also got an Oreo donut that was really good and had a cream cheese filling. The workers were super nice and quick with our order even though the place was really busy. We will definitely be back!

Young new business, great coffee, 2 young entrepreneurs opened about 11 days ago. I think they'll…read moredo great. Stop by for coffee and!

My new favorite coffee shop! Very clean, modern and even has a basketball goal you can shoot on…read more Customer service is great and the coffee is even better. They use Onyx coffee beans so the flavor is rich and strong.

One of my favorite coffee spots we have visited in the last two years. My family tries little spots…read moreeach weekend. We stopped at Porfa one weekend and we were blown away. First of all the place is pure Tenerife vibes which we love. The place was backed but we were lucky enough to find parking and then some seats. We ordered our drinks with the sweetest guy ever . Danny let us know they were our of a couple baked goods but we ended up getting this yummy apple strudel. We also ordered the churro and flan latte and they were FABULOUS. Seriously 0 complaints. Has to be the best combination of sweet and strong. I know this might be slightly weird maybe not but the best bathroom I've visited ever. First of all theres a fountain in there.... Crazy love that. Second of all there is a sound machine letting out sounds of seagulls and the ocean. Like how perfect is that! Truly felt transported. The coffee, the vibes and the service 10/10 OH AND THAT BATHROOM 20/10

Went in today incredibly excited to try out Porfa. Came out wanting to forget that I'd gone in the…read morefirst place. The design is really beautiful, and I appreciated the laptop vs. non-laptop zone. What made me feel incredibly uncomfortable, though, was the service. Every single person in line ahead of me was greeted warmly. I even heard the cashier having a conversation with a customer about college and how exciting it'll be, which I thought was really sweet. Service is an energetically taxing job, so seeing someone be that warm and engaging with every person made me feel like I was about to have a great experience too. The second I walked up? She didn't look me in the eye once. I greeted her, asked how she was, and got a very boilerplate response that, in tone, felt like "please hurry up and give me your order." It was jarring, especially after seeing how warm she had been with everyone else. I wasn't looking for a full conversation, but from the moment I said hello, I felt like I was bothering her. I left feeling noticeably unwelcome in comparison to everyone before me. The drink I had was okay, which matters, but honestly, how a place makes you feel matters more. I'm sure this review is a drop in the ocean, but it's something I'll definitely be sharing with friends and family if they're considering trying Porfa.