**INITIAL REVIEW**
I…read morehave to thank my friend Paula for letting me know about this coffee shop. For me, it is an experience seeing the place, in general, being so clean. For those who don't know, this location used to be a retail store for aquaponics so there was water and dirt all over the place... which is the norm aquaponics is a very cool and efficient way of gardening.
Anyways, the location is now a new coffee shop, and since I am a huge supporter of the Cafe Passport, I am always looking for new coffee shops to heckle them to add to subsequent editions.
Though an address is given as well as my description of what this location used to be, to further know better where Sunshine Espresso is, it is in the Minton Center, a strip mall on New Haven Blvd (US-192) that is just east of the intersection with Minton Rd. If it helps, Get Your Fun On and Umami is just a little ways northwest of this coffee shop.
The first thing I noticed was the "drive-thru." I didn't utilize it, but it is cool they have a drive-thru option for those who want their coffee and food on-the-fly instead of stepping down.
I, however, opted to step inside to soak in the ambiance. The place is minimalistic with a surf/beach vibe. Just like many restaurants these days, they made sure to utlize a "photo-op backdrop" for social media.
Chad, the lone worker there happens to also be th owner/operator. Kind dude who I must congratulate on the Sunshine Espresso business getting up to that one-year mark (I think, I need to ask him again). Every small business owner knows that the first year is the "make it or break it" year, and it looks like Sunshine Espresso is doing well.
As for what I ordered, I had the Apple Fritter Latte and two breakfast croissant sandwiches, one with bacon and one with sausage patty. First and foremost, the Apple Fritter Latte was delicious, but for me, the apple fritter flavor was kind of light. As a matter of fact, I could possibly mistake the latte simply as an apple latte because the fritter part seems to be missing or maybe te coffee flavor is blocking it.
The breakfast sandwiches were good, and I have to applaud Chad for the integrity. It should be noted the sandwiches are not made from scratch, but assembled with high-end ingredients bought from Gordon's, assembled, and prepared on spot. It is kind of hard for him to make fresh food given the fact certain kitchen wares are lacking.
Still, with what he has, he assembles and warms an excellent breakfast sandwich. Nothing wrong with such especially when the owner is being honest.
Overall, this was a very good visit to this coffee shop. I will say the only "issue" is the location. I am not used to this area being a coffee shop location, so I have to get used to it. Yet, I look forward to visiting more times so I can.