Hardback Cafe

Original Coffee In A Comfortable Place
I’ve been drinking coffee for a few years now and slowly have acquired a taste for it. I started out drinking frappes and eventually worked my way to various types of iced and hot coffees, preferring iced coffee during any season or temperature. I would say that my wife influenced me to start drinking coffee and it didn’t help that I needed something to spark my energy when I woke up early on the weekends too. I decided to give Hardback Café a try after visiting Hastings one day and I can say I haven’t had anything too serious to complain about since then.
First off, Mapquest has it located near the big curve on 2820 S 4^th Avenue and is attached to and a part of Hastings Entertainment store. The location is great because this street is usually where a lot of traffic runs through on a daily basis, therefore it is easy to locate and is more than likely in between your point A to point B. The location in the store was located pretty well with it being near the books and magazines section. I think this is convenient to customers who may want to read or preview a book before purchasing while drinking their beverage or even if you just want to purchase your drink, then roam around the store to rent movies or browse video games. There is also a drive-​thru that is located on the left side of the building if you are facing it.
There is usually nobody in line so it’s not a long wait in line, like Starbucks, but the only complaint I have is that I personally have had to wait a while for the servers to notice me waiting by the drive-​thru menu and the wait after you purchase your drink can take up to 5 – 7 minutes. I really don’t mind the wait after purchasing though because I’m generally never in a rush. The servers also usually give me a discount for having a Hastings card. They are very nice and apologize every time they make a drink for an extended period of time.
The prices of the drinks are generally pretty cheap for anything you may purchase. I generally get an iced medium caramel macchiato for about four dollars there, compared to Starbucks, that can cost around a quarter more. The taste of the coffee is just as good, if not better than Starbucks as well. I’ve never had a beverage that I’ve purchased there than I can complain about as far as the taste or price. My wife, Marcella Guzman, who happens to be an avid coffee drinker and former Starbucks barista, enjoys the beverages served here as well saying, «You get a really good variation of drinks for an exceptional price and the location is in their favor.» I asked her what she would change about the café and she responded by saying, «That it needs to be a little more organized and advertised a little bit more to increase revenue.» They also have a menu specifically for kids for parents that are willing to let their kids drink coffee. I personally don’t get any beverages for my children here due to the fact that I don’t think they they should be drinking coffee at such a young age and that there are better alternatives for them to drink.
Based off of other opinions, it seems to be a hit or miss type of coffee shop, but I feel like this is a great place to have a drink and browse around the store. Other perks of it is that it offers free wifi and usually your purchases entail to some sort of discount for your loyalty or Hastings membership, which is free. I would prefer this place over any other coffee shop in Yuma as far as the prices and taste of the product that they serve. The location also plays a big factor because it’s on one of the busiest streets in Yuma and never too busy and too long of a wait. The only negative things I would complain about are that the service can lag at times and that’s the only thing that would prevent me giving it five stars. Other than that, I would recommend this place to anyone who has yet to try it.

Works Cited
Guzman, Marcella. Personal Interview. 13 November 2015.

. Web. 15 November 2015.

. Web. 15 November 2015.

Not sure which was my favorite visit: clueless barista talks loudly with two slimeballs for the entirety of her shift about inappropriate AND uninteresting things or the other two times I mistakenly bought a chalky chai. If this is the level of café you want, it’s still better to hit Barnes & Noble.

We were looking forward to trying this place out. Coffee? Free Wifi? Right next to a bunch of books and vids? What’s not to like?
Well, a few things…
1. The coffee was weak. I realize most people don’t drink straight, black coffee anymore but I still do. I expect coffee that tastes like coffee.
2. The free wifi was sssslllllllooooooooowwwwwwwwwww.
3. My GF’s iced tea was sweet enough to give us both diabetes.
4. The pastry selection was minimal and not very fresh looking. However, what we did end up ordering wasn’t too bad.
5. This place is pricy for what you get.
BOTTOM LINE: It’s free A.C., there are semi-​clean restrooms, and it is still right next to a bunch of books and vids.

Still the best frappes in Yuma, Unfortunately they have discontinued Happy hour. Tip, use your Hastiens card when buying you drink to get points. wifi still free.

My daughter and I tried the Hardback Café because of a Unilocal offer – and went back because the Mayan chocolate frappé-​style coffee drink was most fabulicous.