“As a team, we’re literally all performers,” she said. “I have a degree in music. [The barista] is a drag queen; [the chef] is a comic. We’re going to be incorporating that idea into future events.”
The store’s new kitchen head Gabe Cortez may be a comic, but he said food is no laughing matter for him. He earned his stripes working in kitchens and bakeries since he was 16, and he now has his own menu under his belt, having the freedom to design the cafe’s recipes himself.
“I was at a low point like, a few months ago. Now everything seems to have a purpose; I have this clear path now. I’m super stoked about it all,” Cortez said.
Kahvie Cafe is located close to Texas State University and Sessom Drive in the corner of the Vie Lofts apartment complex. It serves a variety of beverages such as coffees, teas and refreshers. Mackenzie said the store is working to acquire a liquor license and has already formed connections with local breweries like Aquabrew and Middleton. The store even has its own coffee blend sourced from San Marcos’ RedBud Roasters.
The food menu includes bagels and a variety of breakfast sandwiches based on the store’s availability. The counter displays pastry treats based on what has been locally sourced or recently baked. For example, the store recently started working with local Le Farine, displaying hand-crafted macarons from the head pastry chef, Jasmine Suarez.
In the future, Cortez said he aspires to start a weekly brunch menu as well as food options for the summer, such as cold soups.
Mackenzie said she believes collaborating with local businesses helps immerse Kahvie Cafe into the community, becoming a familiar spot for San Marcos residents and college students alike.
“We were college students, so we understand what it’s like,” she said. “So if you need something quick, healthy, filling and affordable, this is where it’s at.”
Kahvie Cafe
817 Chestnut St., San Marcos 512-749-1003. Instagram: @KahvieCafe
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.,
Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
