Mayorga Coffee

The retail counter closed at the end of 2023. That is the first thing to know about Mayorga, because you can still go to the Gude Drive address in Rockville, but you cannot walk up and order a drink from a barista the way you used to. Pickup lockers outside handle online orders now. The roasting operation continues at the same pace, the beans continue to show up at Costco, and the building itself is still the same Latino-owned roasting facility that doubles as a coffee boutique.

The space was never a cafe in the first place. Even when retail was open, the seating was uncomfortable, there were no laptop outlets, and the appeal was the working roasting floor visible through a large transparent glass wall. You could watch coffee being roasted while you ordered. That window into the process is still the draw if you happen to be picking up beans, and it's a real one. Most roasters don't let you see the work happening.

What to buy. The Cubano Roast is the signature, and for good reason. Strong, dialed, the bean the brand built itself on. Espresso Suave is the next stop for people who want something less aggressive on the palate. Muy Macho on the dark end for anyone who wants a heavier cup. Dolce du Leche has its dessert-drink following. Cascara tea for anyone who wants the cherry husk rather than the bean, and the cortado pulls well at home for anyone with an espresso setup.

The pitch is clear if you adjust your expectations going in. This is for bean buyers and coffee enthusiasts who want to see the roasting and pick up shade-grown, organic beans from a Latino-owned operation that takes the sourcing side seriously. It is not a place to sit and work for two hours. It is not a place to meet a friend over drinks. Order ahead through the website. Use the lockers when you pick up. Watch the roasters work through the glass wall while you're there, because that piece of the experience hasn't gone anywhere.