Cafe: Panino & Co.
Address: 127 East Liberty St. Unit 127A
Phone: 647-345-2305
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 11 AM - 5 PM, Sat-Sun Closed
Website: N/A
Wi-Fi?: Yes
Study Appropriate?: No
Stamp Cards?: No
Interior
Menu
Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Soy and lactose-free only
- Coffee beans imported from Italy
Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: Vegetarian only
- Different specials available everyday
Review
Choice of Drink: Regular Latte, $3.24
In the heart of Liberty Village, Panino & Co. was previously known as Barista Espresso Bar. However, the name was not changed on the Indie Coffee Passport this year so I heard from others who had difficulties finding this place!
Originally a cafe for 52 years in the owner's family, competition arose when Aroma Espresso Bar opened nearby, forcing for a concept change. Transformed into a popular lunch spot, Mike the owner, received great response. The coffee sales went down every since Aroma, but the food sales went up. Having visited the restaurant previously last year when it was still known as Barista Espresso Bar, I thought the change was great. The overall layout always felt more like a restaurant where people would come out to eat a hearty sandwich on the marble tables, rather than just drinking coffee alone.
I do note that while I was there, there was no coffee menu nor a station to obtain your sugar and milk. There were not many coffee options, just you basics such as a latte or an americano. All they had available was sweetener and sugar for your coffee. Therefore, I would not recommend people to go here for a "cafe experience" since it's no longer a cafe but rather more suited for a lunch drop-in.
