This new coffee shop in Warner Robins serves up Ecuadorian coffee. Food is good, too
A new coffee shop that serves up Ecuadorian coffee is a Warner Robins family’s first coffee shop as well as the first franchise for Macon-based Z Beans Coffee.
The new spot at 102 South Armed Forces Blvd. already is doing a brisk morning business with an overall fairly steady stream of customers in and out for breakfast and lunch.
The coffee shop is operated by Sally and Gus Lempsink, along with their son Andrew Wilson.
An Ecuadorian native, Sally always wanted to open a coffee shop. When she visited a Z Beans Coffee in Macon and learned that their coffee comes from Ecuador, she wanted to open one in Warner Robins.
Z Beans Coffee has its roots in a Mercer on Mission trip to Zaruma, Ecuador, to determine if growing coffee would be a viable economic alternative for mining communities in the El Oro region to support themselves.
The Warner Robins location
Across from Robins Air Force Base and adjacent to the Warner Robins Law Enforcement Center, the new Z Beans Coffee shop tends to be especially busy from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. during the work week.
“I’m super happy that we’re open for business and super happy that we’re doing so well,” said Wilson, who mans the kitchen.
On a recent visit for breakfast after the morning rush, I tried the new Christmas blend, a drip coffee, and added oat milk and Splenda. The oat milk was a 50 cent upcharge.
This medium blend was delicious, and with Christmas instrumental music softly playing on overhead speakers, the experience left me in an especially good mood for the rest of the work day.
I also tried a breakfast sandwich: sausage, egg and cheddar on a croissant also with an upcharge of 50 cents each for the addition of spinach and tomato. It was very good and quite satisfying.
The breakfast was $13.24, including a $1.20 tip.
I was a bit disappointed that the Ecuadorian food specials, something that was to be unique to this Z Beans Coffee location, had been dropped from the menu since opening last month.
I had been looking forward to trying Ecuadorian cuisine. But I was told that there may be an opportunity to sample a dish or two in the future. My visit was unannounced.
“We dropped them because they didn’t have the popularity,” Wilson said. “But we hope to bring them back. We haven’t given up on them.”
During the hour I was there, customers came and went. Some got their coffee and breakfast to go. A few ate inside. The drive-thru also was intermittently busy.
The coffee
The Z Beans Coffee menu includes a wide variety of Ecuadorian coffee choices, including drip, cold brew and cold brew delights, cafe con leche, “a shot in the dark,” and French press.
Espresso options include latte, cappuccino, “4 Locos,” mocha, “cafe frizado,” caramel macchiato, Americano and a dirty chai latte.
Under the sans-espresso menu heading are chai latte, hot chocolate, specialty tea, milkshakes, smoothies, bottled soda, bottled water and sweet and unsweet tea.
Ground coffee is also sold. Photos of the different Ecuadorian farmers who grew the coffee plants and information about the coffee are included on the label.
The food
The menu includes premium breakfast options such as “The Sweetened Classic,” maple glazed bacon, egg and sharp cheddar cheese on a cinnamon brown sugar biscuit, and “The Southern Special,” smoked brisket, egg and sharp cheddar cheese on a buttery croissant.
Breakfast sandwiches range from pimento cheese and bacon on a croissant to turkey, egg and Swiss on a croissant to bacon, egg and cheddar on a choice of biscuit, croissant or bagel to biscuit and gravy.
The menu also includes three breakfast burritos with the caveat “first come, first serve.” The burritos are bacon, egg and cheese, sausage, egg and cheese, and vegetarian.
Pastries include apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, croissants, muffins and scones, along with cookies.
Grab-and-go lunch options include chicken salad on a croissant, a snack pack and a chicken salad cup.
Also offered for lunch are four toasted sandwiches from turkey, apple and brie on a croissant to a club on flatbread. Also served are chicken noodle soup and beef chili.
The coffee shop
Formerly Martin’s BBQ, the building was renovated. It has a brand new look inside and out.
“We’re so happy with how things turned out,” Wilson said.
Inside, there’s a long high table in front of windows facing the Warner Robins Law Enforcement Center, complete with multiple electrical sockets for cellphones and laptops. The free Wi-Fi for customers is fast.
In this area, there are a couple of tables as well as a small lounge area with a comfortable loveseat and two chairs.
When you step inside, there’s a large counter for ordering. Drinks are prepared from behind the counter. Several tables are spread out nearby.
The coffee shop also offers catering.
The new spot celebrated its grand opening Oct. 21, having had its soft opening the day before.
Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The coffee shop is closed on Sundays and holidays. The number is 478-236-8505.
