by Zachariah Zendejas

When it comes to cafés and coffee shops, they are a dime a dozen, especially since Starbucks seems to be everywhere and in almost every town (some may even say that a town is not a town unless it has a Starbucks or a coffee shop). Since cafés are plentiful, it can be difficult to discern which one is good. Some people are satisfied as long as they have a decent cup of coffee in the morning. Now don’t get me wrong, I like an iced coffee once in a while, and often frequent such chains as Starbucks purely out of convenience, but if you’re looking for good coffee and a relaxed atmosphere, Café Fanatico is an awesome fix for caffeinated needs.

First and foremost, Fanatico is a much more laid-back and colorful version of most mainstream coffee shops. There is not constant traffic and noise going through the place; rather, it’s a setting where you can take your coffee, sit back in one of the comfy couches or chairs and read a book, or sit a table and talk to friends or do homework. This to me is a major selling point. If all I hear is the noises of blenders and people coming in and out, then I won’t want to go there, and many people probably agree with such a sentiment.

Secondly, the décor to the café is stylish without being pretentious; the design offers style and comfort, all the while creating an atmosphere conducive to conversation, relaxation and the deep philosophical thoughts most coffee shop customers are prone to.

Next, the coffee is quite delicious. I got a Colombian blend of some sort and must say it was quite delicious. Of course, I must confess that I am not a coffee-connoisseur. However, the coffee goes down smooth and keeps me awake – this is the desire of almost every coffee drinker, at least from what I have seen.

Now, we cannot have the good without the bad: the creamers and sugars are kept behind the front counter, so the customer has to get their cream and sugar from the register. This is not bad as much as it can be a bit inconvenient. They also have sugar packets which can take a bit of time, which, again, is inconvenient, but the coffee is good, the service is excellent, and the place is wonderfully comfortable, and a little inconvenience will not hurt anyone.

Overall, the café is incredibly nice and offers a wide variety of coffees, both hot and iced, teas and smoothies as well. The café also offers free Wi-Fi services for anyone who wants to do homework, work or to just go on the internet. There is also a card that you can pick up where, after nine drinks, you get the tenth free. At any rate, Café Fanatico is excellent and I fully recommend it to anyone, especially those tired of the mainstream. It’s open seven days a week until 7 p.m. with hours increasing during the spring and summer.

Zachariah Zendejas is 20 years old and attends Reedley College full-time working toward a degree in English. He is an aspiring writer who hopes to do some freelance work for magazines or newspapers.