There is a phrase in our house that many of you have probably also used this year, “Due to Covid…” It has become a running joke in our house used from everything to “the shipment will be late due to Covid” to “the hot water is luke warm due to Covid.” Well, due to Covid many of the plans I had for 2020 were cancelled. I like making plans early so I have something in the future to anticipate. I love my job but it can be exhausting and all consuming, so I plan adventures for every quarter of the year. But this years all of those quarters were refunded.

So when God popped a new opportunity into my lap, I grabbed my keys and took off. A friend is moving her mother North from Florida, after a cancer diagnosis, and needed someone to drive a car and some belongings. 1275 miles later, my Best Friend A (here forth abbreviated BFA) visited 16 coffee shops in 5 states over 6 days and brought home over 30 bags of coffee.

As with any adventure, we learned a lot about coffee, about each other, and “due to Covid” we had a few detours. But, I can honestly say it was one of the best adventures I have had in years, maybe it’s due to Covid because getting out of the house was uber appreciated, maybe it’s due to having so much quality time with my BFA, or maybe it’s due to that cup of Cuban coffee at our first stop. I have to think it was also God reminding me to take time to smell the coffee beans.

Tom’s Cuban Coffe to Go

This might look like just an ordinary cup of coffee, but don’t let the picture deceive you, this is heaven in a cup. This cup of cafe con leche (Cuban Coffee with Milk and sugar) became the cup by which all other coffees were measured. When the gps led us to Tom’s we thought we had arrived in the wrong place, because it was at an Exxon gas station. When you google “coffee nearby” all sorts of sub par coffee cup images will show up on the tiny map on the phone.

But, we ventured forth and as we pulled open the door, the smell of coffee and the sound of Spanish words filled our senses. This place was no fuss. The sign says Tom’s to go and they know their customers are in a hurry. I made my choice quickly and a small styrofoam (we will forgive them) cup of steaming coffee was handed over to me along with a freshly made bacon, egg and cheese empanada. Friends, the delight of the coffee and food in my mouth is what makes this country great! I’ve never been to Cuba, but I got to taste some of their culture and it was fabulous. My BFA said “Amazing!” In fact for the rest of our coffee adventure every time her caffeinated lips uttered, “Amazing!” over a new cup of coffee, I said, “As amazing as Tom’s?” Nothing ever was…but we still had many great cups of coffee. My response to my dear cup of cafe con leche, was, “It’s like a little man is holding my eye lids open.” Yes, Cuban coffee has a powerful punch, but the sweetened milk gives it balance so it is a smooth cup of love. I like to think that is who I am, strong and bold, with a dash of sweet and smooth.

How shall we rate the cups of coffee on our coffee adventure? By the beans of course.

Tom’s Cuban Coffee to Go 1800 SW Highway 484 Ocala, FL 34473