The undiscovered Brown Cup

There are no fedora-wearing hipsters at the Brown Cup. Which is why I go there. Not because I have anything against hipsters, but because this coffee joint is still undiscovered and I can find a table to write at and sip Mexican hot chocolate.

While Oceanside is no North Park or Hillcrest, its culinary reputation is growing. The Brown Cup is a nice addition to the breweries and BBQ joints that are popping up downtown.

I tried the Brown Cup roast beef sandwich with creamy horseradish sauce one afternoon and was glad I did. It came with organic sliced tomatoes, onion, and cheddar on sourdough. I was only going to eat half, but it was so good and it was so cozy in the lounge that I didn’t want to leave.

But it’s the Mexican hot chocolate that keeps me coming back. I discovered the Brown Cup one rainy day in November. I was looking for a place to write and the library was full, but as I drove past the Brown Cup I only saw one person through the large glass window. When I went in and saw that they made Mexican hot chocolate, I knew this was my new spot. Mexican hot chocolate has a different texture than regular hot cocoa with milk. The Brown Cup makes theirs not too sweet, with just the perfect hint of cayenne and fresh cinnamon.

Formally the Coffee Coastal Connection (it changed hands in October of 2016), this bright open space with leather couches, easy chairs, and plenty of tables near electrical outlets is located on Coast Highway, south of the pier and across the street from an actual hipster coffee shop — these days Oceanside has options.