Day: August 4, 2021

First impression: Nerve Coffee

Pastry selections during my visit. Topo Chico is also available. Photo: Sandra Cruz

There seems to be no shortage of coffeeshops in Brownsville nowadays, so it does not matter what part of the city you are in, a java jolt is certainly within reach. Such was the case for me recently when I was at North Park Plaza shopping at Amor Y Pan that I noticed a new coffeeshop. Last time I was in the area, I saw construction going on but this time it was open for business – Nerve Coffee. From the outside, it looked clean, organized, and inviting so I decided to get a coffee to go.

The interior is decorated in neutral colors with minimal furnishings but enough tables to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. At the far corner, there is a retail station where they sell t-shirts and shopping bags with the cute company slogan – “Pa Los Nervios” as well as bagged coffee. With such a cute slogan, you get the feeling that coffee is their number one priority, yet they also sell baked goods and cold beverages. I like that the barista station is close by and out in the open so you can see, or supervise, as your coffee is being prepared. The front counter has samples of their baked goods and during my visit, this included cookies and brownies. I have a feeling the selections change frequently, as with some small businesses. I will have to go back again to verify this.

I knew I wanted coffee, but I was unsure what kind, so the patient cashier guided me with several questions: hot or cold? definitely cold; sweet? Yes, please. Any flavors? I opted for mocha and of course, made with almond milk. It was exactly what I expected – sweet and refreshing because in this South Texas heat, I cannot imagine drinking hot coffee in the middle of the afternoon. I also bought two chocolate chip cookies and lingered awhile to enjoy my coffee and survey my surroundings. I noticed that the majority of the patrons were young, so I get the impression that some do their studies while they are here. Not a bad idea. It might just be a hip place to hang out because a recent Facebook post announced live acoustic music last Saturday. The latte art on their hot coffee is amazing.

Nerve Coffee might be off my usual route, but next time I am in the neighborhood I will no doubt return for an iced coffee and maybe pick up one of their cool t-shirts. Everything is reasonably priced, so it is not out of the question. The customer service is top notch and the baked goods pair deliciously with their coffee. Next time you are craving a treat, stop by and support your local coffee shop. Remember: shop small, shop local. We might just run into each other next time.

Nerve Coffee
800 N Expressway, Ste 10
Brownsville, TX 7520
(956) 443-0101

Business Hours:
Monday through Friday 7a.m. to 8p.m.
Saturday 8a.m. to 8p.m.
Sunday 8a.m. to 4p.m.

Price Range: $ – $$

Rating: 4 out of 5.
  • Retail station
  • t-shirts and shopping bags
  • Barista station
  • Front counter
  • Open concept area

Celebrate International Beer Day 2021 at Krause’s Café & Biergarten

Krause’s Café & Biergarten in New Braunfels. Photo: Krause’s Café, used with permission.

With International Beer Day fast approaching on Friday August 6, New Braunfels based beer garden, Krause’s Café & Biergarten, will be having beer specials all day to celebrate. Krause’s will be offering half price pints on all Altstadt Brewery products with an all-day Altstadt tap takeover. Guests can find Altstadt lager, Kolsch, amber, hefeweizen, pilsner, IPA, and more at Krause’s. Kick off the weekend with Krause’s and get a taste of German tradition in the Texas Hill Country. (Krause’s Café & Biergarten, 2021)

Krause’s Café & Biergarten is a New Braunfels historic restaurant opened in 1938 and successfully run until 1995. Today, Krause’s Café honors the previous traditions of the restaurant with the addition of a ‘biergarten,’ live music, and more. The menu reflects New Braunfels’ German heritage as well as South Texas flavors. Over one hundred beers are available on tap with local, regional, and international options. The restaurant also features cocktails and wines on tap. Krause’s Café is located at 186 S Castell Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, next to the popular New Braunfels Farmers Market.

New book release: ‘Billy Summers’ by Stephen King

‘Billy Summers’ is the new novel by Stephen King. Photo: amazon

Stephen King is the author of more than fifty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His first crime thriller featuring Bill Hodges, “Mr. Mercedes,” won the Edgar Award for best novel and was shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Award. Both “Mr. Mercedes” and “End of Watch” received the Goodreads Choice Award for the Best Mystery and Thriller of 2014 and 2016, respectively. King co-wrote the bestselling novel “Sleeping Beauties” with his son Owen King. Several of his books have been adapted into celebrated films and television series including The Shawshank Redemption, Gerald’s Game and It. King was the recipient of America’s prestigious 2014 National Medal of Arts and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for distinguished contribution to American Letters. In 2007 he also won the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. His new book “Billy Summers” is out now and is the story about a good guy in a bad job. (amazon, 2021)

“Billy Summers” – Billy Summers is a man in a room with a gun. He is a killer for hire and the best in the business. But he will do the job only if the target is a truly bad guy. And now Billy wants out. But first there is one last hit. Billy is among the best snipers in the world, a decorated Iraq war vet, a Houdini when it comes to vanishing after the job is done. So what could possibly go wrong? How about everything. This spectacular novel is part war story, part love letter to small town America and the people who live there, and it features one of the most compelling and surprising duos in King fiction, who set out to avenge the crimes of an extraordinarily evil man. It is about love, luck, fate, and a complex hero with one last shot at redemption.