“That girl is a real crowd pleaser. Small world, all her friends know me, Young bull livin’ like an old geezer. Release the cash, watch it fall slowly.”

While “Black Beatles” by Rae Sremmurd, the song playing as I stepped into the place, may have been that of the popular #MannequinChallenge, Fioza, a small, independent coffee shop, was far from still. The bustling café was small and warm, and the free Wi-Fi, multitude of outlets and cozy tables and chairs made it perfect to do work or chat with friends.

The art on the walls, all locally sourced, was available for purchase. It gave a very 1990’s indie vibe to the shop. In the corner, board games including Monopoly and Scrabble were available to play. The well-worn games gave the bistro a familiar, comfortable atmosphere.

The menu itself was extensive, with specialty items that occasionally changed based on availability. It ranged from basic coffee and hot chocolate to foreign blends and Thai tea. All the drinks were fresh brewed to order, and the staff was happy to make any accommodations they could for an order.

The hot chocolate came in a gigantic, steaming cup overflowing with beautifully swirled cream. Each hot drink came with a saucer and a spoon. These things paired with the solid-colored tables made for a perfectly aesthetic photograph. For $3.64, the huge drink was well worth the cost. Many of the hot coffee drinks came with crema designs that were almost too pretty to disturb.

Beyond the basic menu, there were frozen drink options perfect for summer. The Frozen Campfire Cocoa, a hot chocolate slushy, and fresh fruit smoothies were delicious ways to beat the heat. The one downfall of this otherwise idyllic coffee house was the milk tea with tapioca pearls. The tapioca pearls were a huge disappointment. They were a lot harder than tapioca typically is and were generally not a good experience. As for the tea itself, unsweetened version tasted like bitter milk, but the sweetened tea was alright.

The coffee joint did not only serve drinks, of course. A variety of sandwiches, including a smoked turkey Panini filled perfectly with basil pesto and melted provolone cheese were fairly priced for an on-trend coffee shop. The sandwiches were warm, tasty, and homemade. There was also a selection of fresh baked goods that differed daily.

All in all, Fioza was a winner. With good drinks and a nice ambiance, this coffee shop was the perfect meetup spot for group projects and friendly outings alike.