A hot new-ish bombshell enters the villa: the food column has returned. While she made an appearance in season two, challenging circumstances prevented her from returning … until now. She’s back and better than ever for the brand new season of Food Coma. This year, Opinion Editor Addison Parenti, Editorial Director Lara Parikh, News Editor Alisha Ramani, and Editor-in-Chief Mailey Wang will be reviewing signature items from local cafes so that you don’t have to test them out yourself.
For this issue, we explored Coupa Cafe nestled in the innovative hub of Stanford Research Park. They’re known for their authentic Venezuelan cuisine and, most importantly, their iconic spicy hot chocolate.
What would you rate each item out of ten?
AR: I ordered the hummus veggie wrap, and I was pleasantly surprised (8/10)! The wrap had tomato, cucumber, avocado, and the most amazing fresh mozzarella: both hearty and very flavorful. Just perfect for lunch or an after-school snack.
MW: I got an order of humus and pita, and it HIT THE SPOT (9/10). The hummus was rich in flavor with a hint of olive oil, and the pita was perfectly crusty on the edges but still soft, chewy, and warm for every bite. I also ordered a boba chai, but the flavors clashed, the boba was hard, and the chai tasted off (1.67/10).
LP: The carne mechada arepa was full of flavorful meat swaddled in rich masa which was very satisfying (7/10). If you eat it with your hands, beware of any juices that trickle down your arms (it was a tad hard to type and enjoy the food as intended, so I was forced to resort to a fork). The showstopper was definitely the mango smoothie (10000000000/10).
AP: I ordered the pabellon arepa, a Venezuelan griddle delight filled with juicy shredded beef, black beans, sweet fried plantain, white cheese, and guasacaca (8/10). The savoriness of the beef contrasted the sweetness of the plantain, resulting in a whirlwind of flavors. I also love the hot chocolate (10000/10) because of the creaminess of the milk combined with the smooth chocolatey flavor.
Do you see yourself being productive here?
AR: Yes, definitely. Maybe bring some noise-cancelling headphones (the Spanish music was a tad bit loud) but honestly, don’t we all need a dancing study break?
MW: For sure. Surrounded by all those smart Stanford students with their black-rimmed glasses, big computers, and big brains there’s no way I wouldn’t lock in.
LP: Yes! It really helps that you’re surrounded by Stanford students who can share their smartness with me (just make sure that you’re within six feet of them, because otherwise, you won’t be able to reap the benefits). I also agree with Alisha; dance parties are crucial for information retention.
AP: Coupa is definitely going to be my new study spot, especially for group projects. There’s indoor and outdoor spaces, lots of seating, as well as delicious food.
Is it allergy/diet friendly?
AR: Yes, there were so many diet-friendly options, like the hummus wrap I ordered! It’s vegetarian approved 🙂
MW: Coupa had options for everyone, no matter their allergies or dietary restrictions. Great cafe for all!
LP: Definitely peanut-allergy approved! They have a ton of options to choose from that also account for a wide range of dietary restrictions and preferences.
AP: Yes! Coupa is very accommodating to allergies and dietary restrictions, as it has vegan options, gluten-free options, and nut-free options.
Would you come back here?
AR: Of course! Partly for the study atmosphere, and partly for the mango smoothie (thank you Lara for letting me drink yours :)).
MW: 100% YES! You’ll definitely find me there at every one of my free periods and free lunches, whether it be just to get some work done or to order a smoothie.
LP: Yes, the mango smoothie was THAT good. The ambiance is also really nice outside, so I wanna go back and study there.
AP: I would love to come back to Coupa! It’s one of my favorite cafes and is such a good place to study.
