Tinto’s Coffee House, a family-owned Colombian cafe located in Kennesaw, Georgia, supplies locals — and Kennesaw State University (KSU) students — with authentic Colombian-style coffee to serve as a flavorful alternative to the regular latte. Built off Chastain Road, this cute and cozy establishment caters to any customer whether in search of a quick bite, caffeine on the run or a sit-down, honed-in study sesh.
Tinto’s welcomes customers immediately upon entering with its warm accent lighting and mighty yet down-to-earth menu wall decal. With plenty of seating options and areas to plug in laptops, Tinto’s perfectly accommodates students and friends looking for a place to gather over a cup of coffee. Established in 2018, co-owners Edgar Bahamon and Jennifer Cifuentes chose the name of their brand-new coffee shop based on the original meaning of the Colombian-Spanish word tinto: a small black coffee bean.
“You can find Colombian coffee everywhere, but here’s that really quality Colombian coffee. We work directly with the farm, and we pay the right price for them. We always believe in service. Tinto’s is not the coffee, Tinto’s is not the space, Tinto’s is you [customers]. That’s why we treat you guys as a family,” Bahamon said.
Mixing both heritage and delicious taste, the menu offers a wide variety of coffee drinks including espresso beverages, iced coffees, frappuccinos — all crafted using 100% Colombian coffee — and other drinks such as milks and teas to cater to non-coffee drinkers. However, an alternative to the traditional flavor profile of coffee, Tinto’s uses a specially home-made flavor with the use of beans with notes of lemon, brown sugar, cinnamon and other twists into one singular cup. Additionally, Tinto’s specialized menu offers traditional Colombian treats including the signature Tinto’s waffle, as well as other meals including paninis, pastries and a variety of waffles with savory and sweet toppings.
“[Our signature item] is the Tinto’s waffle. That one is the most Colombian waffle that we have. Dulce de leche — it’s like caramel but it’s more creamy — with melted cheese [ on it]. We wanted to incorporate something that’s different than a bagel, muffin and everything. At home we used to do waffles just for us, like Nutella waffles and things like that, so Edgar was like hey, this may be interesting to do at Tinto’s,” Cifuentes said.
As an alternative to the typical fast-food chain and quick coffee drive-thru, Tinto’s offers a sense of family and uniqueness from the second customers step in the adorable building. With friendly faces and superior customer service, customers always look for a reason to return. Tinto’s holds a high sense of community and family, including direct interactions from barista to customer, for example, that serve as visible ways to dig into the hearts of patrons, leading them to their consistent return.
Additionally, Tinto engages in the surrounding community by hosting events to gain attraction to both their businesses and partners supporting the coffee shop. Whether an artist pops in to create and sell art or singers and speakers share their talent, the active schedule draws in the public. The Tinto’s website and Instagram also highlight encouraging quotes and tips to keep the atmosphere positive and uplifting, fostering a sense of belonging.
“I first heard about Tinto’s on the KSU campus because it’s very popular in the area. Their coffee is so well done with it not being too heavy and still very good, my favorite thing being their matcha. I would revisit whenever I need a tasty snack and a good study environment,” senior Josephine Green said.
Furthermore, Tinto’s lovers can buy authentic Colombian coffee beans from the website, bringing the beloved coffee to an individual’s own home. The website also includes recipes for treats that Tinto’s loves in accommodation to help assemble breakfast in one’s own home. With locals constantly aiming to discover new hidden gems within Kennesaw, Tinto’s serves as the perfect spot to cozy in as the school semester rounds out and winter approaches.
