Porto Rico Importing Company
“Super delicious aroma right when you enter the shop brings me back here almost on the daily.”
“I went with a pound of their mocha french and a half pound of our of their intense dark roasts.”
“A friend of mine told me about this place, and I ordered the French Mocha and French Mexican blends.”
Porto Rico Importing Company
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Inexpensive
8 reviews
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God bless the willingness to try new things. I don't always have it. Why take the road less traveled when you know what your predictable road of autopilot will bring you? Well, this is me trumpeting out (through the medium of Yelp with a coffee shop as the example) that shaking up your routine can often yield some pretty awesome results. Such was the case when I tried Porto Rico Importing Co.
Now, I don't need to tell you–if you're addicted to caffeine like I am–that coffee drinkers can be very particular about their morning ritual, their preference in roast, etc. On my first day of high school, I thought it would be "super cool and adult-y" to start drinking coffee every morning like my dad. Well, that got my addicted to my morning coffee at age 14, which in retrospect, was a wildly dumb move–on my part and my dad's, for enabling it. Since then, once I get hooked on one kind of coffee, that's all I will drink until struck with the aforementioned willingness. But instead of delving into my psyche and looking back at the poor choices of my youth, let's actually get into this delightful coffee joint.
My first introduction to Porto Rico Important Co. was through the bf, who lives close by. Though not as deeply-embedded in caffeine dependence, he values his coffee considerably too. So I trust his judgment. One morning, he wanted to get a latte. I figured we'd just go to Coffee Bean on the corner, but little did I know that love at first smell was about to take hold. The siren song of aroma is seriously powerful. We know this from the times when we pass bakeries and Equinoxes. But there's really nothing like the sweet melody that wafts out of those rich, beautiful coffee beans–at least where coffee drinkers are concerned. Porto Rico champions this like no other coffee spot I've encounter. Seriously, just walk by. The immediate impulse to further investigate is magical and all things considered, harmless.
My first real encounter here was actually at the made-to-order, cafe-style space of Porto Rico. They sell oodles and oodles of coffee beans from all over the world (more on that later), but they can also whip up your typical coffee/espresso drinks near the back of the space. This experience was what actually hooked me and led me to come back on my own. The bf is a huge fan of lattes, so he got one of those. Curious as I am, I needed a taste. I swooned. I never drink lattes, but this baby made a pretty convincing case as to why I should reconsider. I react very strongly when I like something, so I made the barista blush a bit while I gushed over how amazing her product was. Main point: they know their product and know how to work with it as well as sell it.
Okay, I lied about the cessation of person anecdotes. Here's one more. It's short, I promise. In college, all I drank was Starbucks coffee. Religiously. I hated myself for doing so but it was familiar and obviously accessible. Finally, I made the switch to *actual* coffee and started frequenting a very yummy but very expensive spot. I just assumed this was how much good coffee was supposed to cost (think like $15-$18 per pound). At Porto Rico, not only is the coffee significantly cheaper (my purchases have all been around $7-$9 per pound) but it's equally good, if not better. My last visit, I bought a half-pound of two different types of coffee for a fraction of what I was paying at this other coffee shop. So I'll throw in the words QUALITY and AFFORDABLE here so that they stick out amongst the paragraphs of self-indulgent writing.
In terms of product, *what* they offer here is incredibly varied/diverse. The two coffees I went with my last trip was the one Indian coffee they have here as well as a Brazilian bean. There's something for everyone here. The amazing, personable, wonderful, cheery, genuine staff here can help you pick out what might suit your fancy. Of course quite a lot of their coffee comes from Central/South America, but it's almost overwhelming how much they offer here. And for people who just can't get enough of the word "organic", they've got a whole nook up front for all organic coffee. Check out some of the pictures (I haven't taken any yet) to see how immense the selection is here. Happy tears, truly. And they won't ever rush you if you're vacillating. One of the wonderful staff members here (at least in my experience) will happily lead you around to ensure that you get whiff upon whiff of the beans you're considering buying. And don't worry, they grind 'em there if you ask so you don't need to worry about.
Seriously, walk down Bleecker and just *try* not to come here after smelling the Porto Rico magic, hour after hour, day after day.
This place has really good coffee. Coming from someone who is first a lover of tea and always found coffee too bitter, this place has really knows how to roast and brew their coffee to bring it complex taste profiles. The coffee is pretty affordable and I really like their house blend. Unlike other coffee that I've drank, I enjoy drinking their coffee without cream or sugar. I need to check out their tea soon.
If any part of you loves coffee: the nauseating aroma, the comforting sips, any and all of the coffee culture — pay Porto Rico Importing Co. a visit!
I stopped dead in my tracks when I walked by. It smelled amazing! Had we had more time I would have examined every bean, but with a store full of fellow crazed-caffeine addicts, it was hard to be Java Detective.
There's also a coffee bar if you simply cannot wait for your fix. Prices are very reasonable. PRICo. also carries all things coffee – french presses, mugs, steeps, tea stuff as well as some sweets.
Awesome place.
Lapin and I were in the neighborhood and decided to pop in. The aroma of coffee quickly greets you upon entering. The store is filled in every nook and cranny with coffee beans, sweets, and random (but cool) merch. The store wasn't packed when we went but it was hard to get someone's attention. When, we did they were really nice and helpful. They asked about preferences and even gave recommendations. Lapin got the Hazelnut coffee but wasn't super excited about it since it had actual hazelnut in it. He picked them out before grinding the coffee. He liked it but prefers Blue Bottle, Brooklyn Roasting Company, Cafe Grumpy and Stumptown instead. They also had containers of old time candy – the fudge and chocolate covered candies were delicious.
This is one of my favorite places in all of NYC. Amazing coffee, good price, helpful staff.
I love stopping in for a cup of coffee or a whole bag of beans. And the coffee smell. About 5 minutes in there and I smell a little bit like coffee and I can't say I hate it. Heaven.
Ah, so THIS is what coffee is supposed to taste like! Stopped into Porto Rico Importing this weekend with a friend who swears it's the best java in the city. I think he may be right.
We got on line inside this tiny, packed coffee store/shop and ordered the house blend. It was so rich and fresh — a welcome change from the office coffee I'm used to.
I think my favorite part of the experience was admiring the huge sacks of coffee beans that take center stage inside the store. Porto has every flavor you could ever want and each smells so good.
Will be back!
Quintessential New York experience. Don't be intimidated if you're not a coffee connoisseur the staff is extremely helpful and not there to condescend.
The line forms in the front of the store but walk around and feel free to soak in the rich aroma of teas, coffees and herbs. Truly a full sensory experience.
Got a Brazilian roast for coffee and the Italian blend for espresso – aromatic and wonderful.
Embrace the wonderful world of coffee!
Ally behind the counter is super nice!! Say hi to her for me!
The coffee here is top notch. Super delicious aroma right when you enter the shop brings me back here almost on the daily. With a 1.85$ large how can you go wrong? It's one of those things that after a class I find myself randomly and unknowingly walking towards. Before I know it hey I got coffee. Super easy and super friendly!!
Again, say hi to Ally for me. Tell her Paul sent you and she'll probably not do anything about it… Yeah… But she's nice 🙂