Locally owned, charming and perfect for a quick escape from the hustle of campus life, Maude’s Classic Café is a haven for downtown visitors looking for a well-rounded hangout. Its location on the corner of First Street makes it an ideal people-watching venue, and the casual atmosphere makes it useful for a relatively undiscovered study spot or laid-back first date.
The interior is a quirky variation of what you’ve come to expect from the chain coffee shop across the street. The walls are lined with classic album covers, paintings from local artists and pictures of Sean Connery. A poster above one table reads, “Death Before Decaf.”
Before stepping up to the counter and ordering your old stand-by latte, take a look at Maude’s colorful chalkboard menu to find its daily specials and unique coffee creations. The Raspberry Mocha is a great choice with its mix of java, chocolate and berries with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. If you’re holding off on coffee until closer to finals week, the café also offers Italian sodas and smoothies. With flavors like strawberry banana and the Brainfreezer, the alternatives offer a refreshing break on steamy Florida afternoons.
While the promise of a large mug of coffee may be what brings you in the door, the smell of freshly pressed sandwiches will have you rethinking your reasons for loving this place. From the popular B.L.T. to their Pancho Villa Wrap, the staff knows how to whip up a good sandwich. Breakfast is served all day, making Maude’s a great option to pick up a toasted breakfast sandwich after a late night on the town.
The outdoor seating area sits in the shadow of the Hippodrome Theatre and occasionally hosts live music acts. Explore the game shelves inside to find board game favorites like Battleship, Catch Phrase and Apples to Apple — for study breaks, of course.
When you visit Maude’s, you can’t pass up the display case filled with freshly baked desserts. Most of the customers in front of me gravitated toward the chocolate creations — like the towering death-by-chocolate slabs of cake, espresso cupcakes or thick brownies — but I went for the carrot cake. The cake was moist and had the ideal cream-cheese-frosting-to-crumb ratio often overlooked by overzealous decorators wielding an icing bag.
If you’re looking for a quiet study spot or just a local place to get a quick bite to eat and a good cup of coffee, stop by Maude’s the next time you’re downtown.
Maude’s Classic Café
101 SE Second Place
HC Recommends: Chai Tea Latte, Raspberry Mocha, B.L.T. sandwich and a Peanut Butter Brownie on the side.
Details: Maude’s is open Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. through 1 a.m., Saturday 9 a.m. through 1 a.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. through 11 p.m.; Street parking is available.