Agua Cafe
Ξ August 13th, 2008 | → | ∇ Highland Park |
So I hit upon a nice little surprise today. Nothing big, but just the kind of thing I love about Highland Park.
Years ago when Fresh and Easy was still Albertsons I purchased a 5 gallon jug to use with a water cooler. At $15 dollars it seemed a bit extravagant for a big piece of empty plastic, but I needed a jug and Albertsons had one. Not too far after, I lost the little cap for the bottle, essentially rendering it useless. You can’t fill up a bottle and carry it if you can’t cap it. So I went back to Albertsons and inquired about an extra cap. No dice. I was out the door with a new $15 jug, just for the cap.
Last night I lost the cap again. With no Albertsons to return to, I instead headed to the local “wateria,” Agua Café on York and 47. The minute I walked in a woman jumped up and happily took the bottle to start filling it. I quickly asked if they had extra caps, preparing myself to spend another $15 (or more likely $20 with inflation and everything else). “No problem” she said, while giving the bottle a thorough jet-rinse.
While she filled the bottle I took a look around. Behind the counter was a huge filtering apparatus. The rest of the store was full of a hodge-podge of random items, from shoes for sale to an ice cream counter and coffee bar. In one corner sat a young boy smiling broadly at me. In another corner sat an empty freezer with a sign reading “We will gladly bag fresh ice for you. $1.50 for 10 lbs.”
As the water reached the top, the woman said “OK, $1.25”
“How much for the cap?” I asked.
“It’s free. No problem” she answered back.
So that’s my story for the day. Friendly, full service water at just 25 cents a gallon. That sure beats the oft-busted Glacier vending machines in front of Super A.
Next time you need water, cheap ice, or maybe even shoes, give the Agua Café a try.
on August 14th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
That was the best post I’ve ever read about refilling water.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
This place is in Eagle Rock and it sucks.
on October 6th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Friendly service. Great prices. Will definitely do business with again…