Presta leads the way as Tucson ups its coffee game

If you wanted Presta Coffee back in 2014, you would’ve had to go to the hospital.

In the lobby of St. Mary’s Hospital is where you could find Curtis Zimmerman, delicately crafting lattes for customers at his small coffee cart.

These weren’t cups of watery, bitter coffee. They were an experience. They were rich, bursting with vibrant citrus flavors. They were smooth yet complex. They were everything a cup of coffee should be: a flavorful journey meant to be sipped slowly, savoring the silky goodness.

Presta’s bold flavors were addicting, and soon, Zimmerman moved his business into the San Augustín Mercado, transforming it into the ultimate coffee bar.

Then, Presta’s name popped up on First Avenue, offering customers a bigger space to enjoy their lattes in the easygoing vibes radiating in the café.

Presta made its third home on Ninth Street, again bringing its classic charm.

Its latest venture may be the most impressive. Presta has been changing the coffee game in Tucson for a decade, but in opening its newest spot at 4700 E. Sunrise Drive, it's transforming a former Starbucks.

Before starting Presta, Zimmerman had traveled the world as a professional cyclist, falling in love with the coffee culture found across the pond.

In Europe, people go to cafes to enjoy quality coffee without all the fluff or syrups. They appreciate the slowness around them instead of ordering ahead on apps or rushing in and out.

When Zimmerman started Presta, he wanted to bring that experience to Southern Arizona, and aimed to create a spot where people could connect over coffee.

Over the years, the cafes began to grow and grow, and when Zimmerman and his fiancée, Torey Hayden, heard about a Starbucks closing by North Swan Road and East Sunrise Drive, they scoped out the location. They quickly realized this would be a great opportunity to bring a coffee experience to the foothills that's typically only found downtown.

Before they knew it, they were ripping everything out, getting ready to give the muted, beige interior a complete makeover.

Glossy, dusty rose tiles now cover the curved coffee bar, gleaming as the baristas effortlessly create detailed latte art and serve up cups of cold brew behind it. Bright blue accent chairs fill the sitting area as leafy pink flowers sit on top of the tables, calling you over to sit down and relax.

It’s chic and clean with hints of fun, bright colors, making it an inviting, serene atmosphere perfect for a cup of coffee and a new book.

On a Wednesday morning this month, the cafe was bustling with customers chatting or staring deeply at laptops with their headphones on, as mugs sat in front of them. Many approached the register with bright bags of Presta Coffee beans in hand to take home. 

Just like the other locations, this new Presta has all the classics on the menu: strawberry matcha lattes, cappuccinos and icy cold brews. This month, it has a banana nut muffin latte that balances nutty, bold espresso and gooey caramelized banana.

It also offers pour-over coffee. For this drink, you get to pick from a menu of different coffees, sourced from places such as Ethiopia and Colombia, each with their own unique notes. The hot water is then poured onto the ground beans, dripping freshly brewed coffee into a beaker below. The end product is a smooth cup of joe.

I tried the Guatemalan roast, which had notes of milk chocolate, caramel, almond and green apple. As at a fancy wine tasting, I first took in the smell, detecting the scent of chocolate with hints of sweet caramel.

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I took my first sip and really savored the flavors, trying to see if I could taste all the listed notes. Indeed, with each swig, I could taste the boldness of the milk chocolate and also a bright, tangy flavor similar to a Granny Smith apple.

Being able to really take my time and analyze my cup of coffee only deepened my love and respect for the drink, seeing it in a whole new way rather than just aimlessly dumping in milk and creamer.

“We're very intentional about coffee,” Hayden said. “I think we're going to try to do some tastings where we have a sit-down tasting where we try a few different types of coffees and help people learn about where it came from.”

Zimmerman and Presta continue to up Tucson’s coffee game, changing the way we look at the popular morning drink.

Other new spots to give a whole latte love, too

The coffee scene in Tucson is growing bigger every day. Here are a few new spots that have opened up around town in the past couple of months.

Desert Drifter Coffee

Oregon transplants Eddy Yunkherr and his wife are putting a local twist on drive-thru coffee. So far, the couple has three spots built from the ground up, each with its own unique Joe Pagac mural. Their flagship, at 419 W. Speedway, opened back in September and serves all kinds of creative drinks that use local ingredients from places like Dirty T Tamarindo and Tucson Chocolate Factory. On the food side, it has breakfast sandwiches from Holy Focaccia and pastries from Houlden’s Rise Above. It is working on getting its other two locations, 3955 E. Broadway and 10335 N. La Cañada Drive, open soon.

Jamie’s order: I recently tried the tres leche latte that was made in collaboration with a local baker, Casita de Sololoy. It had a creamy, rich sweetness to it that paired well with the espresso. I’d definitely recommend it for those who like their coffee on the sweeter side, like me.

HeeMee Coffee + Bakery

This beloved downtown cafe opened its second location, 800 E. University Blvd., in September. It didn’t take long for University of Arizona students to become obsessed, waiting in a line that sometimes goes out the doors during mornings. Their peaceful, pastel cafe is home to cookie butter lattes, all kinds of matcha flavors, and pastries topped with a drizzle of chocolate and fresh raspberries. If you’re looking for a silky-smooth latte and cinnamon sugar doughnut to start your morning, HeeMee Coffee + Bakery is your place.

Jamie’s order: As much as I love the cookie butter latte, their strawberry matcha has my heart. Their matcha is always a vibrant, deep green, which is exactly what you should be looking for. It’s a fruity, velvety latte that is great at any time of day. To go with that, I would recommend their strawberry cream-filled doughnut, 1,000/10.

Barista del Barrio

For years, this Barrio Hollywood favorite has won high praise. It has a dedicated fan base, a James Beard nomination AND has landed on several “best of” Yelp lists. Now they can add a second location to their list of accomplishments. In January, Barista del Barrio announced it would be popping up at Borderlands Sam Hughes, 2500 E. Sixth St., on a weekly basis. Now, midtowners can get their coveted breakfast burritos and horchata lattes.

Jamie’s order: I love their Mazapan latte — it tastes just like the candy. It’s nutty, sweet, and perfectly complements the breakfast burritos. (I get chorizo and potato since I’m not an egg person.)

Cal’s Bakeshop

The old Rocco’s Building was brought back to life in October, all thanks to Caleb Orellana. Cal’s Bakeshop moved into the spot at 2707 E. Broadway, bringing along their delicious doughnuts and pastries. Expect to see all kinds of cronuts, conchas, brioche doughnuts and croissants in their glass cases, each calling your name as you stare. They also have a drink menu that features cool concoctions like their Salvadoran horchata latte.

Jamie’s order: The doughnuts here are my absolute favorite, but I recently got their piña crema concha and was blown away. The concha itself was soft and fluffy, complementing the lush pineapple cream stuffed inside. Its ube latte, which is made using the recipe from the now-closed Tucson Coffee Cricket, is another hit here. It’s not too sweet, and you still get a nice, nutty ube flavor.