2 minute read
MOBILE COFFEE Grinding
qGRINDING GROUNDS MON-FRI: Stockton Waterfront, 101-161 W. Weber Ave., Stockton SAT-SUN: Alegria Market, 2491 E. Fremont St., Stockton INSTAGRAM: @grinding.grounds
MOBILE COFFEE
BY MEGAN MEINTASIS / D DAN HOOD
For Alicia Gonzales, hard work and entrepreneurship run through her veins. “Growing up, my grandfather had a convenience store in Tracy. I am third generation Mexican American and have always been inspired to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps and start my own business,” she says.
For over 13 years, Alicia managed local restaurants. “I know that the restaurants I’ve managed have played a pivotal part in my creative touch, especially bartending… Bartending truly lit the fire for that creative beverage maker in me,” she says. So, with her passion to pay tribute to her heritage, and years of experience under her belt, Alicia opened Grinding Grounds Coffee, a Mexican inspired coffee trailer, in late 2019.
“We have a huge menu, and love it when customers get creative,” says Alicia. “Every drink on the menu is customizable and can be ordered blended, hot, or iced.” Grinding Grounds also offers a variety of organic milk options, including dairy, soy, coconut, almond, hemp, macadamia nut, and oat milk, and all drinks offer a sugar free option. The espresso beans are organic, and freshly roasted in house each week for better flavor and more caffeine.
A lot of the drinks on the menu are inspired by traditional Mexican candies. “It brings us back to our childhood,” says Alicia. “My personal favorite is the Cajeta Latte, a vanilla and cajeta latte, topped with whipped cream, cajeta, and obleas.”
One of the most popular drinks on the menu is the Horchata Latte, made with espresso and sweet cinnamon rice milk then topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. La Rosa Blanca also has Mexican roots, a vanilla bean frappe blended with Mazapan and topped with whipped cream and Mazapan crumbles. Grinding Grounds also brews its own cold brew that boasts a dark roast with chocolatey, nutty notes, and can be purchased in 16 oz. to-go models.
To accompany the drinks, a variety of Mexican goodies are sold, including house made conchas and gingerbread cookies. For the person looking for something other than coffee, the Matcha Latte made with organic matcha, coconut milk, and vanilla syrup is a popular choice. Or, opt for a freshly squeezed flavored lemonade featuring fresh fruit puree, one of several Murphys, refreshers, or red bull-based energy infusions.
“We want customers to feel like we’re all friends and everybody’s welcome,” Alicia says. “It’s so nice to bring people together with a warm cup of coffee and a warm hello.”
