Right in between Gordon Hall and the Humanities building lies a small, yet noticeable pop-up predominantly painted in beige and red with hints of green. Aloha Java is known to be a longstanding business, serving fine refreshments and appetizing foods.       

While the local business’ menu contains many options, Francine Yanoria, lead manager at Aloha Java and fourth-year psychology major and human communications minor, spills that their “matcha bomb” — also known as their “iced matcha green tea ‘bomb’” — is the most ordered coffee drink on the menu. The recipe is a matcha latte with an espresso shot added to it.

Yanoria mentions that their matcha is completely different from other places that serve matcha because it tends to be on the sweeter side. However, with the shots of espresso added to the mix, there is a good combination between sweet and rich.  

“A lot of people get it because it is on the sweeter side, if you’re not familiar with espresso beans or matcha, I think it is a good introduction to it,” Yanoria said. “We always recommend it and people would come back because they love it so much.” 

Yanoria also offers another most ordered alternative which is their “chai ‘bomb,’” which is the same recipe, but with the chai latte, rather than the matcha latte, and shots of espresso. 

Aside from coffee beverages, “freshly brewed iced teas” are also highly ordered. Specialty flavors include tropical, raspberry, peach and pomegranate. 

 “I think a lot of people get it more in the spring because it’s more on the cooler side; they want a refresher drink instead of coffee,” Yanoria said.

While Aloha Java’s menu may read as if the majority of their beverages are coffee-based, their consideration to implementing non-coffee-based drinks diversify students’ options to choose which drink they prefer.

Sophia Arauz, Aloha Java barista and first-year business major, describes the experience as a member of the Aloha Java family to be enjoyable because she gets to meet new people.

It’s the thought of seeing many faces coming to support Aloha Java by ordering their goods and making conversation that makes Arauz content as a barista.   

“I’m very social and outgoing, so I love working at the register, especially because I can just talk to people and get to know them,” Arauz said. “I feel like I have 30, no, 50 more friends that I already do in the dorm so it’s really cool when I see the regulars.”

Logan Layton, another Aloha Java barista and second-year mechanical engineering major, mentions that working alongside coworkers brings fun into the coffee shop. 

There is never a dull moment for Layton as he had previous experience before joining Aloha Java. But the most important bit for Layton was getting along with fellow baristas.   

“I’ve been working in the food industry for a couple years now and this was a really great on-campus job to pick up,” Layton said. “It’s really fast paced, it’s super fun, all of my coworkers are amazing.” 

It’s encouraged for more students to visit Aloha Java because they don’t joke about quality. Everything is made with extensive care and the baristas ensure  that everything tastes great for customers.

The shop is open Mondays to Thursdays from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

“It’s always a good place to kind of get away from corporate coffee and to have a little nice Cal State Fullerton coffee shack,” Layton said.