Wuz Here Coffee Pop-up Impresses In Water Street Tampa

This article was originally posted to CarlosEats.com.

TAMPA, FL - There's a new pop-up in town in the ever-growing Water Street Tampa at Ash Tampa, located at 420 S Nebraska Ave., just next door to The Tampa EDITION hotel. Wuz Here coffee was founded in 2021 with an aim to raise the standard of coffee quality and is run by several staff members from LPCX Cafe in West Tampa. The pop-up is currently running from Wednesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon.

After navigating the parking situation that is downtown Tampa during cruise travel ($47 daily parking anyone?) and Tampa Bay Comic-Con I made my way to the pop-up. The sleek and modern design of Ash Tampa actually feels like it could be a modern diner during the earlier hours of the day. I think the fact that Proper House Group is hosting the pop-up inside is a smart business move, especially as someone who previously rented in the area and found it hard to find true quality coffee in one of Tampa's most upcoming luxury neighborhoods.

From the moment I entered, I was greeted by a host who offered to either take my order to-go or give me a menu before I sat down in the restaurant. The baristas at the bar were friendly and personable and gave background on the coffee without being prompted. The vibe is chill for a neighborhood that often feels unrelaxed.

Of course, I immediately reached for their version of an espresso tonic, which is what I do everywhere and it did not disappoint. They use a limeade mix that surprisingly is not too tart and captured the espresso pour really well, while also feeling like a house-made creation. The plating and glassware here also make a difference.

Offering food is also a smart move by the team and there are a number of sando options on the menu. This isn't the Japanese-style that I first thought of, but more a cross between hearty diner eats and an upgraded idea of what a breakfast sandwich looks like. The crispy tots are honestly the move though no matter whether you find yourself hungry or not. These are some of the best tater tots I have ever had, I would even say they rival the tots over at Mighty Fine Burger on the other side of downtown which are a long-time fave.

It wouldn't be a great coffee piece if I didn't order a pour over (and honestly, I woke up early this morning and needed more caffeine). The Pink Bourbon from Quindio, Colombia is probably the best pour over I have enjoyed in Tampa. It has complex flavors and depth. I'm glad I ordered more.

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.