Midtown resident and former restaurant cook Jose Garcia, 52, has operated a coffee cart on the southwest corner of 37th Street and Eighth Avenue for three years. You could say he has his own restaurant — a mobile one.
What time do you get up to make sure coffee is ready for everyone else in the morning?
2 a.m.
If there ever was a time someone needed a cup of coffee …
I don’t have any then! I’m at the garage in Jackson Heights by 2:45 a.m. The bread guys bring some of the stuff there. I butter the rolls, put cream cheese on. I have to take my son-in-law’s cart to 28th and Park. I go back to Queens to hook up my cart to the van and come here by 4:45 a.m. The sweet-bread people deliver to me here. I have my coffee around 6 a.m.
What kind of coffee does the coffee guy drink?
Colombian coffee! But I’m not Colombian, I’m Mexican.
Are pre-coffee people grouchy?
My customers are so nice! The best! Of course, I give [them] exactly what they want — I know what kind of sugar, how many…
What about your breakfast?
Sometimes I have some bread in the cart. I don’t have a real meal until around 11 a.m. [when I] take the carts back to the garage. Then I get to go to my house and stay with my family. This is good. I like it. It’s very easy.
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Out East Show: Visit The Shamrock evergreen maze, Sannino Vineyard, Seven Ponds Orchard and the Warrior Ranch Foundation NewsdayTV's Doug Geed is heading 'Out East' to showcase the ultimate local spots you need to explore.
