Bennu Coffee Not Grounded By Austin Boil-Water Notice

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Starbucks schmarbucks. Caffeine junkies needing their fix even as the gargantuan chain suspends coffee sales in light of a boil-water notice can head over to Bennu Coffee.

As Austin enters its third day under a boil-water mandate, officials at the coffee shop said they're working diligently to offer 24-hour coffee service at both of their locations. Folks needing their fix can indulge their coffee habit in the East Austin location at 2001 E. MLK Blvd. or downtown at 515 S. Congress Ave.

As of this weren't enough for jonesin' coffee fiends unable to sit down for a proper cup of coffee amid the water crisis, the following menu also is available at both locations:

• Cold brew.
• Iced Bennu.
• Iced tea.
• Drip coffee (limited).
• French press coffee (limited).
• Iced Chai.
• Italian soda.
• All bottled and canned beverages.

"Bennu is committed to following all commercial food service regulations to keep customers and staff happy and safe," officials said in an email. "They have brought in ice from outside vendors and are boiling all water used for drink service and dish washing. To keep up with the boiling demand, they've brought in electric kettles and they are even using a donated crawfish boiler."

Related story: Austin Starbucks Stores Halt Coffee Sales Amid Boil-Water Notice

Austin is under a boil-water notice after floods compromised the quality of the drinking supply with higher-than-normal volumes of debris, mud and silt. As a result, the city issued its first-ever boil-water notice as a way to prevent possible ingestion of bacteria (gross, right?).

In the immediate aftermath of the city's boil-water directive, restaurants across town altered their plans or shut down altogether — including Starbucks, which suspended all coffee sales until further notice locally until the boil-water notice is lifted. The boil-water notice has not only prevented serving or cooking with water, but inhibited the ability to wash dishes out of fears of bacteria contamination.

In light of that, Starbucks officials announced coffee sales suspensions until further notice, even while noting stores would remain open locally as gathering places. Gathering places schmathering places. Coffee fiends need their cup of joe or three now more than ever, and have little time for reflection or rumination over the caffeine dearth. Hardly grounded during this water shortage crisis like other industry rivals, Bennu has soared like a highly caffeinated eagle amid the crisis — appropriate given that Bennu is an ancient Egyptian deity linked with the sun, creation, and rebirth that may have been the inspiration for the phoenix in Greek mythology.

Bennu officials vow to keep customers updated with any changes, and invite them to reach out with any questions. You can also follow Bennu on Facebook for updated service information.

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