Ellianos Promises Italian Quality but Leaves Much to Be Desired
It’s never been easier to grab a cup of coffee. Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, 7 Brew, Holy Grounds, Kismet Coffee, Amelia Island Coffee, Southern Blend -- I could keep going. Seeing another coffee shop open is as surprising as traffic on A1A. But that doesn’t make it any less exciting. I’m always in the mood for coffee, and with a few trips to Ellianos in Saint Marys, with nothing but great experiences, I couldn’t wait to see what Fernandina Beach would get.
Ellianos calls itself a coffee shop and a drive-thru. With a menu jam-packed with coffee, freezers, energy drinks, shakes, teas, refreshers and food, there’s a lot to choose from. For someone who loves variety, this was too much fun. And with a big menu, I wanted to try a few different things, so I picked what caught my eye and made my way to the newly opened store.
The location of Ellianos is confusing. Not only is it a few steps from the LUV car wash, but the myriad of traffic signs that seem contradictory make it a puzzling experience. The car wash was loud, which I expected but didn’t affect ordering. However, while waiting in the drive-thru for only five minutes, I witnessed multiple cars driving up and down the wrong lanes, nearly causing an accident.
For my visit, I started with a turkey, ranch, and bacon sandwich on multigrain bread. It’s a tasty sandwich, clocking in at $7.95. On the pricier side for the amount, but a tasty option if you’re on the go. Then I moved to a small pumpkin spice latte. I’m not sure if someone pulled a bad shot of espresso, but it was bitter with a lingering burnt aftertaste. Which was disappointing, because the taste of the pumpkin flavoring was nice. Thankfully, I’d also ordered a chai shake, and this one tasted much better. The chai flavor was perfect and the creaminess of the shake itself was delectable -- I’d go back for this.
I ordered two more items: egg bites and a banana nut muffin. At $4.95 and $3.75, respectively, it’s a cheaper option than Starbucks. And I mention them specifically, because it feels like Ellianos is aiming its sights at people who enjoy Starbucks. The egg bites are great, but I’d never be able to tell you where they’d come from if I hadn’t ordered them. And that goes double for the banana nut muffin -- tasty but lacking its own identity. Which is a shame, because their menu is filled with drinks that should stand out, but manage to straddle perfect mediocrity.
Ellianos is a coffee conundrum. Its prices are fair, but the lack of any real differentiation makes it hard to recommend over its direct competitors. If you’re looking for a unique drink, Ellianos will have something for you, but for now, the consistency of those drinks is something I wouldn’t bet on.
Ellianos Coffee
Website: https://www.ellianos.com/locations/fernandina-beach-fl/
Address: 474335 E State Rd 200, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
