Beyu Caffe

Located at 341 West Main Street in downtown Durham, Beyu Caffe offers coffee drinks, cocktails, and Southern-influenced food. It is open seven days a week from 8 to 8 (8 to 6 on Sundays) and offers breakfast all day. Formerly a regular jazz venue, Beyu still offers occasional live music.

Beyu is pronounced Be You, and that sense of individual character permeates this cool and comfortable spot. Conveniently located and reasonably spacious, Beyu offers a comfortable ambiance: lively without being loud.

This character extends to the menu as well, which features names to remember (Dope coffee specialties, a Chuck Berry Parfait) and fresh takes on familiar dishes (i.e. chicken wings and French toast subbing in for chicken and waffles). Hungry and tired, my wife and I opted for coffee drinks (Mexican coffee and a Carver’s Peanut Butter) and lunch items (Satchmo Po Boy and Shrimp and Grits). Everything was ordered at the register prior to seating, and service thankfully proved expeditious.

Both coffee drinks were excellent. The Mexican coffee added cinnamon, nutmeg, and chocolate to the standard brew and made for a bold and rich concoction. The Carver’s Peanut Butter combined espresso, peanut butter, steamed milk, and honey. If peanut butter in coffee causes you to raise an eyebrow, a few sips of this smooth and tasty blend will make a convert of you.

Unfortunately, the food wasn’t quite up to the same standard. The Shrimp and Grits used Italian sausage in place of Tasso ham, an odd choice but not a poor one. However, the shrimp were just short of overcooked, and the grits needed copious stirring to reach the right consistency. Thankfully, the flavor still delivered. Meanwhile, the Po Boy – actually, a pair of fried catfish sliders – featured nicely breaded fish, but the accompanying side salad sported dubious-looking lettuce.

Given the atmosphere and coffee quality, I would not hesitate to return to Beyu the next time I’m in Durham, but I might think twice about ordering lunch.