Over the past couples of years, corporate coffee chain stores have slowly but surely monopolized the nation's need for a caffeine fix. Sadly, many of the once numerous mom-and-pop coffee houses have been forced out of business by the their behemoth multinational rivals.
Opened in 1999, at the height of the local coffee wars, the Queen's Chin Coffee Shop (女王的下巴) has successfully weathered the coffee hurricane that swept the nation.
Tired of the pressure and long hours he spent eking out a living in the textiles business, proprietor Tony (張兆東) opened the shop two years ago for very simple reasons. "I was tired of the rat race and wanted a job that was relaxing, and one which enable me to be meet and chat with different people." In between chatting with the mixed bag of folks who pop into the Chin, Cheng has found enough time to master the art of brewing a wicked cappuccino. Which is one of the reasons so many customers keep returning to his coffee shop.
The joint could pass as a European-style village cafe rather than inner-city coffee bar. The seating is very comfortable and the tables a reasonable distance apart so as to allow patrons a modicum of privacy from curious ears.
The menu is simple but solid, with coffee and teas ranging in price from NT$100 to NT$120 and snacks and small set lunches costing no more than NT$190.
As for the recent opening of a branch of a well-known coffee chain within shouting distance of the Chin, Chang brushed it off with a simple shrug of his shoulders. "I'm not worried about losing customers," says the ever-smiling Chang. "I'm positive I won't."
The Queen's Chin is open Monday through Friday from 11am to 9:30pm and is located at 14-1, Alley 6, Lane 553, Chunghsiao East Road, Sec. 4 (台北市忠孝東路四段553巷6弄14-1號).
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