Tully’s Café: A Fairly Pricey Home Away From Home

By Shaun Garcia

Before Starbucks came to town, Tully’s was Valenzuela City’s very own beloved café, and it still
continues to be. Located in Malinta, Tully’s is a coffeehouse that serves hot roasts, teas, smoothies, and
pastries. It houses students and professionals alike. It is for those who yearn for a quiet, comfortable space
where you can study, work, host meetings, or simply enjoy a few hours with your friends.

With its free WiFi, a comfort room with complete supplies, and the welcoming aroma of coffee,
Tully’s café has been claimed by many as a home away from home. It gives us the comfort of our homes
in the form of an establishment. However, given the amenities that come with the place, one can only
imagine how high the prices could go.

A single latte in Tully’s can cost from P160 to P220. They serve salads and cakes too, but a single
slice of blueberry cheesecake costs P150, and a platter of Caesar salad is a little over P200. This is the
reason why Tully’s only markets to those of the middle-class. If you are a student with a budget of P150 a
day, this is not the place for you. Although the prices are high, I can say that it’s worth it because the
frappes don’t taste too shabby and with a single purchase, I can get access to all the amenities.

The hospitability, the ambiance, and the cleanliness on the other hand, are laudable. Tully’s has very
friendly employees and baristas. They’ll ask you how your day is, recommend new flavors, and help you
with the WiFi. They also constantly refill the water pitcher and clean out the tables.

The ambience is a large factor as to why Tully’s is still frequently visited. As I said earlier, it gives us
a feeling of a home away from home. Cleanliness is frequently observed and jazz music constantly fills
the air. With its cappuccino-colored walls, comfortable sofas, and a view of the busy cars buzzing through
McArthur, Tully’s helps its customers stay focused yet relaxed.

If there was one thing that I’d like to change, it would be the café’s price range. They are located in an
area surrounded by students. Although Tully’s attracts mostly people from the working field, - because it
is right across from the city’s municipal hall, - it also attracts students because it is surrounded by CMIC,
SLCV, PLV, and more schools. The café should really consider these factors.