Alumnus Opening New Stand to Replace Campus Coffee

Alumnus Opening New Stand to Replace Campus Coffee

By Brian Hiro

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When Campus Coffee closed its signature red awning for the last time during the fall 2025 semester, it marked the end of more than two decades of tradition at Cal State San Marcos.

Since 2004, Campus Coffee had been a beloved CSUSM cafe and eatery, serving warm cups of joe and sweet treats on the plaza outside Science Hall 1 - on the opposite side of campus and two big flights of stairs away from Starbucks and other food and drink vendors. It was a place where the owners greeted you with a smile and often knew your name - and your coffee order.

Now, about six months after those owners (Tim and Sandra Sabbatini) decided to retire, a new establishment will inherit the legacy of Campus Coffee.

This month, the prime real estate will be taken over by El Kafecito, a local coffee shop that already has locations in Vista, San Marcos and Escondido. Its fourth spot is scheduled for a soft opening on Aug. 24, with the full launch on Aug. 31, the first day of the new school year.

El Kafecito is owned by Rodrigo Rodriguez, a CSUSM alumnus and former Cougars soccer player. A Valley Center native, Rodriguez started the company with a small, drive-through coffee hut in Vista in 2021, when he was just 21 years old. His entrepreneurial spirit was inspired by working alongside his parents in their family business.

"I remember stopping at Campus Coffee before a long lecture or between classes, so I understand how something as simple as a good cup of coffee can become part of students' daily routine," Rodriguez said. "Being able to return to CSUSM, this time as a local business owner, feels like a full-circle moment."

El Kafecito specializes in Mexican and Hispanic-inspired flavors that, Rodriguez said, "bring something unique to the traditional coffee experience." Its signature flavors include dulce de leche, horchata, mazapán, café de la olla, tres leches and Mexican mocha, though it also offers traditional favorites such as vanilla, caramel and mocha.

El Kafecito also serves pastries and other food items, with customer favorites including churro cupcakes, Mexican-inspired cinnamon rolls and stuffed conchas.

"Our goal is to create a place where everyone can find something they enjoy while introducing CSUSM to flavors that represent my culture and the community," Rodriguez said.

The selection of El Kafecito to replace Campus Coffee stemmed from the work of the CSUSM Corporation in collaboration with the Student Culinary Council (SCC), a body created last spring to strengthen the connection between students and campus dining. Responding to students' expressed desire for a new coffee stand on the far end of campus, the SCC helped identify potential vendors, participated in interviews and evaluated each candidate based on its vision, quality and alignment with campus culture.

"What makes this selection so special is that Rodrigo is a CSUSM alumnus who is passionate to serve the campus community," said Anthony Romero, who leads the SCC. "His commitment to quality coffee, building community and creating meaningful connections makes Rodrigo and El Kafecito the clear choice for the new coffee stand at CSUSM."

Rodriguez, who now lives in San Marcos and spends his days shuttling between locations, said he can't wait to get started.

"My goal is not simply to sell coffee on campus," he said. "I want to build a connection with the CSUSM community and make El Kafecito feel like it belongs to the students, faculty, staff and Cougar family. As a former student and student-athlete, I'm excited about the opportunity to give back to a campus that was an important part of my own journey."

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