Haley DeFilippis ’16, Staff Writer
After its grand opening in 1993 in downtown Andover, Perfecto’s Caffe soared as a hot spot serving a variety of beverages, baked goods, salads, and even sandwiches. What had started out as one small family business run by brothers Andrea and Max Gabriello has now extended its business to locations in not only Andover but North Andover, Peabody, Tewksbury, and even Kennebunk, Maine.
Particularly famous for its ever-changing and wide variety in coffee flavors, hot and iced, Perfecto’s menu adjusts to fit every season and occasion of the year. With eight different blends brewed fresh daily, there is quite the selection to choose from. What’s more, Perfecto’s accompanies their specialty beverages with corresponding baked goods. With the arrival of the 2013 fall season, customers may see pumpkin spice iced coffee and bagels, as well as pastries such as cookies with scarecrow and owl designs ready to purchase. Additionally, Perfecto’s offers a variety of traditional and seasonal cream cheeses to accompany their New York style bagels, all of which are baked right in-store.
Interestingly enough, each of the five Perfectos carry different selections depending on the location. Stephanie Wozniak, an employee of the Andover Perfecto’s Caffe, stated “We’ve had customers call asking if we offer salmon, which is [evidently] offered at a different location.”
The café offers everything authentic wraps from as intricate as the “Roma” wrap consisting of greens, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, roasted red papers with a balsamic vinaigrette and pesto spread to the classic caesar with chicken wrap, therefore offering satisfaction to every customer.
While the business is successful in each of its locations, it is far more welcoming and warm than a typical chain coffee shop like Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks. Its locality provides a hometown-feel, even for those who are new to the area. Perfecto’s employee Julia Torres explained “We have a lot of regulars. We know exactly what they want,” even adding that customers address the workers by their first names. Perfecto’s Caffe in Andover is a perfect touch to an already seemingly perfect college town.
