Yes Cafe, a new addition to Yokota Air Base, is keeping residents of the installation’s east side caffeinated — and they’re doing it all out of a small truck.

Located in a parking lot adjacent to the base’s skate park, this coffee truck is a welcome alternative to the premade coffee drinks sold from vending machines or nearby convenience stores. Coffee lovers longing for a macchiato or a hand-poured latte close to home are sure to enjoy Yes Cafe’s extensive selection of espresso-based drinks.

After being stationed in Italy before coming to Japan, I admittedly became a bit of a coffee snob — but after visiting Yes Cafe shortly after it opened in early November, I was relieved to find its coffee is just as good (if not better) than most of the coffee served at local cafes in the neighborhoods around Yokota.

Yes Cafe’s $1.50 espresso, my personal drink of choice during my visits, is strong yet mellow, leaving a slight bite at the end of each sip. If mochas or lattes are more to your liking, Yes Cafe’s drink menu has plenty of options to supply the coffee buzz, including cafe Americano, cappuccino, cafe latte, cafe mocha, caramel macchiato and hot chocolate. The pricing is decent, starting at $1.50 for an espresso, $3 for a regular cafe Americano, $3.35 for a cappuccino and $3.95 for a caramel macchiato.

The only setback the newly-opened coffee truck has is the temperature of the drinks, which were a little on the cool side. (I was assured this was something that the cafe’s staff is working on improving.)

If you’re looking for something to go with your cup of joe, Yes Cafe also sells a small selection of food items. The lineup isn’t particularly diverse for a coffee stand — for example, you won’t find breakfast sandwiches or bagels on the menu — but the dishes do make a nice addition to the dining options on the east side of the installation.

Yes Cafe’s major food offering is Belgian waffles (starting at $1.75 for a single waffle), which come in unique flavors including cinnamon and brownie. Toppings such as espresso whipped cream and caramel are also available at an additional cost. For those in need of a quick bite, a rotating selection of fresh fruit, as well as pre-cooked hardboiled eggs and muffins, are also available. For lunch, Yes Cafe offers a pulled pork sandwich ($5.35), which is cooked daily. The pork, which is piled onto a hamburger bun, is juicy and flavorful — and surprisingly tender for coming out of a small truck. As a Southerner, the only thing I thought was missing from the pork was the rich, smoky flavor often found in traditional barbecue.

Yes Cafe is still rather unknown among the base’s residents, so the lines can be short. When I visited, there was only one other person waiting. Since the cafe is located in a parking lot, seating is nonexistent. Yes Cafe is more of a “grab and go” shop for those in a rush to get to the office or drop the kids off at school.

In the summer months, Yes Cafe will also serve Kakigoriccino ($4.10) — a twist on kakigori, or Japanese shaved ice, with cappuccino.

While Yes Cafe is clearly still finding its footing, making a pit stop at the truck has quickly become a part of my morning routine — perhaps it will become a regular part of your mornings, too.

godbold.theron@stripes.com

YES CAFELOCATION: Yes Cafe is located on Yokota Air Base, directly adjacent to the skate park on the east side of the installation.HOURS: Open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.COST: Beverages range from $1.35 for a cup of tea to $4.10 for the Kakigoriccino. Food also varies in price, with a Grab ’n Go Muffin costing $1.50 and a pulled pork sandwich going for $5.35. Credit cards are accepted.INFORMATION:facebook.com/YokotaEastSideCafe

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