By Carole Morris
Rescate coffee is Elk Grove’s only local coffee roaster, and they are committed to rescuing customers who are searching for great tasting artesian and gourmet coffee. They have a heartfelt mission
statement…“Create a quality hand crafted beverage, food product, and experience—for every customer—every time." Whether it is early morning or late afternoon, Rescate will be there to serve you with a smile.
“Create a quality hand crafted beverage, food product, and experience—for every customer—every time."
Rescate Coffee owners, Anthony Casillas and Ladd Casillas opened up Rescate in January of 2016. They both have a strong work ethic, which they gleaned from working with their families. Anthony grew up in the restaurant industry working in his families’ restaurant in the Oak Park suburb of Sacramento, CA. One of Anthony's contributions was developing a cupcake line which he sold at the restaurant. Ladd, on the other hand, grew up in a farming community with his family in a small town in Oregon, where he helped his family with wheat, alfalfa, and Christmas tree farms, and other consumable products. At the age of eighteen, Ladd moved up north to Seattle and landed a job with a coffee company. This is where Ladd grew his passion and extensive knowledge for the art of coffee.
Both owners are local residence of Elk Grove (along with their three children) Evan, Max and Abby. With their passion for coffee, their goal is to serve and offer the perfect hand crafted coffee beverage in a relaxed and warm environment. “I have lived in Elk Grove for 18 years, it’s time to bring the downtown feel to our city,” says Anthony with a smile. “We used to drive downtown on weekends to relax, drink coffee, and meet up with family and friends. We decided we wanted that here in Elk Grove.” Ladd recalled.
The moment you walk in, one can feel the coziness of the establishment. The environment has a rustic look with reused pallet boards, a long community table, and comfy cushion chairs by the fireplace. On one wall you will find a chalkboard menu that illustrates the Rescate Coffee Specialty lattes and mochas. Here you will find the famous Horchata Latte made the traditional way with rice milk, vanilla extract from Mexico, cinnamon, and cinnamon sticks (that marinate in the rice milk before Espresso is added). This year Rescate added a Coconut Carmel Macchiato and a Vietnamese Coffee to the menu. The Vietnamese coffee can be made the traditional way, or with the use of expresso. During the holiday, Rescate Coffee offers a variety of Holiday drinks to get you in the mood.
“We used to drive downtown on weekends to relax, drink coffee, and meet up with family and friends. We decided we wanted that here in Elk Grove.”
At Rescate Coffee, they believe giving back to the community as much as possible. This is evident in their actions in supporting Elk Grove. A focus at Rescate Coffee is assisting the Disadvantaged Youth: Children with disabilities, social and economic challenges, or simply in need due to personal situations. They work with the Elk Grove School District and C.A.R.D. (Center for Autism and Related Disorders), to provide work experience in a positive controlled environment, as well as with other local organizations to help support their cause. They believe that every individual should have an opportunity to be a valuable member of society.
Presence in the community is a must, so Anthony and Ladd have partnered with several Elk Grove organizations such as Cosumnes CSD Parks and Recreation, Elk Groves Cars and Coffee, and with the local Elk Grove Police Department. You will find Rescate Coffee at many of the local events, offering hand craft beverages with their mobile cart.
Because, Rescate means “Rescue” in Spanish, they are committed to contributing to the local community with cash donations to pet rescue organizations (as well as portions of sales of select retail items). Rescate Coffee wants to create an environment that is compassionate to their customer’s needs, and the needs of pets in the community. One cup at a time! This compassion is evident in their devotion to their four-legged rescue pets, who they consider family members. They have three rescues pets who have mutually impacted each other’s lives in a positive way. Their main focus is to help support local animal shelters… which focus on adoption over euthanasia. “Pets do not have a voice against mistreatment, abandonment, or homelessness” says Ladd. Volunteers for shelters, which act as the voice, are amazing people who work diligently to find homes for these at risk animals. Rescate feels honored to be in a position to help with costs associated with caring, and finding forever homes, for these amazing pets.
Not only do Anthony and Ladd offer a great cup of coffee while providing a relaxing environment, but they now provide a safe space for anyone contemplating suicide. They both have been trained with the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) program to be readily available for anyone that may need help. Bringing awareness to Suicide Prevention, Breast Cancer Awareness, and LGBTQ+ Pride events are personal community awareness causes Anthony and Ladd have committed to be involved in.
Moreover, Rescate is proud to donate back to our community through sponsorship and active involvement in programs which support our community City Wide Community Programs: They believe Elk Grove is an amazing place to live, and our community programs are some of the best in the world.
I recommend a change in your environment! Stop in at Rescate coffee and stimulate your creativity by ordering one of their amazing hand crafted beverages. Break away from your routine and be inspired!
2475 Elk Grove Blvd Elk Grove, CA 95758 (916) 897-8459
Carole Morris
Instructional Specialist, Author and Adjunct Professor. She is married to an outstanding, brilliant man and the mother of two grown awe-inspiring children, and grammie to three flawless grandchildren.
This story first appeared in the Ardent
for Life Holiday 2017 issue.