Deaf Shark Coffee Comes to Green Street

By: Hajar Lababidi | Publish Date: October 14, 2026

The Green Lane parking lot is a staple at Kean University’s Union campus, where the familiar whistle of trains fills the air and dozens of commuters can be found heading to and fro. As one nears Union Station, however, other sensations overtake the usual—an upbeat soundtrack, the aroma of coffee and spices, and chalkboard signs beckoning passersby to cross the leafy entrance into a small but lively shop. 

Deaf Shark Coffee is a local cafe and roastery, in full operation since its grand opening on June 4th. Located inside Union Station and a short walking distance from Kean’s main campus, the cafe sources its beans directly from El Salvador. It also serves breakfast, sandwiches, matcha, smoothies, and other drinks. 

Deaf Shark Coffee’s lively atmosphere can be taken in even before entering the cafe. Small tables offer outdoor seating for customers, and leafy green plants line the entrance. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow for a full view of the interior, where there are plenty of tables and comfortable seating options available. The site also has free WiFi, giving students an option for peaceful studying and hangouts alike. 

According to owner Miguel Merino, however, the cafe’s goal extends beyond those of a simple coffee shop. He wants to introduce the community to specialty coffee while creating a gathering place for Kean students, families, pet owners, and local residents. 

“More than anything, we want to teach the community, including the students, about coffee,” Merino said. 

The cafe’s menu includes traditional espresso drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos, as well as matcha, smoothies, and specialty drinks. Its food menu includes breakfast sandwiches, croissants, French toast, sandwiches, and Latin American offerings such as cachapas and tequeños. 

Specialty drinks include the Coconut Caramel Latte, Oreo Frappe, Pistachio Latte, Peanut Horchata Latte, and Coconut Matcha Refresher. Fall season specialties include the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso, Dirty Soda, and Iced Toasted Marshmallow Latte.   

Originally from El Salvador and a disabled veteran, Merino said his connection to coffee began in his home country. Before Deaf Shark Coffee became a café, “Deaf Shark” was the name of a fishing team he started in El Salvador. The name itself comes from his dog, Kanelo, a 15-year-old deaf pitbull who Merino compares to the cover of the movie Jaws.  

“I decided to call my fishing team the Deaf Shark Team,” Merino said. “And from there, my friends in El Salvador are big into coffee, and I decided to open a coffee business and name it after the pit bull.” 

That connection to El Salvador remains central to the cafe. Merino is involved in the coffee’s production from the farms where the beans are grown through the roasting process in Union. He emphasized that the café uses single-origin specialty coffee rather than a blend and said he considers sustainability and labor practices when sourcing the beans. 

In mainstream coffee franchises, Merino said, “nobody can tell you where that coffee comes from.” Merino wants to change that by offering a more ethical alternative for consumers. “From bean to cup, I was involved in the growing of the coffee,” he said. “I walked the farms, the plantations. We looked at the grains, we see that it’s sustainable.” 

Part of including customers in the production of coffee is the Deaf Shark Academy, which includes a monthly coffee cupping and sharing sandwiches and specialty drinks. “I always keep in mind that we have students, so we want to make sure that we make it available to the Kean community,” Merino said. 

In addition, the cafe has hosted several events for the community, such as a free vaccination clinic, a Networking and Salsa Social with the mayor of Union, a World Cup viewing, and a puppy party. 

With a 4.7 rating on Google Maps and over 800 followers on Instagram, Deaf Shark Coffee has already reached local recognition. The cafe is open on weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Customers can order online or in person.