FreeHand, Courtesy
FreeHand in Pendleton is only the second cafe on Cobb’s Coffee Corner to earn a 5 out of 5 for their coffee.
For our first review of the semester, we traveled to Pendleton to try out a classic among Clemson coffee lovers: FreeHand Coffee. Located off of Main Street, FreeHand boasts an inconspicuous exterior that you could easily glance over. But if you know where to look, you’ll find a cute, flora-strewn cafe with choices galore.
As I said, from the outside, FreeHand is nothing eye-catching. Walking inside gets slightly more interesting, with a few seating areas and a strong white tile, wood and plant aesthetic that I find common in most coffee shops. The vibes in and outside on first impression aren’t mind-blowing, but I can say that the service was phenomenal, and I still managed to catch up with a friend and get some homework done. Overall, the vibes eke out to a 3 out of 5.
The food choices were fairly limited, with just a few classic pastries. I went towards the end of the day, however, and nearly all the pastries were dwindling, so they clearly sold well. After trying the cinnamon roll and a cranberry orange muffin, I can see why. Each was sweet with an incredible texture and didn’t last long on our plates. They certainly didn’t change the world, but I’d be happy going back simply for the muffins. Their food gets a 4 out of 5.
The coffee is, unsurprisingly, where FreeHand stands out. At the end of the day, cafes can only come up with so many specialty drinks and fancy names before they blend into every other decent cafe ad infinitum. But FreeHand does their recipes as well as they do their coffee. Each of the fall drinks they recently released hits the classic flavors and then some. Their cold brew is some of the best I’ve ever had, looking as beautiful as it tasted. After I’d finished and heard they also had boba tea, I immediately planned a second visit. FreeHand’s coffee is a 5 out of 5.
Cobb’s Coffee Corner is the subjective opinion of Senior Reporter Griffin Cobb. Rankings are based on three criteria: vibes, food and coffee. Griffin has rated all Clemson-based coffee shops and is currently reviewing cafes in the surrounding towns.