The Gospel According to San Seb: Coffee, Vans & Basque Dreams

This is Behind the Pass, a new series that skips the polished press releases and gets straight to the point: the people. The passion. The long nights, bruised knuckles and sacred rituals that shape what shows up on your plate (or in your cup).

It’s not always pretty. That’s not the point. We’re here for the human stuff — the stories that season the dish long before the garnish hits.

And for our first instalment, we’re going mobile. A Q&A with the man behind one of Teesside’s most beloved caffeine rituals...

In the age of caffeine conglomerates and algorithmically perfected oat milk foam, it’s easy to forget that good coffee used to come from good people. Real people. People like Mike — the guy behind the wheel and the wand at San Seb.

Tucked riverside in a van that looks more Wes Anderson than Starbucks franchise, San Seb isn’t just serving coffee. It’s cultivating something rare: a sense of place. A rhythm. A reason to slow down.

We pulled up, asked the questions that actually matter and got something better than answers — we got honesty. A brew of philosophy, sacrifice and deep love for coffee that can’t be faked.

This is the gospel according to San Seb...

1. What’s the first coffee you ever remember drinking—and was it any good?

It was absolutely awful! I had a taste of my Dad's when I was around 12 years old. It was a black, lukewarm, bitter instant Coffee and I was not impressed.

2. Why a van? Why not a café with exposed brick and a neon sign that says “but first, coffee”?

It's not just any Van though is it......it's a van that looks cool, is recognisable and has character. Also, from a business perspective, having a Van compared to bricks & mortar keeps the costs down significantly.

3. You’ve just pulled your hundredth shot of the morning. What keeps you from losing your mind?

The love I have of making Coffee, whether thats the first Coffee of the day or the last. Each one has to be perfect and delicious and I absolutely love making them.

4. What’s your coffee order when no one’s watching?

Depends where I am. On the Van I always have a Long Black. On my days off I treat myself to a Flat White and if I'm out walking it's always the Aeropress.

5. What’s something about coffee culture that genuinely annoys you?

How diluted the industry has become and how the classic Coffees are sometimes forgotten. Peoples interpretation of the Macchiato is a prime example.

6. If San Seb was a playlist, what’s track one?

The Coast is always Changing by Maximo Park.

7. Tell us about the beans. Why these? What are you chasing when you source them?

I use Rountons Coffee as they are the best Coffee Roasters in the area and their Granary Blend is the perfect espresso base for the drinks I serve.I also use Old Town Coffee from San Sebastian who provide me with a Coffee which is so unique in taste, Ive never tried anything quite like it (in a good way)It's brought across the Atlantic by Sailboat as well from Colombia which is incredible!

8. What’s the one non-coffee item you wish people raved about more?

Kombucha! It's healthy, tasty and refreshing! The one I use is also craft brewed in Yorkshire. (The Sicilian Lemon flavor is outstanding)

9. Describe the perfect morning at the van—weather, soundtrack, regulars.

A sunny but cold frosty morning with the Otters playing about behind the Van. A soundtrack of Dire Straits and my usual morning regulars sounds pretty good.

10. Ever totally botched a drink in front of someone? What happened next?

Indeed I have whilst watching a Newcastle match on my phone and not paying attention to what I was doing. Easily rectified by pouring the drink away, making a new one and apologising prefously. (I no longer watch football on my phone as I clearly can't multitask)

11. What do you think people don’t get about running a coffee van?

The sacrifices that come with it. Once I get home it takes around 2 hours each day after my shift to clean the Van down fully and restock for the following day.I work every single weekend pretty much and even on my days off I need to spend time doing trips to Makro and other suppliers.

12. If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing instead?

I love the Outdoors so maybe leading people on Walking tours or Nature walks in the area.

13. How do you define success for San Seb—and has that changed since you started?

Success for me is hearing people saying how much they enjoy my Coffee and also seeing people make a special trip to the Van to walk by the River with a Coffee or simply sit on the benches and chat to each other. That's what it's all about. Bringing people together in a beautiful location which we are lucky to have on our doorstep.

14. What does “local” mean to you? Is it just geography, or something more?

It's absolutely Geography. We have some fantastic local suppliers and independent business which we must celebrate, support and shout about.

15. Who or what inspired the name “San Seb”?

'San Seb' is short for San Sebastian which is a city in the Basque region of Spain that I love and which inspired me to set up the business. My hero is a chap called Anthony Bourdain and it was his show around 20 years ago that led me too San Sebastian.The City is hugely important to Me, Sam & Rosie and we honestly think of it as our second home.

16. If San Seb could set up anywhere in the world for one day, where would you go?

San Sebastian obviously!

17. Who’s making the best coffee right now (besides you)?

Lucy in Hobo and Josh in Off the Ground. Both wonderful people with wonderful businesses.

18. What’s next? Are you staying on four wheels forever, or is something bigger brewing?

I will never expand or change my business model so as long as Claude lives, it's always going to be staying on four wheels for me.

In a world that asks you to hustle harder, scroll faster, and drink your coffee in silence on the way to the next thing — San Seb is a reminder to slow down.

To sit. To sip. To actually taste something.

It’s not about the aesthetic. It’s about the atmosphere. The discipline. The integrity of doing one thing well, over and over again, because you care that much.

And if you’re lucky enough to find yourself by the river one morning, with frost in the air and a flat white in hand, remember this: not all heroes wear aprons. Some of them drive vans.

And some of them really know how to make a f**king good cup of coffee.