Espresso, macchiato, latte, mocha, frapp’: 10 years ago these words were rarely uttered in our town. Funny how things have changed. Last week the line at Starbuck’s was packed with customers demanding venti half-caf caramel lattes made with soy milk, hold the whip.
Everyone’s craving java: high school students, starving college kids, yuppie business types and soccer moms. And there’s a plethora of coffee shops to prove it. Some of the classic hangouts are gone: who can forget Judo Moody’s or The Red Rose? But there are still some great places to get a cup of joe around town.
Espresso Joe’s
1443 Memorial Blvd.
Open 5 a.m.’9 p.m.
Recommended Drink: Dirty Chai, $3.75
The house on Memorial Boulevard with vintage furniture and a lack of parking spaces is Espresso Joe’s. Paintings by local artists decorate the walls, comfy couches surround the fireplace, and a quiet room with tables and chairs welcomes the haggard student looking for a quiet place to study.
As in most coffee shops, the food is pricey, but the specialty drinks are fun and creative and there’s always a wide variety of brews to choose from.
Open Mic Night is every Tuesday evening. Joe’s has wireless Internet, a student discount, free refills, and a frequent buyer’s punch card.
The Clay Cup
113 N. Maple St.
Open Mon.’Fri. 7:30 a.m.’4:30 p.m.
Recommended Drink: Caramel Eskimo Joe, $4.10 (Delicious!)
The Clay Cup on the square has been around for awhile, and for good reason. This caf’ feels like a 1950s diner with cool memorabilia, great food and friendly service. The Cup has a punch card, free refills, Jones Soda, no student discount, and no wireless.
Coco Moka Caf’
536 Thompson Lane, Ste. 100
Open Mon.’Thurs. 6 a.m.’9 p.m., Fri.’Sat. 6 a.m.’10 p.m., Sun. 6 a.m.’8 p.m.
Try the Almond Mocha Joy, $3.40
Coco Moka Caf’ opened just a few months ago. This franchise is more of a white-collar hangout spot, any time I’ve been there the place is full of various business types on laptops. The drink prices are reasonable and the sandwiches are very good (but a little expensive). The pastries are great. The service is very professional and the presentation is wonderful. Coco Moka serves Seattle’s Best brewed coffee, high quality stuff.
Starbucks
207 Stones River Mall Blvd.
Open 9:30 a.m.’9 p.m.
Recommended Drink: Caramel Macchiato, $3.05
Oh, Starbucks. I won’t judge your coffee unfairly because you are part of a giant corporation. I have to admit I enjoy Starbucks specialty drinks very much. And they have an excellent variety of coffee to take home by the pound. The large selection of useless corporate merchandise is a little annoying, but that doesn’t ruin the coffee.
Starbucks has wireless Internet, $.50 refills, no student discount, and no punch card.
Our Daily Bread
Located in the Stones River Mall
Hours: 9 a.m.’9 p.m.
Popular Drink: White Chocolate Carmel Mocha
Our Daily Bread is a locally owned Christian caf’. The service is always friendly. They offer great sandwiches and smoothies, Blue Bell ice cream and shakes, jewelry made of coffee beans, and lots of coffee and espresso candies.
Their specialty drinks are very good and reasonably priced. Our Daily Bread has a punch card, Jones Soda, $1.25 refills, no wireless and no student discount.
Other places to grab some fine coffee:
Big Apple Bagels
2 Locations:
206 W. Northfield
2858 S. Church
Hours: 5 a.m.’4 p.m.
Joe Muggs
(Inside Books a Million)
1923 Old Fort Parkway
Hours: 9 a.m.’11 p.m.
Panera Bread
1970 Old Fort Parkway
Hours: 6 a.m.’9 p.m.
Cafe 24/7
(Though not really open 24/7 . . .)
1916 E. Main St.
Hours: 5 a.m.’5 p.m.
The Hardback Cafe
(Inside Hasting’s, where you could formerly get free coffee by the magazine racks)
1660 Memorial Blvd.
Hours: 6:30 a.m.’11 p.m.
