Seattle is sometimes known as the coffee capital of the world, or at least of the USA. Sometimes that definition is narrowed down to Seattle being just the espresso capital of the world, and not of coffee beverages in general. It doesn’t really matter which definition you prefer as Seattle is without a doubt one great city to be in if you love coffee.

Estimates of the number of coffee shops in Seattle vary considerably. One estimate says there are well over 1,000 coffee shops in the Seattle metro area alone. Some even put the number higher. One thing is sure: Seattleites are heads over heels in love with coffee in all its many glorious varieties.

This west coast city is home to a number of well known coffee shop chains. Starbucks is probably the best known, but, Seattle’s Best, Top Pot, Cherry Street, Tully’s, Peet’s, Caffe Ladro, Victrola and Espresso Vivace can all call Seattle home, and there are also a number of notable independent coffee shops in the city too. Finding just 5 coffee shops to visit in Seattle from the massive list available is certainly a challenge, but not really all that difficult when it comes down to it.

Zeitgeist

This coffee shop opened in 1997. It aimed to be different from the typical coffee shop to be found in Seattle right from the start. The name means “the spirit of the time,” and Zeitgeist with its close association to the arts is certainly that. This coffee shop is located downtown in Pioneer Square, close to the waterfront.

It’s easy to look good at Zeitgeist. It’s a surprisingly unpretentious place when you consider all the remarkable art on display everywhere. This is a great place to bring a book or even a laptop and just relax in the laid back atmosphere. You can get plain sandwiches with your coffee too, and while no one stands on ceremony here, the place retains a very stylish image that succeeds in elevating it above the average Seattle coffee shop.

Victrola Coffee

This is one of the notable coffee shop chains operating out of Seattle. The one to visit is located at 310 East Pike Street in Capitol Hill. The outside facade alone is inviting enough, and inside you can simply enjoy fine coffee with a book, or learn more about roasting, or even try a tasting session. This coffee shop has its own roastery and cupping room. They source the best coffees and roast them to their own unique recipes, resulting in some of the finest and most delicate flavors to be found in the city, and that’s saying something.

Victrola is of course named after the home phonograph machine of the 1920s. The name evokes the shrieks of saxophones and exuberant excitement, laced with an elegant liveliness from a bygone era that Victrola Coffee keeps alive with its passion for live jazz. You are taken back to the era of speakeasies and prohibition when girls were flappers and the 20s roared on. You will enjoy your coffee at Victrola Coffee Roasters in East Pike Street. Everyone does.

Lighthouse Roasters Fine Coffees

You can find Lighthouse in Phinney Ridge, Fremont. You’d almost expect it to be a tall, round building with an all-glass room near the top, in keeping with its name, but it isn’t. It stands in a surprisingly suburban residential kind of setting, but don’t let that put you off. Half the space occupied by this coffee shop is taken up by its roaster, lying adjacent to the dining area. This is another unpretentious coffee shop that cares more about what they serve than what they look like. They will serve you some of the finest coffee you will taste anywhere in a quiet and peaceful part of town. They let the coffee do the talking, and it shows too.

Caffé d’Arte

This is an unapologetically Italian styled coffee shop, and all the better for it too. They started out in 1985 offering traditional Italian espresso, following the blending and roasting methods of real Italian artisan traditions. Most people who pay them a visit – their downtown coffee shop at 125 Stewart Street is the one to try – come away understanding a lot more about why the Italians possess such unbridled passion for their espresso coffee. Caffé d’Arte will sweep you off to Italy at a single taste. It’s not to be missed.

University Zoka

This was the second Zoka coffee shop to open in Seattle, and certainly their best too. Jeff Babcock who owns Zoka spent his student days at the nearby University of Washington and wished there had been a quality coffee shop close by. There wasn’t, so following the success of his first Zoka coffee shop in the Meridian District, he opened this one near the university, even though his college days were over.

Of course, you don’t have to be a student to enjoy good coffee at University Zoka. The Zoka baristas are highly ranked in the country, some of the best in fact, and it shows too as they really know how to pull a good shot. If you’re fastidious about your coffee, give University Zoka a visit.

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Katie is a marketing coordinator at Food Service Warehouse, a restaurant equipment and supplies web store.

Photo by craterdweller.

5 Coffee Shops to Visit in Seattle is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

This is a guest post by Mike Tufts. Learn more about how you can guest post for Daily Shot Of Coffee.

Coffee, like all things, needs a superhero; a humble person, a man who knows the streets and is in search of good beans, a man of modest means. There exists just a superhero, one who goes by the unlikely name of Modest Bean. Superheroes also need super friends. Modest Bean has a super friend named Rob Webb. His brand new shop in Murfreesboro Tennessee is dedicated to Fair Trade Specialty coffee in which proceeds befit adopted families and nonprofit organizations. Rob is a coffee roaster with a heart; that’s his super power. You see, Rob and his wife adopted two children from Ethiopia and with unwavering dedication traveled to the children’s home land to learn more about the culture. Once home and caring for his family, he realized the cost involved in this process is prohibitive to many families. So like all superheroes he sprang into action. His revelation gave birth to a passion, one guided by the love of his adopted children. So a coffee roaster was born! He appropriately named his shop “Just Love Coffee Roasters.”

Modest Bean, with his mocha colored cape, flew over to Just Love Coffee Roasters to get the scoop (no pun intended). Modest Bean discovered that Rob did not start out as a coffee roaster Superhero. Rather, he followed in his father’s footsteps by supplying Nashville area businesses with refreshments. So Rob understands business, and he also understands customer service. Modest Bean knows this firsthand because weeks earlier he made a few trips to Just Love Coffee Roasters, incognito, as mild manner “Regular Joe”. What Regular Joe spied through his espresso colored glasses was a friendly and caring staff willing to take the time to explain the various freshly roasted coffees; not only from Ethiopia but from all over the globe. Regular Joe described his flavor preferences, with not a mention of the mocha cape, and the staff went as far as to not only guide him in the right direction, but also advised him what coffees he may not care for. It seems they don’t want your money if you’re not going to be happy with the product. Regular Joe made a note of this unusual behavior. Maybe it was a side effect of too much caffeine? Either way, the result was the purchase of two excellent bags of coffee at reasonable prices. You see, Regular Joe needs excellent coffee at a good price if he is to transform himself at a moment’s notice into Modest Bean. Well, the transformation is not that fast; he needs to leisurely sip coffee first.

If you’re not a superhero with a cape don’t worry. You can still enjoy Just Love Coffee’s selection of freshly roasted beans. Not only does he sell from his shop, but also via mail order. In addition, he has a coffee of the month club which is customizable and sounds very interesting. There is even a “surprise me” option available. Rob assured Regular Joe that “surprise me” option does not mean “send what needs to be gotten rid of” option. All of his coffee is carefully crafted. He considers it an art form and a creative outlet. Maybe joining the club grants you access to the hall of superheroes? It seems everyone can find superhero status here. With Just Love Coffee’s dedication to Fair Trade Specialty coffees you might think of your purchase more as a donation, with very good coffee in return, thus granting you access to the hall of superheroes. Now I ask, what goes better with coffee than superhero prestige? Nothing! However, the mocha cape will always belong to Modest Bean. Can’t touch that.

Michael Tufts is a full time student, electronics technician and an aircraft pilot with a palette for coffee. He is a perfectionist with an aim to brew the best coffee with any beans available. He is a man of modest beans.

Just Love Coffee Roasters is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

We spent Thanksgiving with family in Troy Ohio and before going I went online to find coffee shops. Over the four days that we were there we ended up going to three different shops and two of them were an hour away. The first shop we visited was Boston Stoker at 1293 Dorset Road which was only minutes from our hotel.

Before travelling I went to their website and saw that they had a cupping open to the public. Because of the holiday I called to make sure they were still having it and they were. So Kim and I left a little early so we could catch it. Joshua, the barista who was leading the cupping is a good teacher and he really made us feel comfortable. He chose an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and a Costa Rican La Minita for us to cup and both coffees were a light roast.

Joshua had a cupping station ready for each of us and we started with the Yirgacheffe. He talked us through each step and demonstrated the process also. It was very easy to follow his directions. He asked us what we tasted and listened as we described the flavors to him. Kim and I both tasted a little citrus and spice. We also thought it had a good body and a good long aftertaste. I wanted to pick the cup up and drink it, it tasted that good! It may be the best Yirgacheffe I’ve had.

Then we moved on to the La Minita. Joshua talked us through the cupping process again and asked us what flavors we tasted. He interacted well with us and did not get tired of us asking questions. We thought this one was sweeter tasting and even the aroma smelled sweet. This coffee had a full body and a good aftertaste. To put it simply, it was a balanced enjoyable taste of coffee. Kim wanted to pick this one up and finish it!

A couple of days later we stopped and talked with the manager, Kim (it will be easy for me to remember her name) and let her know what a good teacher Joshua was and how we enjoyed the cupping. She took the time to talk with us and told us a little about the company. I also enjoyed a cup of their House Blend Decaf and thought it was very good. You know Kim and I are always on the lookout for a good decaf and this one did not disappoint.

Boston Stoker has nine locations and a roasting facility in the greater Dayton Ohio area. If you are near there and want a good cup of coffee we encourage you to stop. It will be worth getting off the freeway because both the coffee and customer service was great. Remember to stop and enjoy the coffee and conversations. You may find a gem like we did in finding Boston Stoker.

Much GRACE and peace to you,
Bill and Kim
Romans 15:13; Psalm 34:1-10

Coffee Shop Review: Boston Stoker is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Thump Coffee
25 Northwest Minnesota Avenue, Suite 2
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 388-0226

Flat roads and freezing winds kept us snuggled into Santiago as we viewed the world from his warm confines. Santiago was an old RV, but he kept us safe, warm and fed. He also provided us with shelter, security, and mobility!!!! We honored him and he us.

The road was calling us to move on and explore more sights, so after a full day of exploration and coffeehouses in downtown Boise we answered the call. We crossed the Idaho-Oregon Stateline heading west from Boise to Bend on Highway 20 on a dark, cold night. After an hour of searching we finally found a WalMart parking lot to call home along with many other travelers and some of the local homeless folks.

JJ & I made fried egg sandwiches for breakfast and shared with our very cold neighbor. The morning light was welcome and we could now see where we had landed. To the west were mountains in the distance; Deschutes National Forest, actually. And what does Deschutes mean to you? BEER! What an amazing discovery that was … so delicious. Not for breakfast, of course, but I would soon discover the flavor of this fine locally brewed beer. But alas … we are on a coffee tour!

Bend possesses the meandering Deschutes River. It dances through the center of town alongside homes, parks and old buildings. After taking a brief stroll we were certain we were in paradise! Moss-covered rocks lined the paths; teenagers were playing their guitars singing Bob Marley’s “One Love”.

We asked a woman walking down the street if she knew of a locally owned coffeehouse nearby. She said, “there are so many”! REALLY? That’s just the response we love to hear! I guess we will just have to explore this little town ourselves. Out came the GPS for a coffee shop search. Dutch Bros. came up … although the name was new to me, there were several in town but we prefer smaller chains of 1. Next ~ Thump. Thump? Since I’m a kid of the 60s and Walt Disney movies I related it to rabbits. You know, Thumper in Bambi? Ha ha. The name had me curious enough to go check it out.

The somewhat cumbersome Santiago found a place to park blocks from our destination. This gave us a chance to take in the town … people chatting and walking, store lights blinking, music coming from everywhere! And there it was … Thump. The red brick building had been there for decades but touted a fresh red sign that artistically represented my love. Coffee.

The exposed, red brick continued inside adorned with wrought iron creations, tables, stools, an orange ceiling, love and life. This was THE place! Thump: “The beat of the bean”. We stood there in awe. So much to see. So much to feel. Luckily we found a little pub table to crash at and plant our journals and computers. Some folks gave us the “you aren’t from around here, are ya? look”. Then Kent welcomed us in … this was his home, his business, his life.

He and his wife, Hazel, started the coffeehouse the same month their daughter was born, Hazel said “we birthed twins, an infant child and a business in its infancy, both demanding ongoing TLC around the clock!” Their baby girl is special part of the family business and could soon be their star “Thumpista”! (That’s what they call their baristas)

With the assistance of their community, Kent & Hazel have created a coffeehouse that wins “the best of everything” awards. They love their business, their staff, and have melded with their community so deeply that is difficult to tell one from another except the vibrancy of the colors, but how well they complement each other.

The ceiling … this feature is often dismissed as vast nothingness in homes and businesses has come to life here! My heart beats faster and faster as I recall the energy swirling above us with messages to the universe. The wooden tiles hung in colorful groups of 10 or more, moving with the flow of the air currents. Literally as I am writing this I have chills running up my spine and tears are streaming down my face as I remember JJ making her own tile to add to the sea of tiles spinning above us. The wishes are strung up high, as if to reach up into the heavens. This distinctly personal way of expressing ones dreams and wishes has brought people of all ages from all over town to visit and contribute their own tile. Thump keeps each wish up in a collage of others.

This artistic expression uniquely connects the customers to Thump Coffee. At the counter is a stack of blank tiles with a cup of markers awaiting the next wish. A local artist, Mark Bernahl, brought the idea to them as a “public wishes” art installation, using boards he recovered from a door frame shop. They have become “an integral part of the visual, kinesthetic experience of Thump”, explains Hazel.

The expression of hopes and dreams in a smile, with words, in song and dance, or on a tile canvas all resonate with the vibration of our planet make a difference. We found peace and acceptance there in Bend, Oregon.

Thump Coffee is also extremely passionate about their product as well and PROUDLY carries Portland’s leading roasts from Stumptown Coffee. Visit Thump Coffee online @ www.thumpcoffee.com where you can get a sense of their intimacy from the origin of the bean to their own community and family.

Peace, Lisa

Thump Coffee Of Bend, Oregon is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Since Buddy Brew Coffee opened it’s doors in Tampa earlier this year, they’ve opened the eyes of many Tampa residents of what really good coffee can taste like. I’ve become very biased towards them, stopping by as often as I can to try their newest beans and latest coffee creations.

Earlier this month, I had a chance to hangout at Buddy Brew Coffee with the owners and coffee fanatics Dave and Susan Ward. They told the history of Buddy Brew Coffee, which you watch here, but this event was much more.

They shared a number of awesome coffees including an Ethiopian Natural Sidamo Grade 3 Guji Special that tasted like strawberries and wild berries,  a Costa Rica SHB Naranjo Cattleya that started off with a lemony flavor and finished with a creamy chocolate taste, the Guatemala SHB Huehuetenango Limonar which was bright and had a dark chocolate flavor and their Bali Blue Moon, which I reviewed earlier this year.

After the coffee tasting, Dave showed off their coffee roaster where all the magic happens…I mean where they roast all of their coffees right in the shop.

During the roasting process, Dave showed the color changes that happen to the beans as they’re heated.

After fine tuning the coffee beans to exactly the right temperature, Dave let the beans flow out of the roaster.

After roasting, the beans were left to cool to room temperature before being bagged.

And that’s how green beans are turned into this…

…at Buddy Brew Coffee.

If you’re in Tampa, I strongly suggest getting your next coffee fix at Buddy Brew Coffee. They’re located at 2020 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL  33606. If you’re not in the central Florida area, check them out online at BuddyBrew.com.

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Fine Print.

A Look At Buddy Brew Coffee In Photos is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

About a week ago Kim and I went out to run some errands, go shopping and stop at a coffee shop. We wanted to try one that we had never been too so we went to La Vida Java. It is located in Westport Village, 1301 Herr Lane, Suite 110, in Louisville. It is easy to find and there are a lot of shops and restaurants around it.

We went there on Wednesday morning and it was not too crowded. We like to look around a shop and order small cups of their daily brew. The two coffees we chose were a dark roasted Ethiopian and medium roasted Costa Miel Blend. The owner was working that morning and he made Costa Miel fresh while we waited. He is very personable and we had a good conversation with him. He answered all of our questions while we waited. As other customers came in he greeted those he knew by name and asked if they wanted their regular.

I visited their website and found the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe described as medium dark and bold and as intense as its name with aromas ranging from fruity and flowery enzymatics to exotic fresh leathers. Its smoky flavor follows suit displaying a fruity tart earthiness with a dry clean finish. The Costa Miel (Honey Coast) Blend is medium and mild and is a breakfast blend which is comprised of three South and Central American beans. The chocolaty, creamy and sweet taste lends itself to a caramel nutty and smooth finish, hence its name.

We were looking forward to tasting these coffees. The Ethiopian was good and had a nice fruitiness. It was not over roasted which is a good thing. The Costa Miel was excellent. It was naturally sweet and smooth. When we left the shop we went to Whole Foods and left the coffees in the car. We came out and both were cooled off. We liked the flavor profile of both as they cooled and thought the Costa Miel would make a great iced coffee. It was a very enjoyable.

We would highly recommend a visit to La Vida Java.Their motto is “Live Life. Have Fun. Drink Coffee!” Even if you are driving through Louisville on a trip and want to stop for good coffee, this place would be worth the stop. The friendliness of the owner and the quality of the coffee made this an enjoyable date. Until next time, remember to stop and enjoy the coffee and conversation.

Much GRACE and peace to you,

Bill and Kim

Romans 15:13; Psalm 34:1-10

Coffee Shop Review: La Vida Java is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Hailey Coffee Co (www.haileycoffeeco.com)
219 S. Main Street
Hailey, ID 83333
(208) 788-8482

Idaho has a big smile across its belly. They call it the Snake River Valley and it goes all the way from the Wyoming border to the Oregon line. JJ and I drove through that smile with headwinds so strong that I swear we were standing still on the highway with the pedal to the metal! “Santiago” used a ton of gas on that stretch. So much, that we actually saw the fuel gage drop from ¾ full to ¼ in 30 minutes at one point. Sure, it’s funny NOW, but it was fairly stressful for little ol’ me and we needed to find a spot to park and call it a day. Where would that wind blow us?

Out came the map to see what was around … and with some successful maneuvering we sailed north up Highway 75 toward Sun Valley and the Sawtooth National Forest. The Idaho sun was beginning to set as we meandered through acres of golden fields spotted with bright red barns positioned here, and there. Passing through several towns, we arrived at our destination … Hailey. Although we didn’t have this town chosen, the second we hit the city line we agreed that this was the place. Simultaneously we saw the Hailey Coffee Company situated at a corner on Main Street. We set up camp in the Albertson’s parking lot (with reluctant permission from the manager) had some dinner then hit the hay.

We woke up to almost a foot of snow on the ground. Tee hee … the snow plow driver plowed all the way around “Santiago” during the night leaving us looking like a little oasis of happy snow campers; and very inconspicuous I might add. Any who … we headed off to get our morning brew!

Hailey Coffee Co. was THE happening place that day and from our conversations with the patrons, we discovered that it was the best coffeehouse in town. There were 3 baristas rockin’ it and a guy working the back of the house cooking breakfast items and washing dishes. A constant flow of local folks came in to enjoy the first snow of the season with a hot cup of Carrie’s locally roasted java.

We sat at a table in an east-facing window. The sun shone through the steamy window inviting us to relax for a bit. Many small, adjoining rooms had a variety of chairs, a sofa, a coffee bar with stools, and small tables that had been moved around to serve the various sizes of groups that gathered. One wall was particularly intriguing. The art looked etched into the creatively stained, stone looking wall and for me, conjured up feelings of a rustic European cottage. My eyes were pulled to trace the etchings and gave me time to daydream …

Just behind us was a woman working on an online college class. She came to town to “get away” from LA so she could focus on her class before the holidays hit. As she left to catch her flight, the table was scooted across the room to join with another to make ample room for three women drinking coffee and eating their freshly made muffins from their in-house bakery.

There was a vibrancy that attracted everyone from the local high school kids, the travelers, and us. We got involved in warm conversations with others and took photos so we could remember its offerings. As we were packing up to leave, a woman walked in with a dog. She had a gentle yet determined demeanor. Carrie Morgridge is the owner of Hailey Coffee Co. and she just happened into the store to grab come beans for a delivery. One of the baristas sent her over our way and she graciously spent time sharing her personal story of building a successful coffeehouse. “It’s really not that easy to run a little coffeehouse. I’m still learning; all the buying, hiring, marketing, budgeting ….”.

“Even though the economy is tough right now people still want their coffee. It’s a comfort food”, she said as she smiled and welcomed a guest by name. Carrie believes in giving back to her community and is involved in helping raise funds and awareness for several local non-profit groups. Her support of Camp Rainbow Gold (for kids with cancer) and local theater top her list. She also offers 1 pound bags of beans as a fundraiser for the local high school’s Amnesty International Club and for Expedition Inspiration: a local breast cancer awareness group. As a huge animal-lover she also supports the only non-kill animal shelter in Idaho. Gotta love her compassionate involvement

The roastery where she roasts only high quality organic, fair-trade Arabica coffee beans, is just a short block to the west of the coffeehouse. From there they ship their deliciously roasted beans all over the world. If you want to know more about the Hailey Coffee Co in Sun Valley, Idaho please stop in or visit their website at www.haileycoffeeco.com.

Peace out.

Hailey Coffee Company Review is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Some readers of this blog might know me as “Starbucks Melody” – I’m Melody and I’ve got a blog about Starbucks. But the truth is, you can’t learn about the world by staying at home. As dedicated as I am to Starbucks coffee, I still thoroughly enjoy experiencing and drinking coffee from other roasters.

Lucky for me, Mike Crimmins asked me if I would write something for his blog, and I jumped on this opportunity. I contacted Velton Ross, who roasts Velton’s Coffee and we ended up having a great time at his roasting business, and cupping coffee on July 5, 2010.

As I write this, I am drinking a cup of Velton’s Ethiopia Sidamo, a beautiful juicy, fruity coffee with a floral aroma … Delicious!

But let’s start at the beginning of the story, and introduce you to the inside operations of Velton’s Coffee:

Velton buys Arabica beans from all the major growing regions, and primarily roasts single-origin coffee offerings. (A “single origin” coffee is sourced from one single growing region, usually from one small country or region.) Today (July 5, 2010) we “cupped” coffee. Some readers may already know that a “cupping” is not exactly the same thing as a “tasting”. A “cupping” is a method of comparing several different coffees side by side to determine exactly the best roast profile, and to come up with the best descriptive words to describe the coffee. One does not have food or drink with a cupping because the purpose is to experience the coffee unaffected by other things.

Velton even roasted up a small batch of his “Twilight Blend” while we were there! That was fabulous to experience watching coffee being roasted, listening for the ‘popping’ sounds as the water inside expands and causes a popping sound (and oils inside the coffee do this also). The Twilight Blend is roasted for roughly 14 and ½ minutes in the roasting oven, at a about 450 degrees. When you buy coffee from Velton, you know you’re getting something roasted especially for you, by Velton himself.

Today we cupped three coffees:

• Costa Rica Finca Genesis
• Guatemala LiquidAmbar
• Ethiopia Sidamo SCFCU

Those were all single-origin coffees with a light to medium roast profile. I got a ton of cocoa hints from the Costa Rica Finca Genesis. The Guatemala had a very clean finish to it. My favorite of those three was definitely the Ethiopia Sidamo which had a nice juicy flavor – almost a little tang to the coffee. I highly recommend it. It has some of the fruit notes which African coffees are so often known for, but a lot of complexity to it too.

When it was all done, Velton made us a cup of his Twilight Blend. This was such a treat. This was my favorite of the coffees that I tried today! I give this two-thumbs up, and highly recommend that you try it. This blend is one of his darkest blends and is a beautifully balanced coffee, including beans from three growing regions. Our “Twilight Blend” includes beans from Guatemala, Ethiopia Sidamo, and Sumatra Mandheling.

I love the boldness to the Twilight Blend and the heavier and complex flavor profile. This blend has some of the savory qualities that a Sumatra coffee would be known for – The Mandheling flavor was pronounced to me. But then I really did love the Ethiopia Sidamo too. I can’t decide which.

Try them both and tell me what you think! It’s like falling in love with two people. You can never quite pick.

Boring legal information:

The FTC requires that I disclose that I received free product or services in conjunction with this review. I have to thank Velton Ross who generously invited me into his roasting facility and spent a lot of time discussing what he does, and how he takes great care with his coffee. He gave me some free coffee to take home, and so I have to tell you that “Melody received free product or services in conjunction with this blog entry” in order to satisfy the Federal Trade Commission.

Introducing Velton’s Coffee: Guest Post By Starbucks Melody is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

This is a guest post by Lisa McIntyre. Learn more about how you can guest post for Daily Shot Of Coffee here.

Jackson Hole Roasters
145 E. Broadway
Jackson, WY 83001
(208) 536-5282?
http://www.jacksonholeroasters.com/

The majestic Grand Tetons welcomed us as we climbed over Togwotee Pass in Santiago (our trusty vintage RV). We couldn’t believe our eyes! The view was absolutely breathtaking! I honestly think we took more than 100 photos as we drove into Jackson. As the sun set behind the mountains it cast different shadows on the rocky peaks far above the meandering highway. “Did you get THAT, JJ?” I said a bazillion times. We had a blast watching the transformations.

We got to the Jackson Hole Visitors Center as it was about to close, but scooted in just in time and asked the volunteers where their favorite coffeehouse was. In moments the maps were sprawled out all over the counter with penned circles and arrows indicating each of their favorites! We had our work cut out for us. Many small towns shut down early, so we quickly made our way to their first recommendation … Jackson Hole Roasters. “Jack will love you guys!” they said, and off we went to Jack’s house.

At first Jack didn’t seem too keen on our invasion of his space … he kept peering over at us in a bit of disbelief that we were actually touring in search of little coffeehouses. His daughter was working as the barista and jewelry created from old metal parts donned a wall near the front of the café. One customer came in looking for food to have with his freshly roasted coffee; “We don’t serve food here. We are a coffeehouse,” he said. “We get a few things from the bakery in the morning and when it’s gone, it’s gone”. What a grump, eh? Ha ha! If I’d let that scare me I would never had seen the huge capacity of his heart. He would only offer me an interview via a scheduled appointment, so we waited to dive in.

At precisely 1:30 the next day I arrived on time (I usually never let that happen), but I was afraid Jack would not grant the interview if I was a moment late. The coffeehouse was fresh, bright and crisp with golden terracotta-colored walls, track lighting, and green plants galore. It was gorgeous and full of local folks chatting about the lack of tourists that time of year and reading their weekly newspaper.

I put my pile of stuff at a table and let him know I was there and ready. Before I knew it he took me by the hand through the back door to the outside patio and across the yard to the house next door … it was his ROASTING HOUSE! Wow! It reminded me of the cabin my grandpa built in the Black Hills of South Dakota in 1930, with old windows and dark wooden floors, but lingering in the air was the heavenly smell of roasted coffee beans.

He had purchased two old houses, side-by-side, in the center of one of the most trendy towns in the country to create this coffee paradise. After the momentous tour of the roasting house, we hung out with Jack and met some other great folks from Jackson Hole. Thanks so much for your friendly hospitality, Jack!

If you’d like to find out more about Jackson Hole Roasters or order some of their coffee, visit their website at www.jacksonholeroasters.com.

Lisa McIntyre has an inherent love for local, independent coffeehouses and the communities in which they reside. She just returned from a five month road trip with her teenage daughter, JJ, in their vintage RV. They journeyed across America’s northwest highways from big cities to small towns discovering the hidden soul of America via these great gathering places. You can contact Lisa at lisa@peaceloveandcoffee.org.

Jackson Hole Roasters Review is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

This is a guest post by Lisa McIntyre. Learn more about how you can guest post for Daily Shot Of Coffee here.

Kathy’s Koffee
302 West Ramshorn
Dubois, WY 82513
(307) 455-3862

We drove from Colorado up through Wyoming in search of fabulous experiences in small packages, and were led to Dubois (pronounced DOO-boiz), population 962. It rests on the edge of the Shoshone Mountain Range of western Wyoming and lies just south of The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. We arrived in this unassuming town on a cold, sunny day with winds that darn near blew us off the wooden-planked sidewalks that stretched along each side of the main street.

At the end of the block few discovered Kathy’s Koffee and walked into the smell of bacon and fresh coffee. I tell you … JJ and I were in heaven! Kathy quickly introduced herself and asked us what she could get for us. We are in the habit of feeling out a place before we introduce ourselves and our intentions – to get a true sense of the people and the vibe. So we just grabbed a “cuppa joe” and observed the surroundings for a bit.

She smiled and laughed with a couple of local ranchers who wandered in for a cup of her coffee and a homemade pastry. One of them, Bob, sat down under the window to read the morning paper. He introduced himself to us and asked where we were from (guess is was obvious that we weren’t from Dubois). Kathy came over and they both started sharing all of the beautiful and unique things about the area … Clydesdales are trained there – the Super Bowl commercials are claimed to have been filmed close by, it is home of the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center, and southern gateway to The Grand Tetons.

The place itself is a rustic, two story shop at the end of a building and the block. It faces south and the sun shines brightly through the panes of glass onto the pine paneling, wooden chairs and stone fireplace. Downstairs is full of small tables and chairs, a sofa and oodles of coffee-themed art. Upstairs is her favorite … she beamed as she took me up the stairs to the wall of photos where she honors the local military heroes, young and old. “We are very patriotic here in Wyoming”, she said with a smile. Close by was a photo of Chance Phelps, the fallen Marine from Dubois. Taking Chance, a 2004 HBO movie, was filmed there and told his story. His father’s military photo hung next to his. All of this from a little town of 962 folks !

Just beyond the wall was a large community table surrounded by big chairs, poetry, and warmth. Kathy loves being part of the community in Dubois. She even gladly opened her coffeehouse and her heart to one of the baristas who camped out there temporarily during the season break in Jackson Hole. The high school and college kids use the space upstairs to hold meeting, study, and just hangout with their friends.

Kathy’s father left her some money after his passing and she knew exactly what to do with it. She eagerly found a location, purchased the equipment and opened her doors. Kathy opened the coffeehouse in 2001 as she wanted to give the town a place to go where they could feel welcome and eat her yummy homemade foods.

We left Kathy’s with a big smile and a pocket map of directions on how to drive over the pass safely to The Tetons. Next time you are on the road in western Wyoming please stop in and say ”hi”! Tell Kathy that Lisa sent ya!

Lisa McIntyre has an inherent, crazy love for “mom n’ pop” coffeehouses and communities in which they reside. She just returned from a five month road trip with her teenage daughter, JJ, in their vintage RV. They journeyed across America’s northwest highways from big cities to small towns discovering the hidden soul of America via these great gathering places. You can contact Lisa at lisa@peaceloveandcoffee.org.

Kathy’s Koffee Review is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee