Sat
Jun 23 2012
11:37 am
A Downtown Coffee List
By: Factchecker

Speaking of coffee downtown, which can still be hard to come by early in the morning, here's a noninclusive list. YMMV.

Cafe 4. Very good coffee (maybe excellent--not tasted in a while), outstanding latte.

Tomato Head. A fresh cup/pot can be pretty darned excellent. Not always, though.

Trios. Can have very good coffee, but haven't been there in a long time. I've decided I don't like the format of being expected to tip at a walk-up and prior to getting any service at all. And the last few times I went the place was trashed of dirty tables, etc. Airplane wine bottles are a turn-off too.

Coffee and Chocolate. Never had it except at night. Can be good, but they store it in those pump canisters, which is just wrong for a premium cup (some Starbucks do that too, see below) and I've had good and bad.

The Coop at Knox Visitor Center (and WDVX). Usually very good.

SBUX @ Hilton. I approve, though the kiosks aren't usually as good as their stores where the brew is less likely to be stored in those pump things (except the Bearden one does that with decaf).

Java and Remedy in Old City. Both places very good to excellent, similar to Cafe 4. I prefer lattes at Cafe 4 and Remedy to plain coffee. Just my opinion.

Farmers Market. Jeff Scheafnocker sells superb coffee he roasts himself and this is also sold at Just Ripe. This is is what we've been buying for home. He also sells by the cup from his blue hut.

French Market. Very good French/Italian coffee, which is a little different from premium coffee here.

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Anthony's picture

Downtown Coffee

Submitted by Anthony (not verified) on Sat, 2012/06/23 - 12:01pm.

As someone who drinks downtown coffee 3-5 times/week, I largely agree with your critique Factchecker-

It can be tough finding coffee before 8 a.m. during the week but Cafe 4 opens at 7 I believe and is good stuff. (Although Trio has some great scones that I'm partial to).

Tomato Head is great on weekends but I do not believe they're open early during the work-week.

We had some Three Bears this morning at the farmers market and paired it with Cruze Farm whole milk. I had far too low of expectations and was delighted by the Rwandan blend.

I'll have to try The Coop and get to North Gay for some of those places.

michael kaplan's picture

Jeff Scheafnocker sells

Submitted by michael kaplan on Sat, 2012/06/23 - 2:31pm.

Jeff Scheafnocker sells superb coffee he roasts himself and this is also sold at Just Ripe.

I've been drinking this coffee at Just Ripe. $2.00 per cup (with one refill) and it is excellent. There's a choice of organic creamer or soy. The breakfast biscuits and burritos are also terrific and reasonably priced. They open at 8 am.

Just Ripe is also a retailer for Tomato Head, selling their baked goods, including breads, bagels and cookies.

Pam Strickland's picture

I've never been much of a

Submitted by Pam Strickland on Sat, 2012/06/23 - 2:49pm.

I've never been much of a coffee drinker, much to the chagrin of The Aunts. And since I gave up caffeine three years ago, there's really not much reason for it at all. I will occasionally have a fancy decaf somewhere, usually Starbucks because it's close to my condo and I don't have internet at home these days. I would recommend Coffee and Chocolate because the desserts are homemade by a lady at my church because someone in her family owns the shop. And based on what I've had of her cooking, that would be a great thing. But as far as beverages are concerned, ice water is where it's at. Seriously, that's what I drink 99 percent of the time. It's the best.

Stick Thrower's picture

bottom of the barrel

Submitted by Stick Thrower on Sun, 2012/06/24 - 11:27am.

The "coffee" at Pete's Coffee Shop is absolutely horrible.

michael kaplan's picture

on the other hand, the 'new

Submitted by michael kaplan on Mon, 2012/06/25 - 1:06pm.

on the other hand, the 'new blend' coffee at mcdonald's is not bad at all. and for seniors, it's $0.50 for an 8 oz cup. i wonder why the affordable 8 oz cup of coffee has disappeared. it would be nice on occasion to be able to buy a single small cup (no refill) for, say, $0.99

Factchecker's picture

I've heard that pretty

Submitted by Factchecker on Sun, 2012/06/24 - 12:15pm.

I've heard that pretty consistently, but never been there. Too bad, I think it's a nice looking joint. There are other places I've either not tried or had such bad coffee that I thought I wouldn't mention those.

gonzone's picture

My favorite cup of coffee

Submitted by gonzone on Mon, 2012/06/25 - 8:28am.

My favorite cup of coffee comes from the shop at Premier Cleaners on Gay Street. Uses Little River brand I think.

michael kaplan's picture

haven't been there in awhile

Submitted by michael kaplan on Tue, 2012/06/26 - 1:20pm.

haven't been there in awhile but it was one of my favorites downtown. the cake was sinfully delicious ...

Michael's picture

Prestige

Submitted by Michael on Tue, 2012/06/26 - 8:31am.

It's actually "Prestige Cleaners" and the coffee shop is the Downtown Grind. Open at 7:00 am.

gonzone's picture

Thank you. Sorry I got the

Submitted by gonzone on Tue, 2012/06/26 - 8:37am.

Thank you. Sorry I got the name wrong. But excellent coffee IMO.

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