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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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