Grounds For Discourse at Great American Coffee Shops

American coffee shops have proliferated beyond the ubiquitous Starbucks, with in-house-roasted coffee beans, classic and creative coffee drinks, welcoming vibes, and unique décor. Boomer Bites writer Steve Cook takes us to some great American coffee shops from coast to coast.

In keeping with my desire to celebrate the many food holidays throughout the year, I really should have posted this column the last week in September. However, because Boomer Bites didn’t exist until the first of October, I’m going to forgive myself. I’ve honed the art of self-forgiveness beautifully throughout my life.

Each year, National Coffee Day is observed on September 29, while October 1 is International Coffee Day. But, to be honest, any day in which one can enjoy a truly great cup of coffee is somewhat of a holiday. So, why quibble about dates?

What stirred my thinking about coffee and coffee shops was a recent visit to one of the most unique coffee shops that I have ever had the pleasure to visit. I have been entertaining my cousins, Brian and Phyllis, who are visiting from Australia, and Brian had mentioned that he had been following (on Instagram)  a coffee shop in Culpeper, Virginia, that was created by a couple of guys who are, as their website reveals, “obsessed with building community and deeply passionate about motorcycles.”

Fulton Moto’s shop in quaint downtown Culpeper is described as, “part gear shop, part speakeasy, part event space, part clubhouse and 100% fueled by passion for the people who ride.” It’s also a really cool coffee shop serving bikers as well as non-bikers delicious freshly brewed coffee from Central Coffee Roasters in Sperryville, Virginia. The folks at Fulton Moto say they meticulously worked with the roasters to define a unique silky smooth blend. I’d have to agree.

My visit to Fulton Moto got me to thinking how the distinctively different atmosphere of this café added to the overall enjoyment of my coffee-sipping experience. I wondered if, perhaps, there were other coffee shops around the country that combined the joys of caffeine with a more-than-just-a-café environment. A quick Google search has opened up a whole new world of ideas for future visits. I’d like to plan a Unique Coffee Shops of America tour.

Six unique American coffee shops

Here are some of the stops along the way of my imaginary journey.

Climb aboard the bean bus

No need to travel across the pond. Just hop aboard the double-decker bus parked on Biltmore Avenue in Asheville, North Carolina, and enjoy the food and drink at Double D’s Coffee & Desserts. This big red London bus has been converted into a rolling coffee shop that features an outdoor patio, a lower level serving area, and an upper deck hideaway with art deco booths and window seats.

The menu boasts a variety of gourmet, organic coffees and teas, as well as iced drinks, juices, and smoothies. Enjoy your beverage along with one of their homemade baked goods or ice cream desserts.

ISO the perfect cup of coffee

Great coffee and the match to your favorite pair of socks – two things that we spend much of our lives in search of. Whether that’s the inspiration for the naming of Lost Sock Roasters in Washington D.C. or not, I’m going to go with that assumption.

Discover a South American-inspired menu featuring yummy, cheesy pan de yuca bread at the Roasters two area cafés. Argentine-style empanadas are also popular. In addition, choose from a delicious variety of sweet and savory treats designed to perfectly complement the coffee.

The one with the great coffee

You’ll swear you have stumbled onto the set of the popular Friends TV series when you step into Central Perk Coffee Co. on Newbury Street in Boston or in Times Square in Manhattan. Central Perk is not some rip-off of the TV series. Rather, it is a licensed partner of Warner Brothers and the Friends show. If you were a fan of Friends, you may already know your way around the place, which has been described as an almost exact replica of the spot where Joey, Monica, and the gang hung out. World renowned chef Tom Colicchio has combined his passion for food with his love for the series to produce a café where one can bask in the nostalgia while enjoying a selection of original artisanal coffees.

Fans of the shop rave about the lattes, including the Chandler Chocolate Foam. The croissants and the sub sandwiches are also mentioned quite favorably by many of Central Perk’s regulars.

Livin’ la colada local

Ahh, Cuban coffee. I recall enjoying the thick, rich, sweet Cuban coffees served at the daily coffee break at a local manufacturing firm where I worked as a young man. The owner of the company  had employed several Cuban immigrants who had come to America as part of the 1980 Mariel Boatlift. Their coffee was amazing. So, during my recent visit to Miami, I stopped in at La Colada Gourmet in Little Havana. This was my first foray into this intriguing Cuban community and I loved it. The food and the overall ambience were amazing. La colada, by the way, is the intense, sweet, and simple Cuban coffee served in small doses to share among friends, family, acquaintances, and strangers. I found the residents of the area to be very hospitable, friendly, and ready to share. Visit La Colada Gourmet and enjoy more than 20 coffee recipes based on traditional Cuban blends. How sweet it is!

Out-of-this-world coffee

First, let me assure you that The Outer Rim Sci-Fi Coffee House in Seattle is not just some gimmicky joint with a few Star Wars pictures on the wall. Regulars rave about both the tasteful outer space décor as well as their coffee. The lattes get great reviews for their perfectly balanced flavors as well as the quality of the coffee itself. The next time I’m in Seattle, I plan to try their Romulan Cloaking Device, a toasted marshmallow and hazelnut latte.

EUREKA! The best coffee shop in America

Rarely, if ever, would I dare to proclaim any place to be “the best.” But after semi-extensive research, I have come to the conclusion that if Onyx at the Preserve in Bentonville, Arkansas, is not the best, it’s close enough that it’s definitely worth checking out. By the way, if you’ve never visited, Arkansas has much to offer in the way of scenic beauty, an amazing arts community, rich history, relaxing hot springs, and so much more.

But now, back to the coffee: Although it’s only been in existence since 2012, Onyx Coffee Lab has established a reputation for exceptional coffee. Its website invites its followers to “Join us in seeking quality, truth and accountability in coffee. Together, we journey to find the finest and most unique coffees in the world.”

At Onyx at the Preserve, coffee remains at the heart of their operation. But it’s not entirely accurate to describe the place as a coffee shop. Guests experience a truly outstanding culinary experience. One peek at their menu may have you packing your bags and heading for the Natural State. If you’re a lover of both coffee and great dining, that would be the natural thing to do.

At most of the American coffee shops listed above, visitors to their websites can order the coffees and often other merch online. Wherever you’re heading, if you enjoy a coffee shop experience that’s worth sharing, please share it. Drop us a line.

NEXT WEEK: We’ll be indulging in chili, chocolate, and cheese as we take note of Wyoming’s  annual celebration, every October, honoring the state’s heritage cuisine. Join us for tasty trip to the Cowboy State.

Steve Cook has lived in the Richmond area for most of his life, working as a writer specializing in food and travel, an editor, and in marketing and radio. He loves to keep abreast of the restaurant scene and researches the subject voraciously. “I used to think I was a foodie,” he says, “but then I realized I just like to eat a lot.” He once co-hosted a local Richmond restaurant radio program with BOOMER editor Annie Tobey. Cook’s Boomer Bites chases food finds across the U.S. and beyond, like chasing peas with a fork. Steve completed his first novel in 2017 and says he hopes to read another one this year.