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Coffee Explorist

Exploring, touring & reviewing local coffee shops across the US, while living the

22/02/2023

As a coffee explorist, we are always looking for local gems- coffee shops with a killer vibe, consistent customer reviews, quality drinks and service, and an added bonus if they roast their own beans. Roasters easily checked all of those boxes.

Located in Manhattan Beach, Verve is a super chill spot in an energetic part of town. The bright, airy, minimal and calm inside contrasts to the vivid colors and busyness of the block... and it works. Got kids? No worries! There’s tables outside and even a small play structure in the neighboring alley that will easily keep them entertained, in a space where they can freely be themselves.

Founded in Santa Cruz and now located throughout parts of California (and even Japan!) this is a craft roaster you don’t want to miss. With an emphasis on coffee farming relationships, specialty beans, and honoring the craft, they are the real deal. Be sure to order a few bags or even check out their product locator on the website in case you’re out shopping and want to try their beans, instant or flash brews.

Amanda’s Order: Pumpkin Spice Latte with Oat Milk
-Housemade syrup with real pumpkin purée, organic sugar and warm spices
-Well balanced flavor and a mellow finish

Service | 4
Atmosphere | 4.5
Coffee | 4
Kid Friendly | 4 (5 if you count the outdoor seating space in addition to the city’s attached small play structure!)

14/02/2023

Coffee is for lovers ☕️ ❤️

Happy Valentine’s Day friends… we hope your day is full of lots of love, and good coffee!

27/01/2023

Today’s review brings us to this hustling coffee shop in the historic town of Bozeman, Montana. Fun, energetic and friendly are three words to describe our visit to . We couldn’t get enough of the earthy-meets-modern architecture and elements of the redesigned older buildings in the area that seamlessly blended in with the new. Located in a fun part of town, Treeline’s beautiful balance of wooden accents add a warm touch to the industrial feel of the metal. A wide selection of merch and local artisan products offer a fun shopping experience as well.

Roasting their own coffee, Treeline offers a variety of types of single origin & blend coffees and espressos, with a unique monthly subscription also available (US delivery and in-person). You can even take home some beans in a mason jar, and bring the jar back for your refill to minimize waste. Be sure to stop by and watch them roast in action!

Amanda’s Order- Vanilla latte with oat milk (locally sourced syrups)

Jared’s Order- Community Garden pour over with notes of fruit and honey

Service | 4.5
Atmosphere | 5
Coffee | 4
Kid Friendly | 4

04/01/2023

If you’ve ever been to Waco, TX or heard of “The Silos” then you’re no stranger to this place. Located on 8th & Webster is this beauty, Magnolia Press. Welcoming, bustling yet cozy, sleek and simply perfection.

With custom furniture designed by Jo herself, this shop screams all things Chip & Joanna Gaines. Known for their Netflix series, this husband-wife team has built quite an empire flipping houses, designing homes, curating the perfect pieces to display at their stores, and diving into the food & coffee industry. And our trip one of their newest shops didn’t disappoint.

If you’re ever in the area you definitely want to block out a few hours to spend pursuing around the Magnolia Market and stopping in for a cup of coffee and their famous chocolate cake. It’s a must see!

Amanda’s order: Peppermint Mocha with Oat Milk… and later an Iced Coffee with Oat Milk

Jareds order: Iced Coffee

Service | 5
Atmosphere | 5
Coffee | 4
Kid Friendly | 5 (including the creative kid friendly activities of the silos!)

Magnolia
Visit Magnolia
FixerUpper &
Joanna Gaines
- well done!

23/11/2022

If you find yourself visiting Glacier National Park from the west, definitely stop in Kalispell and grab some coffee from Colter Coffee. In a downtown full of restored 1800s buildings, you’ll absolutely love the charm this shop portrays. With ample seating there is definitely a space for you to find to work or play, including a great downstairs area with books for kids.

Serving coffee and drinks made with local roaster Colter Coffee Roasting, we truly enjoyed the specialty lattes we ordered that included a unique touch- a homemade marshmallow! Let’s face it though, we love all things on this trip!

And for those not in the MT area, visit the roaster online to pick up some amazing beans - they even have organic options!

Jared & Amanda order: Signature Huckleberry White Chocolate Latte (A’s with coconut milk)
* Huckleberry forward
* Well balanced
* Topped with whipped cream and gourmet marshmallow (ahhhhmazing!)

Food order- assortment of scones, sweet bread and GF muffin

Service | 4
Atmosphere | 4.5
Coffee | 4
Kid Friendly | 4.5

24/10/2022

Driving through what we assumed was a smaller farming community, we were delighted to stumble upon a large, modern roaster! Most places we go we research first but this one was totally a spur of the moment blessing. In a state full of mountain town architecture, Blue Star Coffee Roasters truly stood out amongst the rest- in a good way! We were immediately drawn in to this , and were excited to discover this award winning coffee shop.

One of our favorite brew methods is the Aeropress, and if it is on the menu, we most often always order it. It can be one of the smoothest cups of coffee you will ever drink! Jared was glad to see Blue Star being a fellow fan.

Roasted right here in house in a spacious set up, you can order your own subscription or sample online, or visit them if you’re visiting the . You won’t regret it!

Amanda’s Order: Honey Bear Latte with Oatmilk
Notes of honey and cinnamon
-Smooth and flavorful

Jared’s Order: Aeropress with Sumatran
-Bold, but low acidity due to the Aeropress method
Notes of cocoa

Food Order: Savory Cheese Danish & GF/DF Amaretto Bundt Cake

Service | 4
Atmosphere | 5
Coffee | 4
Kid Friendly | 3

AeroPress

15/10/2022

Everything about Steamboat Springs, CO screams idyllic winter ski town. But we truly enjoyed our visit in the summer! The weather is great and beckoning you to spend time outside. We loved finding this super popular shop, and didn’t even mind waiting in the line out the door, or having to park far away to get there. It was worth it!

Brewing beans from Victrola Coffee Roasters,
we thoroughly enjoyed our coffee at Dusky Grouse Coffee. The donuts were also a hit! We love how the shop is really involved in the wellness of their local community— hosting wellness weeks, service projects, offering health enhancing beverages, and weekly running groups. And while there isn’t too much indoor seating, they did a great job with the size of their space.

If we make it back to we will definitely go visit again!

Amanda’s order:
Cafe Camilla- honey latte with cinnamon - coconut milk
-Espresso blend had notes of blueberry (delicious!)

Jared’s order: Drip Coffee (Empire blend)
-Notes of dried fruit, caramelized sugar, sandalwood
-Very fruit forward

Service | 4
Atmosphere | 4
Coffee | 4
Kid Friendly | 3

01/10/2022

Thanks to family’s recommendations, we ended up here one weekday morning this summer. From the parking lot we already loved the vibe! It reminded us of a vintage gas station renovation into an airy, clean space.

Roasting their own coffee right here in the shop, they don’t have a lot of room for indoor seating but thanks to the great weather we truly enjoyed the outside. The drinks were smooth, mellow and pleasant and their house espresso during our visit was imported from El Salvador and had delicious fruity and vanilla notes.

Next time you’re in the southern area, look up Lost Coffee! We promise you won’t be disappointed.

Amanda’s order: Vanilla Latte with Coconut Milk

Jared’s order: White Mocha (Homemade mocha syrup)

Food order: The breakfast burrito!! It was very smoky, great bacon, potatoes, egg & cheese; flaky outside soft inside.

Gluten free items were packaged and brought in, and could have been warmed up to make them more enjoyable. But I was glad they offered them!

Service | 4
Atmosphere | 4
Coffee | 4
Kid Friendly | 3

29/09/2022

NATIONAL COFFEE DAY is September 29th! Let’s show some love for your cup o’ joe, mud, caffeine fix, java, wakey juice, addiction, liquid energy, rocket fuel or whatever you want to call it- it’s worthy of love! A day worth celebrating for sure.

Let us know how you plan to honor your favorite drink! ☕️

19/09/2022

As entrepreneurs we could not be more excited to share this review. Located inside Founding Fathers Collective this space is every man’s dream: it includes a barbershop, gym, taproom, speakeasy, cigar room, men’s boutique, and even a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu studio!

There are seven unique businesses under the roof of one 14,000 square foot warehouse and it sure was a sight to see. As business owners and designers, we appreciated the concept, down to every carefully branded detail in the aesthetic.

But the reason we came—Merchant Coffee. Their staff and drinks were on point, and they were willing to answer all of our questions and offer suggestions for their signature lattes. There was plenty of seating inside and out, and even free refills on the drip coffee! And the locally roasted coffee from Provision Coffee was delicious! (They also offer online purchasing and monthly subscriptions so be sure to give them a try!)

Prescott, AZ is lucky to have Merchant Coffee so if you’re in town, be sure to stop by!

Amanda’s Order: Signature Ginger Sage Latte with Oat Milk (house made syrups)
* Earthy, yet delicate flavor
* Well balanced
* Nice presentation
* Not overpowering or too sweet

Jared’s Order: drip coffee
* Excellent
* Free refills was a bonus

Food Order: cinnamon roll & coffee cake muffin

Service | 4.5
Atmosphere | 5
Coffee | 4.5
Kid Friendly | 3 (outside 4!)

10/09/2022

When we say this place is popular, we really do mean it. We passed it a few times while in town and every single time there was a line out the door! Located right in the heart of the shopping district in , was Cowboy Coffee Co. Jackson Hole.

What we first noticed was how thorough and consistent their branding was, which blended right in to the local vibe. We chose to visit the ‘On the Square’ location and had a great experience. They also offered a wide variety of muffins (with GF & Vegan options), baked goods and breakfast sandwiches. If you’re in a hurry, there’s a drive through on the other side of town.

All of Cowboy Coffee’s roasts and blends are available to order online if you aren’t able to make it to Jackson in person, so be sure to click on their profile to shop!

Amanda’s Order: Huckleberry Mud pot- which chocolate; huckleberry; espresso & coconut milk
Very smooth
Great flavor ratio

Jared’s order: drip coffee (Cactus Blend)
Well balanced & mellow

Service | 4
Atmosphere | 4
Coffee | 4
Kid Friendly | 3

26/08/2022

Part of me selected this place just for the views on their outside patio, but the larger part of me went with todays shop because of this blurb from their website: “We’re a close-knit group made up of entrepreneurial engineers, artists, musicians, and designers who’ve become coffee professionals and are passionate about living and working in good company.” These sound like our kinda people!

Meet Fire Creek Coffee- a small batch craft roaster local to northern Arizona. They also offer coffee and monthly subscriptions online so be sure to take a look. While each of their 4 coffeeshop locations boasts a unique vibe, the Sedona location fit right in with the earthy, mountain feel of the town and Oak Creek Village. Their massive stone fireplace, orange walls, live edge tables, local artwork, wood accents and soft sounds of Bob Marley added a nice unique yet cozy element to their space. If you’re traveling through northern AZ be sure to look them up!

Amanda’s Order: Horchata Latte- almond, vanilla, cinnamon (all house-made syrups)
* Smooth until the last sip
* Creamy
* Well balanced and flavorful

Jared’s Order: Drip Coffee - (Stormchaser from Guatemala & El Salvador)
* smooth, sweet and smoky notes

Food Order: GF chocolate muffin and Pumpkin Nut muffin. Very moist and flavorful!

Service | 4
Atmosphere | 4
Coffee | 4
Kid Friendly | 4

16/08/2022

We were so pumped to check out in Pagosa Springs, CO. This spot embodied everything we envisioned a Colorado coffee shop would! The earthy touches of wood mixed with modern elements, a wide menu of local items, and a large selection of mercantile goods (many masculine) that would appeal to any adult! The location was perfect right in the heart of the town.

We highly recommend grabbing coffee then tubing down the river behind it and soaking in the free hot springs! And, grabbing a bag of coffee to enjoy at home. We bought the Backwoods Roast and loved it. We had an amazing time and can’t wait to go back!

And ps- split the cinnamon rolls. They are definitely shareable!

Amanda’s order: House Latte with Coconut Milk (Housemade Special blend syrup with Nutty & Sweet Flavors)

Jared’s order: Vanilla Latte

Service | 4
Atmosphere | 5
Coffee | 4
Kid Friendly | 3.5

27/07/2022

Be Kind, Serve Great Coffee.

This mantra is the heartbeat of Palace Coffee Company and they sure do have a heart for giving back to nonprofits and great causes. Their customer service was excellent, with a wide variety of creative beverages, and four incredible coffee shop locations to chose from. And, they roast their own coffee!

We thoroughly enjoyed their indoor/outdoor vibe at the Woflin location, and their dark & moody aesthetic really worked for them. For those interested there is a craft cocktail lounge in the back for afternoon/evening hangs.

The customer service was fantastic, as well as their bagels and scones. It is truly a great spot for meeting, working or hanging with friends. If you’re in , TX be sure to check them out!

Amanda’s order: Honey Badger Signature Latte (Honey and Mexican Vanilla with Brown Sugar)
- Unique dark disposable cups
- Strong Oat Milk Flavor

Jared’s order: Drip Coffee
- notes of jasmine & semi sweet chocolate

Food Order: Locally made blueberry bagel and scone

Service-5
Atmosphere -5
Coffee- 3.5
Kid Friendly-3.5

18/07/2022

This weeks review led us to Elemental Coffee in Oklahoma City! It was our first time in town here and thankfully we selected this place. From the street we knew immediately this was our kinda coffee shop. Great branding, clean modern lines and fun pops of color.

Also a small batch roastery, Elemental Coffee offered an ample amount of seating in a sleek, natural lit space. It is a great spot for working professionals and families will love the outside area.

Gluten Free folks (Amanda!) will delight in their offerings such as the Dewberry GF Muffin & House-made Granola with Oat Milk that were a hit! Their (non GF) breakfast burritos were also a favorite among the others.

Be sure to check them out online to purchase coffee or visit their cafe in person for the full experience!

Amanda’s order: Blueberry Oat Milk Latte (Housemade Blueberry Syrup)
- Amazing Flavor (10/10!)
- Smooth
- Fun sipping experience

Jared’s order: Drip coffee
- fruity with notes of dark caramel, dates

Service - 4
Atmosphere - 4
Coffee - 4.5
Kid Friendly - 3.5

11/07/2022

We were delighted to find this place in the northern Phoenix area (Peoria, AZ). From watching the bees in their hive, or adoring the colorful coffee machines, or chatting brew methods with the barista- our time here was memorable and well spent. (We really dig the V60 pour over method they introduced us to!)

They utilize and support small family businesses to source their syrups, baked goods and most importantly, their coffee.

WellCoffeeCo ‘s website boasts “It all starts and ends with the same two words: Community Matters. Community matters to us, and that’s exactly what pushes us to serve the best coffee with the best service... More than that, the world of coffee is about building relationships and we hope to foster that spirit in everything we do” and we could sense this from the moment we walked in.

We also fell in love with their roaster- Peixoto Coffee - a family farm in Brazil who proudly grow, harvest and roast amazing coffee themselves and sell online if you’d like to give them a try, which we recommend!

Amanda’s Order: Signature French Toast Latte- custom made syrups (also sold there)
-great latte art
-good cinnamon finish
-smooth, mellow

Jared’s Order : Pour Over with V60– notes of apricot, kiwi and caramelized banana
- Very fruit forward
- Aromatic

Food Order: cinnamon roll & chocolate cake pop

Service | 4.5
Atmosphere | 4.5
Coffee | 5
Kid Friendly | 3.5

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