My Coffee Odyssey - Starbucks 104th and May, SOKC

Starbucks - 104th & May, SOKC

Friday afternoon, 8 Dec 2017

I have been somewhat dismissive of Starbucks in several earlier posts. Now, here I am. This is a brand-new Starbucks in South OKC on the corner of 104^th Street and May Avenue. It is (almost) within walking distance of my house so, I felt the need to at least stop in and take a look. Well, it is a Starbucks. It looks pretty much like every other Starbucks you have ever wandered into. To get right to the point, is this Starbucks a coffee shop? Sadly, I think not. It is not a bad place to drop in for a coffee or other drink. It doesn’t have an extensive menu so there are not a lot people dining. There are a surprising number of people (like me) trying to work. The playlist is good as always – music you probably do not listen to all the time. Unfortunately, the acoustics are such that one can hear pretty much every conversation taking place. Add to that the nice people dragging little people with them who are crying for another cake pop. It does not seem a place to get serious reading or studying accomplished. So, no, this Starbucks does not meet MY coffee shop criteria.

The Coffee Bar

I have fallen into the perhaps bad habit of drinking what is brewed. So, you know in Starbucks that will almost always be Pike Place. It is $2.00 for a tall and comes with refills. On my amateur rating scale my cup of Pike is solidly GOOD.

Seating is Good

 I do have good things to say about my local Starbucks. It is close and convenient. It has a fair amount of seating and plenty of tables for one or two. There is one round table for a group of four or five. A positive for any Starbucks is that you can be confident of what they have when you walk in the door and you can be pretty sure it will be satisfactory. Now, a word for the hardcore haters who make snide remarks about how expensive their Starbucks experience has been. If you would drink coffee instead of those fufu drinks full of milk, sugar, God knows what else you would find Starbucks coffee to be as nicely priced as any of their competitors.  

Would I meet you here for coffee and conversation? Shucks, I’d probably meet you anywhere for coffee and convo but here definitely. Hey, it’s right down the street! 

Disclaimer: I am not a coffee connoisseur. I am just a guy who lies to drink coffee in coffee shops. I tend to think of my coffee in terms of Meh – Okay - Good – Great. Most coffee I drink is okay to good. It has to make an effort to get to Great or Meh. These are just my opinions. Take or ignore them as you wish. Read more about #MyCoffeeOdyssey at "How this all began."

My Coffee Odyssey - Clarity Coffee

Clarity Coffee

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Clarity Coffee is on Main Street, nestled under the SE corner of the Arts District parking garage. This is where #MyCoffeeOdyssey finds me on a dreary November day in Oklahoma City. You may have guessed from previous posts that I find the notion of paying to park while grabbing a cup of Joe moderately irritating; however, having the parking garage on top of the shop does make it convenient. Clarity is also conveniently located for the neighborhood business folk. The menu is pretty much limited (as a coffee shop menu should be!) to coffee drinks and a few coffee gowiths. The immediate downside is obvious when you walk in. It is a small venue with a few tables and one lounge type area. (Almost the opposite of last week’s #MyCoffeeOdyssey visit: https://drcameyoneverything.blogspot.com/2017/11/my-coffee-odyssey-all-about-cha.html) The upside is that it has a modern atmosphere, a good play list, and does not seem to be a place where you will have to put up with kids in strollers.

Coffee Bar

All coffee is made to order. My drink today is a moderately dark pour over that falls solidly in the Good to Great range. It did set me back $4.00 for the cup which, I suppose, is not all that bad for a downtown coffee shop in a real city. Unfortunately, that is a per cup price – no refills.

Lounge Seating

All in all, Clarity Coffee seems more geared toward grab and go coffee. One could have a quick meeting here although it would probably be to visit rather than conduct serious business. Since I am writing this as I sit here it is also possible to stay and get some private work done; however, because seating is a bit limited, I am feeling a little guilty as more customers drift in and look like they would really like to have me table. Is Clarity a coffee shop? I would say yes but it is a bit small to meet some of my criteria. Would I meet you here for coffee? The answer is yes, if you call me and you are paying.

Disclaimer: I am not a coffee connoisseur. I am just a guy who lies to drink coffee in coffee shops. I tend to think of my coffee in terms of Meh – Okay - Good – Great. Most coffee I drink is okay to good. It has to make an effort to get to Great or Meh. These are just my opinions. Take or ignore them as you wish. Read more about #MyCoffeeOdyssey at "How this all began."

My Coffee Odyssey - All About Cha

All About Cha

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I asked friends for suggestions when I started #MyCoffeeOdyssey and one of them (Jami?) suggested All About Cha. So, here I am today to give them a try. I had some concerns when I realized they are located on Main Street & Oklahoma in Bricktown. The parking meters in front did little to encourage me, although, I suppose I could have found free parking if I were willing to put in the effort. Then I walked through the door and fell in love. All About Cha is by far the largest shop #MyCoffeeOdyssey has visited. It has lots of seating and it is almost all comfortable seats around tables. It seems to be a great place to meet for any reason, social or work. You could work quietly by yourself, surf the net on the free WiFi, read, or just hang out and drink the coffee. There is a wide variety of coffee and tea offerings in the menu along with tasty looking desserts and coffee gowiths. Yes, All About Cha is a coffee shop.

The Coffee & Tea Bar

My coffee today was the medium dark roast they had brewed. It cost me $3.25 for a large cup with a free refill. On my amateur tasting scale it is well over in the solidly great area.

Lots of Seating

If you haven’t figured it out by now I like All About Cha. It is conveniently located. The coffee is great. The treats I resisted look amazing. The playlist was Sinatra. Even the food offerings on the menu looked good but were not so extensive that they turn this coffee shop into a restaurant. If you are in the Bricktown area and want coffee, come to All About Cha. Feel free to give me a call. I would be glad to meet you here!

Disclaimer: I am not a coffee connoisseur. I am just a guy who lies to drink coffee in coffee shops. I tend to think of my coffee in terms of Meh – Okay - Good – Great. Most coffee I drink is okay to good. It has to make an effort to get to Great or Meh. These are just my opinions. Take or ignore them as you wish. Read more about #MyCoffeeOdyssey at "How this all began."

My Coffee Odyssey - The Boxcar

The Boxcar

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#MyCoffeeOdyssey treat for this chilly Halloween day is a trip to The Boxcar in Moore, Ok. I was visiting recently about my coffee obsession with my friend and State Accrediting Agency colleague Terry Taylor. He recommended I put The Boxcar on my list and, of course, I did and here I am. To be honest, I sort of pictured a converted rail car and was a bit excited. Well, it is not a “real” boxcar. 

A Real Boxcar

The Boxcar may not be a real boxcar, but it is certainly on the right track. The atmosphere is casual. There is lots of seating and the mix has plenty of comfy seating as well tables where one could settle in and get some work done. This is my second visit, and both have been in mid-afternoon when it has been fairly quiet, peopled by adults working, visiting, or just hanging out. I am liking it a lot. One bit of concern is that they have a fairly broad menu board featuring both breakfast and lunch items. On the upside though, they have a beer selection which was unexpected. So, is The Boxcar a coffee shop by my strange definition? I am going to say yes…most of the time. If you are looking for a good place to read, write, visit, or hang out, the breakfast and lunch periods are probably not the time to visit. Any other time? Come on down to Moore!

Coffee Bar 

My coffee, of course, is a dark roast and falls solidly in the Good range. The price point is well thought out. I bought the one refill option for about $3.50. There is a bottomless option for about $4.50. I honestly forgot to ask how much one cup is but, really, who drinks just one cup of coffee?

Seating

(There is plenty more.)

I like the Boxcar. I especially like the fact that it is south of I-240 in Moore. I have visited some good coffee shops on #MyCoffeeOdyssey. Unfortunately, almost all of them have been in north OKC. That is good for some of you, not so good for others. What’s not to like about The Boxcar. It has a pleasant atmosphere. The playlist is quiet and unobtrusive. My baristas Jacob and William are friendly and efficient. Would I meet you here for coffee? Yes, I would. Give me a call next time you are headed down Eastern in Moore. We will have a cup…or two…or three.

Disclaimer: I am not a coffee connoisseur. I am just a guy who lies to drink coffee in coffee shops. I tend to think of my coffee in terms of Meh – Okay - Good – Great. Most coffee I drink is okay to good. It has to make an effort to get to Great or Meh. These are just my opinions. Take or ignore them as you wish. Read more about #MyCoffeeOdyssey at "How this all began."

My Coffee Odyssey - The Last Drop

The Last Drop

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What would you pay for a great cup of coffee? You are in luck! That is exactly what it costs at The last Drop.

Coffee Bar

This windy fall day blew #MyCoffeeOdyssey into The Last Drop. This is my second opportunity to enjoy this shop and I am becoming enamored of it. It occupies an old (and I do mean old) Howard Johnson’s building on North Lincoln. The owners, Stan and Fiona, have done a wonderful job of transforming it into a welcoming shop with a music centered décor. In fact, when I made my first visit with my friend Steve, Stan entertained us with an impromptu trumpet serenade. There is lots of room to relax, work alone or with colleagues, or just hang out a bit and enjoy the coffee. The Last Drop is absolutely a coffee shop and one I highly recommend.

Stan and Steve 

There is no brewed coffee just simmering away and waiting for your arrival. Every cup and drink are made to order. Today, mine is a nice mug of Americano with two shots. There is no question about where it lands on my scale. It is all the way on the Great end. How much did it cost? As little or as much as I chose to pay. That’s right. There are no prices at The Last Drop. Your cup is technically free, and you can pay what you want.  You may want to pay more after you taste it.

Lots of Room! 

As I mentioned, this is my second visit. It has not been very busy either time. The first time I met and visited with Stan. This time I had the pleasure of meeting Fiona and Emily who is just helping out for the day. The Last Drop operates as a nonprofit entity and supports several social programs. There are big plans. Stan is working to put together a house band to perform regularly. They are relatively new and still growing. In fact, next week The Last Drop is celebrating their one-year anniversary. Put it on your calendar (Details below). Now, would I meet you here for coffee? Yes, yes, yes! Please call me. I will definitely buy. After all, the price is right.

Put this on your calendar!!

Disclaimer: I am not a coffee connoisseur. I am just a guy who lies to drink coffee in coffee shops. I tend to think of my coffee in terms of Meh – Okay - Good – Great. Most coffee I drink is okay to good. It has to make an effort to get to Great or Meh. These are just my opinions. Take or ignore them as you wish. Read more about #MyCoffeeOdyssey at "How this all began."

My Coffee Odyssey - Cafe Bella

Cafe Bella

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Today #MyCoffeeOdyssey took me just up the street in South OKC to Café Bella. This southside gem is located in what has become the Asian corner of S. Pennsylvania and 89^th. The Café is not really very large and the seating consists of a few regular tables and more bar height tables. There is a surprisingly large menu of sandwiches, soups, salads, and breakfast items in addition to the coffee “go-withs” that most coffee shops have. It is pleasant enough but does not seem to be one of those places you would settle into for a couple of hours to read or work. So, I suppose, by my admittedly made-up scale. Café Bella is not, strictly speaking a coffee shop. It is a nice, small, place to have coffee with a friend and maybe grab breakfast and/or lunch.

Coffee Bar 

Brewed coffee is available for self-serve on the bar with an espresso roast, a Sumatran, and a flavored (pecan) choice. The Sumatran was okay but (surprise) I found the darker espresso to be much richer and more satisfying. The smart buy is the $4.00 bottomless cup because, you just never know how long you’ll be here. On my amateur tasting scale, the coffee was solidly Good.

 Where You Sit

This is my second mid-afternoon visit to Café Bella and it has not been too busy either time. The downside for my second visit is the small child in (and out of) his stroller. A chorus of “Mom! Mom!” is not exactly my ideal coffee shop environment. I know a single sample does not identify the population but in a case like this, it’s close enough. Would I meet you here for coffee? It depends on why we are meeting. If it is just to say hello, catch up, and be on our way, and you are buying, okay. If we want to spend some time, maybe get some work done, or just hang for a bit. Give me a call. I’ll suggest a different place. And, I’ll buy.

Disclaimer: I am not a coffee connoisseur. I am just a guy who lies to drink coffee in coffee shops. I tend to think of my coffee in terms of Meh – Okay - Good – Great. Most coffee I drink is okay to good. It has to make an effort to get to Great or Meh. These are just my opinions. Take or ignore them as you wish. Read more about #MyCoffeeOdyssey at "How this all began."

My Coffee Odyssey - District House

District House

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Fall is trying to find its way into Oklahoma so it is time to get #MyCoffeeOdyssey back on the road. Located in the heart of the Plaza District, District House is right where it belongs. It is squarely between Lyric theatre and the Thelma Gaylord Academy. I have no idea who all these people are in here, but it is easy to imagine they are artists, performers, and entrepreneurs. The layout is perfect. There is a small “café” area as you enter with seating at the bar and tables. The back room is a larger area with plenty of seating and tables where you can work, read, or just enjoy the coffee. The menu is pretty minimal so it is much more coffee house than café. The playlist is pleasant and unobtrusive. District House is certainly a coffee shop!

"Café" Half

I had whatever coffee they had brewed which was a pleasantly dark roast. The price point is not bad - $2.50 for a cup with $1.00 refills. On my amateur scale it is somewhere between Good and Great.

The "Back Room"

This is actually my third or fourth visit to District House. It is always a good stop with good coffee and a pleasing environment. It was busier today than it has been in the past; however, it does not feel “busy.” Almost everyone is working either solo on their laptop or quietly in groups. It is surprisingly quiet given how many fellow coffee drinkers are here. Interestingly, the music volume is perfect. It is just loud enough that people can converse but it holds down (or masks) voices. A big plus is that it does not have any moms with small children to deal with. You could spend an afternoon here and either get a lot done or simply relax. As I said above, “District House is certainly a coffee shop!” I approve and I will be back. Would I meet you here for coffee? Absolutely and I’ll but a cup. Give me a call.

Disclaimer: I am not a coffee connoisseur. I am just a guy who lies to drink coffee in coffee shops. I tend to think of my coffee in terms of Meh – Okay - Good – Great. Most coffee I drink is okay to good. It has to make an effort to get to Great or Meh. These are just my opinions. Take or ignore them as you wish. Read more about #MyCoffeeOdyssey at "How this all began."

My Coffee Odyssey - Cuppies and Joe

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This is my second visit to Cuppies and Joe. Well, it is my third visit but my second coffee experience. On visit #2 they were so crowded there was no place to sit. On both occasions, I have been served by the same barista, Kate. She’s nice, friendly, and let me sample the brewed coffee to see which I wanted. (There’s more on the coffee below.) Her partner, Paige, also did a nice job. My first impression? When I walked in, it was like going to a friend’s house for coffee. There are cozy rooms that make one think living room, dining room, sitting room, and cozy little reading room. With a name that has “cuppies” in it, it is no surprise that there is a nice selection of cupcakes to go with your coffee. (I didn’t have one for this visit but I think I will take a couple home with me.) There is no big restaurant menu or food. There is good coffee and friendly, attentive, baristas so, you got it, this is a coffee shop and I approve! 

Now, what about the coffee? I ordered up a large for $2.00 and change because it includes one refill which is way better than that international chain out of Seattle. My first cup was a Haitian dark roast. For my refill, they had just brewed up a Brazilian which was delivered to my table. Both coffees were easily Good+ and the Brazilian might make it to Great. the Brazilian was the darker, more robust of the two.

If you have a good impression when you walk in you will be not be disappointed. It is a great place for coffee and perhaps a nice cuppie to go with it. Much of the crowd today seemed to have text books and notebooks spread out which, I suppose, reflects its proximity to OCU. Other pluses are no kids and (apparently) no high school teens. It’s a nice place to camp for a while and get some work done or just relax alone or with a friend. Would I meet you here for coffee? You bet! Give me call.

Kate and Paige

Disclaimer: I am not a coffee connoisseur. I am just a guy who lies to drink coffee in coffee shops. I tend to think of my coffee in terms of Meh – Okay - Good – Great. Most coffee I drink is okay to good. It has to make an effort to get to Great or Meh. These are just my opinions. Take or ignore them as you wish.

My Coffee Odyssey – Classen Coffee Co

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Classen Coffee Co opened recently and this is my first visit. My thought on walking in was, “I like this place.” The décor is eclectic and invites you to sit and hang out for a bit. There is plenty of seating inside as well as some nice patio type seating outside. They sell coffee, tea, and a selection of other drinks. There was no large selection of goodies from which to choose so, yeah, this is definitely a coffee shop. The baristas are friendly and attentive. 

I, naturally, asked for a cup of dark brew. It was, reportedly, an Indonesian mocha Java. My limited palate scores my cup a Good+, maybe closer to Great. I liked it a lot. The price list was reasonable.  

My first impression was correct. I sat in a comfy chair. I checked email. I read some of an ebook on my tablet. I like this place. Would I tell you to meet me here for coffee? Absolutely!! Hit me up. I am pretty available for coffee.

Disclaimer: I am not a coffee connoisseur. I am just a guy who lies to drink coffee in coffee shops. I tend to think of my coffee in terms of Meh – Okay - Good – Great. Most coffee I drink is okay to good. It has to make an effort to get to Great or Meh. These are just my opinions. Take or ignore them as you wish.