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Warez mah coffee?!
The very foundation of my day has been shattered: my coffee shop has closed. Actually, it’s been closed for about a week, but the effects are just starting to take their toll on me. It was a small shop, mere steps from the office, but the coffee was good, cheap and strong. They knew what I liked, we had our routine down, and it had been that way for a long time.
Now they’re gone.
I’m a Cancer; a creature of habit. I don’t like change. There are tons of places to get coffee in this area, but only two that are on my path to work (read: don’t require me to cross a street out of my way). One has decent coffee, but the guy that serves it creeps me out a little. The other has really good coffee, but they practically ignore me every time I go in there. I was the only one in there this morning, and I swear I waited about two minutes before they even acknowledged that I was standing there. Not OK!
There’s a Starbucks on the street too, but I’d have to not only wait in their long lines, and well, cross the sreet. I bet you didn’t know I was this anal retentive, did you? Also, it’s Starbucks, and the coffee tastes like crap. I guess the only thing I can do is hope that another coffee shop moves into that location, or else I might have to change jobs.
No related posts.
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In re Starbucks: I heard they burn their basic coffee to boost sales on the fancy crap.
In re Coffee: Too bad CNet isn’t closer to some place that sells “Illy.” There was a really great place behind the Nordstrom (I think) that serves it. Cable Car Cafe or some nonsense, but Illy ain’t no joke on the coffee scene.
And all of North Beach had bad arse coffee. I almost didn’t get back on the plane East based solely on the idea that I could live on Coffee.
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#6 written by Tommy Vallier 4 years ago
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Even though my web link has coffee in the domain name, I assure you this is only a coincidence and I’m not trying to spam you. lol. (P.S. Want veronica@? lol)
I feel your pain. I don’t like routine changes either and I’m addicted to coffee. I concur with the other commenters suggestion to buy a machine. Ten years ago somebody bought me a Melita Mill ‘N Brew and it has served me well. It took a while to get the knack of it, but once I got the “mixture” right, I’ve enjoyed nothing but spectacular coffee since. The Mill ‘N Brew has it’s faults though. I really love that you dump whole bean in one side and coffee comes out the other, but the basket has to be cleaned every time you use it (no paper filters in this baby). Other than that, it’s also a blade grinder (as opposed to the much nicer “burr” grinders) and the blades on the beast are starting to wear.
I think if I was going to do it again (and I probably will soon) I’d get a cheap burr grinder that’s easy(er) to clean and a mid-range “regular” coffee pot that I can use throwaway paper filters with.
The coffee habit is almost worse than a drug habit. Once you start getting past the corner-store fifty-cent crap, it turns into a serious money pit.
I wish you well.
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#9 written by ChiliMac 4 years ago
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I’m that way with my morning drink, except my morning drink is Dr. Pepper instead of Coffee.
IMHO, Dr. Pepper on ice out of a Circle K fountain first thing in the morning just can’t be beat, and I demand it that way, so I understand your coffee situation.
Fortunately, with my current job, I pass 2 Circle K’s on my way to work (and they’re on my side of the street no less!), and there’s another one only a minute or two up the road from my office, so it’s really just a matter of picking the one that has the most empty parking spots when I drive by it. In every one of them, all the cashiers that work the morning shift know me and if there’s no line, already have me rung up by the time I make it to the counter so all I have to do is pay and get out the door. I even carry enough coin to pay in exact change so I just hand them the money and go. If Circle K were to close those stores, I’d be in the same boat as you are now.
Lame, I know, but we all have our proclivities…
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As someone who spent 10 years in the specialty coffee industry, I can tell you that your best bet is a French Press. Buy whole beans. Get a small personal grinder, and grind your beans 2-3 oz. at a time. For Dog’s sake, DO NOT put the beans in the fridge, or the freezer. It is a falacy that they stay fresher that way. In fact, it ruins them because moisture condenses inside the beans, sucking the flavor out!
Starbucks is a tool of Voldemort!
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#17 written by Chicago 4 years ago
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that’s quite a decision to make. being ignored for two minutes (Not OK!) for really good coffee > decent coffee served by mr creepy. could be worse tho. he could have an eyepatch and a unabrow. flavia fusion is a surprisingly good machine that brews a wide variety of single serving coffee and other assorted drinks. good luck with the quest for coffee!
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Veronica,
It’s interesting how you (and many other customers) have such a close relationship to this store, but were not part of their community enough to know they were having financial issues. If they leveraged the strength of their community, I always wonder if stores like this could find a way to survive. There are so many ways to leverage community online, it is shocking that older, brick and mortar industries have not established something like this. Bummer about the coffee. I hate crossing the street too.
-Dan -
#22 written by Mateo 4 years ago
I’ll second the comment by Jessica, french presses rock. Sure they do require some cleaning vs. paper filters but a little better for the environment. If time is an issue, get a french press mug and a burr grinder per netnomad’s comment. Then you just boil your water while you dress in the morning, pour the hot water and grinds in to the cup and walk out the door. Press 3-5 minutes later and have the best cup of Joe around. No more creepy or rude baristas, no more unsafe crossing the street. Cheers!
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#25 written by Aeirlys 4 years ago
Don’t change jobs! We’d miss you!
French presses are good, but I really like my Cuisinart grind and brew coffee machine. Put coffee beans and water in the night before, set the timer, and when you get up you have fresh coffee from freshly ground beans. It takes a bit of cleaning, but it’s worth it. And the kitchen counter doesn’t require that you cross the street.
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In our town there is a Starbucks with another Starbucks across the street! Coffee is weird. It smells great, but tastes like dirt. Unlike stinky cheese, which smells bad and tastes good.
I’m too young to drink coffee, but I don’t think I’ll ever start, because by the time I’m old enough it will cost $42 a cup.
Love your blog, Veronica! You are my idol! I want to be you when I grow up. Any jobs for kids at C-Net? Here’s my blog (recently featured on TVSciFi.com!)
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#27 written by John B. 4 years ago
My suggestion:
Buy an inexpensive little French press ($20 or less should get you a one that makes 2 mugs worth), some good fresh ground coffee you like, and a portable water boiler (heater, whatever they’re called.) You’ll get *awesome* coffee all the time, and in the long run you’ll save a ton, and you won’t even have to leave your desk to make it.
Granted, it takes a few minutes to clean after use (I only wash the filter on mine every third use, and rinse it the other times), but dude – the coffee is great. You’ll be hooked, I promise!
- From the Department of Impractical Practices (but they’re oh-so-great anyway)
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#29 written by miss_lain 4 years ago
Same story here. A cancer and creature of habit. Crossing the street is dangerous, anyway so good for you. Too bad they had to close the coffee shop, but if they must they must.
I should try a French press, since I don’t need to make copious amounts of coffee for sharing. It’s supposed to make a great cup of coffee. I presently brew at home with a Braun stainless steel/thermal carafe coffee maker. it works like a thermos bottle to keep the coffee hot. Since the coffee isn’t in a glass carafe that has to be in contact with and kept warm by the burner plate, there’s no chance for the coffee to get that burnt taste. The drawback to the thermal carafe is that it doesn’t keep the coffee as hot as glass, unless you pour hot water into the carafe to pre-heat it first, which helps retain brewed temperature. It’s better than burnt coffee if you’re not into French presses or something else. I always like Consumer Reports for reviews of coffee making systems and finding good brands of coffee. Happy caffeine hunting.
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#31 written by RS 4 years ago
Veronica….go to wholelattelove.com, and go directly there. I had my same little path in LA to retrieve my needed chemical jumpstart, and after the place closed, I was forced to look at the alternatives. Of all people, you will find your adept “gadgetness” a big plus in working your way through this world of espresso and coffee machines. The design and execution is everything, but email if you want some thoughts. Now the making of my morning coffee is a ritual that is so automatic that I am usually unaware of what’s on my mind while doing it…autopilot.
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You’d think Starbucks would at least be able to put something in their coffee to make it taste good. I don’t understand why it has to taste like burnt tree bark.