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Favorite West Seattle Coffee Shop?

Started 4 years ago by ventecaffeinato
Latest reply from grr

12 Next »

ventecaffeinato
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Where\'s your favorite place to get a cup of joe?

Posted 4 years ago #
Wes
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Java Bean or the espresso cart at my kids school.

Posted 4 years ago #
Sue
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My favorite place is Verite (based on the coffee, not necessarily the atmosphere). Don\'t care for their cupcakes, but the coffee is great. Other than that, I like Uptown Espresso (Junction) or Hotwire. But my favorite coffee is Tony\'s Organic at Alki Cafe.

Posted 4 years ago #
Steph
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Can I tell you my least favorite? The drive-thru Starbucks at 35th and Avalon. Horrible set up for that drive thru as far as parking/ entering/ exiting/ waiting in line, etc. Service is not good (given completely wrong order many times but I\'m in such a hurry after the super long wait that I don\'t notice till I\'m too far away from the window). Anyway, just wanted to complain and see if I am alone here. (And do a test for WSB!)

Posted 4 years ago #
karizma23
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I completely agree, Steph. That Starbucks is by far the worst I have ever been to. The service is beyond terrible - forgotten drinks, mis-made drinks, clueless baristas, and an apparent lack of management really lead to an adventure each visit there. I try and avoid that location if at all possible. I\'ve worked at Starbucks before and all I can say is that it is completely unacceptable how that location is being run. They have no lobby to worry about and they have tons of space to work in! Maybe they just hired the wrong people, I don\'t know, but it\'s very bad and I have made numerous complaints to corporate about it.

Posted 4 years ago #
grr
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Hotwire rocks :)

Posted 4 years ago #
WSB
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Coffee fans, note that we are once again collecting holiday hours - haven\'t gotten to all the coffee shops yet but the ones we have been able to check are listed on the Holidays page. The ones where we know for sure you\'ll definitely be able to get your Christmas morning latte\' are Hotwire 8 am-2 pm and Tully\'s/Morgan Junction, 8 am-2 pm.

Posted 4 years ago #
acemotel
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I go to the Starbucks on 35th every day. Occasionally there is a bad barista, but the coffee is far better than the Starbucks on Admiral, where the coffee is usually nasty and bitter. The Starbucks on Alki is usually good, but not always. The baristas who work evenings at 35th are great, and always remember my drink. The best coffee is at Java Bean, but I will never go in there again; talk about serious management problems, I had service in there that was not only bad, but downright scary.

Posted 4 years ago #
ShapeShifter
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Hotwire is good and my wife and I walk there often. But my favorite is Freshys on California just north of PCC. Funky furniture, friendly staff, and great breakfast sandwiches.

Posted 4 years ago #
kathyh
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For drive-through: Red Cup on California.

Posted 4 years ago #
MNGirl
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Great Harvest Bakery on California at the Junction - great service, great coffee and great treats too.

Posted 4 years ago #
Wes
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Being a former employee for 7 years at a big coffee company, I can tell you that either people go to a coffee place because it\'s popular, close by or accustomed to drinking Folgers at home. I don\'t say this to be snarky, but ask for just a shot of espresso or solo, next time you go into your favorite coffee place and taste just the espresso and then go to another place and taste theirs and see if you can then tell the difference. This is the best way. I would suggest a place that does not use automated machines (these make the espresso taste awful) that pulls the shots around 16-20 secs. How they roast their coffee and how often they clean their machines plays a big part in this too. Hope this helps!

Posted 4 years ago #
Kayleigh
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I love C&P Coffee Company on California. I\'m not that picky about coffee so I can\'t offer a critique on that, but I love the funky-cozy atmosphere and the live music.

Posted 4 years ago #
BobLoblaw
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I thought it was only in our house that the S\'bux drivethrough complaints were heard. Sorry to hear that we aren\'t alone. Many wrong drinks here as well. Best way to bring about change is to say something, though. Hunt down the manager and say something. They\'re not new anymore.

Posted 4 years ago #
CMP
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I agree that the 35th & Fauntleroy SBUX has bad service. I\'ve never had a good or fast experience there (d/t or walk-up), nor has anyone else I know. The Morgan Junction SBUX has much friendlier service and I also like Caffe Ladro ocassionally. Oh, my sister highly recommends the espresso bar in Thriftway...great espresso and more affordable prices.

Posted 4 years ago #
jno
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I like Caffe Ladro but I must give a shout-out to Bird On a Wire Espresso, on Henderson west of 35th. They will take the time to craft for you a superb cup of joe. Plus I dig the cozy little shop, which has the feel of a family room. Also, as a long-ago former employee of Java Bean, I can attest to acemotel @8\'s sentiment that they have both excellent coffee and serious management issues.

Posted 4 years ago #
vincent
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its all about the roaster, starbuck\'s is too burnt. Tony\'s coffee, supplier to ladro, uptown, verite and others is consistently very good, but can be ruined by the barista. My two citywide favorites are vivacci <sp> and lighthouse. only one of which is used in west seattle. C&P for my lighthouse fix.

Posted 4 years ago #
AdamOnAlki
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I am really big fan of the Metropolitan Market coffee shop. Really fun baristas, good drinks and suprisingly cheap prices (especially based on the location!). As a former barista, I must say though that the Starbucks on Alki APPEARS to be very poorly run. I love Sbux, but I try to stay away from that one.

Posted 4 years ago #
karizma23
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Funny, I\'d say the Alki Starbucks is by far the best in WS. Admiral is 2nd best, though the staff there can be snarky at times. Worst by far is 35th/Avalon DT, followed closely by the Morgan Junction location. All my opinion, though, of course.

Posted 4 years ago #
k
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we need a stumptown coffee over here! they have opened two in capitol hill! we need one here! amazing coffee. they serve it at cupcake royale/verite, but do not give it justice.

Posted 4 years ago #
ALS
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I\'m a big fan of Uptown Espresso, any location. Their coffee has kind of a carmely flavor to it.

Posted 4 years ago #
Que
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Uptown Espresso for at the junction for if I have a group of folks that I am meeting with, since they have such nice big tables and good lighting. It always seems cheerful in there. And Ladro has wonderful coffee too. Yum to both places

Posted 4 years ago #
TheHouse
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I can\'t believe Coffee To A Tea isn\'t mentioned at the Junction. The women that run C2AT are awesome!

I also think that Easy Street is usually overlooked and underrated. Try the MudHoney...it\'s awesome and they make some of the best foam in the area!

Posted 4 years ago #
JanS
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I\'m waiting for The Bohemian...there\'s just something about the name that I can relate to :)

Posted 4 years ago #
WSB
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Their sign said something about teas ... they may have an opening there now that T(ea) Gallery is focusing on downtown.

Posted 4 years ago #
MissK
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I would like to throw in my two cents and say that Diva Espresso makes a decent cup of coffee. C&P have GREAT baristas and the atmosphere is nice. Java Bean in my books is a NO GO!! I would rather wait in a line of 10 cars up at the 35th SBUX.

Posted 4 years ago #
spana
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I\'ll go out of my way to get a coffee from Cupcake Royale and also <3 Sleepless on alki for drive-thru.

Posted 4 years ago #
thrasher
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I don\'t have a very well-tuned coffee palate, but I\'d like to add another recommendation for Bird On a Wire. I buy my beans there regularly since they are 2 blocks from my house and they always have fresh stock and are pretty reliable. However, they do take a little longer making drinks than some large chain stores, so just give yourself a few extra minutes.

Posted 4 years ago #
GrungyC
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What West Seattle needs--and hey, why not Admiral, specifically--is a Peet\'s Coffee.

Unless I\'ve missed something (and I\'m sure I have), the coffee on that end is mediocre at best. (I\'m talking Sbux, Freshy\'s, Metro Market...)

Bring on the Peet\'s.

Posted 4 years ago #
swimcat
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The 35th/Avalon SBUX is the worst! I have complained numerous times to the staff and to corporate, and nothing improves, they just sending me free drink coupons. The new SBUX at Jefferson Square is great though- quick, friendly barristas and a fully stocked pastry case. And if you go in the morning you don\'t have to deal with the bad parking since no one is there.

My favorite though is the coffee at Thriftway. Great prices, friendly baristas and grocery shopping all in one stop. I order Americano\'s, and I\'m always impressed there is a beautiful, thick crema on top. As Wes suggested above, if you want to tell the good from the bad or mediocre, just order a shot and drink it straight.

Posted 4 years ago #
TheVelvetBulldog
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Another nod for Sleepless on Alki--nice, smooth mochas. Re: Java Bean--WOW! I have never had a bad experience there, I\'m sorry to hear that others have. Don\'t forget the new Bubbles on Delridge--really cozy, comfy atmosphere, good coffee and sandwiches too!

Posted 4 years ago #
nyx
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Uptown\'s ok, but it\'s not a very pleasant place to hang out. Feels more like a rec room at a community center than a coffee shop. How about some couches, guys? Or at least a few different sizes of table?

Posted 4 years ago #
BlairJohnson
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At either end of Delridge:
â€¢Uptown Espresso at the north end of Delridge has a nice atmosphere, comfortable seating and impressive menu board chalk art. Good coffee too.
â€¢Cafe Rozella at the south end of Delridge has an intimate atmosphere and interesting artwork. Good people watching out in front if the weather\'s nice. Events like music nights. Community spot to find out what\'s happening in South Delridge and White Center. And of course good coffee too.

Posted 4 years ago #
andrea
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Wow, I can\'t believe that no one has mentioned Tully\'s yet! For a more \'chain\' coffee house, they are in my book hands down the best. Their coffee (and chai tea!) is many times better than the bitter stuff at Sbux, or the weak stuff at SBC. Plus, I like their warm, cozy interiors for reading and whiling away a rainy day.

Posted 4 years ago #
acemotel
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Tully\'s on Alki is the best interior space, for sure. And I\'m with ya, MissK, I would rather drive to Spokane and back for a latte than go to Java Bean.

Posted 4 years ago #
RMR
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Two others that I like (although I am no where near a coffee expert) are: the Westwood village Starbucks - consistently good coffee and very fast, friendly service on weekday mornings and Bakery Nouveau - just yummy coffee to go along with their yummy pastries!

Posted 4 years ago #
credmond
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Just for the coffee, you know, regular 16 ounce drip, I\'d say Ladro with its shade-grown, fair-trade, organic beans (don\'t know who does the roasting), Bird-on-a-Wire for its shade-grown, fair-trade, organic beans roasted by Raven\'s Brew (Alaska and now also Fife), and Bakery Nouveau for its LIghthouse Roasters french roast drip - and its croissants. Wish William would do something about the seating and cash-out process. In a pinch, any of the other ones mentioned will do, but the three I mentioned have the best, day-to-day, consistently strong, fresh and tasty brew. IMHO, of course. Espressos and cappuccinos are another matter.

Posted 4 years ago #
credmond
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P.S.

I liked Bakery Nouveau\'s French press coffee better, but they were breaking glass containers and it was taking too long to make as much coffee as they were selling. Alas, their French press Lighthouse brew was even better.

Posted 4 years ago #
WLQuinn
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I frequent Revolution Coffee. Angie pulls a decent doppio there using Caffe D\'arte. Alki Mail and Post pulls a decent shot, too, but in my book, it\'s Hot Wire for the win.

Posted 4 years ago #
pabloa3
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I generally go to Ladro - good coffee and lattes. The baristas at the new starbucks at jefferson square are annoying...way to jolly and happy for me.

I would love to have a peets around here - they have excellent coffee.

Reading this list, I now know I am missing out on trying many of the places...I need to try some variety - thanks for the recommendations.

Posted 4 years ago #
Gingersnap
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I am a daily communicant at Bird on a Wire, located on Henderson, 1/2 block west of 35th. This is more than just a coffee shop; it is a community and the nerve center of our mostly nameless neighborhood near the Southwest Library. Great coffee, friendly baristas, and wonderful patrons.

Posted 4 years ago #
WSB
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Gingersnap, we haven\'t been to BOW in a while but can certainly vouch for the folks there - before they moved around the corner a couple years back, my son and I had a regular walking route for a while that took us past the old location, and we would stop in to have a drink and see the fish (he was in a fish-fan phase back then) - proprietress Heidi always fielded his fish questions with her trademark dry wit. These days, we tend to walk more in the opposite direction, down to, and through, Morgan Junction. But while we\'re on the subject of coffeehouses, and sort of apropos to a theme that Chas R keeps sounding, WE WANT A 24-HOUR COFFEEHOUSE! Or at least one that\'s open as late as the bars.

Posted 4 years ago #
marybethsc
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I completely agree with adding a Stumptown to WS. Caffe Ladro and Coffee to a Tea are my personal favorite places, and I only go to Starbucks when I receive gift cards, and I very rarely order coffee.

Posted 4 years ago #
k
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Looks like Peet\'s fans may get their wish! I would not doubt if one of the many locations they are looking to open will be here in West Seattle. There was an article in the seattle times on Dec 28th speaking of their expansion.

Posted 4 years ago #
credmond
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I love Peet\'s in Fremont and forever rue the day that Starbucks bought Seattle\'s Best since the Caffe Torrefazione (also at Fremont) was such a wonderful place to sit and sip and as soon as Starbucks completed the acquisition, that location and the other one in Occidental Square disappeared. One more reason I try diligently to never grace the threshold of a Starbucks store. Having said that, I would like to say that the only decent Starbucks in the entire city is the one at 23rd and Jackson - very cool and very hip baristas. But, that\'s the ONLY Starbucks I ever enter.

Posted 4 years ago #
san
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I personally boycott Starbucks. The coffee is terrible, and the environment is just fake and creepy. And, seriously, does West Seattle really need 11!? Flippin\' outrageous! Why do people support that place? Stick with the little guy shops. The coffee is usually great, and the people you buy from actually have personalities. It\'s nice to see your joe hand-made instead of recreated via button pushing. Just my 2 cents.

Posted 4 years ago #
k
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Starbucks just fired their CEO and are bringing back Howard Schultz! Sounds like we may see some change! I know he\'s all about the customer experience so let\'s see if we see that in the stores!

Posted 4 years ago #
Deeno
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ILOL

You all sound like Steve Martin in \'L A Stories\' quite a few years ago. Rent it sometime and see and hear for yourselves. Raise your hand if you talk on your cellphone while ordering your drink.

Re: Howard Schultz taking over again? We are so fortunate! Guess his work with the Sonics is done huh? He really turned around the customer service there!

Posted 4 years ago #
JimmyG
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Number one by far is C & P coffee on California. Shots are pulled to perfection, knowledgeable baristas, and great vibe.

A distant second is Cafe Rozella in White Center.

3rd: Diva on Fauntleroy

4th: Uptown Espresso

Posted 4 years ago #
peebs
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No other coffee place can put a decent foam on a soy latte as well as Uptown Espresso - I love the baristas at the North Delridge location.

Posted 4 years ago #