Favorite West Seattle Coffee Shop?

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  • #586153

    Where’s your favorite place to get a cup of joe?

    #613106

    Wes
    Member

    Java Bean or the espresso cart at my kids school.

    #613107

    Sue
    Participant

    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.

    #613108

    Steph
    Member

    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!)

    #613109

    karizma23
    Member

    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.

    #613110

    grr
    Participant

    Hotwire rocks :)

    #613111

    WSB
    Keymaster

    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.

    #613112

    acemotel
    Participant

    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.

    #613113

    ShapeShifter
    Member

    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.

    #613114

    kathyh
    Participant

    For drive-through: Red Cup on California.

    #613115

    MNGirl
    Member

    Great Harvest Bakery on California at the Junction – great service, great coffee and great treats too.

    #613116

    Wes
    Member

    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!

    #613117

    Kayleigh
    Member

    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.

    #613118

    BobLoblaw
    Participant

    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.

    #613119

    CMP
    Participant

    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.

    #613120

    jno
    Member

    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.

    #613121

    vincent
    Member

    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.

    #613122

    AdamOnAlki
    Participant

    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.

    #613123

    karizma23
    Member

    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.

    #613124

    k
    Participant

    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.

    #613125

    ALS
    Participant

    I’m a big fan of Uptown Espresso, any location. Their coffee has kind of a carmely flavor to it.

    #613126

    Que
    Member

    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

    #613127

    TheHouse
    Member

    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!

    #613128

    JanS
    Participant

    I’m waiting for The Bohemian…there’s just something about the name that I can relate to :)

    #613129

    WSB
    Keymaster

    Their sign said something about teas … they may have an opening there now that T(ea) Gallery is focusing on downtown.

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