Coffee Lovers | What are the best coffee-shops in Metro-Phoenix? (Mesa: live in, best place)

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Quizillla

This looks awesome!! thank you. I just went to Roosevelt, but for some reason I missed this little shop. It looks wonderful.

Second the Fair Trade suggestion... there's another location at Civic Space Park, in the lower level of the England building right across Central from University Center.

[Colt AZ]

Originally Posted by Quizillla

Starbs is great before work... / during the drive-thru

but I just don't like the atmosphere there.. too corporate. -.- I prefer studying in independent coffee shops...

Okay, I misunderstood your original headline: Coffee Lovers | What are the best coffee-shops in Metro-Phoenix? It sounded like you were asking about which coffee shops lovers of coffee get their coffee at.

If you meant which independent coffee shops have the least corporate atmospheres for studying, then by all means, Starbucks is not the best for you. However, and unfortunately, you'd still have to deal with inferior tasting coffees everywhere else.

[RudyOD]

Originally Posted by Colt Cassidy

Okay, I misunderstood your original headline: Coffee Lovers | What are the best coffee-shops in Metro-Phoenix? It sounded like you were asking about which coffee shops lovers of coffee get their coffee at.

If you meant which independent coffee shops have the least corporate atmospheres for studying, then by all means, Starbucks is not the best for you. However, and unfortunately, you'd still have to deal with inferior tasting coffees everywhere else.

I'm not here to question your palate, but since when did Starbucks set the bar for taste...I mean, what exactly do you order when you go there? Because nothing I've ever ordered there has stood out to me. My sister was a barista at Starbucks and even she prefers local coffee shops. I understand the concept of chains, they offer a semblance of consistency when you travel...but, when you live somewhere you have an opportunity to try something new and that might or might not be better. In the case of Starbucks in Phoenix, there is plenty better in the area.

[imagineAA]

Any ideas for the NW valley? I like espresso and my only option is Starbucks. A few places serve lattes and frozen drinks, but I'm not really into that.

I went on the links given earlier in the thread and came up with 2 places that don't serve espresso. (Anyways, I'm unwilling to go to one of them because it's a preachy religious place.)

Pomo's offers espresso, but it's not a coffee shop by any stretch. It's a full service restaurant and I doubt it's even open in the a.m.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by imagineAA

Any ideas for the NW valley? I like espresso and my only option is Starbucks. A few places serve lattes and frozen drinks, but I'm not really into that.

I went on the links given earlier in the thread and came up with 2 places that don't serve espresso. (Anyways, I'm unwilling to go to one of them because it's a preachy religious place.)

Pomo's offers espresso, but it's not a coffee shop by any stretch. It's a full service restaurant and I doubt it's even open in the a.m.

Where is there a preachy religious coffee shop?

I like Cartel, Lux and Sip.

[Mister-A]

Originally Posted by RudyOD

I'm not here to question your palate, but since when did Starbucks set the bar for taste...I mean, what exactly do you order when you go there? Because nothing I've ever ordered there has stood out to me. My sister was a barista at Starbucks and even she prefers local coffee shops. I understand the concept of chains, they offer a semblance of consistency when you travel...but, when you live somewhere you have an opportunity to try something new and that might or might not be better. In the case of Starbucks in Phoenix, there is plenty better in the area.

For some people, Pizza Hut is the gold standard for pizza because it's what they always get and that's what pizza means to them. That's not an insult, just an observation that everybody has their own tastes. Starbucks has a powerful marketing team that has convinced a lot of people that their coffee is the "correct" coffee because it's ubiquitous, but it's a business, and there's always a cash incentive to cheat.

My theory is that they roast low-quality beans to an unrecognizable state so that every cup tastes consistent, because the costs of sourcing and training for so much volume at so many locations would be prohibitive otherwise. Some people like that taste, and would prefer it even with high-quality espresso made by a seasoned professional. Some people love their steaks well done, too. Not anybody's place to tell people what to like, although it's always good to be open to trying new things.

[imagineAA]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

Where is there a preachy religious coffee shop?

Crossroads Books and Coffee, 9069 W Olive Ave, Peoria, AZ 85345

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I like Cartel, Lux and Sip.

When I saw this post, I thought you were responding to me. I now realize I misunderstood. You must have been responding to the OP. I went to all 3 of those shops' websites and all of them say they don't have any NW valley locations. They look good though.

[imagineAA]

Originally Posted by Mister-A

it's a business, and there's always a cash incentive to cheat.

My theory is that they roast low-quality beans to an unrecognizable state so that every cup tastes consistent, because the costs of sourcing and training for so much volume at so many locations would be prohibitive otherwise.

Very interesting, and plausible.

[ibarrio]

Ground Control (Litchfield Park area)

[Bondurant]

JoBot, Songbird and Lola (all located on/around Roosevelt) are pretty good. I'm partial to Dutch Bros. as well. Keep in mind, though, I am not an avid coffee drinker or aficionado and get chocolate or Irish creme varieties. Regular coffee drinkers I know like all of them as well.