What's a Coffee Commentary?Subject: Java
Location visited: Twin Falls, ID
(228 Blue Lakes Blvd)
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]
One of the better feelings in life is stumbling on something pleasant, especially on a long car trip, and even more especially after driving northeast through Nevada into Idaho. I had just put around 360 miles behind me since 5 AM that morning and I knew definitively of no decent coffee stops until Idaho Falls (another 4 hours). Accordingly, my entourage and I had just planned on pushing through a long trip without really hunting for good coffee, but I was praying that we'd see something in Twin Falls that look promising...
Thank God that prayers are answered. While cutting through town, we saw a place that looked reputable, a little shop called Java. I asked for permission (we're a democratic entourage) and with a weak approval, I pulled in to check it out.
The shop from the outside looked rather atypical of a strip mall outfit though the inside displayed a colorfully warm, semi-circular space complete with bustling staff and a line of eager customers. Aside from the coffee/espresso/tea options, they also serve a full breakfast and lunch menu, which didn't seem to affect the environment too much (a coffeehouse should NEVER smell like a deli).
They serve up Cafe Moto beans, a San Diego supplier of roasted coffee as well as tea and other typical coffeehouse beverage supplies. After browsing the CM website, it "seems" they know their stuff; they just need to ditch the super corporate look as it makes it seem like they're faking it.
In my humble opinion, their drip tasted fairly decent. The espresso conveyed a decent body but it had a bit of a charred taste to it. The tea they serve fresh (free leaf) and while I only observed, it looked of decent quality.
Needless to say, my expectations were rock-bottom low to begin with, so Java played out to be a lovely note in that morning's arduous drive. As Twin Falls seems to be a bit of a crossroads, if you're ever going through be optimistic that there's at least one decent coffee stop in town.
3 comments:
Twin falls is definitly just a stop through, however, Java holds the hearts of most people in this town. Twin is thoroughly dry of culture, but the small bits and pieces wander through Java.
Open Mic. Night is every thursday and you see so many amazing individuals get up and speak your piece.
Java is where we all [i mean everyone from the teenage music fans, to the old bum Zazoo, to my English 101 teacher. ] go for good coffee and a relaxing friendly atmosphere. It's done nothing but good for our town and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I wouldn't say Java holds the hearts of most people of the town -- it definitely did at one point, but that was before the onslaught of new coffee shops emerged (around 2004). The product there has gone down from what it used to be, which is why, together with stronger competition, business there has slowed down dramatically. For instance, there use to be long lines that lasted for hours in the mornings; now, with the exception of holidays, they'll get waves of customers, but nothing like what it used to be.
Don't get me wrong -- I still love the place despite its flaws. It is a nice place to meet some of the few liberals/moderates in the town.
Overall, I would of given them a 3+: stop by if you want some coffee and you're passing through town, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
Java is the best in town. The others have been weighed in the balances and been found wanting.
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