French Truck Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: French Truck Coffee
Location Visited: Magazine St, New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

When I use the word "french" in relation to coffee, my mind tends to wander to older times. When I think of french roasts, I think of bitter, charcoal-heavy brews that gained traction in the nineteenth century when over-roasted coffee hid the defects of the low quality beans. When I hear of french-style coffee, my mind zips to thoughts of chicory and cafe au laits, drinks made popular four score ago in the French Market of NOLA that, while appetizing in their own way, don't usually call to mind high-quality coffee.

Fortunately, the French connection has come a long way in the past decade and places like French Truck Coffee have helped add a new facet to the association. While in town some months ago, I was able to finally visit one of their yellow shops, specifically their cafe on Magazine Street. Inside the shop is cozy and well-decorated, with bright colors aplenty and a healthy amount of inside and outside seating.

As for my coffee, I went with an espresso of their Erato and a drip coffee of their Festin blend. The espresso, pulled short with brown crema, smacked of chocolate chip cookies, apples, lemon, cream and a little salty romaine, proving sweet and bright. The drip coffee also exploded with delicious flavor fireworks, full of apple fritters, beef broth, whipped cream, cascara and malt balls.

While I had hoped to visit more of their shops (I only hit one other on Dryades St), my limited exposure to French Truck was more than enough to better my outlook on all things french in coffee. If you happen to be in NOLA or passing through, check out one of French Truck's shops for some good french coffee.

These wonderful folks made this visit possible in part. Make sure to check them out!