Joyhouse Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Joyhouse Coffee
Location visited: Bismark, ND
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Coffee shops run by or existing within churches come in all manner of quality. Some do a decent job with limited resources/investment, and some I wish were more open to feedback/betterment. But occasionally, a community is fortunate enough to have a coffee entity that seems to take things seriously, and in those instances, such a rarity shines like a beacon. 

On What Grounds?

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: On What Grounds? Coffee House
Location visited: Berlin, MD
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

For me, driving the Delmarva Peninsula for coffee purposes can be a bit of gamble depending on the time of year and the road I take. Often times I have plenty of time to seek one out but it's late Friday evening or Sunday afternoon, while other times I will be near the shore and a seasonal shop will be shuttered.

Brevede Coffee Co

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Brevede Coffee Co.
Location visited: Lexington, KY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

While I cherish the coziness of a coffee shop with a small footprint, I do love stumbling upon a super-spacious cafe every now and then, especially when it's beautifully arrayed. Such fortunes I had when I first drove into Lexington, Kentucky and found a local operation called Brevede.

Character Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Character Coffee
Location visited: Utica, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Despite not living far from Utica for several years, I think I only passed through the city once. Sadly, I did not do the area much justice in local exploration but all these years later I am happy to make up for lost time. On one recent jaunt to the area, I was even further motivated to stop in the city when I found a coffeehouse of great repute called Character Coffee. 

Little Woodfords

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Little Woodfords
Location visited: Portland, ME
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Portland has never been a place in which I get to stay long. In my many years of traveling, I have only managed a short visit here or a wave-from-the-highway visit there. But recently, I managed to make my longest visit yet (a full 12 hours!) and during that time where I was not sleeping (it was a layover) I was able to get in a coffee shop visit to a place called Little Woodfords. 

Essy's Coffee and Frozen Yogurt

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Essy's Coffee and Frozen Yogurt
Location visited: Bozeman, MT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

As a place I called home for nearly a year, I am always happy to return to Bozeman. The town is sadly losing some of its quaint quirks with its ever-growing popularity, but one positive is the increase in quality coffee establishments. The newest to my eyes on my recent visit was a combo that is not often seen, that of frozen yogurt and coffee at a place called Essy's. 

Grindstone Coffeeology

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Grindstone Coffeeology 
Location visited: Huntington, WV
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I have had my eye on the western border of West Virginia for some time, so when plans finally came together to visit the vicinity, I already had a small list of coffee destinations mapped out and ready to go.

Nomad Coffee & Crepes / Knockabout Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Nomad Coffee & Crepes / Knockabout Coffee
Location visited: Ballston Spa, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Many trips have I made to the mountains of New York, and every time I try to find a new coffeehouse. So far the vastness of the state has made that goal fairly obtainable, and on my last trip I was blessed to visit the lovely town of Ballston Spa to check out the beautiful town and visit a place called Nomad Coffee & Crepes.

Enlightenment Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Enlightenment Coffee
Location visited: Walton, KY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

On a visit to Noah's Ark in Kentucky, I found myself without a drop of good coffee in the immediate vicinity of my hotel. The city was aptly named Dry Ridge and fortunately, I was able to make plans to travel a little out of the way early the next morning to grab some local coffee and remedy my situation. 

Vagrant Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Vagrant Coffee 
Location visited: Philadelphia, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Despite its proximity, there's not a lot of motive for me to visit Baltimore these days. Sure I blame it partially on the pandemic, but I would also chalk it up to just a lack of good impetus to visit the city in general (though as I write this post, I am chalking up some interest in a visit). Thus, when I found a Baltimore coffee roaster had set up a Philly presence, I figured that would be a perfect compromise for the time being.

Honeybee Coffee Co.

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Honeybee Coffee Co.
Location visited: 700 Sevier Ave, Knoxville, TN
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Knoxville is another city that I've seen from the highway several times but have never really visited until recently. This summer finally offered a great opportunity to see the city and check out the coffee. 

Sibling Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Sibling Coffee Roasters
Location: Charles Town, WV
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Reading about Harpers Ferry in history books always had me curious about checking out the area, but since it was a bit far for a day trip, I never made it out. Then this past year, my son got his free national park pass in 4th grade and suddenly free park admission motivated my family and I to head over.

Boro Coffee Co.

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Boro Coffee Co.
Location: Hollidaysburg, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Pennsylvania is dotted with tons of intriguing small towns, almost too many to visit. Fortunately, it seems that the more interesting a town, the more likely a good coffee shop will open up nearby, so it's just a matter of tracking down good coffee. 

Prince Street Cafe

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Prince Street Cafe
Location: Lancaster, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Lancaster is slowly turning into one of my favorite areas in Pennsylvania. The city and the surrounding Amish countryside offer such a beautiful mix of the bucolic and the tantalizing that even though I get out there quite frequently, I have yet to grow tired of the region.

Mission Coffee Co

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Mission Coffee Co.
Location: Columbus, OH
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

In my past few times through Columbus, I had only been afforded views of the city from the interstate, as each time my passage through the city was either late at night, or unfortunately paired with a hurried time table. Thankfully, on my most recent visit to the city, I was able to make time for some good coffee. 

Jiggy Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Jiggy Coffee
Location: Philadelphia, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Philadelphia has a lot of great coffee shops, and there seems to be at least one quality newbie each year. One well-reputed arrival from the past year or so was Jiggy Coffee, a shop in Washington Square West.

The Clay Cup

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: The Clay Cup
Location: Altoona, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I have driven past Altoona many times but my past itineraries/passengers have never allowed me to make a stop before. Fortunately I was able to remedy that on a recent trip west, where I was able to stop in town not only to take in the local sites but to grab some coffee as well.

Z Vault

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Z Vault
Location: Bel Air, MD
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Most people think you have to head to California to visit Bel Air, yet if you live east of the Mississippi you can just head over to Maryland. Located in about 45 minutes northwest of Baltimore, I had often passed the city but never made a stop until recently.  Fortunately, my visit made a perfect opportunity to stop at a local establishment called Z Vault.

Rothrock Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Rothrock Coffee
Location: State College, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Nearly every time I have to cross the state of Pennsylvania, I end up going through State College. While it's hardly a burden given the beautiful campus and local amenities, timing is crucial in order to make it a relaxing layover. Fortunately I played my cards right on my most recent trip and I ended up grabbing coffee at local roaster Rothrock Coffee.

Whole and Grounded Cafe

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Whole and Grounded Cafe
Location: Woodbury, NJ

WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Ever drive by a shop and wonder why in the world a quality coffee shop has not opened within? I have had that phenomenom happen many times, but none more often than on the corner of Delaware and Broad in Woodbury. The space had all the trimmings for over twenty years(!) but never had a quality tenant hile I have traveled by until finally this past year.

Abide Coffeehouse

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Abide Coffeehouse
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

While I have traveled by Wilkes-Barre multiple times, I never had the opportunity to stop there until recently. While driving south, I detoured to this northeastern PA city to see the downtown and grab some coffee at a local establishment that had caught my eye, a place called Abide Coffeehouse.

Salt City Coffee

 Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Salt City Coffee
Location: Syracuse, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Every city has its nicknames, some more obvious than others. Living in Syracuse, NY one finds out that before the town was known for its orange pride it was known for its salt industry. And while there aren't many vestiges of the salty days, small nods remain in small things like business names, such as Salt City Coffee.

Mechanic Coffee Co.

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Mechanic Coffee Co.
Location: Verona, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

A town with charm not overrun with foot traffic is a rare sight, but that is how I found Verona. Meandering through the western PA countryside towards Pittsburgh, I found myself in town one gorgeous Saturday morning with relatively empty streets and word of a great coffee shop operating out of a two-story white brick structure on E Railroad Avenue.

Adezzo

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Adezzo
Location: Scranton, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

A lot of people call things hidden gems (even me) but very few times are said gems truly hidden from plain view. But such is exactly the case with a coffee shop in Scranton called Adezzo, that despite being a block from the courthouse area where I have been dozens of times, the building it resides within was all together unknown to me until recently. 

SkyTop Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: SkyTop Coffee
Location: Manlius, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

When I lived in Syracuse, I definitely did not take full advantage of the many nearby towns and attractions. One such nifty nearby town was Manlius. While I made a few trips over for dining or to take in some history, it sadly lacked a good coffeehouse in my days upstate.

Redhawk Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Redhawk Coffee
Location: Oakland location, Pittsburgh, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

After spending time in the wilderness, I like to balance it out with some time in the city. Thus, in a trip to western Pennylvania to take in some of the great outdoors, I was glad to swing into Pittsburgh for some good food and great coffee. 

Ghost Town Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Ghost Town Coffee Roasters
Location: Bridger Center Dr location, Bozeman, MT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

In my last trip to Bozeman, my lodging provided some coffee from a roaster I had not heard of prior, a local roaster called Ghost Town. After a quick google search, I opted to leave the free coffee at my shelter and made my way over to one of their cafes to experience it firsthand.

Forty Weight Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Forty Weight Coffee Roasters
Location: Ithaca, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I have seen many farmer markets in my travels, but none exactly like Ithaca. Most markets are set up in a grid and consist chiefly of tables but the Ithaca Farmers Market has an ambiance, electricity and variety that is hard to find elsewhere in the region. When I lived in Syracuse, I had gone to the market a few times but since I moved away a decade ago, I had not set foot. Thankfully I recently got the opportunity to visit again to check out the wares and grab some coffee. 

Revel 77 Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Revel 77 Coffee
Location: Spokane, WA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

When I visit distant cities that are home to good friends, it is a favorite tradition of mine to meet at a coffeehouse to catch up. Not only does this give me opportunity to reconnect with an old pal over good coffee, but it gives me a rare glimpse into regular life in said metropolis. 

Peaks Coffee Company

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Peaks Coffee Company
Location: Syracuse, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I worked at Syracuse University for three tremendous years from 2007-2010, living right on-campus in Watson and Haven Halls, respectively. While it was a beautiful place to live, (except during the gloomy weeks) there was no quality coffee within walking distance. Naturally, after my departure the coffee scene grew and bloomed, and as of the past few years, the geography around the university has become a far better place to find good coffee.

Vault Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Vault Coffee
Location: Coeur d'Alene, ID
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

One day I will make it to Coeur d'Alene in the summertime, but for now I will glory in its winter. Even amidst a dreary winter day, the city remains resplendent, with its majestic vistas and mostly walkable town. On one such afternoon, I found myself downtown and in need of some coffee, so I made my way to a shop called Vault Coffee. 

The Well Coffeehouse

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: The Well Coffeehouse
Location: Milton, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

The concept of a church operating a coffeehouse can be a beautiful thing. Sure, sometimes churches start one up for the wrong reasons and/or they do a deplorable job in execution (picture florescent lights, a donated home espresso machine that is fed only pre-ground coffee and it's only open Sundays between services). But sometimes, a church really gets the concept of serving good coffee, not cutting corners and desiring to foster authentic community, and when done well, the result becomes a delight for everybody. 

Cotton-Top Pastries

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Cotton-Top Pastries
Location: Helena, MT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Bakeries dot the landscape of America, but there are fewer than twenty that I would call excellent. Sadly, many bakeries exclusively do fancy cakes (and I am a man who orders exactly zero fancy cakes each year) and (too) many other operations specialize mostly in hackneyed and yawn-tastic items like jellied shortbreads and butter cakes. But the handful that do it right, I have each time considered the possibility of relocating my family in order to be closer.

Four Twelve

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Four Twelve
Location: Hamburg, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Road trips are bound to have dry spells where good coffee exists not. Fortunately in the past decade, such coffee-absent zones have greatly shrunk but still there remains large chunks of land where good coffee has yet to be found. 

Drum Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Drum Coffee
Location visited: Broadway St, Missoula, MT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Music and coffee are natural pals. For many folks the combo is an obvious pairing, especially for those who have lived with an open mic coffeehouse nearby. Thus, when I found a coffee shop involving the drummer of Fitz and the Tantrums in Missoula, I made sure to give it a stop when I next passed through town. 

Javamango's Outpost

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Javamango's Outpost 
Location visited: Waterford, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

The concept of a coffee shop is often a subjective thing. Quite often, folks think of a single space with a giant counter and plenty of seating. But some of the more interesting and great coffeehouses exist in less traditional spots, like converted public restrooms, outdoor shanties and small outfits adjoining shared space.