8th and Roast

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: 8th and Roast
Location visited: Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Great coffee can be found in many places in Nashville, but in my opinion, there seems to be plenty of room for more. While visiting the western portion of the city, I managed to visit a shop that's been on my list, a place called 8th and Roast.

Terra Nomad

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Terra Nomad
Location: Bismark, ND
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

While driving around Bismark, I found myself hankering for a good cup of coffee and great meal. Sometimes hoping to find both in the same place can be a fool's errand, as few places do them both well, but fortunately I was blessed in finding Terra Nomad.

Bloom and Vine

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Bloom and Vine (also known as Bloom Coffeehouse & Eatery)
Location: Glendive, MT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

When I first arrived in Montana those many years ago, I only held interest in the western portions of the state. Sure, I drove through the east, but that was simply because I needed to get through it to get somewhere else. It wasn't until years later that I realized how foolish I had been.

North Lime Coffee and Donuts

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: North Lime Coffee and Donuts
Location visited: West Loudon Ave, Lexington, KY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I never knew how much of a love affair southerners have with donuts and coffee. Growing up in the northeast surrounded by donuts dunked in mediocre joe, I was enamored with the many wonderful takes different southern cities had with great coffee and tremendous donuts. My favorite donut enterprise in Kentucky would be a multi-location operation I recently stumbled upon, a place called North Lime Coffee and Donuts. 

Lake Life Cafe

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Lake Life Cafe
Location: Bemus Point, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

After traversing most of Upstate New York during my years as a resident, I thought I had seen all the lakes but it turns out I missed a great one. Situated all the way by Erie is Chautauqua Lake, a moderately-sized body of water with an assortment of towns dotting its shores. Happening upon the lake on my way east from Ohio, I quickly pulled off the highway to check out Bemus Point and stumbled on a promising coffee shop called Lake Life Cafe. 

Headquarters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Headquarters
Location: Nashville, TN
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Nashville has definitely become a city known for its great coffee options. As many shops decide on their look, most bank on a modern or minimalist decor, but a few go for vintage. One spot that nails the feel of an old saloon is a cozy shop on the west side of Nashville called Headquarters. 

Blackbeard Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Blackbeard Coffee Roasters
Location: Greenville, NC
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Never really having the chance to explore North Carolina outside the Triangle, I was excited to check off some other cities. One sunny afternoon, I had the opportunity to stop in Greenville and make a long-overdue coffee stop at Blackbeard Coffee Roasters.

Duchess Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Duchess Coffee
Location: Brattleboro, VT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Never have I encountered a situation where every lodging option, down to the least appealing motel, were all fully booked, but such was my fate one Friday night in the city of Brattleboro. I was traveling east towards Maine and I hit a wall of fatigue after driving from Columbus, Ohio that morning, so I sought a place to crash for over an hour to no avail. Finally after giving up, I found a parking spot in a shopping center, reclined my seat and snoozed until the sun awoke me. 

thirty-thirty Coffee Co.

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: thirty-thirty Coffee Co.

Location: Peoria, IL
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Many times, I learn of cities first through news of a promising coffee shop. As a fan of geography, I always welcome the chance to learn about a new place, especially if that place has a coffee stop worth visiting. One such situation has its roots in distant years past, when I first heard of Peoria, Illinois thanks to thirty-thirty Coffee Co.

Jefferson Street Coffee / Smokin' Aces

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Jefferson Street Coffee / Smokin' Aces
Location: Lexington, KY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

It's almost always a solid recommendation when a barista at one coffee establishment gives accolades to another local shop. Naturally I have to usually ask for said recommendation (because what cafe always sends their customers to other cafes?) but when a barista of one good shop usually can think of another shop instantly, it's usually a good sign.

Thunder Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Thunder Coffee
Location: Fargo, ND
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Fargo has been on my list of places to visit for some time, so it was quite glorious to finally make a visit, if only for an afternoon. The city has plenty of character, history and, most importantly of all, great coffee. 

Hatchet Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Hatchet Coffee Roasters
Location: Boone, NC
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The mountains of North Carolina have long called to me though it has been tough to visit them. But just recently, I was able to make a quick visit to the area and make a few deliberate stops, one of which was to the city of Boone and a coffee establishment known as Hatchet Coffee Roasters.

Revelstoke Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Revelstoke Coffee
Location: Concord, NH
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

While I have driven around the perimeter of New Hampshire quite a bit, I never had an occasion to traverse it until recently. The state is beautiful and while any number of stops could have been interesting, I am a sucker for capital cities and made my way over to Concord. But before seeing the sights, I first made my way to a local coffeeshop called Revelstoke Coffee.

East Park Donuts & Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: East Park Donuts & Coffee
Location: Nashville, TN
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

If you get your donuts exclusively from a national chain, you have likely wasted many years on mediocre pastries accompanied by unremarkable coffee. But if you like to seek out local places that do wondrous things with donuts and coffee, then you should head on down to Nashville to try out East Park.

Manchester Coffee Co

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

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

Most people quickly associate a storied history of distilling spirits with Kentucky. So it was no surprise to find one of the more happening places in Lexington was around the Distillery District, located on the grounds of the old James E. Pepper Distillery. After exploring the district my first night in town, the next morning I made my way down the street to try out some local brews at Manchester Coffee Co. 

392Caffe

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: 392Caffe
Location visited: Davenport, IA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

It is not often that I get to Iowa. While it has been on my revisit list for some years, it evaded me until a recent road trip driving east from Montana. Wanting to avoid certain areas of congestion, I took many a back road and detour, and found myself in the lovely city of Davenport. Located on the Illinois border, the city offered a perfect place to stop for a brief coffee break.

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.