CC: Rival Bros

Subject: Rival Bros
Location: Philadelphia, PA

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 6+ [see key]

As I've remarked many times before, I sure love a good coffee truck. There's nothing like a vehicle completely outfitted with top-level coffee equipment, quality beans and an able barista, able to go where the wind (and city permits) allow. 

Taking the usual coffee truck operation to the next level by roasting their own beans, Rival Bros came onto the Philadelphia scene recently with strong promise of stupendous, locally-roasted coffee straight out of a mobile joy machine.

Sadly, in all of their existence I've only been able to reach their encampment twice; once on First Friday (when I snapped the shot above) and the most recent, a week or so ago at 33rd and Arch on the Drexel University campus.

Pulling up to the intersection near the Buckley Green, there was plenty of meter parking for those looking to pull over for a nice respite (though I'm sure more of their patronage arrives on foot). I approached and ordered a pourover of the Ethiopia Aylele – YCFCU and an espresso of their Whistle and Cuss blend. The pourover of Ethiopian roused even the dead amongst my taste buds, with notes of Stella D'oro breakfast biscuits, succulent steak, fuji apple, honey and roasted red pepper, proving to be a beautifully savory and sweet coffee with a nice medium body. The espresso, pulled short with a brown crema, greeted with an uppercut of lemon, cocoa, ginger soda, red bean paste roll, a touch of salt and a nice milkiness. Both drinks proved to be worthy of an exaggerated curtsey. 

While Rival Bros is definitely not a truck found on the same routine every week, they're easy enough to find via their twitter. Thus, when you're in Philadelphia, hunt down the likes of the Rival Bros. 

Mugged: Diner and Peru [Booskerdoo]

Subject: Booskerdoo Coffee
Mugged: Jersey Diner and FTO Peru SO
Rating: 4+ for Diner, 3+ for Peru [see key]


Until this past year, it seemed that NJ would never have a high concentration of decent coffee operations. For as long as I have sipped coffee, shops that were able to dole out fresh, not-disgusting beans were spaced out usually too far to go from one to the other without making it a small road trip.

But in traversing the central Jersey beach area, it seems more and more good coffee options are appearing. One such place is Booskerdoo Coffee of Monmouth Beach. Having never been, I was intrigued to receive two pounds of their coffee one recent day; their Jersey Diner-style Blend and FTO Peru. I sampled each via pourover, french press and siphon.

For the Jersey Diner-style, the drip produced notes of buttered toast, apple, Corn Pops, a little lemongrass and cola, capping off a medium-bodied coffee with sweet, wheaty notes. The french press held a similar body and notes of granny smith apples, toast, sweet corn and a little cola. The siphon had a more wheaty kick, with notes of graham cracker, toast, apple, cola and a little sweet corn within a medium body. 

The Peru drip delivered flavors of french toast, maple, cloves and unsweetened cocoa within a heavier body, that overall, while flavorful, was a little too dark. The french press produced a similar profile, with notes of cloves, unsweetened cocoa, maple syrup and a heavy body that seemed almost espresso-esque. The siphon proved a tad sweeter, with chococlate, maple syrup, cloves and oatmeal within a heavy body.

Overall, both coffees sampled decently. While I thought the Jersey Diner blend was better, as it embodied a flavorful brew that I would covet with a nice breakfast, I found the FTO Peru not bad for a darker coffee but little too bitter for a light roast.

If you're in the area or you're looking to try out one of Jersey's coffee roasters, give Booskerdoo a try. 


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.

CC: Happy Coffee

Subject: Happy Coffee

Location: Denver, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 6+ [see key]

If I were to move away from the ocean, it would be to a place like Denver. Somehow, the balance of mountains and dozens of great coffee spots easily compensates for the distance from a true oceanic shoreline. 

One coffeehouse that would add to my enticement is Happy Coffee. A local establishment that sits pretty on a corner location on Broadway, they provide great coffee from various coffee roasters like Four Barrel and Heart. One sunny morning, my entourage (the family, an old friend and I) made our way over to the coffeehouse early enough to beat the crowds and have the place to ourselves. The windows gave a spacious feel amidst the minimalist yet warm interior, with the coffee bar smack in the middle giving an air of performance, with the array of seating surrounding as a chic gladiator arena.

As for my coffee, I ordered an espresso of Four Barrel's Friendo Blendo and a pourover of a Heart Guatemalan (a Palencia I believe). The espresso, pulled short with a brown swirled crema, spoke of lemon, sugar, salt, cream and dark cocoa, all harmoniously dancing together to form a delicious alliance. The pourover also rocked, giving notes of wheat, apple juice, cascara, curried broth and vanilla; a pleasantly juicy and complex cup great for AM sipping. 

At the risk of sounding cliche', Happy Coffee deftly lived up to its name. If you happen to be in Denver or close by, stroll down for a great coffee experience.

CC: Sola Coffee

Subject: Sola Coffee

Location: Raleigh, NC
Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 6+ [see key]

The more I hear about North Carolina, the more I am attracted to it. I've seen much of the state at one time or another in my brief existence, and from what I recall (some trips were long ago) I loved the parts I saw, especially Asheville and Charlotte. 

But oddly, all of my trips managed to miss the triangle of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, that is until recently when I had to head down on official business. Blessedly, I found plenty of great coffee establishments to possibly patronize in my travels. 

My first morning in town, I let geography pick my coffeehouse and I made my way over to Sola Coffee in North Raleigh. A huge building all to itself, Sola is flanked with beautiful horitculture, ample outside seating and a lovely stone edifice. Inside, the place emanated a warm aura with a hip yet rustic decor, full of numerous tables and seating bathed in pleasant light. They had a large counter as well, with a separate pourover bar.

As for coffee, they serve up local Counter Culture. I ordered an espresso of Toscana and a drip of Farmhouse. My espresso, pulled short with brownish-tan crema, held notes of cocoa, vanilla, lime, season salt and coriander; a deliciously executed drink. The drip also proved delectable, with a rush of passion fruit, hibiscus, tomato, olive oil, oregano and nutmeg amidst a medium body.

After a getting a little bit of work done, I made my off into the morning traffic satisfied in the great experience Sola Coffee delivered. When you're in Raleigh, Sola is a grand option.

Mugged: Hope Blend [Bonlife]

Subject: Bonlife Coffee
Mugged: Hope Blend
Rating: 4+ [see key]


Tennessee is a great southern state, home to superb bbq, gorgeous hiking and legal adoption for folks over 18. It's a state I can say I've traversed numerous times and each time, found something new. 

But having been away from the honky-tonk state for some years, I've been unable to sample the developing coffee scene that has been gaining steam in the years past. One such coffee entity to set down roots is Bonlife Coffee, an international company that opened its doors in Tennessee this past summer. They asked if they could send out some coffee for my opinion, and after some quick communication they sent me out a pound of their Hope Blend. I sampled the coffee via pourover, french press and siphon.

The drip produced vanilla followed by sweet cocoa, along with notes of butter, grass, caraway seed and some toasted almond, all within a mild body. A delicious brew with a nutty sweetness. 

The french press proved mellower, with vanilla, cocoa,wheat, caramel and toasted almond amidst a light, buttery body. A sweet and smooth cup.

The siphon came third in order and in favor. The cup held more of a bittersweet cocoa, along with fig, flemish sour ale and strong nut notes, coupled with some wheaty undertones. A little heavier but still a good cup. 

To sum it up, I would definitely order the Hope Blend again, as it proved to have a nice profile of nuts and sweet cocoa with some other varying positive characters. If you happen to be in Cleveland, TN or an internet purchase away, give Bonlife a whirl.    


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.