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.

Ladder Coffee / Vessel Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Ladder Coffee 
Location visited: Monroe St, Spokane, WA (formerly Vessel Coffee Roasters)
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Since my turnaround time on posts is not exactly fast, many times things happen between me visiting a shop and me publishing my visit. Sadly, especially this year, the situation is more often that a shop has closed down and does not plan to reopen. But occasionally something cheerier happens, like every great once in a while a quality shop merges with another quality local coffee operation, creating a stronger presence for both in a fortuitous union.

This seems to be the case with Vessel Coffee Roasters and Ladder Coffee in Spokane. Some months ago, I made a visit to Vessel's sole outpost and had a most delightful experience (of which I will further share). Unfortunately, due to the hour and other circumstances, I was not able to make it to Ladder Coffee that day and sample their highly-regarded coffees, and I headed out of town that night forlorn for missing the window to visit. 

Pressed

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Pressed Books + Coffee + Gifts
Location visited: Erie, PA

WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Erie, Pennsylvania has been a town with which I have had poor coffee fortunes. Each time I have visited, I have either found poor coffee or if I found a quality prospect, it was closed. A few months back, it seemed like my poor fortune would continue while passing through town one Sunday, but just as I had begun to despair, I found Pressed. 

Uptown Hearth / Azul Coffee Bar

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Uptown Hearth / Azul Coffee Bar
Location visited: Columbia Falls, MT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

For gorgeous mountain majesty, no place in the USA compares to Glacier National Park. Few places bring such unique beauty in a single place and thanks to the ever-rising popularity, the area outside of Glacier improves every time I visit. 

East End Coffee Co.

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: East End Coffee Co.
Location visited: Lewistown, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Living in the Philadelphia area, I grew up knowing little of what lay west beyond Lancaster. The times I did trounce across the state with family and friends, we usually took the turnpike and to my young mind, most of PA simply consisted of a handful of towns like Gettysburg, State College and Harrisburg. 

Union Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Union Roasters
Location visited: 4th St, Coeur d'Alene, ID 
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Growing up, no one told me about the shocking beauty of northern Idaho. Movies and travel guides rave about Montana and Colorado, but Idaho never was mentioned in the same conversation, never mind the same sentence.   

Canyon Coffee Co.

 Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Canyon Coffee Co.
Location visited: New Bethlehem, PA 
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

At the risk of sounding obvious, I greatly delight in visiting new places. In my younger days I yearned for distant lands that required air travel, but now that I'm a little older with numerous kids (plus the yoke of COVID), I have managed to keep my explorative spirits high with some local road trips. 

Clyde Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

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

Navigating a frozen pass is one of the few things I dislike about the northwest mountains. Living on the east coast, we have our share of icy slopes but not many of them exist on an interstate. Just recently, I had to get from Spokane to Missoula around the beginning of March, and since every realistic route involved a major mountain crossing, I just went with the obvious road and took Lookout Pass. Thank the Lord it was mostly thawed by the time I got to it, but the experience still proved slightly harrowing.

Cogito Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Cogito Coffee

Location visited: Philadelphia, PA 

WiFi?: yes

Rating: 6+ [see key]

State lines are funny things. Depending on the two states, sometimes a coffee shop has half a dozen locations within feet of a border yet not a single shop on the other side. Sure there's a lot of bureaucratic red tape to blame, but when push comes to shove, no one likes paying to cross a bridge for a cup of coffee.

Copper Cup

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Copper Cup
Locations visited: Lancaster, PA and Lititz, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I have come to relish the gradual discovery of the Lancaster area. Every time I visit I find something I've managed to overlook before, such as James Buchanan's Wheatland, a historical landmark to a dismal president. While I didn't really stop at the old mansion, it did afford me the opportunity to grab some great coffee at Copper Cup.

Indaba Coffee

                                                                   

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Indaba Coffee
Location visited: 518 W Riverside Ave, Spokane, WA 
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The last time I went through Spokane, I didn't even get a chance to leave the car. Sadly, I was fused to a schedule, the victim of my own poor planning, with only enough time for a late-night airport stop to collect my friend on our way west to Ellensburg. As I looked at the city lights in my rearview mirror, I vowed that next time I would make more time for Spokane. 

Little Goat Coffee Roasting Co

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Little Goat Coffee Roasting Co
Location: Newark, DE
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

A college town without great coffee nearby is a sad educational prospect. Personally, my alma mater still lacks a great coffee option abutting campus (though there's one a short drive away), so when I visit towns harboring an institution of higher education without a good local coffee shop, I definitely feel a pang of shared sorrow for its students. 

Cafe Red

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Cafe Red
Location: Seattle, WA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I had never before visited Seattle in the winter, but for a trip in February it was quite beautiful, especially compared to a NJ winter. Aside from the general warmer weather, the green evergreens of the area wonderfully offset the dreary skies, but the likely silver lining to Seattle that had the most effect is the plethora of coffee options.

Doubles Cafe and Bar

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Doubles Cafe and Bar (formerly Colony Club)
Location: Washington DC
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I can usually count on at least one trip to DC a year, and each year I try to give a new coffee shop a chance. This past visit I went out of my way to sample a place called the Colony Club. Named for the owners grandparents' flower shop called Colony Flowers, it was a popular and beautiful cafe that had both spacious back patio seating and a cozy interior.

Amity Coffee Co.

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Amity Coffee Co.
Location: Penn Yan, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

For the three long years my wife and I spent in Syracuse, we tried to make the most of our geography and visit all of the nifty towns in the area. Looking back, we failed quite deplorably, as we only went for the crowd favorites like Ithaca and Watkins Glen. Now I look at the map of New York and see so many intriguing spots we've had to make up since we moved south.

Montago Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Montago Coffee
Location: Helena, MT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

State capitals and their administrative complexes usually aren't much to look at, but sometimes excellent gems sit next to their concrete walls.

Denim Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Denim Coffee
Location: Carlisle, PA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

The older I get, the more I enjoy the journey versus the destination. That could largely result from the fact that my endpoints don't vary as much as they use to, and now detours have become the only concrete way I see new scenery, not to mention new coffee.

Public Espresso

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Public Espresso
Location Visited: Downtown Buffalo, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

The first time I went through Buffalo, it was cold, dreary and I could not find a good cup of coffee. The last time I was in Buffalo, it was sunny, mild and I found numerous coffee stops. One of my favorites as of late is a place called Public Espresso.

Hivolt

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Hivolt
Location: New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Getting a quality meal and a good cup of coffee at the same time used to be a rare occurrence. Fortunately the days have grown brighter and coffee is no longer an afterthought. Specifically in the past decade, things have greatly improved in the food world so that brunch spots and fine dinner establishments now purvey quality coffee from excellent roasters instead of capsuled espresso or cooked coffee from an urn long overdue for a cleaning.

Overwinter Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

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

Buffalo failed to make a solid impression when I first visited back in 2007. Maybe it was because I expected a better Anchor Bar experience, or the fact that I visited in winter may have had a role to play, but the real disappointment really lay rooted in the lackluster coffee adventures that turned up few good cups of coffee.

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.

Mojo Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Mojo Coffee Roasters
Location Visited: Freret St, New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Some of my favorite memories have happened on evening coffee dates. Sadly, over the years such opportunities have dwindled for many reasons (kids, quarantine and coffee shops with early hours to name a few), but when I can find a good coffee shop open late, I scribble down eminent plans to visit.

Treeline Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Treeline Coffee Roasters
Location: Bozeman, MT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

There are a few states that hold a special place in my heart, and the hardest one to physically get to has been Montana. After a decade of foiled attempts, I finally found myself back in Bozeman just a few months ago. North of Yellowstone and full of old memories, I was delighted to find so many good coffee options, some from yore but many new to me.

Second Wind Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Second Wind Coffee
Location: Johnstown, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Driving south out of the Adirondacks truly jolts you back to reality. One minute there abounds mountain majesty as far as the eye can travel, and the next it's nothing but rolling farmland and less majestic vistas (though it is still pretty of course by Jersey standards).

Cherry Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

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

The sun was hot and the streets were buzzing with activity as I made the most of my free time in New Orleans. Finding myself walking around Magazine Street, I wove in and out of the many businesses lining both sides, ranging from boutiques to fantastic eateries. Looking for a good cup of coffee, I set my sights on a location of Cherry Coffee Roasters, a local shop and roaster that had been gaining reputation for quality coffee. Since their second outpost proved convenient to my geography (their primary location is on Laurel), it made for a welcome treat to my morning adventure.

Evans Brothers Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Evans Brothers Coffee
Location Visited: Coeur d'Alene, ID
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

My first trip through Idaho's northern landscape found jaw-dropping vistas and alluring small towns, especially the fair city of Coeur d'Alene. Situated on a huge lake, the city of Coeur d'Alene stared at me from the highway as I passed through, but sadly I had to refuse its siren call due to a tight time table that had no room for detours. Nonetheless, that day I determined that the next time I was in the area, I would give myself plenty of time to look around Coeur d'Alene.

Arrow Cafe

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Arrow Cafe
Location: New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Riding a street car down N Rampart Street stands as one of my favorite memories of New Orleans. The car was relatively empty and the day was not yet a few hours old, but the car was a nice relief from the already stifling air of the city and the route had few passengers. Sadly the ride was not long, and the destination was the French Quarter, as my wife and I had a nice morning of sight-seeing and walking the old streets planned out. It was then as we made our way down N Rampart St that we first passed Arrow Cafe.

The Shop

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: The Shop
Location: Binghamton, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Back when I lived in Syracuse, I used to go back and forth from Philly all the time, passing quite often through the city of Binghamton, New York. Circa 2008, the area held few places to stop for good coffee, so rarely did I visit the city of Binghamton during my travels.

Coffee Science

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Coffee Science
Location: New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

The more one radiates out from the French Quarter, the more facets New Orleans presents. Sure the bulk of tourism is right near the Quarter but there's a lot of gems off the beaten path that are worth seeking out. If coffee is high on that gem list, then one of them is Coffee Science.

Kru Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Kru Coffee
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

While Saratoga springs is known best for its horses, the area also possesses a beautiful history and lovely town. I recall my first visit over a decade ago while driving through the area and ever since have desired to make a detour when traveling nearby.

Le Marché by NP

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Le Marché by NP Flagship Boutique and Coffee Bar
Location: Whitefish, MT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Multifaceted coffee operations definitely jump out to me most vividly. There are a host of things that go well with coffee, yet many times coffee shops seem to follow the same template.

HEY! Cafe / HEY Coffee Co

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: HEY Coffee Co / Hey! Cafe 
Location visited: New Orleans, LA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Were I to pick the most colorful city I have visited, it would likely be New Orleans. Full of vibrantly painted houses and Mardi Gras parades, NOLA sports a wide variety of palettes.