Wednesday, July 21, 2021

The Clay Cup



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.

Monday, July 12, 2021

Z Vault


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.

Monday, June 28, 2021

Rothrock Coffee


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.

Friday, June 25, 2021

Whole and Grounded Cafe



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.

Friday, June 18, 2021

Abide Coffeehouse


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.

Sunday, May 30, 2021

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.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

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.