Solo Espresso

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

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

When I first planned out a recent trip to New Orleans, one of the first Airbnb spots my wife spied sat adjacent to a coffeehouse. Never being too hopeful that such convenience can result in great coffee, I got my hopes appropriately low and googled the shop. Little did I know that said cafe would soon become one of my favorite coffee shops in the city.

Oak Creek Espresso

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Oak Creek Espresso
Location: Sedona, AZ
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Sedona continues to be one of my favorite spots in Arizona. My first visit south into the canyon from Flagstaff still gives me chills when I recall the majestic red rocks and towering pine trees.

King Street Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: King Street Coffee
Location: Leesburg, VA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Growing up, I did not truly appreciate Virginia. To my teenage logic, it was the large state next to DC, home of Busch Gardens Williamsburg and numerous battlefields. But as I grew and the more often I visited, I discovered that Virginia holds a plethora of great stuff to offer.

Futuro

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Futuro
Location: Phoenix, AZ
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

There are a few days each year where going out for coffee is more about escaping the heat than getting a cup of joe. These last few days across much of the USA has reminded many of the glory of a great air conditioner, especially when cold air is pumping throughout a great coffeehouse.

Chocolate Moose Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Chocolate Moose
Location: Beckley, WV
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]

For as much as I love mini golf, I am surprised that more serious coffee shops do not abut them. When I have seen such golf-and-coffee combos, a good marriage between two complimentary businesses seems to thrive, especially if they put little tables or cup holders at each hole so walking around with a latte is not a feat of dexterity.

Ironclad Coffee Roasters

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Ironclad Coffee Roasters
Location: Richmond, VA
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

As much as I love new structures hot off the architectural presses, there is nothing more rapturous than a repurposed antiquated structure into a beautiful coffee shop. I don't know about the average joe, but joy quickly fills my heart at seeing the old bones of a 17th century haberdashery turned into a high-end cafe or a Victorian London toilet made into a hip coffee joint.

Rise Coffee House

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Rise Coffee House
Location: St. Louis, MO
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Everyone wants a good coffeehouse somewhere in their morning routine, whether they know it or not. There's something transcendently better about grabbing a cup of freshly-made quality drip coffee with an egg-laden buttermilk biscuit from a local coffee purveyor, versus making it at home or work. Fortunately for the folks of The Grove in St. Louis, Rise Coffee House exists to make such AM dreams a reality.

Exo Roast Co.

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Exo Roast Co.
Location: Tucson, AZ
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

While I quite enjoy the eastern side of the USA, the sudden burst of heavy humidity every year around June makes me pine for drier regions. That's probably one reason I took such a quick fancy to Tucson. Even in the summer, its beautiful landscapes and agreeable climate made it a nice respite from the constant moisture that is the East Coast.

Alchemy Coffee

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Alchemy Coffee and Bake House
Location: Lawrence, KS
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Thanks to the great work of several professionals and a handful of coffee establishments, I have come to hold Kansas in high esteem when it comes to specialty coffee. Sure it might be a less-populated state, but through the past decade it seems that Kansas has been continually blessed with a good sampling of excellent coffee.