California Fresh Market

California Fresh Market has just opened on Foothill Boulevard in San Luis Obispo and they have quite an extensive coffee menu.  Sheila had a 12 ounce regular coffee which was fresh brewed.  It was only $1.25 and was very delicious.  Joan had a soy milk latte with caramel syrup and sugar free vanilla.  It was $3.85.  It was very creamy and smooth and sweet.  We found the staff to be friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was very welcoming and congenial.  There is no indoor seating at this time, but there's plenty of outdoor seating.  Next to the coffee bar are delicious looking pastries, made from scratch and very reasonably priced.  California Fresh Market also has fresh sushi and many deli options, besides lots of grocery items, including De Palo and Sons pasta sauce, made by Sheila's sister-in-law and brother-in-law, for De Palo and Sons in Shell Beach.

Think About It: Sometimes you don't feel the weight of something you've been carrying until you feel the weight of its release.

Edna Valley Market

We discovered a gem on Broad Street in SLO this morning.  It's Edna Valley Market, which is adjacent to a Shell Station, which also includes a car wash.  Now this might not sound too enticing, but we were pleasantly surprised when we entered the clean, neat, and airy Market.  There is a large, dedicated coffee station, where you can serve yourself at a cappuccino machine, which has several flavor options, and there are five or six or more coffee choices to choose from.  There is also a fresh chilled creamer dispenser with four delightful flavor varieties. The coffees are Coastal Peaks Roasters.  Sheila had a decaf this morning which was called Hollister Peak Dark.  It was only $1.72 and was very satisfying and not at all too strong.  Joan started with half French Vanilla Coastal Peak and half decaf Hollister Peak Dark.  She had fun adding three chilled creamers, which included caramel, French vanilla, and Half and Half.  It was also just $1.72.  She said, "It was nice to be able to doctor it just the way I like it."  For the adventurous coffee drinker, you can also grind your own beans for an even more personalized cup of coffee.

Indoor and outdoor seating is plentiful.

The Market has a wide and delicious variety of sandwiches, salads, and breakfast items.  You can get ready made or made to order.  

Think About It: It's Election Day. Get out and vote, then go for a cup of coffee!

Sweetie Cup Tea House

Yes, this is a tea house, but you can get a delightful cup of coffee there, too!  Sweetie Cup Tea House is located right in the heart of downtown SLO at 1118 Chorro Street.  The location makes it very convenient for downtown workers, shoppers, and students, as well as anyone else who might enjoy a different and charming atmosphere.  It is a lovely venue, decorated with brick and wood, making it earthy and inviting.  There is lots of comfortable seating and the people working there are friendly and helpful.  Besides many kinds of teas there are tea sets, tea accessaries,  and interesting Chinese gift items available for purchase.  They have an extensive menu of specialty tea drinks, smoothies, something called Snow Fluff, which looks delicious (we'll have to try that next time!), as well as noodles, dumplings, and soup.  Sheila had a regular cup of organic coffee.  The small was plenty big and cost $2.65.  It was not too strong and for a place that does primarily teas, it was good.  Joan had an iced coffee topped off with a thick layer of sea salt cream and a sprinkle of chocolate.  This is something we hadn't seen before.  It was $4.15.  Joan described it as very smooth, foamy, rich and creamy with a hint of salt and chocolate.  Once you mix it in you get the full creamy coffee drink experience.  She would definitely order it again!  The cream topping was softly whipped, which gave it that unique texture and flavor.

 Think About It: Give thanks for this incredible, beautiful, tragic gift called life. 

Starbucks on Higuera in Downtown SLO

If you are into people watching, this Starbucks is the place for you.  It is located in downtown San Luis in the Downtown Centre.  We actually went last week, but were unable to blog until today. It is a good sized venue, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.  It would be great for a stop before or after a movie at the adjacent Downtown Centre Cinema, or after a meal in one of the many nearby restaurants, and is also a popular spot for an early morning quick breakfast for those working in the downtown area.  They are open at 6:00 A.M.  Sheila had her usual black coffee, this time decaf, because we went later in the afternoon.  She had a tall Americano which was $2.25.  As usual, Starbucks did not disappoint.  Joan had a tall decaf iced Americano with vanilla sweet cream and caramel syrup.  She took one sip and gasped (literally), "This is so good!"  Today she confessed that she went back the next day and had another!  It was $3.25, and well worth it.

Think About It:  Don't wait for things to get easier, simpler, better. Learn to be happy right now. 

Scout Coffee on Foothill Blvd.

After a very busy summer, some good and some bad, we are back blogging and happy to be sharing our latest coffee adventure with you.  After much anticipation, the new Scout Coffee location is open.  We have previously visited the one on Garden Street in downtown SLO.  The new Scout has excellent parking, a real plus in San Luis Obispo.  The address is 880 East Foothill Blvd.  It is open from 6:30 A.M. until 7:30 P.M.  The venue is very spacious with lots of seating options, including tables, chairs, stools, benches, window seating, and outdoor seating.  The menu includes coffees, of course, teas, milkshakes, baked goods, and many other enticing treats.  Sheila had a small regular coffee, which was $2.75.  It was rich and strong and satisfying.  Joan had a cappuccino with one shot of espresso, vanilla bean syrup, and almond milk.  All syrups are made in house, as well as the almond milk.  Altogether it was $5.25.  It was strong, robust, and potent, due to the espresso shot, and the almond milk definitely made its impression.  To quote Joan, "It's a coffee drinker's coffee." The coffee Scout uses is Honey Company Roasters, a locally owned coffee company.

Roll down doors provide a fun and inviting entrance.

 An array of coffee themed gifts and cute paper products are available for purchase.

Think About It.

McCafe at McDonald's

Yes, we did.  We went to the McDonald's located in the Madonna Plaza here in SLO and were pleasantly surprised.  They actually have a variety of coffee drinks at very good prices.  Sheila's regular black coffee was only 95 cents and was excellent.  They brew fresh every 30 minutes.  They have  free wifi, just as most coffee houses do.  We noticed quite a few seniors there, enjoying breakfast and coffee and socializing.  There is no play structure, so it lends itself to an atmosphere conducive to the more mature coffee drinker.  The wide aisles and seating are great for anyone with a mobility issue.  There is soft music playing that is not too overwhelming and the atmosphere is pleasant.  Joan had a small sugar free hot French vanilla latte.  It was $2.80, and she declared, "This is good!"  She described it as creamy and sweet.

Think About It: Sometimes you can find unanticipated surprises in unexpected places, so don't be snooty about your coffee!

Teaberry Frozen Yogurt Cafe

We are now exploring all coffee venues in SLO, even those that are not exclusively coffee shops, which is why we visited Teaberry Frozen Yogurt Cafe.  It is located at 847 Higuera Street in downtown SLO.  They do have a small coffee menu, as well as frozen yogurt, smoothies, teas, gelatos, and other items.  It is locally owned and operated and is a good location for an afternoon coffee or snack.  It doesn't open until 11:00 A.M., however.  Sheila had her usual regular coffee, an Americano, which was $1.95 for a 12 ounce size.  It was a very satisfying cup of black coffee, made fresh on the spot.  Joan had a latte with almond milk, which was $2.95 for a 12 ounce size.  She described it a having a smooth, nutty flavor with just an underlying coffee essence.  It was not too strong and not too weak.

Teaberry has a clean, modern vibe.  There is indoor and outdoor seating available.

Think About It: Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you coffee, which is kind of the same thing. (We saw this on a sign at Hands Gallery.)