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.)

Starbucks on Chorro Near Foothill

This Starbucks is a very small venue and seems to be more for pick up than sitting and savoring your coffee.  There was a steady stream of customers.  It is close to Cal Poly and Foothill businesses.  There is some indoor seating and one bench outside nearby.  There were some students studying, but there were also other patrons enjoying their coffee or picking up orders to go.  Sheila had her usual tall regular coffee at $1.95 and it did not disappoint.  You can always count on Starbucks for a good cup of coffee.  Joan had a toffee nut latte decaf with nonfat milk.  It was $3.65.  It was a smooth and sweet cup of coffee with a hint of caramel and a bit of nuttiness, much like Joan herself.  She also purchased a chocolate croissant for her husband John (allegedly).  Starbucks has a nice selection of baked goods and breakfast items, as well as light lunch choices.

Think About It: Overthinking is the biggest cause of unhappiness.

Coastal Peaks Coffee-New Location

Coastal Peaks Coffee has moved just down the street from where they used to be. They are now located at 3566 South Higuera, Suite 100.  The new location is very nice, spacious, inviting, and relaxing.  In fact, if you sit near the aquarium, watching the fish and sipping your coffee, you might never want to leave!  Sheila had a 12 ounce regular cup of coffee.  There were four options to choose from and she chose the Deep Mahogany Roast, which is a combination of African, Indonesian, and Central American coffees.  True to its description, it was syrupy and smooth, with a smoky finish.Very satisfying, and only $2.00.  Refills are available for just $1.00, and regular customers are encouraged to bring their own cups and fill them at the coffee station.  Joan got a small vanilla bean sugar free latte with almond milk.  It came to $5.10.  She described it as foamy, creamy, and smooth with the almond milk providing a perfect balance.  It came with a tiny delicious shortbread cookie.  Other drinks, baked goods, and lunch and breakfast items round out the menu.  Clientele were varied, including business people, retirees, and friends meeting friends.  It was steadily busy, but waiting time was minimal.  Coastal Peaks is a micro brewery and we were treated to a tour of the roasting room, which is visible through a window from the inside, by Rochelle, one of the very friendly baristas who work there.  She does a "Coffee Academy" once a month, which sounds like so much fun!

There is a meeting room available on request.

There are comfortable club chairs, couches, tables and chairs, counter seats, and pleasant outdoor seating.

Small batches of beans are roasted all day long, ensuring a quality product.

Think About It: Some quit due to slow progress, never grasping the fact that...slow progress is progress.

Einstein Bros. Bagels

Today we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather between the recent rain storms to visit the Cal Poly campus for coffee and were delightfully surprised to discover Einstein Bros. Bagels.  It is located in the Poly Canyon Village.  There is convenient metered parking in the parking structure located very near the Village, which means there are no parking hassles and no need for a permit.  Sheila went back to her roots for this coffee outing.  She spent the first five years of her life living in the tiny ranch house at the end of Poly Canyon, known as the Peterson Ranch.  Her dad taught Animal Husbandry at Poly in the '50's and 60's, which is why the family lived there.  It has changed tremendously, of course, since then.  She remembers playing in the barn and an abandoned chicken coop, and finding turtles in the creek that runs through the property.  There are also remnants of Native American mortars carved into the rocks.  Fast forward to today and a pleasant coffee experience.  Sheila had her usual regular coffee, choosing a vanilla hazelnut blend of Caribou coffee.  It was $2.10 with tax and was just the right touch of nuttiness and deliciousness.  Joan had a hot caramel macchiato with nonfat milk, which was $4.19 with tax.  She described it as being rich and creamy and not too sweet.  They also, of course, have a large bagel menu and baked goods.

There is plenty of seating in this spacious venue, both indoors and outdoors.

Sheila and her brother Tim in Poly Canyon, back in the day.

Think About It: A yawn is just a silent cry for coffee.