Austin's Growing Coffee Obsession (or is it Addiction)

Do you like coffee? I guess you wouldn't be reading this if you did not. But, are you obsessed with coffee? In case you need help, the definition of obsession is "an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind." or, maybe you are just addicted to coffee? "physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects". Alternatively, maybe you just need somewhere to get free Wi-Fi and the fascist coffee shop owner makes you buy a cup of coffee to use their Wi-Fi? If you live in Austin then I am guessing you fit in one of these categories, unless of course you drink tea in which case there is no hope for you.

What Does Coffee Mean to Austin?

A Cappuccino from Caffe Medici

Coffee has long since been more than just a pick me up for many Austinite's. A gallon of the coffee of the day from Magnolia Cafe is no longer cutting it. While Austin may not be up there with Seattle and Portland in the nations coffee obsession, we are getting there. We are also getting more discerning in both the coffee itself as well as the coffee shop environment. Coffee shops have become meeting rooms, birthday party rooms, bars, hangover rooms, offices, first date locations, power nap spots, free public bathrooms, shopping pit stops and much more.

There is Money in Coffee You Know

With the coffeehouse industry said to be worth more than $30 billion in 2015 (up 5% on the year before) more and more coffeehouses are popping up. In this post, I will review four Downtown Austin coffee shops. I did not necessarily select these based on being the best but they are all walkable from downtown Austin and I believe represent where the industry is heading in Austin.

Caffe Medici - 1100 South Lamar Blvd 

Outside Caffe Medici

With their first store opening in 2006 in the Clarksville neighborhood, this location is the fourth edition of Caffe Medici. The other two locations being at 2222B Guadalupe St. and underneath the Austonian on Congress. This Caffe Medici coffee shop is located under the upcoming Lamar Union apartments on South Lamar. Whilst not appearing formulaic it definitely maintains a theme with the other locations. Caffe Medici offers a laid back but cool atmosphere in which to enjoy excellent Cuvee coffee. The coffee is taken seriously at Medici but not to the extent that the average coffee drinker should feel intimidated. The staff are attentive but do have a sense of humor which is keeping with the theme of taking coffee seriously but not too seriously.

Inside Caffe Medici

Very clean but warm furnishings provide cozy nooks and high top tables for quiet chats or getting some work done. The high top bench on the right of the door as you walk in has the feel of an Apple Store including the requisite nerds (sans the blue t-shirts). Having said that, the seats at the high table offer the most commanding views of the coffee shop and provide a great location for people watching also.

I have never seen the place jam packed but there is usually a steady flow of people, especially when movies let out of the nearby Alamo Draft House. I imagine it will fill out once the Lamar Union Apartments come on-line as these apartments seem like they are geared to the Caffe Medici client-el.

The coffee, for my pallet at least, is excellent and a Cappuccino will set you back $3.80 which is about average.

Houndstooth Coffee (401 Congress Ave)

Outside 

Houndstooth is the coffee drinkers coffee shop. Although I would wager others would disagree, Houndstooth probably takes coffee more seriously than any other coffee shop in Austin. Their dedication to the art of making coffee is palpable as soon as you walk through the door. With newer locations on North Lamar and even Dallas (how dare they), Houndstooth is taking advantage of both the market and their coffee brewing skills to grow. The staff are great. I think may not only have gone to hard core Barista training but also hard core Austin fashion training as they have the hats and beards to prove it.

Inside Houndstooth

The inside of the Congress location is pretty spartan with less places to sit than many coffee shops. Again, the focus is squarely on the coffee drinking experience. I do not get the sense this is the kind of place where you would park your laptop for a couple of hours and bear down on writing your latest novel. You could, however, definitely stop here for half an hour and check your email if you are looking for a change of location.

It is also a great spot for people watching. Being in the center of Congress both the bold and the beautiful frequent this place to see and be seen. If I were more self conscious I may have been put off but I am not so I was not.

I am an Americano drinker (or Cappuccino if I need some comfort). The coffee is really excellent (as you would expect).

Jo's Coffee (242 West 2nd Street)

Jo's Coffee / Diner

While some coffee shops are making coffee the star of the show, combining coffee and food (and even beer) is a growing trend. We see Starbucks ever expanding their food menu and making boatloads of money and the smaller chains are following suit. Personally I don't like it, coffee shops are for coffee and Wi-Fi and maybe a pastry but not for a full meal. OK, OK I'll include breakfast tacos in the list of acceptable coffeehouse food but that's it.





To me the name of this place is wrong, it should be called Jo's Diner not Jo's Coffee. It certainly has more in common with a diner than a coffee shop (including the fact they serve burgers and have booths). There is nothing wrong with this as such but then you shouldn't call it a coffee shop. So why did I include Jo's in my coffee shop review? You may ask. Well, it's to illustrate a point that coffee shops are in danger of trying to be too much to too many people and not being great at any one thing.

A Cup of Jo's

Although the web-site is joscoffee.com and you find it on Google using Jos Coffee, almost all of the branding is now just Jo's. This I suspect is part of a re-branding and and attempt to expand from their original coffee shop roots (on-line merchandising included).

With locations on South Congress and on Campus, Jo's is also expanding its reach. It will be interesting to see if these local chains can maintain the same individuality and Austin Cool when they have five or ten locations. I certainly hope so for if they don't, I fear Austenite's will sense the presence of 'the man' and take themselves off to the latest quirky startup coffeehouse.

So how about that coffee? Not as good as Cafe Medici or Houndstooth but a decent cup of Americano for $3.50.

Starbucks (301 W 3rd St)

Starbucks

I can almost hear the screams as I type. "How dare you mention Starbucks when talking coffee shops in Austin or coffee at all for that matter?". "Keep Austin Weird and keep corporate America out!". In response to that I say, it's my Blog and I can mention Starbucks if I want to! Seriously though, for this one store at least, they are trying to fit in with Austin or should I say trying not to fit in.

In the face of increased competition from local coffee shops, Starbucks is upping its game. With the opening of the Austin inspired store on West 3rd street in early 2014, Starbucks is showing that it believes a warm local feel matters as much as the coffee they serve.

Not the Typical Starbucks

The press release on the opening of this store details all of the Austin inspired decorations, far more than I noticed if I am honest. It is obvious, however, that this is not your run of the mill suburban Starbucks which are typically soulless money making boxes with more activity at the drive thru than the counter.

There is plenty of seating with options including leather benches (very comfy leather benches), high top tables for the laptop crowd and regular tables and chairs. While there are no nooks and crannies to hide away in, it does offer a pleasing, clean and well lit environment to drink your coffee.

There is not much point in talking about the coffee, you all know what Starbucks coffee tastes like.

Summary

Coffee is great. If you haven't tried it, drop everything, including your laptop and try some right now. If you have tried it and you like it then check out some of the above locations and let me know what you think?