I’m not a connoisseur of gourmet coffee. I can barely spell connoisseur, but I am a fan of full-bodied, black coffee. Fancy, foo-foo flavored coffee – no thanks. That’s not me. Black coffee, no sugar or creamer, that’s me. Yes, how boring. I’ve never tasted Kopi Luwak (look it up) and have no desire to.
The morning intake of caffeine is helpful, but I’m not dependent on it like this guy, and it doesn’t make a good hair conditioner.
Coffee is a mixed blessing. Coffee is the world’s most valuable traded commodity next to petroleum. Americans spend an average of $1,092 on coffee every year. Much like how caffeine can enter your blood, it can also mix with a man’s sperm. I’m not sure what that means.
The effects of caffeine reach its peak around 30 to 60 minutes from consumption. Coffee is an effective caffeine delivery mechanism. Research studies suggest that drinking two cups of coffee/daily could help reduce liver damage from alcohol (44% lower risk of developing liver cirrhosis). The first African tribes to consume coffee did so by grinding the berries together, adding in some animal fat, and rolling these caffeinated treats into tiny edible energy balls. After coffee beans are decaffeinated, several coffee manufacturers sell the caffeine to soda and pharmaceutical companies. Finland consumes the most coffee per capita with four cups per day.
I was late to the party as a coffee drinker, my late 20s, before I developed any kind of taste for the dark liquid. I drank it at work where the coffee was free, and it was like the water cooler, except it was in the waiting area of the mayor’s office, where I worked. That afforded me the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people and informally overhear pieces of important events.
After I left that world, my coffee drinking was mostly confined to weekends, just a cup in the morning. The explosion of coffee drinks had not yet happened; iced coffee, espresso or something called a latte was about it in my coffee vocabulary. Starbucks and grunge were still brewing in the Pacific Northwest.
I later joined an organization where the first pot of the day was made by a civil engineer who packed the coffee filter high and tight. For him and his very early mornings, coffee was simply a caffeine delivery system, not a drink to be sipped in the company of a podcast or a sterling convo with a BFF. His coffee was stirred with a paint stick and consumed like taffy; it was for preparing the body for a long workday. Later, a Keurig was obtained and the coffee to water ratio was adjusted, along with acquiring more flavors and blends. The world suddenly had choices.
I have to admit, my usual Sunday morning coffee is a ground-drip Folgers or Cameroon coffee blend, so I decided to try a cup from actual coffee shops for my own fake-scientific study.
So where can a guy go to enjoy a cup of coffee outside of the house? Good question. I haven’t fancy tastes, except I want a hot, flavorful cup, but no strong scent or bite. And no aftertaste. Off on my quest I went to taste-test a sampling of franchises and local java joints. I would order is a medium, black, light or medium roast coffee. No specials or food, just the coffee. Why not pick some flavored, creamy, popular drink instead? Black coffee is so basic, and that was my point. Aside from being my drink of choice, if a business cannot master the most basic, foundational drink, why should I trust them with a gourmet confection? I also paid attention to the environment and the clientele, in case I might want an occasional place to write.
Away we go…
National Chains
Dunkin’ Donuts
These stores made a big re-entry into the Kansas City market. I’ve had their K-cups for my Keurig, but that doesn’t count in this study. I ordered a medium, original black coffee, no additives, $3.05 including tax. Not fire-breathing hot, but hot. Held taste as it cooled. Not bitter or aftertaste, medium-bodied, roasted. Would I buy it again? Yes. 4/5
This shop is down the street from the doggy daycare where Master Charles attends. I would guess about 80 percent of their business is drive-thru. The inside looks like any other fast food restaurant, meaning no reason to stay after you’ve gobbled down your morning calories. I was the only walk-in.
From coffee review.com: Delicate, perhaps a bit subdued. Vaguely sweet-toned, slightly cardboardy aroma with hints of flowers, nut, and raisiny dark chocolate. Gentle, muted acidity; smooth, almost silky mouthfeel. Very simple in the cup; bare hints of lemon, cocoaish nut, flowers perhaps. Clean finishing; rich in the short but flavor fades quickly in the long.
That’s a lot! My reviews are more basic. This is coffee, not a rare wine vintage.
Caribou
There was a Caribou’s half a block from the library I frequent. This was a drive-thru or walk up location with outdoor seating along a busy street. I had a choice or light or full body roast since they were making a fresh pot. I waited for it to brew, so my expectations were on alert. I paid $3.27 (including tax) for a medium sized drink.
I was expecting hot and instead got a warm cup of coffee. Instead of waiting for it to cool, I had to hurriedly drink it before it got cold. Disappointing. Expecting a light-tasting, hot cup of coffee, the flavor was instead a bit bitter, like an aftertaste. If there was a blend of flavor, it was impossible to detect. I wanted to savor the drink but drank it quickly while it was still warm. As I thought about it, I decided to email the company and share my experience. While the ground-drip K-cup coffee is good, the restaurant-brew was a disappointment. I sent a note to their corporate office and they contacted me back, offering to buy my next cup.
Caribou Coffee shawnee-mission-parkway
From the Caribou website list of pillars: With an unwavering love of coffee at our core, we continue our commitment to responsible sourcing, real ingredients, and the highest standards for taste and quality across our entire menu. The first visit was a 2/5.
So, I went back, armed with my egift card, ordering a large, lite roast. For some reason, Caribou does not keep their drip coffee at a very hot temperature, so you better drink up. The coffee was mild in taste, quite nice, in fact. There is no aftertaste, just a fine cup. But turn up the heat! 4/5
Scooter’s
A fun little place. Four baristas working in a store about half the size of a shipping container. Mostly drive-thru or occasionally a walk-up, like me. This location reminds me of an old film drop-off kiosk at a mall. These folks were very happy; perhaps sampling the product. A medium-sized medium brewed black coffee: $3.27 including tax.
Not nuclear hot, just about the right temperature. Nothing bitter or off-putting about this blend, rather smooth actually. My the time I got home, about 4 miles and a dozen traffic signals, I have consumed almost the entire drink. Would I visit Scooter’s again? Yes. I might get a darker roast, just to compare. 4/5
Starbucks
I’m not a Starbucks person, but the drip coffee is very good. My other half and I stopped in for a quick breakfast. Yes, breakfast, so I made an exception and ordered an impossible sandwich, and a medium, medium roast coffee. Damn it was hot. Thankfully, I didn’t spill it on my lap.
Starbucks – Prairie Village, KS
I think it look a good 30 minutes for the temperature to be cool enough to do more than sip (maybe a slight exaggeration). I did have a chance to really enjoy the coffee, $2.85 including tax. It was remarkably good, full bodied and no aftertaste. 4/5
There was plenty of inside seating, and a lot of people standing to wait on their drinks, plus outdoor seating. There wasn’t much ambience to the place, certainly no originality.
Einstein Bros.
Disappointing. It’s like no one wanted to help you and I was left to my own imagination to figure out where to get my coffee. The ambience? There wasn’t any. This treat cost $3.69 for a medium, breakfast blend.
The coffee was average, warm at best. Nothing special. The seating area was generic, no warmth. Won’t be back. 2/5
Panera Bread
What’s better than a great cup of coffee on a Monday morning? I had just dropped Charlie at daycare and I needed a shot of something. It’s been awhile since I bought just coffee at Panera; I’ve had lunch here on rare occasion, so I felt like a rookie again. The service was okay, the young girl at the counter had patience with this deer-in-the-headlights old guy. He’s off his meds, she probably thought. One Panera’s looks like another, decent place to eat, but why would anyone want to hang around or work remotely from there? Medium, medium/light roast for $3.26 including tax.
The coffee is fresh and beyond the melting point. I drove home before even considering a sip. Once the temperature cooled to lava, I began sipping and it was very good. I detected a hint of something in the blend, though I couldn’t identify it. It wasn’t overly strong but the taste stayed with me, not really an aftertaste, just like a lingering handshake. Did I like the coffee, I did, but I might try something else next time. I do like the self-serve aspect. 4/5
Quik Trip
A chain of gas and takeaway items, with a huge selection of hot and cold drinks. This privately-owned company is in a huge growth period, now over 1,000 stores. Each store offers a few outside seats, but why would want to hang around. So many locations now and they are always busy. One of the things that makes it popular is the flavored teas and coffees, ice cream and fruity drink choices. I usually buy my gas at these locations because of the supermarket discount. I used to also grab a cup of coffee there, it was inexpensive and quick, but noticeably weak. If you flavor it up, it’s acceptable, but just black is not satisfactory. Sorry QT. 2/5
McDonald’s
The company brags about its coffee. It will burn your ding dong if you spill it on your lap, so beware. I’ve never thought McDonald’s coffee was anything to brag about. While their corporate vision might have merit, at the franchise level it often goes splat. The old McDonald’s is no more. I was at one of their locations the other day and the food and service were belong par. It was embarrassing and frustrating that the quality has reached a new low, and is insulting when you consider the high prices.
The coffee reflects this new reality. If you arrive in the morning, when it seems chaotic, you have the best chance of decent, but not great coffee. Hot, yes. A decent value, it depends. If it is fresh, yes. If you come after the morning rush, it’s questionable.
2.75/5
Summer Moon Coffee
The marriage of wood fire and coffee beans. Who knew, I didn’t even know they were dating. Anyway, founded in 2002, in Texas, “every batch of Summer Moon coffee is roasted in our handmade brick roasters over seasoned Texas oak,” their website says. I didn’t have to travel to Texas for a cup, it is right here in Overland Park, KS.
Bright, noisy place, lots of hard surfaces so the sound reverberates. A lot of cheery people, if you like that sort of thing in the morning. I did like the music, it might have been the Cocteau Twins, but hard to tell with the echoing sound. A medium, wood-fired black coffee was $3.26. The coffee was super hot, it not only burned my lips but my ancestors as well. They have expresso, frozen drinks, lattes and liquid lava disguised as black coffee. As the coffee cooled I was able to enjoy it; strong, but not overpowering. Of course they offer bags of their various blends and beans for sale. Various seating options: Near the counter, in the back area, away from the noise, and outdoor seating. There were a lot of people going in and out, and most of the seating was filled, so some enjoyed the ambience. For me, it lacked warmth and coziness. The coffee was above average, but I doubt that I will return. 3.5/5
Local Java
It’s great fun to discover the mix of fancy and the hole-in-the-wall local establishments. Someone in Toronto or Sioux City won’t care about the places below, but they can relate to the quaint little Java connection down the street.
Homer’s Coffeehouse
A local coffee house in downtown Overland Park. An eclectic place for music, chat and great vibes. Not a swanky joint, laidback and welcoming to old hippies or 20-something professionals. Definitely not pretentious or sterile franchise look. It is located half a block from the farmers market and within walking distance of older neighborhoods and trendy, new lofts.
Medium roast, hotter than the sun’s undercarriage, $2.84 including tax. A very pleasant aroma, a bit fuller roast than the average “medium,” but I’m not complaining. I’ve been here a few times for work meetings, but I prefer the retirement visits. I shall return. 4.5/5
Black Dog Coffeehouse
The Black Dog serves a ritzy clientele. I’ve been there for a few work meetings, just as a place to informally chat and hear new ideas. In the morning it is packed, and adjoining a bakery makes this a popular spot for people in a hurry or who want to work remotely to enjoy expensive drinks and eats.
Medium sized, medium roast, $4.26 including tax. That’s expensive for black, drip coffee, even though it was smooth and delightful. It had a decent temperature and left only a slight aftertaste. I could not detect a distinct flavor, just the body of the roast. I liked it very much, but not at that price. 4/5
Filling Station Coffee
A converted gas station, across from a high school. Interesting ambience, but not really my cup of tea or latte. A good crowd for mid-morning, mostly people on their computers. Classy drink selection and plenty of high calorie snack items.
A medium, light roast was all they had on tap, so I bought one, $3.76 including tax. Nuclear hot, like my fiancé’s kisses. The taste was a bit bitter, the coffee, not the kiss. I sipped on the coffee for the next hour; in the end it an average experience. 2.75/5
Urban Prairie Coffee
A nice surprise, a quaint storefront in downtown Mission, Kansas. The small coffeehouse now has the equally small stores on either side for more seating. I noticed one side has a multitude of board games for those staying awhile. There are pastries and a limited menu of healthy breakfast and lunch items. It wasn’t overly crowded during the lunchtime visit, yet a steady stream of in and out customers. The shady outside seating was enjoyable on a comfortable mid-September day. I like the ambience of this local place. Apparently many other patrons feel the same way, a good stream of coffee drinkers.
Medium, medium blend for $3.24. I was tempted to grab a pastry, but I’d just had lunch. Hot, but not quite nuclear. Great for sipping.
Hattie’s Fine Coffee
Another quaint coffeehouse, this in Prairie Village, KS, located not far from my fiancé’s house. Great environment, quiet, although there were a lot of people hanging out. Outdoor seating looks very inviting, and it’s located on the west side of the building in the morning shade. A lot of casual business types outside, as the more laid back clientele were inside or just passing through. A comfortable, easygoing atmosphere that is inviting.
Medium, medium $3.13 including tax. Hot, but didn’t melt my mouth. Smooth tasting and very pleasant. Hattie’s offers a variety of coffee, tea and fruit drinks, plus some made to order breakfast and snack items. 4.6/5
Café Equinox
On my way back from taking Mr. Charlie to doggy daycare, I found Café Equinox in Shawnee, KS. It is a cozy place with lots of plants because it is located inside of a five acre nursery with every kind of leafy thing you could want, except something to roll and smoke. It’s not a big space for the coffee shop, and most of the seating is outside in front. If you blink driving past, you could miss it. The café is a comfortable place to chat with friends or just write on a blog. Overhearing some chatter, it seems they are expanding to put another drink station in. I saw only a limited selection of non-drink items, but the draw is the vibe. I thought about a walk through the nursery, but I was afraid I’d purchase some trees.
A large medium blend was $3.84 including tax. The large seemed a better deal. It was hot, but not nuclear. I sat at the bar and listed to some R&B music in the background. The coffee taste was somewhere between smooth and heavy. As it cooled, the taste became clearer and it was comforting but not overpowering. The baristas worked quickly as the steady line of customers continued. When I’m in the area again, I will stop by. 4.3/5
Bear Necessities
I was surprise to find this fairly new coffeehouse located next door to the central library, where I used to hang out daily to browse and write on this blog. Modern and chic, very low key, friendly staff. A few in conversation, others on laptops.
Mild and hot, like my fiancé’s taco soup, this medium, medium was $3.67 and worth every shilling. The ladies across from me were chatting about guests for the upcoming weekend, preferable to the young ladies yesterday at a different coffee shop talking about why the guy wouldn’t call her after an overnight date.
The pastries looked tempting. The coffee had a full taste but nothing lingering. I like that. They certainly had other frothy and sweet drinks to pick from. The relaxed atmosphere and proximity to the library, my bank and post office makes this a place I will probably return to. 4.5/5
Observations and Further Study
Frankly, if I want coffee quick and I’m not picky, a franchise place is an option. I’m not going to hang out at any of these locations.
The local joints have better coffee and a few offer a great environment for me to work or daydream. The local place may be slightly higher in price, but support local businesses.
Might I get adventurous and delve into a latte or Frappuccino? Anything is possible, but not likely.
My next phase of research will take me across the state line into Missouri, and to a few close by towns. I’m not done searching for a great cup of coffee.
Ticket 2 Ride 
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