Hot Shots I. A Coffeehouse Roundup in Springfield Missouri
68The Coffee Ethic
Hot Shots I. The Coffee Ethic, Hebrews Coffee, and the Mudhouse
An espresso is dark roasted coffee brewed by forcing steam under pressure through finely ground coffee beans. Espresso is pronounced like it is spelled. Please don't ever say ekspresso again.
On the road, I’m always on the lookout for a local coffee house. It's usually off the beaten path and a favorite hangout of college students. Coffeehouses are a good place to meet locals and learn where the hometown crowd likes to eat. They don't eat at those pricey tourist sites you find in guidebooks.
I'm going to share my coffee shop adventures on this blog. But I have to tell you right up front, I never met a coffee shop I didn't like. The mission is to evaluate and share coffee house experiences. I started in Springfield, Missouri.
There are a lot of Starbucks, at least 10 in Springfield. I've had my share of Starbucks coffee. But Starbucks is Starbucks no matter where you are. As a traveler, sometimes when I land in a strange town, it's nice to walk into a Starbucks and get a cup of what I know and expect.
I. The Coffeehouses: The Coffee Ethic, Hebrews Coffee, And The Mudhouse
124 Park Central Square.417.866.6645, Mon – Sat 7a.m. - 10p.m.andSunday 8a.m.- 6p.m.
The Coffee Ethic has free wifi, is wheelchair accessible and has been in business 3.5 years. Menu - the usual assortment of coffee beverages, tea and delightful made from scratch pastries.
The more I know about coffee the more I like The Coffee Ethic. Check out their website for free regularly hosted coffee cupping’s and participates in barista competitions.
The Coffee Ethic serves coffee from Direct Trade relationships insuring that the coffee growers are paid Fair-Trade or higher prices. They purchase products that are reusable, renewable or recyclable. How cool is that?
Hebrews
Coffee
1604 E Republic Rd. Mon-Thurs 6:00 am - 10:00 pm,
Fri-Sat 6:00 am - 11:00 pm
Free wifi, wheelchair accessible, no outside seating. There is a private meeting room for up to 16.The restaurant - is clean, casual, you can find a table easily.
It's comfortable and roomy, great for a casual business meet up or study spot. Menu – Breakfast anytime menu. Lunch and dinner menu is the same, assorted salads, wraps and sandwiches.
What I like about Hebrews Coffee is their sense of community, and their loyal locals. I like the big bold modern artwork for sale hanging on the walls and weekend music entertainment.
323 South Ave Monday-Saturday 7:00 am – Midnight, Sunday 8:30 am - 8:00pm
Mudhouse has been open for 11 years. Free wifi and good coffee makes Mudhouse a great student hangout and casual meeting location.
Mudhouse micro roasts coffee in small batches as needed. They support Fair Trade and purchase and promote organic shade grown coffees when ever possible. The menu includes the usual coffee beverages and soft drinks. Food: deli sandwiches, salads and different daily soups like Roasted Red Pepper with Smoked Gouda or Asian Noodle with Chicken.
What I like about The Mudhouse Coffee is that they are outside the coffeehouse box. You can find everywhere in Springfield: Nonna’s Italian Café featuring Nonna’s Italian Blend; Moxie Cinema featuring Moxie Blend; Gailey’s Breakfast Café, featuring Gailey’s Breakfast Blend, and Ophelia’s Wine and Tapas Bar featuring Ophelia’s Blend. You can also find Mudhouse Coffee at Andy’s Frozen Custard.
Springfield has some restaurants that sell great coffee, like The Cup. Known for it's cupcakes – which are wonderful – they also serve cold milk, hot chocolate and all the typical coffee house beverages. Coffee is the perfect accompaniment for a rotating menu of cupcakes.
The Cup
325
East Walnut, Springfield, MO 65806 (417) 865-2287
Mon - Thurs:
10:00am - 8:00pm, Fri - Sat: 10:00am – 10:00pm, Closed Sunday. Free
wifi. Managers Sandy and Rodney Nance opened the The Cup July 2010.
Cupcakes and coffee. What's not to love? They are the perfect reward, the perfect thank you, and will not prevent you from wearing your skinny jeans. Red Velvet is a big seller. Italian Cream is my favorite indulgence. Coconut cream cheese frosting and French vanilla cake, cream cheese filling, toasted coconut and walnuts. All this for $2.75.
Are you a coffee house owner or employee? What do you want
customers to know? Leave a comment.
Look for more Hot Shots Coffeehouse Reviews here at Hubpages. This is the first of an occasional series. Coming up next:
Hot Shots II. The Coffee Houses: The Dancing Mule, Big Momma's Coffee & Espresso, Heros and, The Potter's House
For more information about Springfield – contact Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau According to the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, an estimated three million overnight visitors and millions of day-trippers visit the city annually. The city has more than 60 lodging facilities and 6,000 hotel rooms.
