The Place:
Peet’s Coffee & Tea: Highly recommended by a freind back home and rumored to be better than the local “Cup of Joe” shop accross from where I’m staying.
From Thier Website:
What makes Peet’s coffee different? Peet’s has always been known for its deeply satisfying roast and the full-bodied flavor that it creates. We have a term for what one should look for in quality coffee, and that is “cup satisfaction” which sums up the goal of Peet’s artisan roasting.
Ordering:
Their menu was confusing. Under ‘hot drinks’ it said two shots in a samll. But under ‘expresso drinks’ it said one shot in a small. What is it? One or two? The girl who took Ben’s and my order must have been new. When I asked, she didn’t know how many shots went into a a small americano. But after asking the barrista we found out: two.
The Drink:
12 oz. Double Americano with room for $2.11. (A little expensive but we are in California, where all forms of fuel are more expensive.)
The Drinking of the Drink:
My coffee came double cupped. That’s great! I don’t chug and I like it to stay hot. A double cup helped keep my americano hot for 30 minutes. Thanks Peete. Sorry tree-huggers.
The first few sipps were a little odd because I still had some OJ on the pallette. But after my tastebuds adjusted to the coffee I was surprised by the taste. This is where my un-official knowledge of coffee comes out: this Americano had a different taste from what I have had before. It wasn’t nutty but it was. It wasn’t sweet, but it was. I can’t put my finger on the flavor of the espresso, but I do know that it was good.
The Conclusion:
I wish I could have hung out in the coffee shop longer. We had to order and go. It was a cool atmosphere with some great retail options for those wanting a permanent suviouneer.
One thing is for sure, when in California: Peet’s beats It’s a Grind.
Ben Cunnington said:
Hey sucka! It’s “Cup A Joe” not” Cup of Joe” I will be taking you there in the morning my little friend and we’ll see what you think.
I don’t even like coffee so we’ll see what you think. I’ll be getting the famous Oregon chai tea latte. Mmm sugar!
Posted on March 17, 2007 at 1:33 am
Troy said:
I love Peet’s! When living in Chicago, my wife and I often swung by the Peet’ses in Lincoln Park (Chicago) and in Evanston, and knew we could expect consistently excellent cups of espresso. Probably the best chain coffee shop I’ve encountered, actually. It’s renowned in the specialty coffee world for being one of the first truly great espresso chains.
Torrefazione Italia Coffee would have to have been my other choice for a truly excellent chain choice, which also had a couple of shops in Chicago; I would go by the one downtown, on LaSalle, a few blocks north of the Stock Exchange. But now they’re owned by Starbucks (like “Seattle’s Best”), so probably have already gone swiftly and steeply downhill. Too bad, they made a phenomenal espresso and their drip coffee was dark and beautiful; perfect on a cold, snowy day.
Anyways, Peet’s is Oprah’s favorite, I hear. If only Peet’s could replace every Starbucks in America, and not change. I can only dream….
Posted on March 17, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Troy said:
(I meant great American espresso bar chains, BTW.)
Posted on March 17, 2007 at 1:48 pm
{Shawn} said:
@ Troy: Wow. Thanks for the history. It’s cool to know that stuff.
Posted on March 17, 2007 at 7:47 pm
BenDShaffer said:
Interesting comments, Troy.
Peet’s and Starbucks were both started by the same Roaster. He still own’s Peet’s, and originally Starbucks and Peet’s were the same company.
Seattle’s Best, Starbucks and (sorry) Torrefazione and originally Peet’s, all the same company.
A little more history.
Ben
Posted on March 18, 2007 at 10:00 am
{Shawn} said:
Wow. I’m out of my league. I just talk about what tastes good…
Posted on March 18, 2007 at 10:11 am
Michelle Van Loon said:
I live near Chicago, too - and am a Peets fan. There are a few speciality stores that sell the beans (Major Dickason’s blend, to be specific) - a help, since we’re in a `burb too far away from Peets Evanston location.
Your tastebuds tell no lies! Peets is great!
Posted on March 18, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Chris (aka BurritoChriS) said:
Ben I have to differ with you.”Seattle’s Best, Starbucks and (sorry) Torrefazione and originally Peet’s, all the same company.” Ben it ain’t the facts.
The Stewart Brothers of Seattle fame. Started Stewart Brothers Coffee and changed the Name to Seattle’s Best. It was only a few years ago that Starbucks bought the competition. Why? Because their coffee is so good. SBC blend is still not “messed” with by Starbucks Corporate. Torrefazione Italia Coffee was a subsidiary of SBC. A Little History:
The first Starbucks was opened in Seattle, Washington in 1971 by three partners—English teacher Jerry Baldwin, history teacher Zev Siegel, and writer Gordon Bowker. The three were inspired by Alfred Peet, whom they knew personally, to open their first store in Pike Place Market to sell high-quality coffee beans and equipment. The original Starbucks location was at 2000 Western Avenue from 1971 to 1976. That store then moved to 1912 Pike Place. During their first year of operation, they purchased green coffee beans from Peet’s, then began buying directly from growers.
I grew up in Seattle…my good friend owns a coffee roasting and franchising business…I know beans!
Torrefazione Italia Coffee is the best!
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 10:13 am
{Shawn} said:
@ Chris (aka burrito Chris): Maybe today you should have been aka Coffee Chris.
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 10:51 am
Troy said:
That is some great history, Chris. I am definitely a just a coffee enthusiast, and not a full-fledged expert, so that is very informative (and interesting) to get the low-down on all of those intricate connections. I take interest in all of this, but like Shawn, I know I’m no professional cupper, or industry insider. Shawn, I also just appreciate great coffee.
Brings gladness to my heart to hear the palettes of others resound in agreement with my praise for Torrefazione’s and Peet’s coffee.
Also, I’ll have to give Seattle’s Best another chance, equipped with that info, Chris. I never went back after I heard Starbucks had bought them out; I just assumed their whole operation would be overhauled to be more like Starbucks, from the bean farmers, to cup preparation.
Three cheers to Coffee Chris!
Thanks for this post, Shawn. I’m enjoying the running review.
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 12:14 pm
BenDShaffer said:
excellent info Mr. Burrito. Well done.
I was mistaken with the last comment about SBC being “originally” from the same company. Starbucks made SBC a “wholly owned subsidiary” or whatever.
Alfred was a highly respected roaster who was bringing the “italian” way of roasting to the US. Starbucks and Peet’s, first two companies, then (without Zev) Jerry and Gordon joined with Peet’s, then sold Starbucks to Howard Schulz. (all this is from my memory of the book “Pour Your Heart into It” by Howie, and so it could be skewed).
Nice info, Burro!
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 12:45 pm
BenDShaffer said:
Not to be mean Chris, but you might want to credit your source for this paragraph:
The first Starbucks was opened in Seattle, Washington in 1971 by three partners—English teacher Jerry Baldwin, history teacher Zev Siegel, and writer Gordon Bowker. The three were inspired by Alfred Peet, whom they knew personally, to open their first store in Pike Place Market to sell high-quality coffee beans and equipment. The original Starbucks location was at 2000 Western Avenue from 1971 to 1976. That store then moved to 1912 Pike Place. During their first year of operation, they purchased green coffee beans from Peet’s, then began buying directly from growers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starbucks
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 12:49 pm
C. Wess Daniels said:
my blood is half made up of peets - it’s what I live on.
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 1:30 pm
{Shawn} said:
@ C. W.: Just curious…What’s the other half?
Posted on March 19, 2007 at 11:19 pm
C. Wess Daniels said:
That my friend is disclosed information…
Posted on March 20, 2007 at 7:38 am
Chris (aka BurritoChriS) said:
Thank God for Coffee on Fasting Days!
Posted on March 21, 2007 at 8:48 am