Posted Sat Jan 29, 2011, 1:24pm Subject: Memphis: A Lament
I live in the Memphis metro area, and I would LOVE to find a coffee shop that will:
Use freshly roasted coffee--freshly ground for my shot, not sitting in the grinder's doser...
Pull shots that aren't blond in the first 2 seconds of the pull...
Froth only "virgin" cold milk, paying attention to the texture, not just the temperature...
Today I went to a shop whose sign said "Best espresso bar in Memphis" (that's not saying much). The four-group La Marzocco was impressive-looking. I watched a server fill his basket from the doser with coffee that was ground who-knows-when...pulling shots that were instantly blond, with water flowing around the portafilter into the cup. At the same time, the milk was frothing itself, unattended. I say "I watched" because I always watch before I'll order...this time I did not order anything but drip coffee.
To their credit, the staff was very friendly, and they used good, fresh beans. My drip coffee was excellent--a Moka Java, they told me. I can find several shops that are similar--good, fresh drip coffee, and extremely polite, attentive staff. I just can't find espresso, or espresso drinks that I would order.
If I go 220 miles east to Nashville, I have my choice of at least four shops that do VERY good espresso drinks (mostly in the Vanderbilt University area). Just not here in Memphis.
Maybe someone else knows of a good espresso bar that in Memphis that I don't know about...please?
If not, I guess I'll just have drip coffee in the shops, and get my espresso at home.
I certainly don't mind telling people about the good ones.
I was most impressed with Fido Coffee--but they've become a full-service restaurant, so it can get crowded during the lunch and dinner hours. They seem to have recognized this, so they opened a shop NEXT DOOR in the same building, called "Hot & Cold". It has coffee and Mexican chocolates, popsicles, etc. but no real food. It was new, and when I went, the barista had not yet mastered latté art, but the texture was right and it was good. Their coffee is roasted by their parent company, Bongo Java. Bongo has their own location, and I've heard it's also good--but I have not tried it.
I've heard Portland Brew is also good, but I haven't been there.
Now, an update on Memphis: I normally do not use the drive-through, but I was in a hurry and stopped by Poplar Perk'n for a cup of drip coffee Saturday. Lo and behold, I spied a Swift grinder behind the bar. It had a portafilter locked in, grinding for a shot. I sure didn't see that coming--almost fell out of my van. Could this be a sign of better days to come? (by the way, the shop I described in the first post was not Poplar Perk'n).
I honestly can't say any of them would welcome the help. I think that's the problem. They like what they're doing now just fine. And in most cases, it's better than what the de facto standard-bearer can offer.
You need to holler at me when you're back here, and we can go on a coffee crawl if you're up to it.
Jasonian Senior Member Joined: 8 Aug 2005 Posts: 3,856 Location: Lubbock, TX Expertise: Professional
Posted Wed Feb 9, 2011, 9:14am Subject: Re: Memphis: A Lament
JR Said:
I honestly can't say any of them would welcome the help. I think that's the problem. They like what they're doing now just fine. And in most cases, it's better than what the de facto standard-bearer can offer.
You need to holler at me when you're back here, and we can go on a coffee crawl if you're up to it.
Kind of off topic, but, who has the best pulled pork barbecue in the Memphis area these days, JR?
There were a few that my wife and I enjoyed when we lived up that way (in Germantown) 31 years ago, but things DO change.
Here in Baton Rouge we actually do have a good place for fresh espresso and drip coffee. It's called Highland Coffees, and it's right outside the gates of LSU.
Whoa, you want me to step on that landmine? BEST is enough to start a religious war around here. There are not many bad ones (they don't survive), and quite a few good ones. I'm not sure who to say is the best. Since you're from Germantown, the Commissary is still high on everybody's list, although I think they do a better job with catering than they do in their shop.
Posted Sun Apr 10, 2011, 5:57pm Subject: Re: Memphis: A Lament
Moving to Memphis in June, so did a search on here to see what would come up. Good to see some chatter at least, even if the espressography isn't showing many hot spots in Memphis.
As a super brief intro, I enjoy coffee quite a bit, proud owner of a Bunn ES1A and do the old popcorn roasting. Good times.
Looking forward to joining the community of Memphian CGers, though. Should be fun.
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