Pat

I haven't had a decent cup of coffee in years. I can't stand Starbucks, Caribou, Duncan Donuts or Brothers's coffee. Are there ANY good chains in the USA? And can I buy the grounds in the store? (I live in Chicago.) There used to be a store in Evanston, IL that sold raw coffee beans - you'd pick the country of origin & the owner would roast them on the spot according to your specifications to take home. The smell from that store on a crisp fall day was amazing. Unfortunately, that store is long gone, along with the last good cup of java I've had.

micia

Pat: Sorry, I have to take advantage of your post.

Does anyone out there know of any stores left that sell Maxwell House french vanilla coffee for all coffee makers?
I may not have the correct vanilla name, but it is vanilla of some sort.
This type of coffee also came in some sort of chocolate flavor (with green on the can) and one other type
(don't remember these as I didn't drink them).
If anyone knows where I can still buy it, please let me know.
Send me an email or post it here.
I will be so thankful.

Suzie

Pat,

My DH and I always get a bad reaction when we claim to despise Starbucks. Can't imagine what's the fuss. We grind our at the grocery store. It's Pecan sold by Nestle? Has a great nutty flavor to it. Hate perked coffe or made from canned grounds. Guess we all have our coffee limitations. Good luck finding something you enjoy! It's nice to know we're not alone in hating Starbucks though!

Pat

Suzie:
I know what you mean - if I mention to anyone that I dislike Starbucks they think I'm crazy. (It tastes burned to me.) Can I ask where you live that you're able to buy Pecan? I've never seen it in the grocery store.

Molly

Does your grocery store sell "Harmony Bay" brand? I've just discovered it & it's a little more $ than others but very good! Their site if you're interested is harmonybaycoffee.com. I'm in Houston but it comes from Mass. so I'm sure you can find it in Chicago. Good luck in your search!

Cuppa

My favorite coffee place is Torreo in Philadelphia. It's a tiny little place in Center City, but they take their beans seriously. They all have great flavor without resorting to the deep dark savage roast used by Starbucks. Here's a link:

http://www.torreo.com/

Their site is under construction, but the phone number is there. I'm pretty sure they take mail orders. When I worked in the city I would pick up a fresh bag of beans from Torreo every Friday . . . ahhh, savoring awesome coffee on a weekend morning. Nice.

Suzie

Pat, it does taste burned or something. My DH describes it a bit differently though, when it's brewing he claims it smells like dog droppings. Quite appitizing wouldn't you say?

Live in Northern CA east of Sacto. Large chain of Raleys and Bel Air carries it.

BTilke

La Colombe is a small Philadelphia based chain that serves some of the best coffee we've ever had. You can get more info from their web site (www.bovanova.com) including how to order it online.
Illy is one of the top European brands and I do see it in stores from time to time (here in Brussels, we always look for cafes serving Illy coffee). But it's not very well known and I'm afraid it might be stale. You could try it though if you happen to see it somewhere.
BTilke (Brussels)

Owen O'Neill

I can suggest several, at least two of which sell mail order (and most likely all three). Mr. Espresso in Okland CA has an excellent whole bean which is oak roasted. Smooth but with a rich nutty flavor. Peet's of san Francisco is also very good (they have at least a few locations on the east coast - I was at one in Boston today). For espresso roast the best I've ever had comes from Cafe Vivace in Seattle and Freedom of Espresso in Syracuse NY (who may buy from Vivace if I recall correctly). I'm with you on Starbucks - the espresso drinks are tolerable but the coffee is atrocious by my standards - the roast is too dark and thet use too much coffee for the amount of water. If you're looking for a bargain coffee of good quality, try BJ Wholesale Club if there's one in your area - they sell "San Francisco Bay Roasters" brand French Roast at about $10 for a 2 lb bag - it's the best I've found in or near that price range. Friends swear by A&P's Eight O'Clock French Roast but I'm not a big fan (although it is far better than the other major brands).

Trish

I visited New Orleans several years ago and fell in love with coffee and chicory. You can order this "New Orleans blend" at communitycoffee.com. Enjoy.

chloe

Pat, I feel your pain.
I like New World Coffee. It's not a big big chain so I don't know if there are any stores in Chicago. If so, you can buy the grounds in the store. New World has excellent coffee!
Agree with all others about Starbucks...tastes bitter and burnt to me.
My friend loves Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, although I've never been impressed with their coffee. You can order from them online at (greenmountaincoffee.com).

marty

My husband and I love Kona coffee--from the big island. we order from www.bwanabobskonacoffee.com--the coffee is estate grown and roasted to order. delish ps--they also have a couple of cottages for rent to vacationers--very nice.

Pat

Thanks to all who responded - I'm logging onto the sites you've given me & anxiously await a decent morning cup. And to Cuppa Joe; you hit the nail on the head about savoring good coffee on a weekend morning. (Especially when it's cold outside.)

kal

With all due respect to Kona coffee, 114 more days until I'm drinking this fine brew:
http://www.kauaicoffee.com/kauai.html

Kal
ps to Suzie...Where "east of Sac"? I-80 or Hwy 50 corridor? Mrs Kal and I seem to LIVE at Bel Air!

Dick

Kal,

Kauai Coffed is fabulous. No need to wait the 114 days, they ship to the mainland.

kal

Dick, Sorry. It's just not the same.
On Kauai, sitting out on the balcony watching a sunrise sipping a nice cup and eating a big ol' muffin from the Muffin Man.

I'm typing this as I'm looking at a pic I took of that sunrise coming up thru our hotel room window that I have taped on my computer monitor. Only thing that makes me turn the darn thing on!

Baby needs new shoes and the Kal's gotta go to Kauai!

Ahhhh....a hot cuppa coffee while sitting on the porch eating b'fast at Eggbert's looking out over The Sleeping Giant Mountain and King Kong.
Mucho mahalos,
Kal

Dick

Kal,

You are right about the ambience of Kauai...makes any coffee taste better.

I hope that Kilauea Bakery and Pau Hana Pizza( the same place ...is bakery in am and pizza at night)is still around to provide you with fabulous muffins and pastries, We took some back on a flight home and had other passengers drooling.

Ps I have a 16x20 pic of the Napali coast framed in my office..helps me to maintain my sanity.

kal

Dick,
I know what ya mean. Kinda like buying Cafe du Monde coffee and beignet mix and then trying it at home! (Right Trish?)
Always wanted to hit K'Bakery but never seem to do it.

Owen, I forgot about Peet's. Good strong brew, too.

"I wahi kope nau" (will you have some coffee?)
Kal

tommy

Try www.portorico.com. It is the website for my favorite coffee store here in New York. Great selection of coffee by roast and country of origin.

Merilee

I agree with Tommy...it's the same suggestion I was going to give you!