Java from p 26 creation from this skillful coffeehouse. The espresso is dark, the drinks are creamy and the flavors are rich. One sip causes customers to close their eyes and enjoy. King Coffee 1020 South Mill Avenue, Tempe King Coffee makes the perfect student hangout near Arizona State University’s campus in Tempe. It certainly has all the hallmarks of a casual college-town cafe (artwork made by some dude’s friend? Hand-drawn posters for local house shows? Yes and yes.) But the coffee shop should be a regular on locals’ rotations as well. The open, airy space invites customers to bring a book or laptop and work at one of the large tables or from a vintage upholstered armchair. The coffee list serves the classics, which can be jazzed up with flavor syrups such as salted caramel or toasted marshmallow. The counter also displays a selection of muffins, scones, and snacks perfect for a study break, whether you’re a student or not. Bergies Coffee Roast House 309 North Gilbert Road, Gilbert The best part about Bergies is the patio. In fact, it might be one of the best patios in the Valley. This coffee shop sits at the back of a large lot in historic downtown Gilbert. Customers can pop in and grab a drink before deciding where to sit outside. How about a stool by a small table? Maybe a rocking chair under a bright umbrella? Why not gather around a picnic table? When the weather cools in the fall, Bergies is the perfect place to forget about big chain stores and enjoy a locally made pumpkin spice latte. For coffee-lovers in the East Valley, Bergies is a down-to-earth space serving the freshest roasts and an array of exciting drinks. Brothers and owners Brian and Bruce Bergeson strive to achieve the perfect roast for each indi- vidual batch of beans, and the effort really shows. Driftwood Coffee 8295 West Jefferson Street, Peoria Driftwood Coffee might be the most unex- pected business in Peoria. Located in the heart of Old Town, among antique stores and auto garages, this modern, bright coffee shop, despite the contrast, is all about community. Owners Luke Bentley and Lance Linderman intentionally created a space where people can drink coffee, enjoy a meal, and just be together. That community-centered attitude is apparent in all that Driftwood does; including its use of locally roasted coffee. Their speed bar, touting espresso drinks, cold brew, and a hot and iced tea selection, is perfect for the early morning grind. 28 FourTilFour 7105 East First Avenue, Scottsdale FourTilFour, a little coffee shop tacked onto the corner of a repurposed house, is a hidden gem in Old Town Scottsdale. This tiny space features a roll-up garage door, a small counter, and standing room for a couple of customers to peruse the menu. After receiving a decadent lavender honey latte customers can retire to the patio, shaded with brightly colored umbrellas, or wander out into the garden, a serene space that makes the rest of the city wash away. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, the serenity is disturbed slightly by FourTilFour’s weekly car shows. Check out the online calendar to find the theme of the week, which ranges from Porsches to motorcycles. Peruse the shiny wheels with a truly quality coffee in hand. Trans Am Cafe 1506 Grand Avenue It’s easy to miss Trans Am Cafe, a little coffee shop located just north of the buzzy section of Grand Avenue near downtown Phoenix. But this coffee shop is worth crossing Roosevelt Street to find. Located Tirion Morris Trans Am Cafe is a quirky space filled with local art. along the six-point intersection where Grand Avenue transects the city, the building that holds Trans Am is a strange, triangle slice of a space. But it only adds to the quirkiness. Paintings from local artists plaster the walls, draped with meandering greenery. One table doubles as a chess board. Others are surrounded by mismatching chairs. The coffee here, whether served iced or hot, packs a punch. Rich flavor and strong caffeine double for the ultimate pick-me-up. Cafetal Coffee 777 South College Avenue, Unit 101, Tempe Similar to Peixoto, Cafetal Coffee is another “crop to cup” style shop in the Valley. This Tempe cafe serves coffee imported from the owners’ family farm in Colombia. Family photos decorate the walls along with a large mural of a map showing the journey across the Americas that the coffee travels. A small food menu reflects the family’s roots, including empa- nadas and arepas served with fresh salsa. This Tempe hangout is perfect for students doing homework or locals looking for a comfortable spot to sip from a large mug filled to the brim with rich coffee. Settle into a table, snack on some empanadas, and watch as regulars chat with owners that know both their names and orders. JULY 7TH–JULY 13TH, 2022 PHOENIX NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | FEATURE | NEWS | OPINION | FEEDBACK | CONTENTS | phoenixnewtimes.com
