Ground Control Coffeehouse, Goodyear AZ

Afterburner Roast by Ground Control

1964 was a great year!!  One of my favorite events during this very historical time in our country was my birth at Luke Air Force Base near the White Tank Mountains of Arizona.  LOL.

Last week I coerced my Mom into taking me to Base so I could reconnect with my past; to see what had changed and what had stayed the same after so many years.  Our timing was perfect!  Lucky for us we were able to see some of the new F-35 jets fly in formation, peel off one at a time then land one the flight line.  As a kid, I remember parking next to the road at the end of the line watching the F-15s and F-16s land one right after another.  I could sit there for hours … the precision, the sound, the strength, and oddly magical … it has always given me a thrill!

Still on a natural high, we took Litchfield Road south past the lower entrance and guess what we found?  One of the biggest independent coffeehouses I’ve seen yet: Ground Control, owned by one of the training pilots at Luke, Sean Rassas and his wife Tara.  They have successfully brought together their love of coffee, community, food, world class beer and wine.  This is “where community happens”!

Luke AFB

They also roast their own coffee daily right there in the entry space that is both their roastery and the front counter.  This multi-purpose room also serves as storage for their bags of green beans and the espresso machine where the baristas tamp out yummy shots of java.  They recently delivered a select roast to Oskar Blues, a small brewery in northern Colorado.  to brew up their very own coffee stout.

GET OUT OF HERE!!!  How cool is that?  ~Lisa

Ground Control

4860 N Litchfield Rd.
Goodyear, AZ 85395
(623) 535-9066

http://www.groundxcontrol.com

 

Terra Java, Arcadia Neighborhood, Phoenix AZ

At the counter @ Terra Java

Terra Java, Phoenix AZ

Thanks to my mom’s gift of gab, I got the chance to chat with Omea Eaglerider, co-owner of this community gathering place in Central Phoenix.

Omea is a chef-turned-coffeehouse-owner.  She had been leasing the kitchen in this coffeehouse, formerly Mama Java’s for eighteen months.   Mama Java’s had been in business for eight years, but due to personal issues the owner needed to close the business.  He turned to Omea, and a year ago offered her the opportunity to takeover the business.  

Within 48 hours she said YES and combined her catering company “Terra Bites” with Mama Java’s creating “Terra Java Coffee House” where she can sell her world-themed foods to her coffee customers every day.  

Coffee choice:  They sell coffee varieties from Passport Coffee, roasted locally in the Scottsdale Airpark.  Also offered are many other local and healthy food options.

Barista LOVE!  They just sent one of their baristas to an international competition.  I love it when owners support their employee’s passions, too.  

Lovin’ the local flavor of Arizona!

Lisa

Terra Java Coffee House

3619 E. Indian School Rd
Phoenix AZ 85018
602.840.5282

http://www.terrajava.biz

 

Mirage Trading & Roasting Company in Moffat, Colorado

      

Mirage Roasting Co.

17555 State Hwy 17

Moffat, CO 81143

719-256-4357

http://www.miragetradingco.com

The charming Mirage Roasting Company sits in the San Luis Valley in southwestern Colorado on Highway 17.   One woman told me that there is 1 person for every 2 square miles of land out there, which makes it the least densely populated area in Colorado.

The entire valley consists of acres of farm land for potatoes, barley, quinoa, etc. and sits on top of Colorado’s largest aquifer providing life-giving water to this high desert landscape.  

Mirage Roasting Co. also houses an art trading business and cafe where both the locals and tourists gather.  Lisa, barista and roaster, explained that they purchased a roaster about a year ago and now roast several pounds a week.  Several of the area’s restaurants are now serving their specialty, single-origin coffees.  They are proud of their 100% organic, fair trade beans and so is the community.  They wish to remain small and specialized and never compromising quality.

On my tour of the Valley I also discovered The Great Sand Dunes National Park, a restaurant that raises and serves grass-fed yak, an alligator farm, the international spiritual hub of Crestone, and a UFO lookout tower.  

What a grand adventure!  This is what road trips are for … to discover the uniqueness of our country. 

Moca Joe’s Coffeehouse, Delta Colorado

 

Freshly harvested peaches, a family reunion, and an indie coffeehouse!

Sidewalk sign.

The Western Slope of Colorado gives the country delicious fruit!  This time of year fruit stands dot the roadways and hand painted signs indicate the bounty of fruits they sell.  There are peaches, pears, plums, apples, cherries, and cantaloupe; peppers, squash, honey and jams.

Bikki Family Farms, Palisade Colorado

Most of the farms are family owned and operated.  And when it’s time to harvest the community comes together to pick, sort and pack the produce for market.  This is what I love about community coffeehouses across the world, too.  They gather people together and give us the chance to get to know our neighbors.

@ the counter

Take Moca Joe’s Espresso on Main Street in Delta … they have delicious roast from a  local roaster and serve an Americano (my fav) that is rich and aromatic.  The owners put their energy into this one shop and it shows

When traveling to a wine tasting in Palisade or to ski in Aspen, just stop in.  They are on Highway 50  in downtown Delta, Colorado.  Tell them we sent you.

Peace, Lisa

Moca Joe’s Espresso  

352 Main Street

Delta, CO 81416

(970) 874-1133

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Moca-Joes-Espresso/35848219966

 

Independent, local Coffeehouses THRIVE in Seattle area (YAY!)

Best Independent Coffee Houses in Puget Sound « CBS Seattle

The big chain coffee shops are well known around the country, but Seattle’s status as coffee capitol is also well known because of its smaller, independent roasters and cafes. Here are some new coffee houses to try, if you haven’t already!

Zoka Coffee & Tea Company
1220 W. Nickerson St.
Seattle, WA 98119
866.965.2669
http://www.zokacoffee.com

In 1996, University of Washington Alumni Jeff Babcock created Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea Company. Nestled in the heart of Seattle’s Wallingford District, this vibrant café has become a hub of activity and community, open seven days a week. Thanks to the small-batch roasting of Zoka coffees, homemade baked goods and hand-sourced teas, it’s often hard to find a seat. Now with the third Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea House, Kirkland Zoka, customers have recently been given another chance to settle in with a Zoka cappuccino and scone. The cornerstone concept of the Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea Company is a focus on the local community. Where other coffeehouses may hurry customers out the door, Zoka invites you to stay, and feel honored when you decide to settle in for a whole afternoon (that’s why Zoka likes to tempt you with free wireless Internet).