Coffee and Crepes at Jobot Coffee
Jobot Coffee
Located on 5th Street, just South of Roosevelt , Jobot Coffee is one of those places that you feel lucky to have found, no matter if you are a local or just visiting Phoenix. On a street with some of Phoenix’s more eclectic businesses, Jobot occupies an old historic home painted with bright colors and a sign that says “coffee.” Walking up to Jobot, I wished that it wasn’t so warm out so I could enjoy the expansive outdoor seating. I pictured myself sitting outside with my dog while enjoying an ice-cold toddy and listening to a DJ spinning during their Sunday “Beats-n-Brunch.”
When you get to the front door of Jobot you see a sign that says “Crepes! Buy one!” Well then, if you say so! I’ve always had a sweet vs. savory dilemma when it comes to crepes. Do I want chocolate sweetness or chorizo spiciness? As a sucker for anything with chorizo in it, I went with the savory option and ordered the chorizo crepe that comes with spicy house-made chorizo, egg, mozzarella, spinach, and homemade salsa. My other half went with root beer roasted pulled pork served with cilantro, pineapple and jalapeno on a bed of greens. We were both very impressed. My crepe was perfectly done and the mix of spicy chorizo was perfectly balanced with the rest of the ingredients. When my other half took a bite of his pork, he let out a satisfied, “Mmm…” Juicy and sweet, with a kick of jalapeno, the pulled pork was delicious; the sweet and spicy flavors ping ponged in your mouth.
Brunch is served!
Just as I was thinking about giving in to my sweet craving and ordering a second crepe, the cook came out and brought us a sweet crepe on the house. Yes! My savory wishes and sweet dreams had been fulfilled. The sweet crepe was filled with toasted almonds, chocolate chips and a light a fluffy sweet ricotta – almost so light a fluffy I first mistook it for whipped cream. I was in sweet and savory heaven.
Spicy chorizo goodness.
I had heard that Jobot has the best iced toddy (cold-brewed iced coffee) in Phoenix so I had to try it. I’m usually a sugar and cream kind of gal, but this drink was so smooth and refreshing, I drank it plain.
Iced toddy
Jobot Coffee is open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday, and until Midnight the rest of the week. There is free Wi-Fi, and if you are not a crepe fan, there are fresh-baked goods available as well.
Jobot Coffee is located at 918 N. 5th Street in downtown Phoenix. You can find more photos from our visit to Jobot on Flickr.
Giant Coffee
Tucked just slightly back from the bustling 7th Street and McDowell intersection in downtown Phoenix is a new coffee shop - Giant Coffee - that is already drawing the eye and the taste buds of locals in the know.
It's no surprise that it's a success, considering it's from restaurateurs Matt and Erenia Pool. You know them from Matt's Big Breakfast and Roosevelt Tavern, and it's obvious that Giant Coffee is going to be as big in their repertoire.
Right away, it's got that hip, urban but very cozy feel. The long, communal table in the middle makes it feel open and friendly, instead of crowded and invasive like other places that try the same concept. But there's also plenty of room for private conversations with tables lining the sides. Half the reason you go to a place like Giant is for the atmosphere, and this definitely pays off.
Now to the grub: The coffee is delicious, more mild and less acidic than other places. Expect the usual offerings from the drink menu, but all are very well executed. Their specialty is their daily drip, from a single location, so you can taste beans from all over the world day-by-day. Their treats are also amazing. The blackberry-bran-honey muffin is incredibly delicious - and filling - and chock full of local ingredients.
A couple notes: they neighbor Bunky Boutique in their new location, so stop by when you can visit both places. Also, Giant doesn't take cards, only cash, so come prepared.
It's great to see a new place open with a totally different vibe, it's worth checking out for your morning - or afternoon - or evening cup of Joe.
Giant Coffee
1437 N 1st St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
twitter: @giantcoffeeaz
Independents Week
It's no secret that here at The Hot Sheet, we're driven to showcase the best of the indie shops. Local businesses are what separates one city from another - one business from another. The charm, unique personality, service and - let's just face it - they're more fun places to be.
So as if you didn't have enough reason to visit a local boutique, restaurant, coffee shop, bar (okay, you get the gist), then this is your week - Independents Week. From today (June 28) through July 4, you get 20% off your purchases at participating members of Local First Arizona, a local non-profit to support independently owned businesses. And because Local First is such a cool organization, pretty much all your favorite places are on the list. (Check out the full list of participating shops.)
But just in case - in all your excitement - you are perplexed about where to visit first, here are a few of our top picks (click their pic to check 'em out):
frances
Urban Cookies
Desert Botanical Garden
The Willows
Bunky Boutique
Heard Museum
See, now your week was looking busier than you thought! To get your 20% off Golden Coupon, and to see a full list of participants, check out the Local First site. Happy outings!
La Grande Orange
La Grande Orange, or LGO for short, is a perfect little neighborhood retreat in central Phoenix. It's really two places in one with La Grande Orange Pizzeria on one side and La Grande Orange Grocery on the other. The Pizzeria side offers a well-balanced menu of salads and pizzas with a few "off the grill" items tossed in for good measure. They are kind enough to label items that are vegetarian, vegan or gluten free which is uber helpful if you care about these things like I do (for me, it's please hold the meat). The pizzas are nothing short of yummy, and I prefer mine topped with a fried egg. Hey, don't knock it 'til you've tried it!
My recent LGO dinner included the Classic Margherita (with egg, of course) followed by a stop on the Grocery side for a Tammie Coe cupcake. Tammie Coe desserts deserve their very own blog post - I'll save that for another day. If you're a bit of a shopaholic like me, then the Grocery can also help you out in that area. They have a fantastic array of items including soaps, candles, kitchen knick knacks, pet treats and more. All of their LGO-logoed stuff is adorable - very retro. And, oh yeah, they have groceries too, including a nice wine selection.
LGO Grocery is also known for it's homemade English muffins that are griddled there every day. These things are so darn good that I'm smiling right now just thinking about them. If, like me, you try one and decide that you can't live without them, then you're in luck. LGO sells them by the dozen and half dozen so that you can enjoy them morning, noon and night.
Well, I think I've rambled on long enough about this fabulous place. Hopefully, you'll get out and give it a try.
La Grande Orange Grocery and Pizzeria
4410 N. 40th Street, Phoenix
www.lagrandeorangegrocery.com
www.lagrandeorangepizzeria.com
Royal [Coffee] at the Market – CLOSED
*THIS LOCATION OF ROYAL COFFEE HAS CLOSED*
Royal Coffee is already loved by many in the Phoenix area, but now they are much easier to get to, as their new space is adjacent to the (also new) Phoenix Public Market. It sets up the perfect sip-while-you-stroll atmosphere, and there is even open "meeting" space that connects the two.
Even though the dedicated space just for Royal is humble, they haven't skipped on the eclectic but cozy feel, with art, cool lighting, and the friendly (and funny) bean-roasting bandit, Hayes (who happens to own the place). He'll also advise you on the best of the munchies available, which include fresh-baked muffins, scones, etc. daily, and also granola that will blow your mind. So will the coffee, by the way.
It's a great place to meet up, and you'll know when you are nearby because of the scent wafting for blocks. They roast their beans outside, they say for temperature and space, but I say it's brilliant marketing.
Check out Royal at their new location: 14 E. Pierce Street, Phoenix, AZ
(The entrance is on the west side of the building, behind the market.)
Copper Star Coffee
Yes, I love coffee. LOVE. But it's a chicken-and-the-egg thing because I'm not sure which came first: my love of coffee that led me to great places, or the fantastic places that make it so easy to love.
Copper Star Coffee is one of those places.
Built in an old gas station turned transmission repair, Copper Star Coffee on 7th Avenue has all the great nostalgia and aesthetic of its former life, but an entirely new smell. Instead of gas and oil, aromas of freshly roasted coffee beans and pastries made on site. Now, Copper Star refuels me instead of my car.
The funky couches and tables are a second home to a lot of locals who spend quite a few hours there. The staff is so friendly, it's easy to see why. Or maybe it's the pastries. There is this rocky road brownie there that will blow your mind. I mean seriously. It is absolutely one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten, to the point that I would never share it. Get your own, for sure. See below in all its glory.
Pop into Copper Star when you're checking out the other 7th Avenue shops, like Hollywood Regency, Paris Envy, Qcumberz and more. It's right in the Melrose District, and you can't miss it.
Copper Star Coffee
4220 N 7th Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 266-2136
