The three plus hour caffeine free drive from the Panhandle to America’s Oldest City was not enjoyable. By the time I arrived in Saint Augustine I was suffering withdrawals and immediately needed a good cup of coffee. During my search I passed City Coffee Company located at 1280 N. Ponce De Leon Boulevard. I banged a u-ey at the next red light and pulled into the parking lot. Tumbling out of the car I raced towards the entrance. Dark plate glass windows obscured the inside of the coffee shop, and as I opened the front door I hoped I had chosen wisely.
A quick look around City Coffee and I signed with relief. It was a classic laid back coffee shop with comfy sofas, colorful paintings, and plenty of tables to spread out to get work done. A counter with two small coolers lined one side of the shop. Behind it the kitchen could be glimpsed. I approached the cash register and looked over the menu displayed on two large flat screens.
City Coffee serves up traditional coffee shop drinks ranging from the humble cup of black coffee to mochas, cappuccinos, and cortaditos. Tea, bottled water, and various cold drinks are also available. I ordered a large coffee, filled it to the top and slowly drank it while considering what else to order. All the coffee brewed by City Coffee is organic locally roasted coffee sourced from Fair Trade Certified and Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee beans. I chose a light breakfast roast which tasted wonderful as it beat the cobwebs from my head.
City Coffee also has a full menu. I arrived during breakfast hours and was torn between the breakfast sandwich and the breakfast burrito. I opted for the latter with chorizo and also sprung for hash browns. Bagels, granola, yogurt, and oatmeal are also offered.
I took a seat at a small table and looked over a newspaper while waiting for chorizo breakfast burrito. It arrived a short time later in a small tray lined with wax paper. The burrito was packed full of scrambled eggs, cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese, and chunks of Spanish-style sausage. A small plastic container full of salsa was tucked next to the burrito. I thought the hash browns would have been served on the side, but instead they were sprinkled throughout the burrito. They added a different texture and played well with the fluffy eggs and spicy sausage. The salsa tasted like something from a jar. Overall, the breakfast burrito was filling and very tasty.When I finished my breakfast I lingered enjoying the coffee shop atmosphere before heading to my next appointment.
City Coffee is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The coffee shop can be found online at citycoffeeco.com, Facebook, Twitter @CityCoffee_FL, and contacted by telephone at (904) 209-6810.
Sweet Tea & Bourbon’s Rating:
Atmosphere: A
Taste: B+
Presentation: B
Service: A
Cleanliness: A
Price: $
Sweet Tea & Bourbon 