In this day and age there are many things that have driven society apart but there is one thing that we can all agree upon, and that is our mutual love of coffee. I know that it is still a controversial statement and I'm not trying to exclude tea from this narrative, but this post is all about coffee. There are some great places to get tea from around Tucson but I'm more of a coffee person so this today is coffee's time to shine. Whether you're a tired adult working your 9-5 job or you have kids or you're a stressed out college student with four papers, three tests, and six Fs' even though you're only taking five classes then coffee is a lifesaver in times of despair. If you've looked at my Instagram feed (@ericas_eats) then you'll see a plethora of Starbucks pictures, sprinkled in with those basic white girl photos are several snaps in various Tucson coffee shops. I'm plugging myself shamelessly but you should totally follow my food Instagram but meanwhile let my tell you of some of my favorite places to sit and enjoy a cup of joe.
Black Crown Coffee
I've been here several times and there are several great things about this coffee shop that make it stand out from from other spots. The proximity from campus is great if you're a student. Black Crown is located on Speedway so if you want to get away from campus but not stray too far away then this location is perfect. The cozy atmosphere is also a plus. I think that the best coffee shops can individualize their coffee shop aspect by their interior. Black Crown is a pretty small space but there is a loft upstairs so if you can't find seating downstairs or just want to sit upstairs then make sure to check that out. There are also board games located upstairs if you want to just hang out with your friends and take a break from studying or what not. There are more positives about Black Crown but the best thing about this coffee spot is the menu and it's originality. I don't think I've actually ordered any of my usuals when I've been here because there are such great, unique coffee options on their menu. On the left was the drink of the month of July which was la sandía. This was an blended iced drink that had watermelon flavoring, ice, and tajin in it. This is also based off of memory so there could be more things in the drink, but there is a new drink of the month every month. On the right is a specialty menu staple, the breastmilk. This drink is a super sweet vanilla mocha that only comes iced and as a size large. There are many more drink specialties to check out on this diverse menu. One interesting sounding drink is the turbo coke. This iced drink is a distinctive combination of espresso and coca-cola and also only comes as a large. Black Crown Coffee has a lot to offer but be wary, their parking lot is a bit on the smaller side.
Black Crown Coffee: 4024 E Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85712
Crema Coffee
I stumbled across this place while needing a place to hang out when I was getting my oil changed and this spot did not disappoint. In August I had to get my oil changed and so being a cheap gal I took my car to Midas. The waiting room was a little bit sketchy, filled with two plastic chairs and with an hour/two hour wait I googled some coffee spots around the area. This was in a short distance from my car service center so I decided to venture over. I ordered an iced latte with almond milk and did some work on my laptop while I waited. While I waited for my car I got to talk one of the owners of Crema Coffee who is very nice. Crema was started by a local couple that were unsatisfied with their careers and had a love for coffee. Three years after graduating from college, they got to live out their dreams and open a coffee shop in Tucson. The menu here is pretty typical for a coffee shop with options such as their latte, cappuccino, Americano, cortado, espresso, cold brew, and drip options. If you don't want coffee, they also have a selection of assorted teas. If you're in the mood for something sweet or in need of dessert, they also have bakery items to choose from. So if you're in the area of Ina or getting your oil changed like I did then stop by this cute locally owned spot.
Crema Coffee: 3725 W. Ina Suite 120, Tucson, AZ 85741
Cartel Coffee Lab
Out of the other two spots, this is definitely my favorite coffee shop. I enjoy the other two but Cartel Coffee is my go-to for local coffee and has my heart. After checking it out online, I've learned that Cartel isn't solely located in Tucson there are also other locations around Arizona, Texas and California. I've been to both locations in Tucson and the reason I love Cartel is because of the downtown location off of Broadway. I just love the interior, it's so hipster coffee shop. You can find exposed brick, funky chairs, and those edison filament bulbs that are straight from the 2010 hipster trend here which make this place unique for a Tucson coffee shop. As for their coffee, it is also very good. They serve their own house blend that you can purchase online if you're not in the area but still want to try it or if you don't live by a Cartel anymore and want to reminisce. They also sell the same machinery that they use in store for sale if you want to fully replicate what they make. I have gotten an iced vanilla latte and an iced almond milk latte and both are great. The vanilla latte is not too sweet and the almond milk latte is the perfect balance of almond milk and espresso. Other than lattes, they offer espresso, filter drip, tea, pastries, and also beer.
Cartel Coffee Lab: 210 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85701
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