Can you believe it if I told you that I use to HATE coffee. I made it all the way through nursing school with endless nights off studying without coffee. It wasn’t until I started working night shifts that my addiction to coffee came in full swing.
One of my favorite things to do on my time off is to check out new coffee shops. While I can say that I truly love Starbucks, I have found that the little mom and pop shops have turned out to have the best coffee.
The other day I discovered a new coffee shop in town called Carmel’s Coffee & Bakery, named after the owners son, Carmel. Her picture hangs beautifully at the entrance of the stop.
The shop dwells in a renovated 1940’s cottage down the main street of Camelback Road. The inside is decorated with beautiful wooden counter-tops and leather high-top chairs. Booths are lined against the wall with modern art in the background.
While I have found myself to be a beginner connoisseur of coffee, Carmel’s Coffee & Bakery was the first to introduce the Iced Toddy to me. An Iced Toddy is a cold brewed coffee that takes up to 12 or more hours to make. This process reduces the coffee’s acidity by up to 67% less than normally hot brewed coffee and leaves a naturally sweeter taste. It’s way better than any iced coffee I have ever had!
Not only is Carmel’s Coffee & Bakery known for their Iced Toddys but also for their freshly baked goods. Muffins, scones, and cookies are baked right behind the counter. Their muffins are embedded with seasonal fruits such a strawberries which are elegantly displayed in the front counter.
And while I have yet to try other foods here, they also have an assortment of quiche, croissant sandwiches, and BLTs. A perfect place from breakfast or lunch! I will definitely be coming back to try their lunch menu! o
All in all I give this place a two thumbs up! If you live in the phoenix area or come out to visit, I would highly recommend skipping the traditional Starbucks and coming to Carmel’s Coffee & Bakery!
{ 6 comments }
This sounds like my kind of place! I love coffee
It’s become my favorite coffee place!
i love to support mom & pop places but starbuck’s consistency can’t be beat! if i’m in a new town or need something quick – it’s always going to be starbucks. i’ve suffered with too many sh*tty drinks at local cafes!
Man I wish I could go there! Cookies are my go to treat & I do love my coffee!
Mmm, those baked goods look delectable!!
Oh, I love the idea of coffee with much less acidity. I love the flavor of coffee but my stomach can’t handle acidity. So I have to stick with very diluted coffee very infrequently. I’ll have to look into where they have that kind with much less acidity around Milwaukee.