PNW LOVE their COFFEE

Oh coffee, the delicious energy treat that I get to have each and every morning…in the south, coffee is just that coffee. A drink that adults always drank after dinner with dessert. I didn't even start drinking coffee until I moved out here…call it peer pressure, or the sheer fact that it is cold, damp and rainy 9 months of the year and you have to do SOMETHING to warm up.  Saying all that, coffee in the PNW is a COMPLETELY different animal.  It is an institution out here, for gosh stakes, Starbucks was invented in Seattle.  There are tons of coffee stands EVERYWHERE, little shack type establishments in the parking lot of your local Home Depot.  Every one seems to have their favorite brand, and frequent there OFTEN.  So as I said before, I finally caved and gave up my diet coke for breakfast, and drink coffee. Iced in the summer (which is only July-September) and piping HOT the rest of the year.  I have found that one of my most favorite coffee shacks is Dutch Brothers .  No you will not find this chain outside of the PNW, but MAN I know my southern friends and family wishes it WAS!  Dutch Brothers, or Dutch Bros as the people out here call it, are little shack like establishments that are found in your local parking lot.  They are employed by young, peppy 20 somethings that play loud music, that varies from rap to heavy metal. They are super friendly, and always have a smile on their face.  Which is very nice when its pouring down rain outside!  They sell an assortment of beverages from the $2.00 large iced americano, to fancy drinks like "the kicker".  It is not uncommon for there to be a line of 20 deep at any of the local Dutch Bros.   The first time my parents came to visit from Atlanta, I took them there…they immediately fell in love. So much in fact that my parents were trying to figure out how to get some of the roasted beans home to Atlanta (they do ship from their website).  Every time they visit, we have to hit up the Dutch Bros by my house at least once a day.  Who can blame them…its delicious.  Perhaps Dutch Bros should franchise in other places outside of the PNW, I think they could make a KILLING! I don't think they will anytime soon, because, well, this chain is strictly PNW.  At the end of the day I was not a coffee lover when I moved here two years ago, but I have become one, and Dutch Bros is my coffee of choice.  So if you are ever in the PNW, and you see the little shack like coffee place with a blue roof, take my word for it…GET YOU ONE…you won't regret it!

Until next time y'all,

Emily