Coffee Downtown

Ethylene · July 11, 2012, 09:17:22 AM

Quote from: fsujax on July 10, 2012, 01:30:11 PM
Just go in there, it's free and open to the public. Great restaurant on the top floor!

Calling the institutional style cafeteria on 42 a restaurant is a stretch...they are missing the boat! It should be so much more! I also know about the coffee stand downstairs obviously but have purchased from them only two times total. I can't explain why.

fsujax · July 11, 2012, 09:22:52 AM

Well, call it whatever. The food isn't that bad and it has great views. I have taken many people up there and they love it. It is not fancy dining, but for lunch it will do.

ChriswUfGator · July 11, 2012, 09:29:21 AM

Bold bean and maxwell house aren't in the same ballpark, barely the same game. Not trying to be offensive to maxwell house fans, but a Bentley and a Yugo both have 4 wheels and get you from point a to b. That's where the similarity ends. And bold bean isn't expensive, a bag of their whole beans costs roughly the same as the same sized bag of 8 O'Clock or the other generic stuff on the shelf at Publix. They've pretty much ruined me for other coffee.

ben says · July 11, 2012, 10:12:22 AM

Quote from: ChriswUfGator on July 11, 2012, 09:29:21 AM
Bold bean and maxwell house aren't in the same ballpark, barely the same game. Not trying to be offensive to maxwell house fans, but a Bentley and a Yugo both have 4 wheels and get you from point a to b. That's where the similarity ends. And bold bean isn't expensive, a bag of their whole beans costs roughly the same as the same sized bag of 8 O'Clock or the other generic stuff on the shelf at Publix. They've pretty much ruined me for other coffee.

I'm going to have to agree with you here. No offense to the Maxwell fans, but Chris is right, Bold Bean vs. Maxwell is like Bentley vs. Yugo.

I'd strongly support Ron switching over to BB. I'd even facilitate the meeting (if that's what it takes)!

Not only has Bold Bean ruined all other coffee for me, but Bold Bean's store, vibe, people, and music has ruined all other coffee shops for me.

sandyshoes · July 11, 2012, 10:16:51 AM

#26 Ben Says: Agree, wholeheartedly. Just puttin' in my own personal two cents.

ben says · July 11, 2012, 10:24:20 AM

Quote from: sandyshoes on July 11, 2012, 10:16:51 AM
#26 Ben Says: Agree, wholeheartedly. Just puttin' in my own personal two cents.

And I agree with those two cents

peestandingup · July 11, 2012, 10:51:21 AM

I agree. Bold Bean is the best in town. Also keep in mind, like I said, it would be easy to duplicate. Most coffee shops around Jax are just lazy & use the easiest method. They haven't really caught up to the rest of the higher end coffee drinking cultures in the rest of the country/world.

And trust me. Duplication would be the highest form of flattery for the guys at BB. I know for a fact those guys would love if everyone around town brewed their beans the same way they do.

Debbie Thompson · July 11, 2012, 12:33:39 PM

Parmenter, who owns the BoA Tower, doesn't allow outside advertising for their 1st floor tenants. I asked about it once. I guess they want the building to maintain it's sleek appearance.

Ron, I know Maxwell House does a French Roast and a Breakfast Blend. And they use Arabica beans. There my knowledge ends, as I've been drinking Maxwell House (or Astor, which MH distributes for Winn-Dixie) since I sat on my mom's knee and stole sips of her coffee. Agree there are nice coffees out there now there didn't used to be, but I still like MH.

And, yes, the brewing temperature makes a difference. The water has to get to the correct temp, and few drip pots get there. I saw a whole segment about it one time on America's Test Kitchen. All you wanted to know about brewing coffee and more. I don't know how much coffee you make, Ron, but there are restaurant perculators that make large batches. That's what Java Junction uses, or did, and then decants the finished batch into a pump thermos. Keeps it fresh.

boldbeanzack · July 11, 2012, 07:39:50 PM

Thanks for the nice comments about our coffee guys! We really do put our all into putting out the best possible product. Ron, I'll give you a call. We need to get some Bold Bean downtown. We'd even be glad to come in and talk to your baristas about brewing a great cup whatever the chosen method may be. Please, what ever you do, don't switch over to the type of coffee that most people find for free in their office break room or in the waiting room of their car mechanic. The last thing this town needs is more bad coffee.

aclimatize · July 12, 2012, 07:59:42 AM

I wasn't expecting such a large response from this post, but it sounds like a lot people feel the way I do about coffee downtown. If BB and Chamblins teamed up that sounds like it would be a win/win for them and the rest of us folks drinking the black water in our office buildings.

Heading over to Chamblins this a.m. for a taste.

Thanks for all the replies!