STREET Magazine ONLINE

ABOUT TOWN

Coffee Culture in Ogden

IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT LATTE

I look forward to waking up each morning to my first cup of java. I know this sounds like a “Folger’s” commercial, but it is true. Wake up and smell the coffee. I am the image of the perfectly clad individual on the television commercials for MJB, Juan Valdez or the many other brands, who in the commercials awakens perfectly chipper, well groomed and unusually happy as he or she raises his or her nose in the air to sniff the wonderful aroma of coffee brewing downstairs in the kitchen. Such magic. One can almost smell it right from the television set. Although that is a slight exaggeration, it is almost true, at least the coffee part. There is nothing like that morning cup of coffee -- if I have time to brew it myself. Often times I just don’t have that time in the morn to brew up a pot as I often am hitting the ground running.There are solutions for this dilemma. The search for the perfect Latte. A search I have undertaken the last twenty years of my life.

Thank goodness Ogden has an array of coffee/espresso houses in all parts of the community for me and the many thousands like myself that just want that fresh brew first thing in the morning. I don’t mean just any ordinary cup of joe, but one prepared from freshly roasted beans and a barista serving it up for me. The latte, cappucino or the fresh brewed French Roast as dark and rich as can be made. And there are many outlets taking pride in serving this very line up. Now that is comfort. Ogden’s coffee culture is thriving thanks to the many individuals who are taking the time to offer the wonderful bean and create environments for us latter beatnik-bohemian types. I am also a latte drinker by afternoon and the coffee-house-rock-hangout-type for the evening. I just love the coffee hangout culture. Who needs bars when you can hang in an atmosphere of thinkers, philosophers, students of life, and of course, chess gurus. I like the atmospheres of coffee houses and have been enjoying them since the late 70’s beginning in Seattle when Starbucks was just a small local favorite. All the restaurants carried Starbucks; even the fancy restaurant where I worked, called the Broadway on Broadway Street in Seattle carried the locally famous product. All the customers asked for it, little did we know then. Who would have guessed what would come of that small coffee company several years later? It made the coffee culture international. The coffee culture was strong on the West Coast by then anyway. While working in San Francisco, I lived in the espresso coffee houses. I knew them all. I did my studies, read my newspaper, did my thinking and planning, created dreams, met friends, had incredible conversations and most of all, fell in love. All that in the four walls in each room of a coffee house. My favorite in San Francisco was Raja Cafe. It was very progressive and attracted the blend of artistic types that kept me entertained. The Italians in North Beach knew how to drink a good cup of coffee especially. Usually straight espresso with a cream back. That is the combination I began to drink after hanging with my European friends in the big city by the Bay. Now all of that is in Ogden, flourishing and with much variety. It is a long way from my early days while in high school and Weber State College. (University now) Oh, my how times have changed. While living in the central coast of California I worked a territory along the coast of around 40 miles wide encompassing Carmel, Monterey & Santa Cruz and believe me I knew where every coffee outlet was and I had my favorites as each day I visited at least one or two during my travels. And now, finally, I can say that is true about Ogden.

Since our office is right downtown we frequent many of the coffee houses right on Historic 25th Street. The variety is huge. We sit between two espresso outlets, Grounds for Coffee in the former Club bar and next to the popular Club Deli; and the Muddy Waters part of the Bistro 258 Restaurant. Each day we all have a choice to go to one or the other to get our fixes. The Grounds for Coffee owned by Dan and Suzie Dailey who also own the Grounds for Coffee on 30th and Harrison began on Historic 25th Street when Chris Pappas and his wife Jamie sold the Club Deli to Craig Steinmetz and also sold the other half to the Daileys a few years ago. The atmosphere in the Grounds for Coffee at 126 Historic 25th Street is as it was during the 30’s and 40’s when George Pappas Senior ran bootleg whiskey and the Ogden notorious hung out there. Everything is original and the space is open and airy. Patty the regular coffee slinger loves her clientele which begin coming in for their morning java at 6 am. They close at 4pm, to my dismay. I am a late coffee hang-out drinker and would love to have access to this fine space during the later hours. I am told by the owners that once traffic picks up, hopefully with the help of the Union Square to come which will bring housing and many new businesses to 25th Street.

I, of course would like to see the Grounds for Coffee and Club Deli open for dinner and evenings. I think that day will come as the street and downtown area gets more developed, which it is heading towards now.

Muddy Waters is a quaint outlet with a few tables in the actual space but plenty of outdoor seating at 258 Historic 25th Street next to the Bistro 258. They are open until 9pm so you can get your evening coffee to go or to hang out on the street or sit inside.

Besides the aforementioned outlets on the historic district there are also a few other outlets that have fresh brew. Great Harvest Bread offers Cafe Ibis brand from Logan. A popular coffee blend roasted in the Northern most city of Utah. The Panhandler’s offers Salt Lake Roasting Company coffee by the cup and sells the beans as well. I have spent many hours in the Salt Lake Roasting in Salt Lake City hanging out as in the west coast, mainly in the 80’s and I stop by every time I am in Salt Lake City. That has been the heart of Salt Lake’s coffee culture for many decades. Now I can get their blend if I choose and also buy the beans in Ogden at the Panhandlers at 260 Historic 25th Street. Many of the restaurants carry gourmet coffees to enjoy with your meal. The choices are endless it seems.

One of the most popular and oldest hangouts for the coffee culture in Ogden is the Grounds for Coffee on 30th Street and Harrison which I have mentioned before. Dan and Suzie Dailey have pioneered the coffee culture in Ogden with this outlet and also own the 25th Street and the Newgate Mall outlets. If location is the key to success as they say, then the decision to turn the location at this busy intersection of 30th & Harrison across from Ogden High School and just a mile down the road from Weber State University into a cafe for the bean could not have been better planned. I’m surprised Starbucks didn’t see this first. It is a popular hangout for high school and University students, professionals and many other walks of life that pass on Harrison Boulevard each day. This diversity has made GFC the premier hangout in Ogden. The drinks are plentiful with coffee, teas and blended drinks to tone down the heat of the day. One of the things that makes this outlet so popular is the amount of shots of espresso in their coffee drinks.They begin with doubles in their and work there way up to quads. Wow. Talk about a “legal brew.” It is so delicious that it should be illegal. The drinks are consistent and a good variety served by a friendly staff. I had the chance to speak with Suzie Dailey lately about their decision to open GFC in Ogden and the success they have enjoyed. She tells me that it was a lot of luck, timing and hard work that built the 11 year old shop to its constant flow of customers. She told me about how people were coming in for coffee even before the doors were open as they were doing construction, so they had plenty brewed for early customers. They knew that this was a good sign and that Ogden was ready for an outlet with full service espresso and beans but didn’t have an idea of the true need for this fine bean in Ogden. Dan discovered the location, which was an insurance office, while on his route for his former job working for a bank. There are plans now to expand the patio for non smokers as the smoking patio is usually filled to capacity. A recent redesign with new furniture has made the outlet fresh and comfortable. Suzie also expressed how the addition of original artwork has really helped in making the atmosphere more enjoyable and will continue to have art showing in both shops on 30th and 25th streets. Grounds for Coffee, now a franchise owned by them, is visible in all parts of the northern valley. Another location is on Highway 89 in Layton which has become a real popular hangout too; not only for Layton residents but for the travelers driving along the Wasatch ranging from Salt Lake to Ogden on the Mountain Road. The outlet is a converted trailer with patios, chiminea and a great view of the mountains and the Great Salt Lake. Other locations for Grounds for Coffee are in Clearfield and Hill Air Force Base.

The rage on the Western Coast is cyber cafes. And Ogden is not at a loss for this great service. After all, we are in the 21st century and even though we are tucked away in our own little private valley we are not immune to the cyber world via Internet and cable. The Netroom at 3679 Harrison was Ogden’s first cyber cafe. They provide computer and internet service to university students as well as many professionals with coffee drinks and many other beverages and snacks. Decorated very plush with overstuffed chairs and cherry wood furniture the environment is very relaxing and conducive to surfing and studying. Opened by Marie Doxey, she has pioneered the cyber cafe movement for the Ogden area and is located right across Weber State University.

Another cyber cafe which recently opened is Latte Da at 5852 Harrison Boulevard. Owned by Mattias Deanda, it is also decorated with very ornate and plush furnishings. They serve deli sandwiches, soups, and desserts and a splendid latte. They are tucked away slightly so look at the east side of Harrison just before you get to the 89 traffic light across from Albertson’s grocery store.The atmosphere is open and bright and airy in a very busy area of South Ogden. They didn’t cut corners anywhere in this fine establishement.

Every chance I get, I head up to Ogden Valley and visit my friends at Eden Coffee. They carry the infamous Cafe Ibis beans. This is where I stock up on the Ibis brand. That alone is worth the drive up the canyon to the valley. Also in Ogden Valley is the Hole which just opened in the outlet in the Transmodal Center on Wall as well.

Weber County outlets for coffee stretch from Roy to Sunset. In Roy you will find Jessie Jeans Coffee Beans and Cuppa Smiles in Sunset.

So there it is. No matter where you are in the Weber County area, particularly Ogden City, you will find the wonderful bean. You can enjoy different moods from all the different coffee houses. It would be hard to pick a favorite as I like the variety and diversity I find in each. So I visit them all at one time or another during the week. The search for the perfect latte is never ending and I am glad of it. The bean is part of our culture here in Ogden and going strong and here to stay.

See our Coffee Culture listings in this issue to get the addresses and a list of the variety of coffee houses all over the Ogden area.

Steven Andrews - Summer 2002