I wish all the coffee shops in town delivered up the same experience, but then again, each has its own niche. Here's my explanation about the best features in coffee houses that I visit. I don't actually drink coffee, my husband does. But I go to coffee shops in order to get ice tea and sometimes to get one of those naughty sweet treats they have in their racks. I also visit coffee shops while intent on other errands which usually alter my preference and oh, I'm mostly a big fan of Starbuck's Coffee stores. I became addicted to Starbuck's Molasses Crinkle cookies when I worked at the airport; they simple can be beat. Here' are my list of favorites:
Local Coffee Shop to Visit while Buying Books
Starbuck's 300 Andover Place W, Tukwila, WA 98188 (206) 575-6617
I often shop at the Barnes and Noble in Tukwila near the Southcenter Mall. It's about a 4-5 mile trip to get there. I thought it might work as a writer's critique group location but I soon found it was far too noisy. This Starbuck's has speedy service and a great deal of traffic. Seating is limited and mostly set up for one or two people and no really comfortable chairs, just hard wood. They serve up sandwiches, salad, breakfast scones, cookies, pastries, chocolates and and other taste treat to go along with your coffee, espresso, frozen café, or coffee beans. They will warm your food. They also serve two types of tea, sometimes three where one is caffeinated and the other is not. Wifi is available through T-Mobile.
Coffee Shop with the Most Convenient Location
Starbuck's Renton Village601 S. Grady Way Renton, WA 98055 425-227-9262
This Starbuck's has three lights at various spots on the roads around it that allow you easy entrance into Renton Village and parking is usually a breeze. It has an ATM outside that can come in handy. This was my favorite place to hold a writer's critique group because they had plenty of tables with adequate room for a laptop, there were hours when they were less busy, and it has a roomy feel to it. They are busy often but the service is always terrific and their goodies, sandwiches, cookies, warmed food is great. They often feature varying kinds of coffee and grind it for you. Wifi is available through T-Mobile.
Coffee Shop Most Like Stop and Run
Starbuck's 17823 108th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98055, 425-235-7948
This Starbuck's is a very small shop. I didn't notice much about it other than it was a quick place to stop for coffee before heading onto the freeway. It has a drive through that makes it convenient and oven warmed food. It tends to be crowded, noisy and delivers your taste treats quickly including coffee, ice tea, and cookies and snacks.
Okay Coffee Shop that Could Be Way Better but You Can Buy Groceries
Starbuck's 14022 SE Petrovitsky Rd, Renton, WA 98058, 425-793-1134
This Starbuck's is near Safeway, Taco Time, Ace Hardware, Albertson's and a variety of other stores and shops. It makes this a perfect place to quench your thirst with a terrific ice tea or coffee. My only problem with this Starbuck's is their goodies are often sold out and there's not much selection. Seating is limited, too. The tables run along the side but there are a few by the windows. They have T-Mobile Wifi.
Great Coffee Shop to Meet People on a Commute
Seattle's Best Coffee A-6, 4055 Factoria Mall SE Bellevue, WA 98006 425-401-9272
When running a writer's critique group, I found that meeting people who lived in Bellevue or were coming home could meet at Factoria Mall with ease and its not far from Renton, WA. There's plenty of parking and there's plenty of tables outside of the Seattle's Best Coffee shop along with a few plush chairs inside. The staff were always wonderful. Seattle's Best Coffee only has a caffeinated ice tea, of the black tea variety. They have lots of cookies and snacks to buy to go along with your coffee. Hours M-5 10:00 am – 8:30 pm, Sunday – 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
