Station 1 Coffee House

28 Main Street East

Grimsby, Ontario

905-309-4000

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Coffeecology.com for more info.

I work with people from all over the area in my profession as a massage therapist.  I always appreciate where they come from and where they've been and inevitably my blog comes up in conversation at some point.  I get the BEST information about great places to go from people I work with and patients too.   I had heard through the "grape-vine" that a new coffee shop had opened up in Grimsby.   I live in Stoney Creek, so I had an excuse to have my husband drive me around in the gorgeous fall weather and check it out.  The owners of Station 1 have joined forces with the most clever people in the local coffee selling business to make a fantastic, friendly, and unique cafe in Grimsby.  I gather (from the name and look) it was an old fire station, the main front doors are two huge, rolling doors that open it up to a large cafe/patio combo with lots of seating.  I was in love immediately with the parking, seating and inviting quality.  I was excited to see that they carry Coffeecology beans roasted locally as well as free-trade, organic with a variety of delicious, homemade treats including vegan chocolate cupcakes and macaroons.  

1)coffee- $1.85 small $2.10 large $2.10 iced (nice to have choice) 9/10

2)roasted- Coffeecology is locally roasted 9/10

3)service- quick and friendly 7.5/10 (no interaction with customers)

4)assessibility- 9.5/10 large, free parking lot, main access road

5)flavour- medium roast was delicious, hot and full flavour 9/10

6)Eco-friendly- recycling, composting, bio-degradeable cups 9/10 

7)cup size- good size mug for coffee, Americano as well 8.5/10

8)food- cupcake and Helly Dolly was big, sweet and rich, vegan and vegetarian choices 9.5/10

9)ambience- bright, clean,sunny, fun music, spacious seating 9/10

10)wifi- free, access is posted (friendly gesture is appreciated by bloggers like me) 10/10

*overall 9/10. 

** as an after thought I wanted the business card for my blog info. When I asked for one, I got a weird vibe that I didn't understand other than they were busy and didn't want to get it for me.  The server went in search of what I thought was their information and came back with a free coffee card...I was confused but appreciative.  I still feel funky that they thought I was searching for free stuff, ah well.  I think Station 1 is super and certainly worth a trip down Hwy# 8 or mountain country to enjoy it!

Jack and Lois

301 James Street N.

Hamilton, Ont.

L8L 1H3

289-389-5647

jackandlois.com

Eric@jackandlois.com

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It's hard to think of a nicer thing to do than a casual walk down James Street North, enjoying the interesting shops, people and variety.  Neil and I visited Jack and Lois's restaurant and went around back to its huge new outdoor patio! It's been open for about a month and we had it to ourselves!  The most enjoyable experience.

I wouldn't say the coffee we had was the best ever but it was fresh, tasty, fair trade and organic.  It's a wonderful place to enjoy some kettle chips and coffee. We had a grand total bill of $6 + tip. Nice.

 

Blue Dog Coffee Roasters

199 Brant Ave,

Brantford, Ont.

N3T 3J1

(519)512-0022

www.bluedogcoffeeroasters.com

I had been told about The Blue Dog a few months ago but hadn't had the chance to get to Brantford, I am really glad we did.  Neil and I took the motorcycle from home along the back roads to Brantford and had glorious weather to travel.  We found the cafe on the main road, it was surprisingly in a neighbourhood with homes around and shops, this cafe had been a house at one time too.  The art inside was cool, the decor was interesting and the coffee and food was delicious!  I had a great time and highly recommend anyone to go and have a great experience.

1)coffee-small $1.62 medium $1.86 large $2.14  8/10

2)roasted- locally but off site in Brantford 9/10

3)service- just fine 7/10

4)accessibility- main thoroughfare, lots of free parking 9/10

5)flavour- full flavour, smooth and sweet 8/10

6)Eco-friendly- china cups, recycling, soy milk available 8/10

7)cup size- good size with 3 choices 8/10

8)food- I had cauliflower soup and bagel, fresh and hot 9/10

9)ambience- comfortable, sunny and lots of seating 8.5/10

10)wifi- free and no password needed. 10/10

*overall- 8.5/10 

Grounded Coffee Inc.

292 King Street 

Midland, Ont.

(705)527-5997

www.groundedcoffee.ca

I went to Midland with a girlfriend of mine, we went to the Sugar Ridge Yoga Retreat Centre in June, 2013.  We decided to venture into the little town of Midland to walk and shop, and find an awesome coffee shop (who knew?).  We were encouraged to try Grounded Coffee when I explained that I like a cool, comfortable, fresh roasted and fair trade kinda shop! Voila! We got one!  I asked the owner about his favourite coffee and he spent a few minutes explaining the medium roast he is proud of at the cafe. I got the blend called Dragon Tail, it's named after the location of the coffee beans (Sumatra and Papua Guinea) and the land looks like a dragons tail...kinda :). I bought some beans to bring home as well. The roast was pretty good, light in roast and full flavour and I am looking forward to making it fresh at home.

1)coffee- small -$1.85 medium $2.00 large $2.15 8/10

2)roasted- locally, in house 9/10

3)service- friendly and informative 9/10

4)accessibility - main thoroughfare in Midland with pay street parking. 7/10

5)Flavour- smooth, light, not robust 8/10

6)Eco-friendly- china cups, soy milk available 7.5/10

7)cup size- good size with 3 sizes to choose from 8/10

8)food- tried a vegan fruit and nut bar, healthy and tasty 8.5/10

9)ambience- cool, relaxed, plenty of seating 8/10

10)Wifi- open with a password 10/10

Overall- 8/10 charming place to go in Midland, check it out!