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.

 

Fine Grind Cafe

37 James Street

St. Catharines, Ontario

905-348-3214

When checking out places to go for a coffee in St. Catharines you don't have to go far on James or St.Paul street to find a cafe or bistro with alluring signage and seating (some have added a patio on the street...very unique).  Neil and I chose by default a lovely little place called Fine Grind, the write up online steered us in the right direction and we were so happy.  Our greeter/owner was a smiley guy (didn't catch his name) that answered all my questions and spent time explaining about Jim the coffee guy that is his source locally for fair trade/organic beans based out of Niagara Falls.  Neil and I both ordered the *gasp* bottomless cup and a cookie.  I asked about vegan treats and foods and he provides both due to demand.  How wonderful is that? 

We took our seat at the back of the store on the couch (dopple ganger of our own) and our drinks were brought to us as we proceed to add the wifi password to our various devices!  All around us are odd bits of art work, paintings and carvings to keep you interested and a book shelf of reading material ! 

We drank our coffee, ate our cookies and complemented the baristas, there may have also been a rousing fist-bump for a coffee shop well found! Thanks Fine Grind Cafe! 

1)coffee-$1.50 per cup, $2.50 bottomless 9/10

2)roasted-locally roasted, organic and fair-trade 9/10

3)service- 10/10 fast, friendly, brought to us

4)assessibility-8/10 metered, street

5)flavour- 7.5/10 Guatemalan, medium roasted

6)Eco-friendly- china cups, paper for take out 8/10

7)cup size- 8/10

8)food- vegan choices, cookies were very good 8/10

9)ambience- 10/10 music, comfort, quiet, service, books, conversation

10)wifi- 10/10 free

*overall- 8.75/10 so fantastic!

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 

Homegrown Hamilton

27 King William St.
Hamilton, ON

Facebook.com/homegrownhamilton
Instagram.com/homegrownhamilton
Homegrownhamilton.com

Coffee*Cuisine*Community

Homegrown is in an interesting part of Hamilton where there are great coffee shops very easy to find. If you haven't been to Homegrown, there is a parking lot directly across from it, don't park there like I did because its ridiculously expensive and there is plenty elsewhere. That aside, I was pleasantly surprised by the welcoming feel in the entryway of this cafe (art, roaster, food counter and lots of space) and enjoyed the ambience immediately. I found my eyes were drawn all around the cafe to see all the sights, interesting people of all types and enjoy the sunlight flooding in the front windows on this weekday afternoon.

I like to feel like each person can make a small difference in the world and the owners of Homegrown clearly feel this way as well, you can buy fair-trade coffee, and the latest wonderful social responsibility is the addition of suspended coffee. I bought a suspended coffee today; the small purchase of a coffee in advance can be given to someone who doesn't have enough money or is having a tough day. Its wonderful!

I visited Homegrown today to have a coffee, eat some lunch and buy some of their home roasted coffee beans, and was happy that i did. It was really quite lovely how no matter how busy they got, you never felt rushed (I found I was trying to rush myself😀) and they were very happy to answer any questions for me. We had homemade sandwiches, coffee and desserts and it was really delicious. I love to think that in Hamilton we have wonderful places like this for us all to enjoy and support independent places of business, and I highly recommend that everyone does.

1) coffee- small $2.25 large $2.75 8/10 (Mexican medium roast)
2) roasted- in house roasted and fresh 9/10
3) service- relaxed, friendly and warm 8/10
4) accessibility- street parking is cheaper but harder to find 8/10
5) flavour- was a bitter thin, I would like to try again 7.5/10
6) Eco-friendly- glass or compostable cups, vegan choices and soy milk 9.5/10
7) cup size- big and glass 8.5/10
8) food- freshly made to order, vegan/vegetarian choices, 8.5/10
9) ambience- relaxed, inviting and smells amazing 8.5/10
10) Wifi- available upon request for free 10/10

*overall 8.5/10 a super place to enjoy coffee, fresh food and live music in the evenings!!!

Tamp Coffee Co.

Expanding Coffee Boundaries

2049 Pine St., Unit # 65
Burlington, Ont. L7R 1E9
Info@tampcoffeeco.ca
Www.tampcoffee.ca
(416)917-5745

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When you walk up to a place and are immediately impressed and excited to see what they have behind the glass, it's pretty great. I have to admit I was well informed regarding Tamp's location and quality because I had done my research prior to going but we were met by a friendly, well-informed staff. Jimmy was really inviting and wanted to show us the best he had to offer. Neil had a latte with beautiful latte art, and I had a coffee. The quality of delivery was supreme, the flavour was outstanding, but the best part was the information they shared about their craft and the care to provide direct trade beans. The coffee industry that carries non-organic beans, and don't care about the farmers growing the beans are not looking to the future to secure their wonderful lands. Thanks to Tamp for bringing direct trade beans to the Hamilton-Burlington area and give us the choice locally.

Coffee- $2.88 Latte- $3.00 8.5/10
Roasted locally- Social Coffee in Toronto 8.5/10
Service-top knotch, enthusiastic and welcoming 9.5/10
Accessibility- just off Lakeshore, by village square 8/10 (pay parking)
Flavour- full, sweet, strong Ethopian Sidama roast 9.5/10
Eco-friendly- direct trade, china cups or compostable, soy/almond milk .50 9.5/10
Cup size- 9/10 (purchasing points acquired online if desired)
Food- homemade cookies etc, some vegan 10/10
Ambience- welcoming, cool but could use some couches or comfy chairs :) 8/10
Wifi- free, ask for password 10/10

*overall score 9.5/10 incredible!
** Neil said the cookie we had was the best he's EVER had! 10/10 rating is a first!

C.J.'s - Cafe on Bronte

2416 Lakeshore Rd.W.
Oakville, ON
L6L 1H7
905-465-0411
Cj@cjscafeinbronte.com

Check out what's happening at www.cjscafeinbronte.com!

I went shopping downtown Oakville on the Monday of march break with some friends of mine and my daughter for something completely unrelated to coffee, but somehow it became completely successful with a lovely place called C.J.'s on Lakeshore off Bronte. This little place was recommended by a local shop lady and was great. We were greeted by a free wifi sign, vegan/health related book shelf, signs for supporting women in Peru and an aroma that was wonderful. I was impressed by the free parking (not often found in Hamilton unless you know where to look;) as well as plenty of seating for groups of people to meet and chat. C.J. The owner was there to answer any questions and offer an array of 4 coffees to taste, teas to order and a hot chocolate with whipped cream piled high!

1) Coffee- $2 for regular and $2.25 for large ($1.25 and $1.50 for refills) 9/10
2) roasted locally? - London, Ontario (fireroastedcoffee.com) 8/10
3) service- the owner C.J. Was friendly and accommodating 8/10
4)accessibility- Bronte and Lakeshore, free parking (no evening hours but 7 days per week) 8/10
5) flavour- medium roast, lovely taste 7/10
6)Eco-friendly- china cups, organic/fair trade, London Ont. 9/10
7) cup size- 2 sizes, big cups with cheap refills 9/10
8) food- vegan wraps with veganaise, many other tasty treats for everyone (I didn't have any)
9)ambience- friendly, funky, artistic, books, plenty of seating, 2 patios 9/10
10)wifi- yes 10/10

*overall 8.5/10 super place in the heart of Oakville! <3

http://www.cafefemenino.com/