What is the Best Drive-Through Coffee Stand in Town?

As you all know, it is not difficult to find a coffee stand if you live in any city with a population of over 1,000 people.  It is estimated there are over 37,000 coffee shop outlets across the country and, quite frankly, that number seems low.  Here in Western Washington there are times, while out for a drive, when it seems like all 37,000 are between Olympia and Seattle.

This fact raises an obvious question: how do you know where the best drive-through coffee stand is in any town?

Let’s tackle that question, shall we?

Coffee stand subjectivity.

360-million people in this country, all with different opinions, all with different criteria regarding what makes a great retail shop. And therein lies the problem with any attempt to name the best of anything. What was the best rock song every written? What is the best restaurant in Washington? Who was the best actress of all-time?

Which leads us to the question about coffee stands.  How do people come to an opinion? Do they have a favorite barista at a certain coffee stand in town, so that’s their favorite?  Do they like a place simply because of its location? How about the quality of the espresso drink at one special coffee shop?

The only possible answer for a question like this one is this: the best coffee shop, in your town, is the one you like the most, for whatever reason.

One fact that cannot be debated.

Having said all that, there is one criteria which cannot be debated and which is a fairly good indicator when judging any retail establishment, and that criteria is customer service.

Good customer service is not debatable.  You cannot fake it, and it is a criteria which is very obvious from the moment you drive up to a coffee stand to the time you drive away.

Are you greeted like a long-lost friend? Are you made to feel like your business is important?  Are you served in a timely manner? Are your special requests treated like they are important rather than being a burden? Do the baristas actually act like they are happy that you stopped by?

These qualities cannot be faked and, at the really good coffee shops, they are qualities which will be witnessed every single time you stop by for a coffee.  If you are reading this article, and you have experience in stopping at coffee stands, you know this to be true. Great customer service filters down from the owner through the baristas, and the customer is gladly the recipient . . . and it is not forgotten.

In Olympia, we think Madres Espresso deserves consideration.

Madres Espresso is locally owned and operated.  Our flagship coffee stand is located on Cooper Point Road on the West Side of Olympia; our second coffee stand is on Pacific Avenue on the East Side.  Our thirteen baristas are standing by to show you what great customer service looks like, and we invite you to stop by and witness it for yourself.  After all, you deserve it!