It had been at least two years since we last visited the Daily Grind. We assembled there this morning at 8 AM. Jay joined us this morning and brought their new bulldog puppy, Ruby. 

This is a great place, located right on 29-North, with easy access and plenty of parking, a good thing since we arrived in three cars.

The Daily Grind toughed it out and stayed open during the covid thing, supporting the community with coffee pickup and supported by the community Go Fund Me when a power outage destroyed their entire ice cream inventory.

This is a great locally owned place that knows coffee and makes their own pastries. There is plenty of indoor seating and two sidewalk tables out front

John: I had the Cinnamon Brown Sugar Latte, and it was amazing, not my normal fare, but I'd have it again. It's a great seasonal drink that reminds me of their peppermint cappuccino that I go get every Christmas season. Get a medium. Gigantic!

Kelly: I got the Pumpkin Spice Latte, and it was delectable! Not too sweet, the right amount of pumpkin spice flavor, and definitely presents as more natural than artificial. Plus—the medium size is generous, so you get more bang for your buck.

We also tried their spinach and feta pastry. Get That.  Thank us later.

We suggest sitting inside, unless you love bright morning sun and the sound of highway noises.

Grade: A

First Free is a relatively new place. It is locally owned and sourced, conveniently located in Hollymead Town Center, and easily accessible from Highway 29, with plenty of parking. This place is big, with plenty of communal space for groups, table seating for working, and smaller areas for the solo patrons. Outdoor seating consists of two tables with two chairs each.

It is a very conservative place frequented by prayer and study groups, veterans, young moms, professionals, and fitness types in workout gear. Patrons readily bring in their children.

The staff is young, polite, skilled, and welcome you the moment you hit the door. They offer free wifi.

The coffee is great. Our faves: Creame Cubano, Cappuccino, and Mocha. Their foam art is on point.

Their pastries are delivered each morning from Albemarle Baking Company.

Grade: A

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Parking here is sparse and limited to fifteen minutes. It was very busy for 9AM on Sunday morning, and there were only a few seats in the place—it's mostly a to-go shop.

The clientele was all over the map with young bohemians, soccer moms, families, and older folks. It had a great community feel, beginning with the older gentleman, another customer, opening the door for us.

John: I ordered the Cortada. What I got was good, though served in a paper espresso cup. with a little to-go top, looking very much like a child's sippy cup. Inside was the smallest cortada I have ever seen.

Kelly: My cappuccino was good, and the pastries were excellent. We highly suggest the CardyB and the Apple Fritter.

This is a bakery that serves coffee, and since this is not a sit-down place, which is the whole point of our coffee mornings, we see going back if we need a quick to-go brew or just to try more pastries.

Grade: B

This is a small place with good coffee, located in Main Street Market downtown. We've parked there numerous times while picking up pastries, cakes, and bread from Albemarle Baking Company and never knew it was there. It's tucked inside the door in the corner of the "purple building."

Inside it was quiet like a library; even the staff spoke in hushed tones. We didn't feel overly welcome, but that was fine. The seating was a few tables with two chairs each, sitting with just enough room to shimmy past the next table—private conversations are impossible. There was more seating upstairs, better suited for more than two, and more private.

John: I had a perfect cortada served in a glass; delicious

Kelly: My cappuccino was pretty good.

We shared a wonderfully delicious pumpkin muffin, which was the highlight of the visit.

Grade: B+

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John: While visiting Blueberry Hill Farm in Rogersville, Tennessee, I asked my buddy Sandy if there was a good coffee shop in town. He took me here.

I was impressed from the moment we arrived.

Located in a beautiful old home, right on Main Street, we were greeted as we came in the door. The ladies working the bar were sweet and super friendly, and the young man delivering the piping hot pastries from the kitchen was prompt and polite.

Sandy had their Columbian coffee and a jalapeno bagel with sausage and egg, which he classified as "outstanding," though he said he'd try their house blend next time. I had their cappuccino, which was good, and a banana oat muffin, which was very nice.

Our coffee was served in paper. Sorry, but when I sit down with a $6 cappuccino, I want it in a proper cup.

There is plenty of parking along the street right out front. There were plenty of people there, and all were nice and polite. Seating was more than adequate, though a little worn, with sitting groups spaced for private conversations throughout multiple rooms in the old house. Quaint!.

I visit here a lot and plan on stopping at this shop every time.

Grade: A