Local Coffeehouse | Honeysuckle Coffee Co | Salt Lake City, Utah

Enter Honeysuckle Coffee Co. I honestly didn't know what to expect when I got on my bike and rode down Main Street in Salt Lake City. Main Street is part downtown skyscrapers, part homeless encampments, part working class neighborhood, and part used car dealerships, so I was definitely surprised when I found myself in a coffeehouse that felt like a modern European establishment. Josh told me it felt like a spot in Berlin - somehow able to blend hipsters and leave room for children and still maintain style and cleanliness. Of course these are the children who ride in on the back of a cargo e-bike rocking the latest Mini Boden fits, but they are children none-the-less! 

The Vibe

The coffeehouse is set up with a ton of tables for two, a comfy green velvet sofa, bar stools facing Main street, and a coveted corner booth with seating for up to seven close friends. Most of the chairs are wooden or plastic, so your booty should tell you when it's time to leave. There are exposed wooden beams, wood floors, and wooden table tops that lean towards European design but add warmth to a city that can be very cold for months on end. 

The baristas were friendly, but not overly so, and I don't mean that in a negative way. They smiled and answered questions but I didn't leave knowing about their cat's G.I. tract issues. (Sometimes I'm cool with that though!) 

The customers were a mix of ages (this was 10am on a Wednesday), and most people were there to meet with clients, work independently, or sneak away from work. I saw two different well-behaved kids who grabbed a snack while their tired moms refueled. Honestly, it felt like a lovely cross-section of a wider community, which after talking to the owner I found out it was one of he and his wife's goals for the spot. 

WiFi and Music

The WiFi worked plenty fast for what most people at a coffee shop need - browsing the internet, checking email. I didn't have any issue connecting and never lost service. 

I was positive there wasn't music playing and the moment I mentioned that to Josh I heard music, so I'm going to guess it's very low and not the main audio takeaway. In fact, the hum of the refrigerated coolers was much more noticeable. 

The Owners

I took the opportunity to chat up Tim, the co-owner, when I saw a very busy man bringing in lots of delicious baked goods. Tim and his wife started their first location in Sandy, UT, because they found themselves driving into SLC to get a quality cup of specialty coffee. Tim has spent most of his career in some part of the massive food & beverage service industry, and honestly, it shows. Most shops couldn't pull off the vibe, baked goods, and coffee mastery without being a student in the industry first. Unfortunately, I didn't meet Tim's wife or get her backstory, so I'm sorry I can't comment on her experience, but whatever her side of the business is, it has culminated into a lovely coffeehouse.

The Coffee

Honeysuckle Coffee Co has partnered with a few notable roasters including La Barba, Theory, and Idle Hands. I got a latte (since I make so many French press coffees at home) and it was made with Idle Hands' Confluence Blend. It's described as having chocolate, cherry, and sweet citrus notes, which I could taste immediately. In laymen's terms, it tasted a bit tangy and fruity. The almond milk blended in nicely and didn't compete with the coffee. Total price for the 16oz almond milk latte: $7.27.

Takeaway

I dig it. It's a place I would happily take out of town guests or tell people about if they live/work near by. I didn't take the opportunity to buy a pastry, but knowing they make everything in-house, I'm dying to come back and try one.