A Darn Good Cup of Joe

When I move to a new place there are two things that are top priorities. Finding out where the bookstore is and where I can get a good cup of coffee. The bookstore is the easy part and in Naples I can choose from either Books-A-Million or Barnes and Noble. I'm partial to the B&N. But as far as coffee goes, well before today I hadn't quite found the right place. Sure there's a Starbucks down every street, but when looking for a coffee place I want something local. There's one on Fifth Avenue South , a street in Naples that is full of restaurants and stores too expensive for an intern at a newspaper. The coffee shop, aptly names Fifth Avenue South Coffee Company is nothing special. I got a latte there a week or so ago and was not impressed. It was definitely too watered down. Plus, the selection is nothing to be desired. I think their sandwiches and smoothies looked more promising than the coffee selection.

And then today after volunteering I was dying for a good cup of Joe. I hadn't been down to 3rd Street South in "Old Naples" yet and although I knew it was along the same vein as Fifth Ave. S. I thought I'd see if there were any cute coffee places. And I found the perfect one. I saw it out the window to the left, Bad Ass Coffee Company. Well, the name certainly caught my eye, especially considering the uptight, wealthy and older demographic of the region. Probably why the store was pushed back a little from the main street.

The store was cute, all decked out like a cafe in Hawii (which I soon found out is because the company and coffee is from a chain in Hawii.) And the flavors? Endlessly amazing. I only saw a few scribbled on the board above the register so I ordered the Snickerdoodle (dark chocolate, hazelnut and I think something else...) Then I noticed on the counter there was a menu of flavors, at least 12. With everything from Chocolate Raspberry to Vanilla Coconut (have to try that one next!). While the price for my large cup of Joe was not cheap ($4.75) after one sip I knew it was worth it. While I won't be visiting BAC every day, I will definitely be back soon. and now I know a present I can get for my father, who brews a pretty good cup of Joe ... since I always seem to add too much water or too few spoonfuls of coffee grinds. (http://badasscoffee.com/)

Also: I went to look up where "cup of Joe" came from and no site seemed to know its origins. Some said it was named after Josephus Daniels, who was secretary of the Navy during WW1. He banned alcohol on navy ships leading to an increase in coffee consumption. Others say it's named for the common man, good old Joe whatshisname. I think I like the latter the best, because I like the picture the average man (and woman) sitting at the kitchen table in the morning and reading the newspaper with a hot cup of coffee in his/her hand.