mgalli Senior Member Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 7 Location: California Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Euro 2000 Jr. Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: French Press
Posted Tue Nov 20, 2007, 8:18am Subject: Chico, California
My favorite café in Chico, California is Empire Café. They are hands down the best around. All their coffee comes from Barefoot Coffee Roasters in Santa Clara, Ca. The espresso is Element 114 (a Barefoot Blend).
Empire is a new café and has only been in Chico for two months. Empire Café truly believes in producing quality coffee. They brew their coffee using a press pot (French Press). I don’t know of any other café that does this. It’s very impressive that they take the time to use a press pot. It shows how serious they are about the coffee they serve. The current baristas know how to pull shots. I hope that continues when they hire other employees as their business grows.
I purchase roasted coffee beans from them on a regular basis. The beans are freshly roasted. Barefoot labels their beans with a roasted date.
I am posting this information because I always struggle to find a café that I can palate when I leave the area. Coffee Geek has educated me on what coffee and espresso should truly taste like. I have used this forum to locate other cafés when traveling out of the area. I hope this posting will help fellow CG members.
Empire Café is located next to the Chico Art Center at the train stain. The address is 434 Orange Street, Chico. The café is actually located inside an old train car parked in front of the train station.
I feel very fortunate to have this new café in my town. Empire Café is currently providing Chico with world class coffee. This is amazing for the smaller Chico community located in the northern Sacramento Valley surrounded by agricultural lands.
harrymanback Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 178 Location: morro bay, ca Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: expobar brewtus ii Grinder: la cimbali md6, baratza... Drip: nah...bodum press(es) Roaster: modded wear•ever popcorn...
Posted Tue Nov 20, 2007, 6:38pm Subject: Re: Chico, California
hey great! my girlfriend has family in chico, and i've long hoped for a good café to sprout up somewheres 'round theres. i'll definitely look them up soon!
harry.
"i should pull up the hardwood to see if there's carpet underneath! no, that's never the case."
Whiteivy530 Senior Member Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 14 Location: O'donnovan Flats Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Marzocco Grinder: Rio Drip: shmip...press...yes Roaster: Probat
Posted Sun Nov 25, 2007, 12:40am Subject: Re: Chico, California
Yes Lucky, He's doing his own thing now in a pretty pimp location. I definitely went to his place a lot for good french pressed coffee before I moved to help open Verve Coffee. Element 114 isn't so bad either. Mad props to him for puttin in continuous million hour weeks in a train car. I think he makes great coffee and since he's almost always there, it's guaranteed good. To be honest Naked Lounge on 2nd st is pretty great too. Has an atmosphere that's pretty nice as well, good art, latte art, couches and bohemian feel. People definitely take pride in the coffee they make there. Also worth checking out...not that I have any pride in a place I used to work=) Still. I would say you could get good coffee in two places in Chico.
hey, good for lucky! i'm very excited to check it out now. chico's actually a neat town. naked (in sacramento) was actually the first good coffee i'd ever had (with repeatable results). it isn't what i'd call amazing or life-changing, but still, it was the first spot where i could have a cappuccino and not be left craving a syrup or tons of milk. once temple opened up...that was my wow moment.
harry.
"i should pull up the hardwood to see if there's carpet underneath! no, that's never the case."
mgalli Senior Member Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 7 Location: California Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Euro 2000 Jr. Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: French Press
Posted Mon Nov 26, 2007, 9:08pm Subject: Re: Chico, California
The Naked Lounge is currently going through some major changes. I have been told they are going to change their name to something like "Speed Kitty." I am not sure if this name is finalized. Since I am not a fan of Methamphetamines, I do not particularly care for this name. Many of their customers probably will not mine.
They are changing their name because they are no longer going to be serving "Naked Coffee." They are planning on roasting their own coffee beans. I am quite excited about this change. The baristas at the Lounge take pride in making good espresso. They pull shots using proper techniques. The Lounge and Empire are the only two cafes in Chico that I know which use proper techniques. Once they get a different supply of coffee beans, it will be a huge improvement over the current coffee. I am looking forward to the change.
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