Add a touch of Dutch to your coffee habit

 by Scott Huscher
 published on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Sam Nalven / STATE PRESS MAGAZINE

For caffeine addicts who are sick of the same-old triple-grande mocha whateverccino, Dutch Bros. Coffee is where it's at.

Sure, the tiny stand on Rural Road doesn't have the trendy café atmosphere some gravitate toward. There's only outdoor seating and there won't be that hip guy in the black turtleneck writing poems on his laptop. But an impressive assortment of java treats makes Dutch Bros. worth the stop.

"We have a lot of fun drinks that other places don't have to offer," Dutch Bros. barista Chrissy Miller, 23, says.

Beverages include the popular "Kahlua Kicker," which contains Irish cream, and the candy-bar-themed "Almond Joy" and "Milky Way" drinks. And Dutch Bros. isn't just all talk. Their concoctions, which average about $3.50 apiece, are as delicious as they are creative.

Dutch Bros. also sells large "muffin tops" for $1.75 to compliment beverages. In flavors like chocolate chip and orange cranberry, the snack is what it sounds like. After all, who gives a crap about the muffin bottom, anyway?

All that aside, a visit to Dutch Bros. doesn't just mean a decent cup of joe. The talkative baristas aim to perk up customers with their always-friendly dispositions. To top it off, Dutch Bros. regulars receive incentives. When customers obtain 10 stamps on their punch card, they earn a complimentary drink.

"It's great to see diversity of coffee chains instead of just Starbucks," public relations senior Jenelle Avalos says.

Currently, Arizona's only Dutch Bros. is within walking distance of ASU's campus. However, Miller says there are plans to establish 20 stands in the Valley to add to the 121 locations across the West. Four are set to open this spring.

But before Dutch Bros. mania ensues, students should beat the crowd and take advantage of what's already in their backyard.

If you go
Dutch Bros. Coffee
1037 S. Rural Road
5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday - Thursday
5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday and Saturday
(480) 968-6996
dutchbros.com

— scott.huscher@asu.edu