A Nice Cuppa

Before you head back to Vancouver (or British Columbia), Canada, and are in the United States on the I-5 in Washington State, there are several coffee stands you may be tempted to try out. Some are easy to spot off of the freeway while others are not. Some have wonderful service and great coffee while others have okay coffee but lousy service. I love it whenever my father comes up here from California spouting the goodness of Starbuck’s (*pfft*) and isn’t open-minded about trying other coffee houses! I do have to laugh though, because I generally don’t drink a Starbuck’s unless I am visiting California!Here are a few reviews on places in Whatcom County, Washington State:

Mugshots is located in Ferndale, Washington. I may be a bit biased, because I generally grab a cup of either Chai Tea or coffee from these folks once a week or every other week. They are off from the freeway a bit, but they are well worth it. The service is superior and the coffee is wonderful. During the holidays they bring out Egg Nog as a creamer and flavors such as Gingerbread or Pumpkin Spice. They offer many other treats such as muffins (which I think may be homemade, but am not sure). You can find them off of the Portal Way exit (exit 263) in Ferndale, Washington at 5750 Vista Drive. They only stay open until about 7pm from what I recall. If you have any questions you can call them at (360) 312-9181.

Cruisin’ Coffee has locations through Whatcom County and even as far south as Everett and even as far east in Washington State as Yakima. The ones I have visited are in Bellingham, namely at the Airport Cruisin’ Coffee, which is just west off the I-5 at exit 257 (Bakerview), as well as the Cordata location, and the Lakeway Drive Cruisin’ Coffee. I have also been to the Lynden Cruisin’ Coffee as well. All except the Iowa Street location are open 24 hours a day. Everyone I have been to I have been greeted with kind hospitality as well as great coffee. I have had a few coffees that tasted bitter in nature, but overall I have been pleased with my experience there. For a location nearest you (or your trip up or down the I-5 corridor), you can visit the locations part of their website.

Custom Coffee, in Ferndale, Washington, is located outside of Haggen’s grocery store (which, ironically, is host to a Starbucks). I have been here a handful of times while grocery shopping or stopping in this town, and every time I have been here I have either had problems with the lack of hospitality (good customer service) or the abundance of bitter coffee. If you are in the retail sector I suggest brushing up on your customer service skills a bit. Granted, I have not been there in over a year, but suffice it to say, I have dealt with rude and rushing cashiers/servers at least three times there, and it was enough to turn me off (along with the bitter coffee).

Curb Shots, is located off the Portal Way exit in Ferndale, Washington (exit 263). This is convenient to the freeway and I have always been greeted with a smile. I am not so keen on the coffee as much as other places, but the smile and the service is something that speaks for itself. Of course, there are other drinks to choose from besides coffee.

Whatever your taste or pleasure, you’re bound to find something if you are driving on the I-5, whether you are headed north towards British Columbia, Canada, or south towards Seattle. I am always open to trying coffee stands but must say that my heart pretty much is stuck with Mugshots. If I am in another area I usually give another coffee stand a go. In fact, there was one coffee stand I just happened across once while heading towards the Costco in Bellingham off of the Guide Meridian by Glynn’s Shamrock Pub called Island Espresso, but it looks like it’s gone and torn down. I always wondered how they fared with only one person serving a multitude of vehicles waiting for some coffee. All I know is they had the best milkshake I ever had (yeah, you can actually order milkshakes at most stands, isn’t that crazy?).

And if you aren’t into coffee, there are many other fantastic choices to choose from, such as Chai Tea, hot or cold chocolate, a variety of sodas (we call it “pop” up here, much to the dismay of my Californian family members who are accusing me of losing my Californian roots!), some even serve Italian sodas and milkshakes.