I’m a pretty big coffee and tea drinker. You might even go so far as to say that I love coffee and tea. Or that I’m addicted. That’s partly out of necessity…the caffeine really comes in handy when trying to keep up with my very energetic kids all day long. But I also like the comfort factor of it. Just the act of drinking coffee makes me happy. There’s something comforting about cozying up to a cup of hot tea (or an iced latte when the weather is hot) and taking a few minutes to enjoy my daily cup of get-up-and-go. There’s real community in gathering around a pot of coffee with good friends and chatting for a while. So I love it when I can find a new, but still comfortable spot where I can get my coffee fix.
Sippers Coffeehouse – Tuna Sandwich
Today, that spot was Sippers Coffeehouse. Sippers is located in a little shopping plaza on Gate Parkway, just past the St. John’s Town Center. In an area dominated by large retailers and chain restaurants, Sippers is a unique homegrown type of place where you immediately feel welcome. In fact, when I stopped in today I had originally planned on getting a drink and a snack to go. But I was so drawn-in by the cozy atmosphere and the friendly service that I just had to pull up a seat and stay awhile. The place is filled with adorably mismatched dishes and vintage coffee memorabilia. Sounds of big-band tunes like “Chattanooga Choo Choo” waft from the speakers. The worn-in couches, comfy armchairs, and shabby chic repurposed furniture only add to the warm ambiance.
Sippers Coffeehouse – Shabby Chic
My youngest kiddo and I settled down on a beautiful dark wood church pew with a few plush throw pillows and enjoyed our food and drink. It was a hot day, so I opted for an iced beverage. I got a small iced chocolate chai latte and it was amazing. It was refreshing and not overly sweet. I immediately regretted getting a small instead of a large. I also found myself ogling over some of the other items on their drink menu. Sippers offers up a ton of flavored coffee options, along with espressos, cappuccino, and lattes. With a huge variety of coffees, teas, Italian sodas, and juices, there surely is something for everyone.
Sippers Coffeehouse – Menu
When it came to food, I was once again won over by Sippers and I decided to order a sandwich off of their lunch menu rather than just a snack. The thought of a great tuna sandwich was just too good to pass up. I ordered mine on wheat with cheese. I consider myself a bit of a tuna sandwich snob…the tuna-to-mayo ratio has to be just right, the bread has to be substantial enough…you get the idea. Let me just say, this was the best tuna sandwich I’ve had in a really long time. The tuna salad was well-seasoned and a little peppery and it had the perfect amount of mayonnaise. To me, a good tuna sandwich is pure comfort food, so I thoroughly enjoyed mine. But if you’re not a tuna fan, there are plenty of other food options at Sippers. They serve other sandwiches and wraps, as well as a tasty breakfast menu including breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, and yogurt parfaits. If you’re in a hurry, you can just grab one of their delicious-looking fresh baked muffins, scones, or cinnamon rolls. Yum! I decided to order a chocolate chip cookie on my way out and it was divine. Chewy and buttery and filled with dark chocolate chips. I can only imagine that their other baked goods are just as good.
Sippers Coffeehouse – Lunch Menu
As if my food and drink experience wasn’t good enough, the service at Sippers was top-notch. Everyone was super friendly and polite. The hard work and passion of owners Marcy and Matt Staley is evident in every aspect of their warm, inviting coffeehouse. Many times companies slap a slogan on their brand and call it a day…whether it holds true or not. But the Sippers slogan “Friendship begins with a cup if kindness” is clearly the foundation and the mission that the owners have built their business on.
Sippers Coffeehouse – Cookie
On top of everything else that I loved about Sippers, they get bonus points for having a drive-through. Good drive-through coffee served with love and a friendly smile…really, there’s not much better than that. But if you do have the time to stop and go inside, head on in and enjoy the full Sippers experience. Cozy up to your favorite coffee drink and stay awhile. Trust me, it will be really hard not to!
Sippers Coffeehouse – Breakfast Menu
For this review we welcome a member of our own JRR family: Rhonda Kovar is a former call center manager turned stay-at-home mom. She grew up in the heart of North Carolina and moved to Florida after getting hitched in 2002. She is a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University and a lover of all things crafty, musical, or edible. Rhonda loves finding new and delicious ways to turn her two tiny picky eaters into future foodies.
