Buena Vista, CO
*Reposted from the original coffee blog: Expedition Cafelier*
In 1995 Carol and Bill started Bongo Billy’s Café in Buena Vista along with its sister shop in Salida; both becoming local favorites. 15 years ago a young woman by the name of Jen came along with a dream in her pocket and acquired the shops. They stayed Bongo Billy’s Café for a short time but in 2012, Jen took hold of her own destiny and decided to start the coffee roastery she had always wanted. Along with the new equipment came the shop’s new name: Brown Dog Coffee Co. The shop stayed a local favorite and now ships its beans through the entire US.
When my family and I came traveling through Buena Vista, we all knew that I had to stop by Brown Dog Coffee. Co. The moment we drove past it, they began to tell me of their own experiences within the walls when it was still Bongo Billy’s. Pulling up to the shop, slightly unsure of where the parking lot was, we slid our vehicle behind the line of cars parallel to the fence and ventured inside. Upon stepping through the doorframe, I was immediately overcome by the amazing aroma that swirled within the shop. Glancing to my right I took in the roasting equipment and the woman who was carefully attending to it. On the floor there was a wicker basket with old coffee bags for sale and a table with a colorful tapestry hung over it. Sliding my gaze over, I took in the shelves of whole beans, mugs, water bottles, etc. If you wanted something with their logo on it, you could find it. Before reaching the counter where the baristas gently chatted amongst themselves as they worked, there was a slender menu to look over. Greedily, I flipped it open and marveled over the multitude of foods from breakfast burritos to quiches that they offered.
The past few weeks I have been on a gluten-free diet in support of a family member and had learned how hard it can be to find food out and about. Brown Dog Coffee Co. had all its customers in mind and boasted a large selection of gluten (and nut) free pastries as well as gluten free options of all the food on its menu.
Ordering was a breeze with the perfectly friendly baristas all of which have worked there for years and I waited ecstatically for my drink while taking in the rest of the shop. Above the cream and sugar was a small bulletin board for locals to post advertisements on and a local artist had their paintings for sale on the walls. There was a small corner of tables where people chatted. All of this was surrounded by large windows giving way to the customers who had chosen the tables outside and therefore received the view of the Collegiate Peaks. While we waited, my mother leaned over to me and whispered into my ear “it has a restaurant feel to it” and she was completely right. Somehow Brown Dog Coffee Co. had found the delicate balance of putting a restaurant, coffee shop and roastery all into one building and it was a beautiful masterpiece of vision.
As my name was called I scooped my drink off the counter and wasted no time in trying it. Now, before I explain this coffee, it requires a bit of back story. Generally speaking, my go to coffee is about as dark as you can get it. Because I have a tendency to love the strong, full-bodied flavors, my boyfriend introduced me to Vietnamese coffee and I immediately fell in love. Unfortunately, the only place I ever seemed to find this coffee was Pho restaurants. One of the reasons I was so excited while waiting for my drink was because the shop offered Vietnamese coffee and I knew without doubt that I had to try it. Their coffee, while perhaps slightly untraditional, was everything a Vietnamese coffee should be. Rather than masking the naturally bitter flavor of the coffee, the sweetened condensed milk mixed perfectly with it adding to and boldening the flavor. It was hands down the best Vietnamese Coffee I have had and if I lived closer, there is no doubt in my mind that I would return for more.
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