coffee – Baltimore's Best Coffees

Baby’s on Fire

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Music and coffee, what more could you want? Luckily the coffee shop Baby’s on Fire offers both!

Baby’s on Fire is a coffee shop located in Baltimore, Maryland on Morton Street. This coffee shop is not like others, it gives their customers the option of purchasing a vinyl along with their cup of coffee.

What made this coffee shop think to do this you might think? Well here is why.

According to The Baltimore Sun, musicians David Koslowski and Shirlé Hale-Koslowski, his wife came to Maryland in 2012 where they decided to open this unique shop. Shirlé makes most of the food due to being a chef on the side while David runs the record portion of the shop.

This coffee shop is different from others in Baltimore not only because of the vinyl collection but also due to its food offered. At this shop, customers order their food at the counter where a server then brings it to them. At many shops in Baltimore there is only coffee, here there is coffee, food, and music!

Records these days are seen as outdated and not in use, but the owners wanted to bring them back for the city of Baltimore to enjoy.

When a customer walks into the shop, there are records on the walls along with a selection of vinyls in the middle of the store up for sale. Next to the records are tables for people to enjoy their food and beverages at.

The decorations in the shop are very modern with red accents and a white brick wall with menus and record albums hung on it. With its dark but colorful accents, the shop seems to fit the music theme.

The Baltimore Fish Bowl stated in a recent article that this coffee shop is soon to have its own coffee blend. Owners David and Shirlé partnered with friend Bryce Roszell, the Open Seas Coffee Founder to release this new blend.

This blend has hints of cinnamon, vanilla, almond and cedar, and a little citrus according to The Baltimore Fish Bowl. This blend is offered in the store to be made in your drinks along with purchasing it by the bag in their shop as well. So, go try it for yourself!

Releasing this blend helped the business boom even more! Not only do they offer something no other coffee shop in Baltimore does, but they now have their coffee blend up for sale such as what Zeke’s coffee does.

With myself being the coffee addict I am, I have never come across a shop that offers such unique items to purchase in their shop as well. It is very common for their to be books or even food but vinyl records are a whole other category I have never seen.

Coffee shops such as the Treehouse Coffeeshop & Cafe written about in the Philly.com, stated to come out and enjoy live music while drinking your cup of coffee. This is too basic though!

Many shops offer live music from a band but none like Baby’s on Fire which offers the music to be purchased in the form of a vinyl.

I highly suggest you readers to go visit this shop yourself. With the music attracting someone in immediately along with the fresh made food by Shirlé who is a great chef, it is a must visit location.

Here is Baby’s on Fire contact info. Go try it for yourself and leave in the comments how you enjoyed it! Be sure to try their signature dish, The Bird Panini!

1010 Morton St., Mount Vernon

443-885-9892

babysonfire.com

HOURS: M-F: 7am-6pm, Sat: 8am-6pm, Sun: 10am-4pm

Timonium Welcomes Zeke’s Coffee

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Recently, Zeke’s coffee decided to expand themselves opening a shop in Timonium right off of Padonia Road or as more may recognize, right near the fairgrounds.

Zeke’s coffee is more commonly known for its locations in Baltimore, Maryland with its numerous coffee shops downtown. Now, they have decided to benefit the lives of those more North with its newly opened location in the Padonia shopping center, also known as Padonia Village.

The Padonia shopping center has experienced a decline in customers ever since Mars Super Market closed in 2016 which brought in more business. The decision to bring in a Zeke’s Coffee, has brought the shopping center back to life.

Green Valley Marketplace is a re-branding to a little section of these shops. This has brought in Zeke’s Coffee, a Seafood House, and as well as a Fresh Bakery.

In 2010, this well-known coffee shop, Zeke’s, opened to the small town of Baltimore and ever since has developed into a bigger business, opening more and more locations around Baltimore and now other states.

Zeke’s has been expanding its business ever since Spring 2017. According to The Baltimore Sun, in that spring they upgraded to a 4,000 square feet space which was “three times the size of their original location”.

With that expansion, they were able to bring in more seating for their customers, both inside and outside, as well as broadening their coffee and baking performance. All of these improvements boomed their business.

While that was just in Baltimore, today they are located in more locations.

Since their spread in Baltimore, they have been presented to locate themselves in even more places across the East Coast. These locations included Pittsburgh and Washington which they took the opportunity to do so in order to increase their revenue.

Not only are there shops opening all around the East Coast but their coffee itself is also being sold in other locations.

Hunt Valley which is extremely close to its newly opened Timonium location is one of the places selling Zeke’s coffee separately. Hunt Valley is known for having a lot of business and customers, it is a tourist attraction as well as a highly attractive shopping center.

In April of 2018, Hunt Valley welcomed the B.C. Brewery. The Baltimore Sun released an article describing this brewery and taproom. While Hunt Valley already has a high number of visitors, this brewery rose it even more.

According to the Baltimore Sun, “when you walk into B.C. Brewery, the first thing you notice is the tap wall”. On this tap wall are 24 computerized taps which include select brews along with non-alcohol choices such as Kombucha and Zeke’s Coffee.

This small yet big gesture brings more attraction to Zeke’s. To the tap wall being the first thing customers see when they walk in which includes their coffee with the logo proudly stamped on it, to their new location just five minutes away, Zeke’s is expanding even more!

Where Zeke’s started out as just a small coffee shop located in Baltimore, it has spread all throughout the East Coast and will continue to do so. With its new shop in Timonium, it makes it easier for a new demographic group to enjoy their coffee just as much and spread the word to their friends and family.

Zeke’s is a proud Baltimore native and continues to spread its tasty drinks.

Let me know which Zeke’s you have visited and how you enjoyed your visit!

Sip on Some Romance

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February 14th, a day either hated or loved by people. Starbucks wants to help turn this date into something to cheer about with their limited time made drink thats for sure to make anyone happy on this day.

Do you have a special someone for this Valentine’s Day? If not, do not worry this new drink at Starbucks allows you sprinkle some of that love onto yourself, the Cherry Mocha. While it is freezing in February, this cup of love is without a doubt to warm up your heart.

Thrillist.com released an article to cover this hearty drink, Is Starbucks’ Valentine’s Day Cherry Mocha Your New Morning Love Affair?, persuading individuals to purchase this drink along with the Valentine’s themed snacks, a great pair! Starbucks really knows how to reel in their customers, both single and committed in a relationship, this drink and its matching snacks make a great time for anyone.

Now, what is in this drink you might be thinking to yourself, lets find out!

If one is looking to purchase the grande, aka the medium in easier terms, it is a total of 430 calories, not too bad. While the tall, aka the small, is 340 calories and the venti, the large, is a total of 530 calories.

This delicious beverage by Starbucks is comprised of milk, mocha sauce, brewed espresso, cherry syrup, whipped cream, and of course Valentine’s sprinkles to top it off with that romantic feel! With all of these ingredients it is bound to make the perfect drink for this Thursday.

Remember, this drink is limited time meaning you only have until Valentine’s Day, February 14th, to go grab one and try it for yourself.

If you do not want this drink but are still feeling cheery for this loving holiday, Starbucks can help with that. Not only are they offering this limited time drink and snacks to go with it, but also travel cups.

These ceramic travel cups have red hearts and all sorts of Valentine’s designs on them. One can purchase this cup and then choose whatever beverage they want to be made in that cup, an easy way to still show your spirit!

Whether it be the Cherry Mocha, romantic snacks, or the travel mugs, Starbucks makes sure to have ones love show this Valentine’s Day.

So go snatch your cup of love now! At any of these Baltimore area Starbucks is this limited time cup of coffee!

919 E Fort Ave Suite A, Baltimore, MD 21230

615 South President Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

100 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202

1 N Eutaw St, Baltimore, MD 21201

1812 Ashland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21205

1209 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201

3201 St Paul St Suite C, Baltimore, MD 21218

2401 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218

711 W 40th St Suite 160, Baltimore, MD 21211

5129 Roland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21210

2520 Quarry Lake Dr, Baltimore, MD 21209

1340 Smith Ave, Baltimore, MD 21209

6225 – 6227 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21212

6900 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212

Leave your feedback in the comments about how you feel towards this festive cup of caffeine! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Caffeinated Off Coffee

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Ever wondered what is out there in the beautiful world of coffee? One’s options can range from those of the classic black coffee to the fancy arrangement of lattes that many coffee shops offer. Forbes.com recently released an article, Coffee Moves Beyond The Cup, stating that some may argue that some of these tasteful drinks should not even be considered coffee because of their complex structure. Where this is true, most of these drinks still include the simple ingredient of coffee, coffee grinds. The article later expressed that many people survive just from drinking coffee during their day. Not only is coffee a tasty drink but it also saves people during their long daily routine. So what can we make from coffee? The answer is, A LOT.

For instance, in the Baltimore area there are numerous coffee shops, all including a variety of choices for an individual to feed into their caffeine addiction. With all the coffee shops in Baltimore, at least one is in range for an individual to grab on their way to work. Let’s take a look at all the options these amazing coffee shops have to offer!

1. The Cappuccino

Let’s start with the cappuccino. This small but energizing choice is full of caffeine to get your day going. This is comprised of shots of espresso and steamed milk, a common ingredient found in those deluxe yet tasteful drinks at coffee shops. This is perfect for that quicker buzz in the morning many may crave before walking into class or work!

2. The Latte

Next, the latte! Here is the most known drink by individuals. The latte is one where one can broaden their choices. Get vanilla, caramel, or even pumpkin spice, the favorite flavor craved by many girls in October! This drink contains both espresso and steamed milk. Now don’t go getting this mixed with a cappuccino, this consists of a larger amount of espresso than the other quick acting drink which has fewer. Are you a chocolate lover, add some and make it a mocha!

3. The Macchiato

Now comes the macchiato, a lavish cup of espresso and milk. Watch out though, don’t get the macchiato confused with the latte or the cappuccino choices, all are very different. What makes the macchiato unique is that in most shops, they add milk on the bottom as well as the top making a beautiful arrangement of colors. Order this then watch the flavors combine as you stir the milk and espresso together, a mesmerizing view for sure!

4. The Classic Black

A cup of just straight black coffee is usually the cheapest and simplest to choose at most shops. The classic black coffee is one that only some like. Where black coffee can be strong and bitter, many add creamer, milk, or sugar to make it milder and easier to go down. Most coffee shops offer their own twist on black coffee which usually includes their own house brew from their specific coffee grinds. No matter where one might go, the classic black coffee can vary in taste.

5. The Shot of Espresso

Are you on a rush? If so, this is the perfect option for you. A shot of espresso is exactly what it sounds like, a shot of espresso. While the previous listed drinks include espresso as well, those others include liquids in them also to make the caffeine take longer to kick in, not this. Ask the barista for this small, yet electrifying drink and you will be ready to run a marathon.

With all these options, there will be at least one to clench your caffeine addiction and give you that jolt of energy to get your day started just right. This may be a simple cup of black coffee or a nice cappuccino if you are feeling fancier. All have their own specialties and tastes that will be sure to spark your attention somehow.

Let me know which strikes your taste buds the most in the comments!