A Hidden Diamond: Roast, Inc.

Roast, Inc.

4825 Trousdale Pk., Suite 211

Nashville, TN 37220

(615) 730-8074

www.roastinc.com

Among Nashville coffee shops, there had been a huge gap, and most people didn't even know it. Almost every shop and cafe, as good as they were, offered nothing blends. As good as blends are, they are extremely uniform.

I heard of Roast, Inc., and being the adventurous type that I am, I tracked it down, and it was well worth it. First, they let me in and served me even before they were officially opened. I looked in, and they waved me right in. They showed me their single cup roasts, they taught me about new roasts and letting roasted beans sit for a day, they let me sample a couple of their coffees, and they were a pleasure to spend time with.

They are the first place I know to have cupping events, which is a lot of fun, and definitely a learning experience. they have expanded to work several of the local Farmer's Markets, like the South Nashville Farmer's Market and Franklin Farmer's Market.

Roast, Inc., also focuses on Cup of Excellence coffees, which finds the best coffees throughout the world, via jury selection, and then sells them via auction. These sing cup roasts are absolutely the cream of the crop.

If I sound like a advertisement for Roast, Inc., it's because the place is so different, and such a great experience that literally almost can think of nothing bad to say about them. They have erred on an order slightly, which I didn't push because they had been so generous and helpful. Beyond that, I have nothing negative to say.

Roast, Inc., is a bit tricky to find. Hit Harding Pike east from I-65. Turn right on Trousdale Pike. Follow about a quarter-mile to until you see a little strip mall in a box shape. Roast, Inc. is in the right corner.

This is the coffee shop to visit when you're in the S. Nashville area.

Dunn Brothers: a Chain with no weak links

Dunn Brothers Coffee
401 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37219
615-252-2567
Local Nashville Website

I'm going to tell you a secret. This bit of information is something that runs deep in me, and has grown in me as long as I've been drinking coffee regularly. I really can't stand Starbucks. It's not because it's a chain, but I have every reason to believe it doesn't help. I find their coffee bitter, overpriced, and uncreative. Generally, I think the snobbery at Starbucks is just as great at some of the Hillsboro coffee spots, and for no good reason. I consider it the McDonald's of coffee: ubiquitous, over-branded, and just greedy.

But chains don't have to be bad: Dunn Brother's, downtown on 4th Ave. N, is definitely a great coffee shop that is also a chain, and definitely gives you your money's worth for good coffee.

To begin, the place is deceptively large: at first you think it might just be this tiny store, but when you find the steps down to the back, it actually holds far more with their small couch areas and their restaurant-style tables. A place that first feels dark and cramped suddenly becomes open and brightly lit. That's especially welcome when coming in from the brutally hot Nashville summer downtown.

They roast their coffee onsite, so it's going to be fresh. They have a wife variety of coffee drinks, ranging from basic brews, all the way to the high end frappes and flavored espresso creations. They have several fine baked goods, excellent wifi, and friendly and knowledgeable staff. If I have a question, not only do they have the answer, they often volunteer information about making it yourself or how to enjoy it better.

Something else that's neat is when you walk in and find the owner roasting his own beans. He'll talk about his methods, and make recommendations. It adds to the experience greatly.

Now my main caveat (and the main reason I don't go more often) is the fact that it's in the L&C building downtown: therefore, no parking. There's just no cheap way to get there if you come by car. So I really only go there when I have more pressing reasons to get downtown. Also, due to the awkward layout of one-way streets, it might be slightly hard to find. My best recommendation is to take Church St., then turn south (the only direction to go) onto 4th Ave., and it will be on the right in the blink of an eye. Don't miss it.

Beyond complexities of getting there, Dunn Brother's Coffee is a great place to get your java on. It's tasty, reasonably priced, and fun to hang out at. If you can get there, you should really enjoy it.