What is the best coffee shop in OKC - looking for a spot that roasts great coffee on-site and sells by the pound - not starbucks...

THANKS!

If you want a place that knows their coffee, I know two: The Buzz in the First National Center downtown -- authentic Italian style coffees, unique concoctions, and great sandwiches to boot.

Secondly, I'd recommend Cafe Bella in South OKC, on SW 89th and Penn. The folks are very hospitable, and it's easily the classiest java joint in town. The owners know their stuff and the range of drink and food choice is unbelievable -- Starbucks has nothing on them. It's the only place in OKC that offers Boba tea -- a fruity drink with tapioca balls in it (believe me, it's good). But I have to admit, I am biased -- the owner is a close friend of mine.

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The Red Cup on Classen is great. And their food is wonderful.

Do these shops roast their own coffee and sell it by the pound?

No idea. I'm more a tea person.

One could just go to the supermarket and spend around four or five bucks on a three pound can of coffee that will last for a month or more instead of wasting money on "glamour" coffees. To me, it all tastes the same. I would rather spend my money on something useful.

Woh... why bother posting that comment man? Didn't really help me out.

Yes one could head to the supermarket. But I do taste a huge difference between the crap in the supermarket and what you get from fresh roaster.

Don't you have something that you appreciate that could easily be supplanted by something cheaper, but because you really appreciate the good stuff, you spend a little extra for it? Ribeye Steak vs. ground chuck? High end audio equipment vs. boombox? Color vs black & white? A good cup of Joe doesn't cost THAT much more for a huge jump in tastiness...afterall you only live once

Now I'm not a wine guy, but I don't go around telling people that do appreciate a fine wine that it all tastes the same and that they should just consider heading down to the local S-Mart and buy some Boone's farm.

Floating_adrift, no, I don't think Cafe Bella roasts their coffee. I'm not sure where get their beans.

I myself have not mastered the differences between coffees, but if you taste different kinds of product enough, you'll be able to appreciate the $3. As what Floating said, it is kind of like wine in developing the taste for it. The baristas (servers) at local joints (such as the two I mentioned) can guide customers as to the subtle differences, and especially what separates brew coffee from espresso.

I'm a fan of coffeehouses more for the decor and the company as for the coffee. They are real community centers -- a "third place" where people can spend time outside work and home.

__________________
True greatness requires many fathers.

For a good time, see http://www.okchornets.com/

I think you guys are all correct. For those that truly are dedicated coffee drinkers, there's an obvious difference between higher priced coffees and store brands like Foldgers and Maxwell House. Whoever compared it to alcohol is right on. Many non-drinkers (like myself) consider all beer to taste the same, but those that drink to enjoy a social drink (like my dad, born and raised much of his life in Germany) can definitely tell the difference between pricey German beers and cheap American beers. He doesn't mind drinking cheaper beers like Millwaukee's Best, on occasion, but he can sure taste the different between that, and say Beck Beer from Germany, or even good ole American Budweiser. Thus, even comparing the American brands there are some huge differences.

Back to the coffee discussion. My dad went to Columbia with the Air National Guard a few years back. He brought back some coffee beans he bought from a local market there. Comparing that to something like Maxwell House in a can, there was obviousdly no comparison. I could even smeel the difference there.

Anyways back to the original topic, I think floater lists some good examples. Since I'm in medical school coffee is definitely a hot commodity here! I'm not sure if Uncommon Grounds is still in business in Bricktown, but it always seemed to be a hit among the fellow med students.

I like Eastern Sky off of I-40 and Mustang Rd. I do not know if they roast coffee on-site and sell by the pound, but I like to stop in now and then and have a cappuccino.

I don't know about grinding coffee or anything, but I do enjoy going to The Buzz downtown when I'm there. They got great Iced Coffee and "Frappacino" type coffee too.