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You are here: Home / Archives for Kentucky Coffeehouses

Kentucky State Resort Parks: Coffeehouses Can’t Compare When it Comes to Scenery!

March 29, 2017 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Rough River Dam State Resort Park
My husband, Michael, and I are known to eat at Kentucky State Resort Parks pretty often. We ate at the parks more frequently before I had to stop eating gluten/wheat – but, as it is, I pretty much just order food I’m sure are “safe” for me to eat. For example, I feel completely confident ordering one of their delicious burgers off of a bun and I have no qualms whatsoever about making a salad off of their always colorful and delicious salad bars.

Whenever we DO eat at a Kentucky State Resort Park, we always, always, always enjoy a cup of coffee after our meal. The Kentucky State Parks have some of the most consistently delicious coffee you ever tasted.  Whereas Starbucks coffee is generally a 6, Ky State Park coffee is a perfect 10. Each and every time.

{Continued Below…}

Kentucky State Resort Park Coffee
We’re so fond of their coffee, in fact, that sometimes when we aren’t even hungry, we stop by a State Park simply to enjoy a cup of coffee in an especially relaxing atmosphere.  There’s nothing quite like great coffee with great conversation (usually about UK basketball or football or St. Louis Cardinals baseball!), followed by a walk around the beautiful park.

It’s an experience I highly recommend.

Not only is the coffee simply better, but coffeehouse can’t even begin to compare with a state park when it comes to scenery.

The pictures in this post are from a trip this past summer to Rough River Dam State Resort Park.

Rough River Dam State Resort Park
Now that the weather’s warming up, I can’t wait to get out and visit as many Kentucky State Parks as possible.

One thing is for certain…. the coffee will be flowing!

Rough River Dam State Resort Park

Filed Under: Kentucky Coffeehouses, Kentucky State Parks, Rough River Dam State Resort Park Tagged With: Kentucky State Parks, Kentucky State Resort Parks, Where to Get Coffee in Kentucky

Harden Coffee House and Roastery

October 29, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Cappuccino at Harden Coffee House in Campbellsville

Beautiful Cappuccino at Harden Coffee House

We recently spent a gorgeous Autumn day in Central Kentucky. Given that our home (Owensboro) is in Western Kentucky and given that Kentucky Lake is magnet to our steel, we spend the majority of our time in Western Kentucky.  That’s why it’s always a special treat to explore other parts of our beautiful state.

At the top of our “places to see” list on this particular day was Harden Coffee in Campbellsville.  For one thing, we are OBSESSED with coffeehouses. A week spent without stepping inside at least one coffeehouse is unheard of.

In fact, I’m not sure it’s ever happened…

We are also ALL about buying local and will go out of our way to buy Kentucky food, tea, coffee, crafts, etc.

Harden Coffee House and Roastery - Campbellsville Ky

Harden Coffee House and Roastery 

The Harden Coffee House and Roastery is located in Central Kentucky, about an hour and fifteen minutes from Louisville or Lexington. Situated in an idyllic “Downtown USA” setting, the mood is set before you ever step foot into the coffee house.  But make no mistake about it, once you DO step in, you’ll lose yourself in the moment.

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful coffee houses I’ve seen.  Everywhere you look you see something that grabs your attention – all while enveloped in the most Heavenly aroma of coffee you can imagine.

 Chai Tea Latte

Smooth and Delicious Chai Tea Latte

When we went, I (naturally) ordered a Chai Tea Latte (can you say obsessed?). It was beautiful and delicious. In hindsight, I wish I’d also tried a coffee, but there you have it. I got so busy enjoying the ambiance and sipping my Chai Tea Latte that I couldn’t see beyond the moment.

Which is, actually, what I love about coffee houses. You don’t see beyond the moment. You simply live in the moment while everything else falls away.

Until you can make it to downtown Campbellsville, visit Harden Coffee‘s beautiful website and give them a follow on Twitter. Their coffee (which can be purchased in their online store) is outstanding.  You’ll also notice “Hare Mugs” in their store – I definitely have to get 1, 2, 5, or 321 of those. So cute.

Harden Coffee House and Roastery, Campbellsville

Harden Coffee is located at 202 E Main St. in downtown Campbellsville.

Harden Coffee House and Roastery, Campbellsville
Harden Coffee House and Roastery, Campbellsville
Harden Coffee House and Roastery
Harden Coffee House and Roastery
LOW CARB HIGH FAT CAKES and DESSERTS: Gluten-Free and Sugar-Free Pies, Pastries, and More
Harden Coffee House
Harden Coffee House
Harden Coffee House
Harden Coffee House Cappuccino

The adorable Kentucky Children’s Eye Chart is by graphic artist Rachel Sinclair and can be found on Kentucky for Kentucky.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Campbellsville, Kentucky Coffeehouses Tagged With: Campbellsville, Harden Coffee, Kentucky coffee, Kentucky coffeehouses

Road Trippin’ in Northern Kentucky with the Pictures to Prove It

October 28, 2015 by Joi Sigers 2 Comments

Florence Y'all Tower in Florence, Kentucky

Florence Y’all!

We recently enjoyed a little Road Trippin’ in Northern Kentucky on a gorgeous rainy Autumn day. While you may not love rainy days like I do, let alone think of them as gorgeous, you’d have to agree than an Autumn day – especially in Kentucky – is the very definition of gorgeous.

I finally “snagged” the beloved Florence, Y’All tower with my phone. When you’re coming into Kentucky from the north, it’s always such a welcome sign – but, truth be told, I get a huge kick out of it from any vantage point.

Florence Autumn 2015

Florence, Kentucky Wears Autumn Beautifully

The people in Northern Kentucky are as friendly as the welcoming tower in Florence is. We stopped in the Reality Tuesday Cafe in Park Hills and southern hospitality was waiting on us.

I had a Chai Tea Latte with a sleeve on the cup that was just as excited about Autumn as I am.

The Cafe was a cool, eclectic, and decidedly off-beat place. The kind you could envision spending hours in, relaxing, eating, and enjoying a nice hot drink. I think I’ll try an espresso on my next visit.

Reality Tuesday Cafe in Park Hills, Kentucky
 
Reality Tuesday Cafe in Park Hills, Ky.

Get off the beaten path and see parts of Kentucky you’ve never seen before. You never know who you’ll meet, what you’ll see, or what cool little coffee shop you’ll wander into.

Visit Reality Tuesday on Twitter or Facebook – better yet, go see them in person.

Chai Tea Latte at Reality Tuesday Cafe in Park Hills, Kentucky
Florence Y'all Tower in Florence, Kentucky
Reality Tuesday Cafe in Park Hills, Kentucky

 

Filed Under: Florence, Kentucky Coffeehouses, Road Trippin' Tagged With: Florence Y'all Tower, Pictures of Florence Kentucky, pictures of Northern Kentucky

The Battle of Chai Tea Lattes: Round One!

October 23, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Spencers Bowling Green Chai Tea Latte
Spencer’s Coffee, Downtown Bowling Green
One of the things most associated with me is Chai Tea Lattes. Anyone who knows anything about me knows I’m obsessed with them. Right up there with animals, UK Basketball, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, chocolate, and fried catfish.

Talk about tall cotton.

Chai Tea Lattes are one of the reasons I get out of bed in the morning, that’s all.

When we first moved to Owensboro, over 10 years ago, there was a GREAT coffeehouse, Beyond the Brim, that made excellent Chai Tea Lattes.  Although I’m crazy wild about them now, when Starbucks came to town and Beyond the Brim went out of business, I thought Starbucks Chai Tea Lattes paled in comparison.

I love Starbucks Chai Tea Lattes so much now it’s mind-boggling to think Beyond the Brim’s could have been better.

Naturally, any time I go to a coffehouse, my first order of business is to see if they have Chai Tea Latte’s on the menu. Since I drink so many of them, I thought a Battle of Chai Tea Lattes was called for on Genuine Kentucky.

Disclaimer: Just because I didn’t particularly enjoy a Chai Tea Latte at a particular coffeehouse doesn’t mean you wouldn’t love it to distraction. Furthermore, just because a coffeehouse’s Chai Tea Latte doesn’t light up the room doesn’t mean their coffee and other beverages aren’t en fuego.

Disclaimer aside…  Let’s do this!

Etcetera Coffee house in Paducah - Chai Tea Latte

Chai Tea Latte at Etcetera

Chai Tea Latte #1:  Etcetera Coffeehouse in Paducah

The Etcetera Coffeehouse in Paducah is deliciously eclectic. When it comes to ambiance, it’s just so right it’s scary.  However… when it comes to Chai Tea Lattes (at least the one I had a few weeks ago)… you’re better off ordering something else.

Anything else.

With apologies in place, I simply have to say this was not a good Chai Tea Latte. I did finish it, though, so it wasn’t hideous – which is more than I can say for one I choked down in the Bowling Green mall a few years ago. I, at least, finished the unassuming Chai Tea Latte at Etcetera.  However, there are other drinks on the menu – so choose one.

On a scale of 1 – 10, I’d give the Chai Tea Latte at Etcetera a 7.

The fun and eclectic Etcetera Coffeehouse is at 320 N 6th St, downtown Paducah.

Harden Coffee Chai Tea Latte

Chai Tea Latte at Harden Coffeehouse

Chai Tea Latte #2: Harden Coffeehouse in Campbellsville 

The Harden Coffeehouse is absolutely gorgeous. So gorgeous, in fact, that it’ll soon be starring in a Pictures of the Day post all by itself. Stunning. On a recent trip, my husband Michael ordered a special coffee and I, of course, went the route you’d expect me to go.  His coffee was an absolute work of art! It’ll be featured in the upcoming gallery of pictures.

My Chai Tea Latte was also lovely. While it tasted better than the Chai Tea Latte at Etcetera, it didn’t have the exotic flavors you come to expect from a Chai Tea Latte. It could have been a black tea latte, a Lady Grey latte… basically any other tea in the world could have been used in place of the Chai as far as my taste buds could tell.

Having said all of that, it still tasted darn good, which is more than can be said of some Chai Tea Lattes you find in coffeehouses.

On a scale of 1-10, the gorgeous Harden Coffeehouse’s Chai Tea Latte ranks a very healthy 9.5.  As I said, it tasted very, very, very good and for people who don’t plan their days around Chai Tea Lattes, it’d be considered the best one they ever had. It’s also quite a looker in it’s beautiful little white mug.

The beautiful Harden Coffeehouse is  at 202 E Main St, downtown Campbellsville.

Spencer's Chai Tea Latte

Spencer’s Coffee in Bowling Green: Chai Tea Latte Perfection

Chai Tea Latte #3: Spencer’s Coffee in Bowling Green

Before I get to the Chai Tea Latte, I just want to say something about the baristas at Spencer’s. These young women were some of the friendliest, happiest, coffeehouse workers I’ve ever met. They obviously loved their job and couldn’t have been any nicer. Their friendliness has absolutely zero to do with the battle of Chai Tea Lattes, but I’m never one to let friendliness go unrecognized.

When I saw how friendly everyone was and how beautiful the building was, I could only hope that the Chai Tea Latte lived up to the moment.

It did more than that. I simply cannot imagine a Chai Tea Latte being any better. And, for the first time ever, my Chai Tea Latte was decorated on top just like my husband’s “fancy” coffee drinks always are!  The moment called for me to wave it under his nose, “Look, I’m artsy too!”

The Chai Tea Latte at Spencer’s isn’t just beautiful, it’s delicious – with the unmistakable, exotic flavors that make Chai Tea Lattes what they are.

Maybe I should say, what they should be.

On a scale of 1-10…. well, actually, the Chai Tea Latte at Spencer’s crushes the scale… but in keeping with the numerical boundaries I, myself, set, I give it a 10. A perfect 10.

Spencer’s Coffee is at 915 College St, downtown Bowling Green and you really should go right away.

Filed Under: Kentucky Coffeehouses, Kentucky Food Tagged With: Chai Tea Lattes, coffeehouse drinks, Kentucky coffeehouses

Welcome to Genuine Kentucky!

Genuine Kentucky is a Kentucky Blog and online magazine celebrating the beautiful Bluegrass State. We shine the spotlight on Kentucky with pictures, restaurant reviews, news, tourism, Things to Do in Kentucky, and more.

We’re proud Kentuckians and the non-profit effort you see before you is a labor of love.

E-mail me anytime! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Kentucky Blog Updates

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We have a special passion for Kentucky State Parks, so you'll find many articles and reviews centered around the beautiful state parks in Kentucky.

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Also See: Best Fried Catfish in Kentucky
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The pandemic has crushed many activities, events, and normalcy – not just in Kentucky, but all around the world. As we creep back toward normal, I want desperately to highlight any and all events going on around Kentucky. Please E-mail me any information you’d like shared about your Kentucky event! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

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