America’s Best Coffee

Man, I miss this place. I used to frequent it all the time back in college to get my studying in. This place is unique in the fact that there are a lot of different type of seating available. You have your chairs, booths and the occasional sofas and love seats. But there’s also a couple of enclosed desks near that back if you need to get some serious studying done (earphones highly recommended, of course). Pretty much it has every type of environment you’re looking for short of a private room.
This place has aged a bit since it opened and you can see some of the wear and tear on the furniture. It’s not an issue as I think it adds character to a place that is already so different than other coffee shops. The set up of this place is nice and open and and the seating is evenly spaced out for the most part. You’re not going to find yourself rubbing elbows with the people next to you. There’s also outdoor seating available if you’re into that. And don’t worry about the outlet situation. Connect your laptop and charge your phone and even your mama’s phone all at the same time!
The lighting is dim and great those of you looking for a more romantic experience. Not so much if you plan on hitting the books. You may need to find yourself another light source like your laptop screen to help you read. One HUGE positive for this place is that you’re going to get fast and reliable WiFi. Nothing like the Starbucks crap WiFi here.
They have many events throughout the week such as Jazz Night, Open Mic Night and even Church Service on Sundays. Like I said, not your typical coffee shop. Crap. I’m forgetting the most important part: the beverages. The coffee here is pretty legit. Strong and bold flavors are my thing and ABC delivers. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth for a cup of joe here. I’ll also occasionally get the Frappes when I’m feeling to satisfy my sweet tooth. If you normally think the frappes at Starbucks have way too much sugar ask for half sweet for the perfect balance of flavor and sweetness. It’s the only way to go in my book. My favorite flavor: white mocha.
If you’re in the area and need to find a place to study or just hang out with some friends I would definitely recommend ABC! I think Tiffany D. and Cat N. would also agree with this sentiment.

Check in before you order because you get a discount for doing so

I’m a coffee lover so I thought I heard the angels sing when I saw this coffee shops name but was totally disappointed. The brewed coffee was just eh (McD’s or Denny’s was better), the breakfast sandwich I ordered was no different than 7 – 11’s.
I read pretty good reviews on it so I may try it again.

I got a message from the store owner apologizing for an off-​day. He was honest, owned up to the situation, and it was refreshing to hear from someone who could explain issues without being condescending or taking it too personally. I respect that and thought it was really cool, so I’ve been in a few more times. And, you know, it’s been looking better!
The fancy drinks are still good, the muffins are still good, and the couple other employees I’ve seen are all very friendly and seem to do their jobs well enough.
The black coffee is still not something I’m itching for, but it was much improved. This time it just tasted like a roast that I’m not fond of instead of watery burning. I’m thinking maybe I just don’t like whatever roast they’re using for black coffee when I’ve been in.
Though, speaking of roasted beans, I’ve bought a few bags from them. Both of the bags (Costa Rica and Guatemala) have been good! I’ll definitely continue to come in for whole beans. They’re supposed to be roasted fairly regularly and there’s probably a dozen varieties. The ones I bought were $ 13 a pound, so not too shabby. Next time I’ll grab a French Roast and see how well they do on the bold side.

I went in this morning to pick up a peppermint mocha while I was in the area shopping. The drink was tasty, a little weaker than I am used to from You Know Where that Starts with an S and rhymes with a naughty word, but still quite enjoyable.
The muffins behind the counter looked really good, but I didn’t try one because a muffin + a peppermint mocha is just too much sugar for one day. Maybe I’ll try one when I’m having a less fattening drink.
I think I want to have this knitting group I’ve been saying I’m going to start but never do meet here. They have a ton of space including couches. They have computer desks as well. Overall a better and larger space than most Starbucks.
I didn’t look at all the prices carefully but they seemed pretty comparable to Starbucks.
All in all, it’s a little far for me to convert to here for my regular coffee needs, but if I were planning on meeting folks for coffee I’d definitely suggest going here and I’ll stop by when I’m shopping in the Highlands for something a little different than the usual.

Business in this part of the metroplex put me here and it didn’t disappoint. Very good latte — strong but not over roasted. Good location. The only thing negative is its furniture looks well «used.»

My boyfriend and I were trying to figure out a place we could go to do some work and enjoy a cup of coffee. We didn’t want to go to a Starbucks because everyone goes there and it can get a bit distracting to try and actually get some work done there. I looked on Unilocal and found «America’s Best Coffee.» According to other Unilocalers, this place didn’t seem too bad, so we decided to check-​in. (They also had a 10% off a large drink when you checked in… how awesome!!!)
The place is quite small. There are a couple of tables and a couple of couches. Since we went there to do work, we opted for a table by the window since that was the only table that would give us ample room to grade papers and set up the electronic devices to plan our lessons for the week. The noise level of the place was average which was great for our purpose because sometimes the noise level at other coffee places can be a distraction and instead of getting work done, I tend to people watch and catch phrases of everyone else’s conversation and never get work done.
The service was OK considering there was only one person behind the counter. We were immediately greeted when we walked in the door and our orders were taken promptly, but when I tried to order again after being there for about 30 minutes and no one walking through the door, I had to wait about 5 minutes until someone came up to the counter. There wasn’t a bell or anything to ring to let the person know that someone was at the counter. Besides that the drinks that we ordered were delicious! I really liked my Cinnamon Dolce Latte and with the 10% off coupon, it made it even more enjoyable.
It’s great to find a coffee place that isn’t Starbucks, but I just wished they had more seating for those of us who like to do work or study at cafes. Also service needs to improve a little bit but other than that I would definitely go back when I’m in the area.

Nice little coffee shop right of busy Matlock. I wish the parking was better but its a pretty small strip mall. This place is much cheaper than Starbucks and they have just as much variety. I have not been very pleased with the pastries thus far but the drinks have satisfied my caffeine addiction many times. The staff is very friendly and will usually make a sample for you if you want to step out of your normal latte order. They have a check in discount and a punch card for frequent visitors.

This place has really good espresso, decent drip coffee, friendly baristas, and a nice, calm atmosphere when events aren’t going on (but their events might appeal to you!). Their food is great and the pastries taste like they’re made with real butter and sugar. I don’t go to ABC often because my french press and kettle are so convenient, but even if it doesn’t look like much, it’s an Arlington gem. Go!

Great atmosphere and great service. It wasn’t as spacious as I would’ve liked it to be, but it was around the same size as a few older Starbucks. Traffic and parking really suck around here so make sure you know where you’re going! My iced vanilla latte was good, but not the best. Make sure to check-​in and you’ll get 10% off!

It’s definitely no Starbucks, but If you want a comfortable place to go sit down and enjoy some light snacks and/​or coffee/​tea then this is your place. Service has always been good and ive been there quite a few times. They have local (and children’s) artwork on the walls. Pretty cool! Even puzzles and games, so definitely kid friendly. They also offer music and open mic nights. Free wifi, oh and my favorite drink is the redbull cream soda! You have to try that one!

My favorite coffee shop stop in Arlington so far. They have everything a girl, or guy, could want out of a caffeine pit stop: comfy chairs, decent music, wifi, and of course, good drinks.
My chai tea latte was delish. Spicier than what I normally get at Sbux or elsewhere. So a nice surprise treat there. The prices are somewhere between average and good. So not great, but definitely not bad. I approve all of the chairs. I have sat in each one now, except for the separate desk areas in the back. Those seem a little antisocial to me, but I definitely would have been all up in there when I was a student.
All in all, I love this place. It is a comfortable and nice environment without being too distracting or TOO comfortable to impede on work productivity. And it couldn’t be located more perfectly (apart from traffic)– smack dab next to the highlands and down the street from the mall. So if you have things to do or people to see after you get your daily latte out of the way, you are right in the middle of everything.

Atmosphere is nice. A great place to study. The only negative I see here is probably its location, part of the Highlands and very near 20, so traffic can get crazy!
Coffee was okay. The staff was nice, but they messed up my sister’s and my orders. I asked for a caramel macchiato (regular) with a shot of espresso. My sister ordered a caramel macchiato low fat, no espresso shot. After repeating this to the barista at least 3 times (literally 3 times), she made mine a normal (probably a skinny) and my sister’s with the extra shot of espresso!
Other than that minor mishap, cool place, good coffee.

It is so hard to find a unique, tasty coffee shop that isn’t Starbucks these days — at least outside of Austin, it seems.
America’s Best Coffee was the first shop in Arlington that I stumbled upon that wasn’t a huge corporate you-​know-​what. Although by small-​time business standards the place definitely feels like a chain, both by design and the fact it’s in a strip in a Costco parking lot. But there’s definitely a chill vibe here that I like. One that encourages you to come, relax, drink some coffee, study, socialize, whatever. I like that.
First of all, the environment itself is off to a great start. There is an arrangement of couches and chairs for socializing as well as desks and tables for studying or what have you, although there is definitely a lot more room to incorporate more lounging/​studying furniture. The place couldn’t hold more than fifteen people or so. And although meager, there is an array of providing activities such as coloring supplies and board games.
Okay, so the coffee. Delicious! To put it in one word, haha. In my time there I tried a good olé’ white mocha and hot chocolate and found both to be particularly scrumptious — even better than you-​know-​who-​bucks. The menu itself is pretty standard and basic, but I did notice a chalk board facing away from the cash register offering specialties like sopapilla lattes and teddy graham cappucinnos, which sounded tasty. The price is pretty comparable to the standard coffee shop chain, too, so don’t expect a tasty medium beverage for less than three or four dollars.
Overall America’s Best Coffee is a cute little place that in some ways feels like a chain but in others is definitely a unique hang out compared to that one place we all find ourselves every once in awhile. The coffee is actually pretty good, and when I find myself here again I will be sure to sample the snack style edibles that they offer so I can Unilocal about it. So if you’re looking for a place with tasty hot beverages to study or hang out, I would definitely recommend this place.

Update ¼/​2012 — been back a few more times and haven’t seen the young kid who was acting as barista the first time I was here. Ever since my first time there, the espresso has been top notch. Great flavor and well executed.
I’ve also gone to them many times now as a source for locally fresh roasted whole beans for my home espresso needs. They tell me they get their beans from a local roaster weekly. I get great crema and excellent flavor profile at home on my Expobar HE machine, using a Nuova Simonelli flat burr grinder.
4 stars — I’m a fan.

I love this place. I don’t really come here for the coffee, but more for the live music and friendly, cozy atmosphere. This place is fun, to say the least. My ideal hangout spot. All I need is ABC and I’m set for Saturday night!

I’m a coffee fiend. Yeah.
I like coming to this ABC because it’s less crowded than the starbucks off of Cooper, and reeks less of the «look-at-me-I’m-artsy» crowd too. Most of the time this place is students, and quiet groups of people. The occasional random creeper drinking coffee there alone instead of taking it «to-​go» is there as well. I am also firmly rooted in that last category. Fail.
My favorite drink is the iced soy chais. The girlfriend says it’s because ABC uses powdered chai instead of liquid. Huh? If you say so. I have no clue, but it’s better than Starbucks as far as I’m concerned, and I actually feel it is almost worth the 4-​ish dollars for the largest drink.
The one snag I have is that their hot latte’s are always served blazing hot. AND I ALWAYS FORGET! sigh … Just be aware of it. Ask for an ice cube, or have them dial back the steam a bit.
peace.

I am all for coffee places that is not a Starbucks (really. do we need one on every corner??)
This place has a nice atmosphere and the owner is super nice and friendly too. I don’t come in that often but whenever I do and he’s there he always remembers me.
Their coffee drinks are good but the hot cocoa is a bit too sweet for me (I’m not a big sweets person so it could very well just be me hah). Today I got their mango tea and it is soo good. Not too sweet and perfectly refreshing.
The baristas are usually friendly too, although I came here one morning a few months ago and the girl didn’t acknowledge me and didn’t respond when I asked her how she was (girl, you are working at the WRONG place). Maybe it was a fluke and she was having an off morning (still, WRONG place).

This is my second favorite spot!
they have the best teas and coffee too! I come here whenever I can’t get coffee haus because they close pretty early.
I always get the peach infused tea! and best of all they have free wifi! i just wish this place is bigger! and I think they have live band nights on tuesdays or something so if u need to study dont come here on tuesday nights! it gets loud! I met a client here on a tuesday night and it was a mistake because we couldnt hear each other talk over the loud music.

Nonfat Chai Latte. Yum. I love it. I need it. I want it all the time. I love frequenting this place because the baristas are so damn nice. They’re sincerity is absolutely present. They’re not faking their cheery disposition just because their boss is forcing them to be– they’re just cheery by nature.
Happy people aside, this place a great meet up coffee house because of its location. It’s near Arlington Highlands and the highway so I tend to meet up people here.
I also like to use their large table to study on. I hate feeling cramped up when I study so that is definitely a plus for me. I really love that they have random boardgames available for your entertainment. I’ve met up with a few guys for car meets and the owner was always hospitable.
I personally don’t think their coffee is the best (it’s great, just not the best) but the location, people and atmosphere makes it the best little coffee shop in this part of town.