It’s A Grind

So we’ve been over the fact (well, I have) that I rarely hit coffeehouses for the coffee. This may strike you as a reactionary response to the fact that it’s 100+ degrees outside and has been since what one might think would be the 1930s, but that’s not actually true. I don’t drink much coffee certainly because it’s hot out, but also because modern coffeehouses provide lots in the way of alternative refreshment.
I dropped in for a business meeting the other day, and for all of the typical trappings (semi-​sterile if very clean environment, free wifi, cramped by way of quiet quiet space with a little claustrophobia worked in for good measure), I did manage to take away some things that I rather enjoyed about this location. FIrst off, they make a mean smoothie: I do love that you can pick up smoothies at a good number of coffeehouses nowadays. Try the Strawberry Banana here. Also, if you’re like me and order something and they say ‘hey, what size would you like?’ Well, don’t be a wiseass and say something like ‘depth-​charge size please!’ Because they have a glass behind the counter that is roughly that big. They should hand it to you with a key to the bathroom; I’m just saying.
In all though, staff could not have been nicer, the patrons were super chill though it was full in there and my chatting with a colleague wasn’t regarded as a punishable offense. And that’s reason enough for a repeat engagement.

Today was St. Patty’s day of course… and unlike the Ides of March, where I lock my doors, shutter the windows and never ever invite anyone named Brute over, I got out and enjoyed the sun. Headed out to It’s a grind, bent on my usual Vanilla Latte, but when I got there, thought the toffee could be good. But lucky me, I had the friendly staff with my best interest at heart and they were quick to point out that to celebrate, I should have an Irish Crème Latte. And so I did. A triple, because really, why do it half way? The wi-​fi worked, I finished my paper, it was all very lovely. The staff was really on their game today… the clovers, the bowlers, all very tip top of the morning and all that. Smiles besides. It wasn’t too crowded, but over the 3 hours I was there filled up to near capacity. The latte was good, if not entirely irish crème tasting. I’ll return of course for my next paper, if not sooner.

Yeah! Love this location.
I usually get whatever the coffee of the day is… cause I just wanna sit and study.
The staff is SUPER! All of them are friendly and customer service oriented. The interior is comfy and great for reading or writing out notes.
And free wi-​fi??? so i read but have not used as of yet.
Not the most Austin type coffee place but serves its purpose successfully. I will return.

Yeah, I know loving this place isn’t supporting local business, but I can’t help it – their Triple Chocolate Iced Blended Mocha is amazing. Seriously. I’m the kind of person who prefers coffee-​flavored-​cream, though, if you know what I mean — this is definitely dessert in coffee form. Too bad the smallest size is their 16 oz – for $ 4.50+, it’s worth it as a treat, it’s definitely a meal, but no way is this possible on a daily (even weekly) basis. But YUM. The closest I’ve come to loving coffee this much from a local coffee shop is Primo 360’s Chocolate Affair, but unfortch, I don’t live so close anymore. And, as mentioned below, the drive through is absolutely worth it. Small, with tiny tables + tiny chairs, plus a handful (3?) cozy armchairs, not much on the atmosphere, but it gets the job done — did a lot of studying here before, when constant buzz kept me focused (surprise). Outdoor patio is definitely functional only (think metal, reminiscent of old McD days?), and probably annoying when people drive up to the drive-​through & order — still, it’s available. Five stars for the mocha, though :)

The only reasons I go to It’s a Grind:
1. It has a drive through
2. Convenient to my job
3. Iced Blended Latte
The way they blend the ice makes it fluffy, seriously, they have fluffy ice. I have tried a few other drinks on the menu and was not impressed. The regular drip coffee is blah, the espresso is not that great and the chai tea is too sweet for my taste. It’s all about the ice and my love for it’s fluffy blended texture.

The only thing I ever get from this place is a Caramel Macchiatto and they’re ok. I prefer them to Starshmucks mainly because I don’t have to force the second half of throat-​burning coffee-​syrup sludge down my throat for the sole reason of «well, I didn’t pay $ 4 to drink half a cup of coffee». This place does a decent job, but not nearly as good as you’ll do on your own if you know what you’re doing.

You know, I’m not a coffee expert by any means but I have to say that this is one remarkably average cup of coffee. It isn’t especially bad but it isn’t especially good either. I go here because it has a drive-​through and it is really close to my office so I can swing by on my way to work in the morning with minimal effort. On more than one occasion I have had some coffee or latte that tastes overly bitter or burnt. If I have the time in the morning I much prefer a place like Thunderbird but it isn’t quite so close so that limits me every now and then I knocked it down a star because I think that the prices are too high for what they provide.

I am not a coffee connoisseur by any means, and if you’re looking for a delicious mind blowing cup of coffee, I hear that It’s a Grind is a less than the most wise choice. The only decisions I make when I order my black coffee is whether or not I should get it with ice or not. As a coffee shop though, minus the remarkably cheesy name, they win in almost every category I look for…
1) Close to my house. If you’re reading this and are my roommate, this bullet also applies to you. I don’t know why you’re reading this though, because you don’t even like coffee. Also, you have a package.
2) Service is badass. When they chat you up they actually sound interested. I’ve never seen a single employee frown, almost to the point where I’m pretty certain they’re robots. If this were true, and they were infact robots, I would be forced to deem this coffee shop the BEST EVER.
3) Bathrooms are clean. Cleaner than my house. It smells nice and is spotless. Most men’s bathrooms are best described as «wet.» Their men’s room is dry. And the place is small enough for me to leave my laptop on the table while I use the restroom without the constant fear of thievery.
4) Choose your level of jitters. I drink coffee for utility. If I’ve got a busy day ahead of me or an all nighter coming up, I can load myself up with the ridiculously-​powerful-​high-​octane-​make-​your-​piss-​t urn-​black coffee flavored syrup. One time I drank two cups and jogged to Mexico, where this coffee is illegal. On more average days I can chose a more reasonable mild blend that’ll last me quite a while and keep me in the post-​crash period of efficiency for at least a couple hours. Flavored coffee is available when I get bored. I spilled the regular stuff on myself once and went home to change. I spilled the flavored stuff on myself once and walked around like I was some avant-​garde hipster who discovered the next level of «distressed» clothing… and I smelled like delicious caramel to boot. The womens… they were swarming, and by women I mean ants.
*) One of the baristas looks like the blond version of the coffee shop girl in «It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia» that Charlie has a crush on. Even more evidence that they are all in fact ROBOTS.

There’s always EXCELLENT service.
The Iced Blended White Chocolate is to die for and the Road Warrior will wake even the sleepiest of souls.
I don’t dig the baked goods so much — but I am not there for the baked goods — I am there for the coffee and the super friendly service!

Drive-​thru coffee is great when downing a cup is an absolute necessity. (Note the caffeine addiction I seem to feed on a regular basis?)
At any rate, each time I pull through the drive thru window at It’s A Grind, I get exactly what I want, ready without much of a wait, and the price is something I can easily swallow along with a perfectly prepared cup of my choice of the day.
The staff that has dealt with me through that tiny window so far is always smiling, seemingly concerned that I get what I want as fast as is possible for them to prepare it, and they are generally pleasantly surprised to see a sizable tip coming at them once the deal is sealed.
I’m old enough to appreciate excellent service, good product quality and sanitary conditions, and I tip accordingly.
Good job.
If only I could swing through there 24÷7…

It’s a Grind started over a decade ago in California and has spread fast. The multiple locations are primarily franchised, but the owners (a husband and wife team) declare proudly on their website that the feel of each coffee house is «neighborhood» with a «jazz and blues motif».
I don’t know about the jazz and blues thing, since mine (notice the possessive) plays primarily late 1990s/​early 2000s contemporary radio, but I’ll agree with the neighborhood statement. Other than the sanitizer smell in the ultra-​clean bathrooms and the printed-​on-​everything logo, It’s A Grind doesn’t feel like a chain.
This Hancock Center store has fresh coffee and a cozy feel. And it’s always clean. When I stop by on Saturday mornings, the living-​room-​style interior is filled with students, the patio is hosting a couple or two, and neighborhood runners are stopping in for their post-​5-​mile caffeine jolt.
IAG fulfills all my coffee house requirements: subtle music, A/​C is not overpowering, good coffee, friendly people, under $ 5 for breakfast for two.
It’s A Grind is getting to know me by name.