Caffeine_Trax

Commissary on the corner of Main and Field is a local staple for breakfast, lunch, and coffee. The caramel macchiato I had was delicious, and the avocado toast was a delightful change from my usual breakfast! Stephen and I loved the vintage vibe of the decor and the laid-back atmosphere. I didn’t get anything from the pastry case, but I will be back for a black and white cookie because I have read that they are amazing!

While I love a good specialty coffee, there is something comforting about a simple café con crema with breakfast. ☕️

I was introduced to this little café shop in Tijuana yesterday by a tour guide. The vibe here is super relaxed, and all of the syrups are made in-house! I had a lavender latte, which was amazing, and strong enough without adding my usual extra shot! My brother-in-law had a dulce de leche latte and it was delicious as well! The owner/operator was friendly and informative. I definitely recommend that you try this spot out the next time you’re in Tijuana!

While not technically a coffee shop, the old diner attached to Sun Studios in Memphis serves French Truck Coffee while you wait for your tour. I’ve had French Truck from the source in New Orleans, so I knew I wanted a cup while there. It’s unassuming, but flavorful, and a neat spot for a cup of joe!!

Society Skatepark and Coffee Bar was a fun stop on our vacation! Housed in a metal building, there is a coffee and skate shop in the front, with an indoor skatepark behind. Above the shop is a viewing deck where spectators can enjoy their brew while watching all the action below! The coffee was good, if not super-remarkable. I had a pour-over and Stephen had a White Chocolate Frappe. Our daughter Mia enjoyed her Chai latte. The hot chocolate was pretty tasty! While it’s more about the experience than gourmet coffee, it was a lot of fun!

I’m breaking my own rule and making 2 posts for one shop… Yes, it was that good! The sugar free options at Soule’ were fantastic as well! Stephen had a sugar free White Mocha Frappe, which tasted exactly like the sweetened version - perfection!! I had a sugar free Caramel Macchiato with 3 shots. It was amazing!! The espresso was full bodied and strong. So he got his sweet fix and I got my caffeine punch!! Overall, we left with new friends and a new “Must-stop” shop in Jackson. Well done Mr. Brown, I will be sending people your way!

Our first coffee stop this trip was Soule’ Coffee and Bubble Tea in Jackson, MS, and it was WELL worth the time!! The shop is light and airy with a welcoming atmosphere. The owner Ezra crafted our drinks himself and was super helpful in navigating the extensive drink menu. Fellow patrons, who felt like regulars, struck up friendly conversations. And that’s all before we took our first drinks!! We have the kids with us this trip, so we ordered 5 drinks, and every single one surpassed our expectations!! I’m letting the kids review their own drinks… Mia: Chai Latte w/Oat Milk - “Made her tastebuds ecstatic” Landry: Mango Bubble Tea with Mango Boba - “Tasty, Fruity, Happy” Ava: White Mocha Frappe - “Best one I ever had!”

The Bean Parlor was a delightful stop on our way back home to Texas! This Madison, MS shop is somewhat unassuming in appearance, but knocks it out of the park on flavor, options, and customer service!! They make their own syrups, so you can get anything sugar free! The bold & satisfying coffee, combined with delicious flavors and add-ins make for killer caffeinated combos! We tried a sugar free white chocolate mocha frappe with espresso, a sugar free coconut-mocha latte with almond milk and espresso-flavored whip. I also had to try their signature “mean bean,” which is a brewed cup with an espresso shot added… (aka: pure jet fuel joy!) Everything was scrumptious!! Side note: be sure to try one of their homemade whips in regular, chocolate, or espresso flavor! Overall… our last stop for this trip was a home run!

It’s not our usual stop, but having never had Tim Horton’s I believed my coffee journey would be incomplete if I didn’t at least try it. I had a caramel macchiato. In short, not impressed…. As far as chain coffee shops go, I’ll remain firmly in the Starbucks camp for now.

Capital Joe in Mechanicsburg, PA did not disappoint!! Housed in a beautiful brick building along Main St, the homey atmosphere beckons you in to relax and stay a while. With booths, tables, and armchairs by 2 different fires, it was by far the most inviting shop we’ve visited this trip. The staff was friendly and informative. The coffee here is for the true connoisseur. I tried the Texas Blaze, which is basically a double Cortado. It was extra-bold, just like I like it. Highly recommended!!

RidgeTop Coffee & Tea is in Sterling, VA, outside of Washington DC. Located in an office complex between a school and a church, this shop is quite large with multiple seating areas and outdoor space as well. The menu includes traditional coffees and teas, as well as sandwiches and other options. The vibe was pleasant and you got the feeling that this is the every-morning coffee stop for many professionals in the area. One of the workers, Christine, engaged me in conversation and gave the visit a personal touch. I didn’t catch the barista’s name, but he was also very friendly. We tried a SF mocha frappe and a cappuccino. Both were excellent! My favorite thing about this place was the tasteful but open references to their faith.

This page was created to share our love of coffee, music, and travel. We hope you enjoy the journey with us!

We loved this shop! We each had one of their specials and were impressed by the flavor of each. They also had a variety of sugar free flavors. The barista was friendly and helpful, and the ambience was pleasant and relaxing.

Set in a repurposed brick home, this Roanoke, VA coffee house has super-cool vibe with indoor & outdoor seating. We tried a SF vanilla latte, a Cortado, and a tasty cup of soup.

Welcome to Caffeine_Trax!! The purpose of this page is to chronicle our coffee shop and music adventures. We hope you will enjoy the journey with us!!