While traveling the Florida Georgia Line we explore four ‘tried and true’ coffee shops and find great coffee in great places!
You may know “Florida Georgia Line” as a country-pop group, or simply as the line which divides the two states of Florida and Georgia… but if you’re anything like us… your mind lingers on just how this line relates to coffee?
In covering this story, we’ve selected four distinct coffee shops that will shed light on this very topic; within the equally charming cities of Tallahassee, Florida and Thomasville, Georgia. The people, location and history are integral pieces of what makes each of these coffee shops outstanding destinations unto themselves. So, let’s check them out!
Coffee Shops – Tallahassee, Florida
LUCKY GOAT COFFEE CO.
Address: 1307 N. Monroe St. #5, Tallahassee, FL 32303 (+ other locations)
website: https://luckygoatcoffee.com/
Lucky Goat Coffee Co. is Tallahassee’s ‘go-to’ favorite when locals and frequent visitors, like ourselves, venture out for coffee. Circa 2010, they most assuredly set the standard for this capital city of the state of Florida. Their numerous coffee shop locations also substantiate this well-deserved status.
I certainly feel like a ‘Lucky Goat’ myself whenever I am fortunate enough to enjoy this high-level quality roaster and cafe. Their Roastmaster’s Blend is absolutely one of my favorites (it’s pictured above in my kitchen home-brew area). While their Ethiopian Wush Wush is the 2023 Golden Bean North American Bronze Medal Winner. It is a naturally processed Ethiopian Heirloom varietal coffee, with medium body, and tasting notes of strawberry iced-cream, sangria, and nougat. I could not leave without trying a pour-over of it, and found its flavor delicately light and sweet; so it instantly became another favorite.
For the aficionado, coffee is an ever-changing and nuanced endeavor that reaches far beyond their first morning cup. To that end, Lucky Goat believes in catering to our deepest coffee desires through customer education. Whatever your specific interest; be it Production Brewing and Extraction, Latte Art, or Tastings of their Single Origin Offerings; Lucky Goat is happy to indulge your whim. Just reach out to them directly for coffee shop details.
REDEYE COFFEE
Address: 1122 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32303
website: https://redeyecoffee.com/
While Lucky Goat may be considered the ‘go-to’ standard, then RedEye Coffee Shop is undoubtedly the champion. Like any true champion, their mission is far-reaching beyond the coffee they sell.
RedEye is a proudly owned nonprofit, run-by and for Independence Landing, whose vision and mission is to help their intellectual and/or developmental neighbors with disabilities live independently vibrant lives. RedEye roasts locally in Tallahassee and is committed to “great coffee, greater impact,” as their motto states.
In addition, they intentionally source coffee from farms and co-ops with ethical practices and empowerment opportunities for their coffee community members. Likewise, ethics and sustainability are foundational to their core beliefs. This fact supports RedEye’s goal – “that every cup of coffee they create makes the world a better place.”
While RedEye’s impact is both locally and globally positive, their coffee is what drives that impact. Let’s start with their Equinox Espresso. A coffee blend of single origins, dark roasted with natural tasting notes of berry jam, molasses, and stone fruits. It is 100% specialty Arabica, and is the base of many of their carefully crafted espresso-based cappuccinos, cortaditos, cafe con leches, and lattes. Pair any of these coffees with a Spinach Feta Pocket, Cheese Danish or Pistachio Muffin. No discrimination in this coffee shop; all cultural heritage is represented here, in baked-goods and beyond.
We enjoyed Cafe con Leches, who’s sweetness was expertly matched with the strength of their dark espresso. Such great coffee with such a great cause. RedEye will soon open a coffee roasting training program with the residents of Independence Landing. To learn more about their of spreading a thing they call #RELove follow them here.
The Line Between Florida and Georgia
The historical highway that traverses the imaginative terrain between Tallahassee, FL and Thomasville, GA is other-worldly; right out of a novel, or the pages of history itself. Color scatters multi-hued wild flowers broadly, and then follows it dreamily with Spanish moss covered tree-lined canopies.
It is a moment of pure magic in itself. Yet, along the way you will also be treated to Plantation lands that stretch in miles before you along the drive. They promise an intimate glimpse of days gone-bye. So put haste behind you, and take a moment to savor not only these coffee shops, but the history here; while also paying reverence to past lives that shaped this beautiful land.
Coffee Shops – Thomasville, Georgia
GRASSROOTS COFFEE CO.
Address: 108 S. Broad St., Thomasville, GA 31792
website: https://grassrootscoffee.com/
Grassroots says it all for this Thomasville, GA downtown strong-hold. As their name implies, Grassroots Coffee is a South-Georgia native coffee roaster and cafe since 2009. They are deeply rooted in the community with an intense state pride and an authentic local heritage. They’re coffee shop location stands center-stage in historic downtown Thomasville. Amid shops, boutiques, bookstores and eateries they are hard to miss. Nor would you want to; so luckily their signage in bold block letters reads GRASS ROOTS COFFEE CO, for all the world to see.
Their roasting philosophy is to source the highest quality beans worldwide and slow roast them in small batches. Though they roast locally; they ship throughout the US and abroad as well. They are dedicated to the concept that smaller is better. We certainly identify with this philosophy. The Grassroots intimate craft process brings out the natural tasting notes of their coffee, ensuring every cup they make is delicious.
I pondered the origins of this idyllic small town while sipping a Black & White, paired with their Sweet Southern Grit Bowl. OMG, it doesn’t get any more quintessentially southern! I am shameless when it comes to my pursuit of finding the best coffee shops around, not to mention perfect pairings, and Grass Roots did not disappoint with either.
PASCO COFFEE BAR
Address: 107 S. Broad St. Unit B, Thomasville, GA 31792
Instagram: ttps://www.instagram.com/pascocoffeebar/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
However, there’s a newcomer in town that features an eclectic mix of various world-wide roasted coffee brands. On any given week, Pasco Coffee Bar will introduce you to yet another wonderful way to experience coffee. It is specifically this surprise element that keeps people coming back, and has Pasco turning heads in their direction.
For example, while we were there, Pasco was offering brews by ‘Oddly Correct’ out of Kansas City, MO and ‘Coffee Collective’ of Copenhagen, Denmark. I chose the ‘Guatemala Vista Hermosa’ by Coffee Collective. Well of course… It’s from Denmark! With tasting notes of chocolate, sweet orange and toffee; it was the perfect cold brew served over ice with a dash of milk. Just like dessert before dinner; it was simply wonderful.
Upon Reflection
The unexpected pleasure for me in writing this blog has been found in relationships. Of course, there is my relationship with coffee itself. But born out of my love for coffee, has come the relationship to the people who uniquely shape our coffee experience. It goes far beyond an effort to make each cup enjoyable; yet with that in their core, these people put their heart and soul into it. You can taste it, can’t you? And, you can also taste it when it is not there.
The relationship of place. What an underestimated word – place. A coffee shop will draw you in. But again, it is more than the some of its parts. The town, the state, the region and country are all distinct, and for this reason you find yourself becoming a regular without even knowing why.
Thank God for these intangibles. Thank God they exist! The pristine quality of the independent coffee shop, with all its quirks and foibles. We love it, and don’t quite know how we lived without it before.
If you enjoyed this article please join us in continued exploration on both our US City Guide and Europe City Guide, and thank you in advance for sharing it with anyone you know would enjoy it also!