Mike L.
Yelp
As I've been (slowly) learning more and more about Sacramento's growing food scene, two things have become increasingly clear - there's an awesome beer culture in the city and there's a seemingly abundant number of coffee shops that can be found. Both suggest that folks up here really appreciate the art and skills that goes into crafting the two, but I can't help but wonder if perhaps folks overindulging in the former also helped to create the latter as well. Either way, I'm certainly not complaining - I always enjoy a tasty, cold pint of beer, but really, it never hits the spot the way a delicious cup of coffee does!
Even though my first visit to Temple Coffee came more as a byproduct of wanting to check out Pushkin's Bakery (it's located on the other side of the building), the dynamic was actually reversed for all of the other trips I've made to the two. Honestly, I just really like almost everything about this place - the decor is a bit trendy and hipster (but not in an obnoxious way), the general vibe is warm and casual, and, most importantly, the menu offerings are rather impressive.
Whether you're looking for a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, Temple's menu has something for nearly every taste - French press, drip, cold brew, Americano, Gibraltar, matcha lattes, chai lattes, roughly twenty varieties of teas, Mexican Hot Chocolates, seasonal drinks, and so much more. Plus, the beans they use changes regularly, originating from countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia, just to name a few, and even note if they're women produced, which is awesome of them to highlight. Of course, what's even more important is that the coffee (and tea) they put out tastes good and, yes, I can confirm - the coffee they put out does, in fact, taste good!
The first time I was here, I opted to get their FRENCH PRESS ($varies), which I don't often see offered at a lot of places. Even when I do, they certainly don't give you a French press to take with you to your table so that you can pour it when you're ready (they also give you a timer so you know when they suggest pouring it out). As for how it tasted, it was terrific - I liked how robust and smooth the flavor was. In addition, I've also had their DRIP COFFEE ($4.25 large) and their COLD BREW ($6), which are a bit more straightforward, but hit the spot perfectly and also don't take as long if you are ordering to-go.
Since all of my visits here have included walking over to Pushkin's, I've yet to try any of the baked goodies Temple has to offer. However, I plan on making a point of it the next time I'm here, as everything always looks so good in the display case (and in the photos on Yelp). If there was one "bad" thing about this place, it'd be that they're usually pretty busy, so snagging a table can be a little hit or miss. However, between its super convenient location and the wealth of street parking around here, Temple is perfect for a quick stop to get a caffeine fix when I'm on the go!