Everyone loves a good coffee shop. Whether you’re forcing yourself to write that essay, meeting up with friends or in desperate need of a hefty dose of caffeine, finding a good coffee spot can be a worthwhile, fun adventure.
While Colorado Coffee and Susie B’s can get the job done if caffeine is purely what you’re looking for, Colorado Springs has some great options that will check different boxes depending on what you’re looking for.
Which takes us to this review of Frankly Coffee, a small shop just west of I-25, near the outskirts of Old Colorado City.
This is the first edition, with hopefully more to follow each week, of a coffee shop review column, where I’ll explore new shops that you can go to, depending on what you’re looking for. But what exactly should a review be based on? Here are the categories I decided on: location, vibe, price and taste. These categories will give a decent sense of the coffee shop overall, but also whether it’s a good option depending on what you’re looking for. One shop might be great if you want a cheap cup of joe, while another might be exactly what you’re looking for when it’s fourth Monday and you haven’t started your 10-page research paper. Don’t ask how I came up with the points for each category, because I haven’t decided on a rubric yet.
Location: 5/10
If you’re on foot, this one might be out of reach. It’s a little over 1.5 miles from campus, with the fastest route going through the south part of the Tiger Trail, which can be, well, sketchy at times. But, for the brave and adventurous who do make it here, you’re rewarded with some great vibes, prices and taste. While some points are taken off for distance from campus, the area itself is actually quite nice.
Vibe: 8/10
The shop itself is incredibly small. We’re talking what felt like the size of a Mathias single. It’s simple, with one worker in there, hanging out, taking orders and making coffee. There are only a few chairs inside, making it a bit stuffy. While you might think that makes it a pretty poor place to do work, the area outside actually makes it a perfect spot to hang out, work or relax, as long as the weather is nice. So between some friendly staff, a great outdoor area and some fast Wi-Fi, vibes are great no matter what.
Price: 7/10
The more coffee shops that are explored in this column, the easier it will be to actually compare prices and get a better sense of this category, but $5.50 for a cold brew or latte feels pretty average nowadays. They sell bags of coffee at a pretty solid price and definitely get some bonus points for having an overwhelming amount of options when it comes to different types of coffee.
Taste: 8.5/10
You can never go wrong with a cold brew coffee. The barista was also quick to mention that it was made in-house, which I think warrants bonus points. Their food options consisted of two sad, lonely-looking croissants, so I stuck to coffee.
Bottom Line
Despite being far away from campus and located in an area of the Springs that I’ve barely ever been to, Frankly Coffee is a hidden gem and worth a trip. Especially on a sunny day and one where a chill walk or bike ride is on the agenda, it’s worth checking out.