trymahjong Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I saw on swamplot that the Montrose Mercantile is now open 3321 Stanford. For so long there was nooooooooooooo place to walk for coffee except Starbucks on Hawthorne-- now this will make additional three within a 4 block area-Blacksmith, Southside espresso and now the Montrose Mercantile. With Dirks on Montrose and Siphon opening up on Alabama and Greely, I wonder how many upscale coffee places that part of Montrose can support? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I don't know. Dirks really needs an updating. The old "Diedricks" off Hazard and Westheimer was my old favorite coffee shop back in the days when it was pretty much them, Starbucks or Gloria Jeans in the malls or nothing else! To this day I still had some of the best coffee I've ordered out from them. The Montrose location is fine (and has quite a few of the same baristas of the old location) but the store is dirty/old/tired and I'm afraid if it wasn't for the overly loyal following the customers may end up fleeing for other stores that offer the same service with better atmosphere and a nicer interior. Its usually a bad sign when you find yourself looking for rats at any food service place, and as much as I like Dirks/Diedricks I find myself doing that when I visit now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trymahjong Posted April 1, 2014 Author Share Posted April 1, 2014 http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/01/26/how-much-do-americans-spend-on-coffee/ (reported in 2012)"A recent study shows that the average American trifles away $1,092 a year on coffee — not far off from the $1,476 we spend on getting to and from work." Guess that was around $21 a week ($3 a day?) 2 years ago. ---maybe some $ saved by being closer to work will translate into more $ spent on great coffee so all those specialty coffee places could still be successful. I hope so-- I like having all those choices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I don't know. Dirks really needs an updating. The old "Diedricks" off Hazard and Westheimer was my old favorite coffee shop back in the days when it was pretty much them, Starbucks or Gloria Jeans in the malls or nothing else! To this day I still had some of the best coffee I've ordered out from them. The Montrose location is fine (and has quite a few of the same baristas of the old location) but the store is dirty/old/tired and I'm afraid if it wasn't for the overly loyal following the customers may end up fleeing for other stores that offer the same service with better atmosphere and a nicer interior. Its usually a bad sign when you find yourself looking for rats at any food service place, and as much as I like Dirks/Diedricks I find myself doing that when I visit now. Houston's coffee game is really popping off. There is this one in montrose (adding to the one behind Uchi, Dirks, and the one in old Mary's bar). There is a new one going in downtown and of course, catalina coffee by me. I am starting to enjoy these original coffee places. It wasnt until this year did i start really enjoying that experience. Montrose seems to be the place to be for coffee lovers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 ^It really is. Not sure why other places don't have a few more "Mom & Pop" places? I guess its the consistency of making a superior product day-in-day-out. I really do go out of my way for a great cup of coffee - and a local place that is good is well worth the trip in my opinion. I'll be cruising through this weekend and may stop at a new place (trying to do that every so often when going into town). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I don't know. Dirks really needs an updating. The old "Diedricks" off Hazard and Westheimer was my old favorite coffee shop back in the days when it was pretty much them, Starbucks or Gloria Jeans in the malls or nothing else! To this day I still had some of the best coffee I've ordered out from them. The Montrose location is fine (and has quite a few of the same baristas of the old location) but the store is dirty/old/tired and I'm afraid if it wasn't for the overly loyal following the customers may end up fleeing for other stores that offer the same service with better atmosphere and a nicer interior. Its usually a bad sign when you find yourself looking for rats at any food service place, and as much as I like Dirks/Diedricks I find myself doing that when I visit now. Used to hang out all the time at that Diedrichs. Somehow they had the atmosphere down perfect. I don't think I've found a place I like as much since (although I switched to tea and haven't had coffee in years now). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Doshi House on Holman in Third Ward Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Used to hang out all the time at that Diedrichs. Somehow they had the atmosphere down perfect. I don't think I've found a place I like as much since (although I switched to tea and haven't had coffee in years now). Then it is likely we bumped into each other a time or two. A shame the owner of that center decided to lease that space to his wifes friend (the owner of that salon) rather than let Diedrichs stay. Apparently she didn't like the fact that D's spaces were always full and it left her only 3-4 spaces for her clientele (or so the story goes)? Now we have that high-end salon and that's about it in that whole center. I think she also forced out that WAY expensive (or so it seemed at the time) Washable Furniture store too? That place really did have the best atmosphere of just about any coffee shop around. I love coffee shops, but I'm not really big on the "old worn out slouchy couch" kind of places. Seems to be a lot more places like that than not? Tee House of Tea is nice, but again they have those old worn down couches! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I think its hard to beat Brasil's atmosphere, even if their coffee is nothing special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Very true! I've only been twice (and that was years ago) but I did enjoy it. I forgot about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Then it is likely we bumped into each other a time or two. A shame the owner of that center decided to lease that space to his wifes friend (the owner of that salon) rather than let Diedrichs stay. Apparently she didn't like the fact that D's spaces were always full and it left her only 3-4 spaces for her clientele (or so the story goes)? Now we have that high-end salon and that's about it in that whole center. I think she also forced out that WAY expensive (or so it seemed at the time) Washable Furniture store too? That place really did have the best atmosphere of just about any coffee shop around. I love coffee shops, but I'm not really big on the "old worn out slouchy couch" kind of places. Seems to be a lot more places like that than not? Tee House of Tea is nice, but again they have those old worn down couches! We very likely did run into each other. There was a fairly stable group of regulars. Funny to think. I would agree about Brasil, although the food has always been fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkultra25 Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Anyone remember Cyrano's? They were one of the first coffee purveyors in town to roast their beans onsite, using a vintage coffee roaster that the owner had acquired and refurbished. They were next door to the Black Lab, and at first just sold bulk coffee (whole bean and ground to order), but they eventually bought out the adjoining ice cream shop and started serving coffee as well. Not sure why they wound up going out of business after a few years, but they had a pretty loyal clientele. It used to be the only place I'd buy coffee to make at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 No mention of Agora, Great atmosphere, imo, coffee is a step below others though. Southside has the best espresso in town, that's got a lot to do with the espresso machine they have though (LaMarzacco Strada), I am so jealous of that machine. I really like that place. If I didn't own my own coffee shop, and lived in Montrose, I would be there nearly daily. Catalina is great. I'm eager for Siphon to open, they have a long way to go from the last time I saw the building though, they must be in permit hell right now. I just want to see how their siphon compares with the siphon we do at the nook. I do know their machines they will be using for siphon are top notch though. Brazil though, go for the food, not the coffee, it is less than special. I miss the Diedrichs on Westheimer and Hazard. Really nice place. I lived in Alief at the time, so I only got by there when I had another reason to come into the loop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 relevant to this thread.... I found out this past weekend that the owners of Blacksmith now own Inversion on Montrose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I saw on swamplot that the Montrose Mercantile is now open 3321 Stanford. For so long there was nooooooooooooo place to walk for coffee except Starbucks on Hawthorne-- now this will make additional three within a 4 block area-Blacksmith, Southside espresso and now the Montrose Mercantile. With Dirks on Montrose and Siphon opening up on Alabama and Greely, I wonder how many upscale coffee places that part of Montrose can support? Reported on Swamplot today: Dirk's is toast. Today's their last day. Good riddance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trymahjong Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share Posted April 9, 2014 Reported on Swamplot today: Dirk's is toast. Today's their last day. Good riddance. I miss the old Dietrich--After it became Dirk's I didn't seem to go as much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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