Guide to Local Coffee Shops in Kokomo, Indiana

I love coffee! I really can't overstate this point. All of my friends get so annoyed when I visit local restaurants and complain about the coffee. My buddies think any old cup of Joe is the same. Real coffee drinkers know this isn't true. We want the freshest roasted beans we can find. We know the freshest beans can not possibly come from huge commercial retail companies. The freshest beans can only be found through small, independent roasters and coffee shops. My town, (small as it may be) has a few different choices when it comes to a good cup of Joe. It's honestly pretty hard to write this article, knowing I could jump in the car right now and grab a fresh cup!

#1. Coffee Junkiez

I visited Coffee Junkiez for the first time last week. I've always been skeptical about this coffee house, because it's really not a coffee house at all, rather, it is a shed-like building that uses a fast-food drive through system to purchase a cup. Honestly, this is a con for me, because a big part of going out for coffee, rather than staying in, is the environment many coffee houses offer. However, what coffee junkiez lacks in atmosphere, they more than make up for in taste. While I was visiting, I ordered an iced coconut latte that was awesome. I was also surprised, given the drive-through style set-up, that their menu contained all of the basic drinks you would want from a regular coffee "house." These drinks include Regular and iced Coffees, Lattes, Teas, Espresso, and even Soda, with the option of many different syrups, to give your coffee or soda a unique taste. Prices here are slightly lower than "traditional" coffee houses, which is a good thing, in today's economy. Hours are 7 a.m. and they are open until 8 p.m. They used to have two locations in Kokomo, but now only have one, this location is at 2198 W Sycamore St, Kokomo, IN.

#2. Big Ben Coffee

Coffee Junkiez is a great choice for folks who do not have a half hour to an hour to spend at coffee shop, but for folks who do, there is Big Ben Coffee. Big Ben Coffee is a more traditional coffee shop and has many of the extras folks have came to expect from their modern coffee houses. Big Ben is locally owned, involved in the community,and offers free wireless Internet to their visiting customers, at any of their three locations in Kokomo, Indiana. Ben Ben offers all the standards (Regular and iced Coffees, Lattes, Teas, Espresso, Soda, Bottled Water), while also offering soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, scones, muffins, cookies, and more! Lunch prices range from $4.00-$7.00 depending on item, and their drinks are reasonably priced as well. I suggest you visit Big Ben right away, and to do so, Here is there hours and locations.

Forest Park Shopping Center Monday through Friday 6.am. - 6 p.m. Saturday 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
2130 W Sycamore St, Kokomo, Indiana

Howard Regional Health System Monday through Friday 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
3500 S.LaFountain St., Kokomo, IN

St. Joseph Hospital Monday through Friday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
1907 W Sycamore St, Kokomo, IN‎

#3. Java Jo'z

Java Joe's is another "coffee shack", which is almost identical to the "Coffee Junkies" coffee shop I mentioned earlier. Java Jo'z offers a traditional coffee house menu, in a convenient drive-Thur setting. The only argument I've heard for visiting Java Jo'z instead of Coffee Junkies, is that they are conveniently located at 1014 S Reed Rd, which is right on the way home for a few different friends of mine. Java Jo'z opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m., so make sure you get your caffeine buzz brewing somewhere in between!

If you love coffee as much as I, it is sort of depressing that Kokomo does not offer more traditional coffee houses. "Extras" like local roasting, local film screenings, and open Mic nights are not going to be found here in Kokomo. What CAN be found though, is a great cup of coffee, at a reasonable price.