The Coffee Co. Cafe: A Delicious Diversion in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Contrary to its name, The Coffee Co. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is known more for its food than for its coffee. Granted, its coffee is quite good, but it's not the main attraction. Actually there is no "main attraction" at The Coffee Co. This is because everything is of top quality as well as convenience.

For starters, the location is awesome. It's located at 1639 Lititz Pike, in the Lancaster Shopping Center. Directly across the parking lot is A.C. Moore, to one side is Michael's, and on the other side is Giant (the main supermarket in the area) as well as a large Christian book store, and many other shops (including a candy shop right next to it). The Coffee Co. is also the only coffee shop that I'm aware of within 2 driving miles.

The steady whirr of the coffee machines proclaims The Coffee Co. and its certified baristas to be a success in the area. The decor is pleasing, and lighting is plentiful without being overly bright. Few of the tables and chairs are exact matches, but are in similar color tones to unify the look. The space is quite narrow, with the counter and serving area taking up nearly half the width in the front half of the seating area, and a walled off section for the kitchen blocking much of the back half.

In the front half of the seating area, there is only enough room for four seat tables and a narrow path to walk between the tables and the counter. In the back half, there is enough room for tables along either wall with a path through the middle, so long as the tables are not directly across from each other. There is also limited seating outside, but the weather is a bit too cold for that to be pleasant right now.

I chose my seat and a server was immediately at my side to take my drink order and hand me a menu. In addition to the requisite bagels and pastries, there are vegetarian choices, large varieties of gourmet type sandwiches (complete with sauces), and simple foods like grilled cheese sandwiches and BLT's. Soups, sandwiches, and desserts, all things that can be eaten quickly or ordered for take out, but solid enough that The Coffee Co. could nearly be considered a restaurant rather than a cafe. Everything is made on site, fresh, and fully customizable (with the exception of the soups, which can not be customized).

My chicken corn soup was brought out quite hot. Almost too hot. It was several minutes before it cooled to my preferred level, but once it did, I was very glad that I'd ordered it. The soup was delicious. So full of flavor, and not of the false kind that a heavy hand with salt gives it. Just pure, fresh, made on site, full flavored soup. For the first time ever I actually enjoyed having egg in my soup. The yolks were pulverized into such small pieces that it was barely noticeable, and the whites were sliced thin and were tender enough that you could almost think them to be small noodles. Absolutely no seasoning was necessary, and I only added the supplied crackers towards the end of the cup so that I would know how the flavor balanced out. It too was excellent, but unnecessary.

Soon after my soup was brought, my turkey sandwich arrived in all of its lovely-presentational glory. Two slices of lightly toasted rye bread with 1/2"-1" of freshly sliced turkey lunch meat, a slathering of mayonnaise (just the right amount), a layer of tomato and fresh, bright green romaine lettuce. It was served with a large handful of potato chips, which were crispy and firm, and not over salted. The flavor of the sandwich was very fresh. The rye bread and turkey meat were both of good quality, and there wasn't even a hint of wilt in the lettuce. The tomato was fresh, but did taste as though it may be a hot house tomato despite its bright color.

I saved my caramel latte for the end as a kind of dessert. The latte was rich and creamy, with a considerable amount of whipped cream and caramel drizzled on top. I believe that the whipped cream was fresh made as the texture was relatively thick and it did not melt as fast as most commercial whipped creams do. The coffee flavor was full, but there was a slightly burnt taste to the coffee. I believe this is because of the particular roast they use, and the strength of the coffee made me think that they gave my latte an extra shot of espresso. This, I believe, is how they regularly make their coffee drinks as I'd noticed it on my previous trips to The Coffee Co.

While it does not occur every night, several times a week The Coffee Co. plays host to live performers. Tonight was one of such nights, and there was an enjoyable acoustic couple. Unlike many such venues, the music was not overmuch a distraction. Yes, the sound traveled quite well through the building, but it was not obnoxiously loud.

In all, The Coffee Co. is an ideal place to sit and think, or to have a quiet chat. The food is excellent, the coffee quite good, and the atmosphere pleasant. I can't comment on its affordability as that will depend on your expectations on spending, but I can say that for my latte, sandwich, and soup, the trip ran me just over $12 including taxes, but not including tip.