The Grind Cafe in Morganton

The small town of Morganton, North Carolina has a variety of dining outlets available in the local downtown area. From Morganton Bagels to Ham's Restaurant, the options are surprisingly varied for such a small area. Perhaps the most interesting spot, though, is a little coffee shop by the name of The Grind Café, located at 141 West Union Street in Morganton, NC 28655.

The Grind has become more and more popular among residents of the town since its humble beginnings, taking the niche once filled by The Courthouse Coffee Shop. Located right in the center of town, The Grind is easily accessible from wherever you are; a quick walk from such recognized Morganton locations as the CoMMA or the courthouse, and just as close to the Mimosa 7 movie theater, making it easy to go to the movies and then discuss all of the plot details of, say, the newest Harry Potter movie over a cup of coffee afterward. For those who live farther out, The Grind has a decently-sized parking lot behind it in addition to the many parallel parking spots out in front. Of course, in the event of something like a festival where certain roads and/or parking lots may be blocked off, Morganton is a small enough town that decent parking is never too far away.

What makes the Grind Café stand out most, though, is the distinctive, relaxed atmosphere. Unlike the traditional southern atmosphere prevalent in most North Carolinian restaurants and cafés, The Grind almost has the feeling of being the visitor's small, private pocket in a crowded city. Though crowds can range from very few to surprisingly busy, this never dims the atmosphere. Those who prefer to be more in the middle of the action have the option of sitting outside, and even in the days with big crowds, privacy can easily be found by going to the upstairs loft area.

Of course, what's a coffee shop without the main entry, that familiar brew that we're all so fond of in the morning - and for some of us, the late afternoon and evening? The Grind Café's coffee is the best found in Morganton, and at a highly affordable price. Whether you're looking for a more hard-edged, basic drink like an Americano or a sweeter, more milkshake-type offering, The Grind will suit the needs of all coffee-drinkers. For those who like a snack with their drink, they also offer a variety of small breakfast-like foods and desserts.

The Grind is the perfect spot for those who either want to grab a cup of coffee with their friends one night, or for the college student looking for a relaxed place to get some wireless internet and write out their term paper. It's also the perfect atmosphere for any local writers who are working on that certain story or article, but can't find the time to unwind and type it out; I know that anytime the writer of this particular article is in the Morganton area, The Grind Café is one of my most important stops.