LiveSOMA Challenge: Best Cup of Coffee in SOMA

Week Three: Java Detour Vs. Blue Bottle Coffee Co.

One of my favorite things about launching LiveSOMA is that it allows me to really wander the entire neighborhood and try new places that I’d otherwise never try, or even know about for that matter. Such is the case in Week 3 of the LiveSOMA Best Cup of Coffee Challenge. This week features two coffee shops in relatively different parts of the neighborhood. Java Detour and Blue Bottle Coffee Company.

Both of these locations could have gone either way, as far as I was concerned. I can see what’s great about the Java Detour location, as it sits right by the main artery of highways in San Francisco, so if you commute to work in your car, it’s a great stop along the way, and you don’t even need to leave your car. On the other hand, Blue Bottle Coffee is buried in the back streets between Mission and Market, and had it not been for strong word of mouth, who could find it without wandering aimlessly?

Price of Cup: Java Detour

Compared to all the other places featured in this challenge during week 1 and week 2, Blue Bottle Coffee had the highest price of the Challenge at $2.54 for 12 ounces (just over .21 per oz.). On the other hand, Java Detour was the least expensive at $1.45 for 16 ounces, or, just over .09 per ounce.

In my humble opinion, that’s where a straight up cup of coffee should be priced, give or take 10 cents, but I guess prices haven’t been that low in 5-7 years.

Milk & Sugar Station: Tie

Neither place had much of a milk station. Java Detour prepares your coffee for you while you listen to your engine purr. Blue Bottle had a small station with milk and sugar, but they pretty much fix your coffee for you as well. It’s the kind of place that prepares your coffee, made to order, and then adds a little design to your froth if your drink calls for it. On a side note, the line was so long, I got to watch them make quite a few of those, which is always interesting to watch.

Aroma: Advantage Java Detour

There was absolutely nothing wrong with Blue Bottle’s aroma, but Java Detour’s 16 ounce cup managed to fill my entire zipcar with a pleasant coffee scent. 

Temperature: Advantage Blue Bottle

Another close contest, but Blue Bottle’s made to order coffee was served at the exact perfect temperature for me. It required no wait, and I dove right in. Java Detour was slightly too hot. (I feel like Goldilocks or something.)

Flavor: Advantage Blue Bottle

Once again, both establishments serve a pretty good cup of coffee. Blue Bottle’s was just better. I don’t know if I’m secretly a coffee snob, and better appreciate the made to order cup, or what. I just enjoyed the cup much more. When I first sipped Java’s, I thought it was great, but the more I drank it, the worse it started to taste, to the point where I barely wanted to finish it. Blue Bottle’s left me wanting another 4 ounces like a medium coffee should be.

Overall: Blue Bottle Coffee Co.

I have to say that from the second I walked into Blue Bottle, I wanted to dislike their coffee. It was overcrowded with customers waiting for their orders, the line was out the door, they only had one coffee option with one size and the menu seemed overly pretentious on first glance. 

In my ignorance, I was wrong. Everyone who claims Blue Bottle is good, I apologize for my first impression. I don’t know if it’s the ‘best’, but we’ll find out soon enough- next week.

As far as Java Detour, it’s a good thing that I coincidentally had a Zipcar the day I went because otherwise I would’ve walked over there to discover they don’t serve you on foot. Or at least, that’s how it seemed to the guy next to me, who was sans automobile and standing there perplexed. I could be, and probably am wrong about that though because who in their right mind would open a coffee shop that serves cars only? That erases a large percentage of people who drink coffee, I would imagine.

Next Week: The Ultimate Challenge. Epicenter Cafe Vs. Philz Coffee Vs. Blue Bottle Coffee Co. for bragging rights to the Best Cup of Coffee in South of Market (according to LiveSOMA.com and our completely unscientific method).