Green Bay Café Crawl: Part Two

Last week, I talked about five cafés in my city that I’ve been to before. For this week, I explored new places (four cafés, a tea house, and a spot I randomly stumbled onto).

This was a cute spot. I was there on a Tuesday morning, and all the tables were full. Service was pretty quick. They even had a drive through window if you’re on the go. My experience for the drinks wasn’t great, though. Not to say I wouldn’t try it again, but definitely getting something else. (Would definitely go back for the pesto bagel.)

-Mocha: 2/10 (tasted burnt)
-Chai: 1/10 (I’m not sure if it was the chai part or the oat milk part, but there was something…off about this. There was a weird aftertaste and only the briefest second of chai spice flavor. It’s like the spices were chemically flavored rather than naturally…?)

I’ve been to the one in Sturgeon Bay, WI, a couple times before, but never to this location. It’s a tiny place with a couple small tables (maybe seven), though only one was taken. Felt like a place to get things to go.

-Mocha: 5/10
-Chai: 7/10 (You have a choice between spiced and vanilla – I, of course, went spiced. It has a good level of spiced flavor, though I would like a bit more generally. Would have again.)

From their website: “Grounded Café was built on the belief that all people have value. That within everyone are possibilities, given the right opportunities to succeed. Partnering with local agencies, school districts, and volunteers, Grounded Café was born to breakdown stereotypes and ageism by shining a light on the strengths and ‘abilities’ of seniors and persons with disabilities. It was designed to build pride and dignity by providing opportunities to uncover and develop abilities. The people serving you are either older adult mentors or adults with a disability gaining job skills.” The café was a cute spot to sit, read, and sip your beverage (or try the Rockin’ Grilled Cheese, which turned out to be quite tasty!).

-Mocha: 4/10 (it’s a pretty bland flavor overall)
-Chai: 4/10 (tastes more like a sweet chai than a spiced, which is not my thing – so definitely not a fault of the café)

This shop is located in De Pere, which is located just south of Green Bay. Cute spot – with lots of fun things to try (both beverage and food). I could see sitting and writing here for sure. (On a busy day, parking will be an issue.) I went back another time to try their latte flight, which was DECLIOUS. Looking forward to trying out their cocoa flight once it hits in the fall.

-Mocha: 5/10 (First few sips had a good balance between the mocha and the espresso. )
-Chai: 6/10 (Not overly spiced. Also, a bit different in the balance of spices – tasted more cardamom than usual.)

So, not a coffee house, but a place I’ve been wanting to try for a long time. They have all kinds of loose leaf tea (including seven types of chai!), as well as bubble tea that you can mix and match flavors and ‘bubbles’. There were three tables, though it didn’t feel like a place people usually sit to sip their tea. (I did – read for a little bit.) I’ve been back a few times, and even went so far as to track down a reusable bubble tea straw to avoid the single-use ones they provide.

Make sure you check websites or call ahead to verify if hours have changed.

*UPDATE as of 6/17/2024: Crystal coffee has closed its doors after being in the business of thirty years. Their shop is the new location of Tazza, formerly in De Pere.