Mount Pleasant has a myriad of coffee shops and bakeries, both local and chain, that people go to and enjoy. But where are the best places to try? And what criteria makes them considerably the best places to enjoy your favorite coffees and treats? I went around Mount Pleasant and tried some of the popular stores, and formed my opinion on some of the shops in the area.
First up is Harlow and Pearl. Located on Highway 17 near Brickyard Plantation, operating in the Modern Manor furniture store, Harlow and Pearl is known for their unique flavor profiles within specialty lattes and teas. The prices in the shop range from $1-$10, with their specialty drinks usually placed on the more expensive end. For one of their more popular drinks, the S’mores Latte, it is $8.62. For me, this is a little more money than I am willing to spend on a daily coffee run, but the drinks are very tasty.
Next, the Front Porch Coffee House and Creamery. This coffee house is located in The Bend across from Costco and they serve everything from coffee to full breakfast orders. For the coffees, their regular espresso and brewed coffees are priced from $1-$5, depending on the sizing. For the lattes and specialty drinks, they range from $5-$6, with prices depending on the sizing. For sizing, they carry a 12oz, 16oz and a 20oz. When I went to the shop, I got a Honey Bunny Latte, which has vanilla, cinnamon and honey. The latte was very impressive, as the espresso tasted really whole and fresh, while the flavors mixed really well with the coffee. Overall, The Front Porch Coffee House and Creamery is a really good pick for a quick, and relatively inexpensive coffee.
The next cafe I tried was Tidal Grounds Coffee, located off of SC Highway 41. Tidal Grounds opened in 2016, and quickly became a popular spot for people of all ages to come in and enjoy a wide selection of coffees and
treats. Their prices range from $1-$10, with serving drips, pour-overs, espressos and other unique drinks. The atmosphere of the store when you walk in is familiar and comfortable, the workers were very hospitable and attentive, making the experience more enjoyable.
I ordered a Maple Vanilla Latte, and the people I was with ordered a hot chocolate and a Butterbeer Latte. While the Maple Vanilla Latte I ordered was very tasty, the espresso tasted a little burnt, and the maple flavor was really unstated. I would have liked to be able to taste the flavoring more, but the coffee as a whole tasted nice. However, the Butterbeer Latte was not a fan favorite. The butterbeer flavor has a weird taste to it, and the espresso was almost acrid. Overall, Tidal Grounds Coffee was spotty, and the coffees were mediocre.
Over in Mount Pleasant’s Town Centre is Just Love Coffee Cafe right next to Trader Joe’s. Just Love Coffee Cafe is actually a franchise, having locations in over 10 states. The atmosphere of the store is very welcoming, and it feels like there is a beautiful community within the little coffee shop. The workers are some of the nicest people, they are very accommodating and friendly to whoever walks in. The prices range from $1-$10, with the more specialty lattes on the more expensive side. Along with the unique and wide selection of coffees and teas, the cafe also sells specialty Fizzies and sodas as well as breakfast and lunch options.
I ordered the Cookie Butter Latte, which came out to be $6.95 before tax. The coffee was very sweet, but very tasty. I love my coffee’s sweetness, so this wasn’t necessarily an issue for me. The latte actually has real cookie butter swirled into the espresso, and the espresso has a wonderful rich flavor that really complements the flavoring well. Overall, Just Love Coffee Cafe has quickly become one of my favorite places to go and see the people, and order the delicious drinks.
Lastly, Brown Fox Coffee, located on Simmons Street near Coleman Boulevard. Brown Fox Coffee is one of the more popular coffee spots in Mount Pleasant, and it is actually a walk-up and order, where you pick it up on the other side of the store. The prices of the items range from $1-$10, and they carry mostly lattes and mochas, along with matchas. I ordered a S’mores Latte and the Milk and Cookies Latte, and both came out to be $6.50
before tax. Both lattes were very good, with the espresso having a nice flavor and the syrups complimenting the coffee well. However, for both coffees, the main concern was that the flavoring really did not taste like what the coffee was called. The S’mores Latte, however good, did not taste like a S’mores latte, and the same for the Milk and Cookies Latte. Overall, the coffees were very good, they just did not taste like what I ordered.
Another store worth mentioning is the BKeDSHoP located in The Bend. Though BKeD is officially a donut shop, the coffee there is phenomenal, with drinks ranging from drips and cold brews to specialty lattes and teas. The prices range anywhere from $1-$20, I have been to the store multiple times, ordering everything from a Caramel Latte to a Pumpkin Chai Latte. Their espresso in house is really fresh, holding a rich and flavorful body. Along with their drinks, their hands-down best thing they serve is the donuts. BKeD Shop is an amazing cafe to go to and enjoy the food and drinks.
Mount Pleasant has a plethora of options to offer in the amount of coffee shops in the area, and it is fun to try and taste the different stores and cafes to get an idea of which ones are the most enjoyable.
