6124. Go to Java Dock Cafe in Port Washington

I needed an adventure for January. Since my niece's birthday party was falling in January this year and I was going to be in town, I asked Kris if she wanted to do coffee at Java Dock. Even though I grew up in Port, I never actually visited the coffee shop. I moved to Saukville in high school and was somewhat of a homebody.. and frugal. She agreed. And I get to knock off another item off my 26 in 2026 list.

Java Dock Cafe is located just off of downtown Port and has been there for as long as I can remember. It is opened daily serving breakfast and lunch. Hours vary depending on the day of the week. You can find street parking or a few lots near by. I got lucky and snagged a spot on the same block.. and I didn't even have to parallel park.

The coffee shop itself is downstairs and seating is upstairs. They serve a wide variety of drinks and sandwiches. 

Since it was National Hot Chocolate Day, I went with Hot Chocolate. They had plenty of flavors to add but I saw it too late and just had plain hot chocolate with whipped cream.

My hot chocolate was amazing. They use all local vendors when they can and their chocolate comes from Hollander Chocolates right in town. It was velvety smooth and rich. I don't know if I ever had hot chocolate this rich and decadent. 10 out of 10 stars. 

We sat upstairs and caught up. It was bright and sunny with plenty of open tables on a Saturday afternoon. Kris said it was a great spot for high schoolers to study which I can believe since I know the local coffee shops up here are the same way.

They also have a Featured Artist Wall where local artists hang their art for 3 months. This quarter's featured artist work is fun and whimsical. It really added a pop of color to the wall. 

I think this may become a regular friend date spot when I'm in town. Next time we'll have to do lunch and I'll have to try the grilled cheese that Kris talked about. It sounds amazing.

The next time you are in Port Washington, check out Java Dock for your caffeine fix if you haven't already. 

25 in 2025 -- Try a New Coffee Shop -- Mud Creek Coffee

 I have driven by Mud Creek Coffee numerous times and finally decided I need to try it. Heather and I tried to stop on the way to see sunflowers but it was closed for Labor Day weekend. I tried to stop a couple of times on the way to Saukville a couple of times after that but never had enough time. Finally Stacy and I decided to visit Mud Creek Coffee for breakfast during cookie baking weekend.

Mud Creek Coffee is located in Sherwood on Highway 114. It is open 6-3 Monday-Friday and 7-3 Saturdays and 8-3 on Sundays. You stop in or go through drive thru. 

We opted to dine in. They have several tables and booths. 

Looking at the menu for breakfast, I was tempted to try a breakfast bowl but since the eggs were premade and I couldn't get them well done. I don't like runny or soft eggs. It's a texture thing. I just ended up getting a bagel. Stacy said her sandwich was good and didn't even realize the eggs were pre-made. The sandwiches looked very good.

I got peppermint hot chocolate. I was disappointed. It was watery. It was not rich and creamy that I was expecting. Maybe they are not just hot chocolate people. I was disappointed but there are other drinks I would like try I'm not about to give up on Mud Creek. Stacy said the coffee was good. 

Mud Creek Coffee is a popular place in Sherwood. I will stop again and try the chai. If you are in the Sherwood area (or even High Cliff), grab your coffee at Mud Creek. 

25 in 2025 -- Try a New Coffee Shop -- Bella Goose Coffee

 The hubby had a conference in the Dells and I tagged along to knock off a few things off the bucket list.. things the hubby probably won't be interested and that were open in November. Since most things didn't open until 10 and the hubby had to be there by 8:30, I had to find a place to chill for a bit. The obvious choice was a coffee shop. Trying to find  a coffee shop in the Dells that wasn't Starbucks or Dunkins was a challenge. I found Bella Goose Coffee down by the river.

Bella Goose Coffee was just off the strip on Wisconsin Dells Parkway. It overlooks the Wisconsin River which I'm sure in summer is a great view. They are open daily 7-5 (or at least are in the off season). Parking can be a challenge but I found a spot. 

Bella Goose Coffee has some indoor seating and looks like a great patio. The line was long to order but I didn't care I had time to spare. 

Besides coffee, Bella Goose has a great breakfast menu. They are known for their homemade waffles. Since I already had breakfast a few hours before, I opted just for a chocolate chip scone. 

My hot chocolate came with milk art. The first time I've had milk art. It was a cute and it made me smile.

Both the hot chocolate and my scone were fabulous. I am more than willing to come back and try the waffles or more baked goods. Everything is homemade and looks wonderful. 

Next time you are need of a caffeine fix while in the Dells and want to drink local, check out Bella Goose. It is amazing and I will be definitely be back. 

5078. Go to Acoca Coffee in Appleton

 Heather and I did the West End Death by Chocolate this year. I gave her the option of coffee or root beer because one stop was Acoca Coffee and another was Stone Arch.  Heather said coffee as I figured she would. I always wanted to check out Acoca coffee anyways.

Acoca Coffee is on College Ave downtown Appleton. They are open 7-4 Wednesday to Monday and closed Tuesdays. They roast their own beans and brew each cup to order. They also are very welcoming to all people and identities. 

I ordered a raspberry and vanilla chai latte. Heather ordered a dirty chai. 

They gave us a number. We grabbed our chocolate and a table. They have high tops and low tables with plenty of seating. It is another great place to grab a cup of your favorite beverage and hang out.

They accidentally entered a strawberry and vanilla chai latte. I don't do strawberry so they made me the correct one. It was very good. I would definitely come back. I balked the price briefly (over $8) but then I remember the flavors are extra and it's a local business. It is definitely nice to be able to splurge on a $8 chai now and again. We just don't tell the hubby.

My only "complaint" is it seemed dark in there even with all the windows. I also noticed this at Copper Rock. I'm not sure if this is just a coffee place thing or I just like a lot of light. It is not creepy dark just more of a dark ambiance. Maybe that's how coffee shops are supposed to be or maybe it's just me. I'll just take my cup of chai or hot chocolate and go enjoy in the sunlight. Definitely no vampire blood in me.  

If you haven't check them out yet, grab yourself a cup. 

23 in 2023 -- Go to Sweet Lair in Menasha

Knowing Heather is usually up to a good coffee shop and likes board games, I suggested we meet at Sweet Lair in Menasha to catch up and exchange Christmas gifts. She was intrigued and agreed. Sweet Lair was on my 23 in 2023 list that I did not get to and I still wanted to check it out.

Sweet Lair is a board game cafe/coffee shop downtown Menasha. It is open Tuesday-Sunday. Hours vary by the day of the week. It has coffee drinks and sandwiches with names that play on board games like Hungriest Hippo or Mint Condition Frappe. 

The entire decor is board game themed. It is just a fun place to hang out.

After we ordered, we played a game of Uno Flip with the kiddo that was enlisted to help with grocery shopping later (and bribed with food). They have a whole wall of games including classics and modern games. At first the kiddo wanted monopoly but we didn't have all afternoon. Uno Flip is similar to Uno but has switch cards which means you flip the cards over and play with a different set of colors (Purple, pink, teal, and orange). 

Our food arrived. Heather ordered a Terrafroming Fusion Quesadilla. It was a buffalo chicken quesadilla that included bacon. It looked amazing. I wasn't overly hungry and decided to just have a brownie. The brownie was good but not as good as I expected. It needed something. I should have gone with a quesadilla. My mint condition frappe had coffee in it. I was not used to having coffee in my frappe. Let's just say I survived my first coffee drink but I did have a headache after.

I would definitely go back. I doubt I would convince the hubby to come with me but definitely a place Heather and I will keep in our list of places to meet up at. I might have to take Stacy the next time she's in town. If you haven't been, go check it out.

23 in 2023: Go to Copper Rock Coffee Shop

 Copper Rock Coffee Shop has been downtown Appleton for many years and I keep saying I'm going to go. I am not a coffee drinker but I have found I enjoy chai lattes and hot chocolates. Heather and I had time to kill before Death by Chocolate started and I was like we can get coffee. As we headed towards downtown, I gave Heather the option of ACOCA coffee or Copper Rock which was on the 23 in 2023 list. She was like I'm always game on helping you knock things off. Off to Copper Rock we went.

Now TECHNICALLY, I have been to Copper Rock when Tara and I did Light It Up downtown Appleton. One of the stops was Copper Rock and they were serving cookies with Mrs. Clause. However, I really didn't count it since I didn't order a beverage.

Copper Rock had an assortment of beverages for me. They had several flavors of Chai lattes including chocolate and raspberry. They had frappes and hot chocolate. I was good to go. Trying to make up my mind, Heather saw the Valentine Day Specials. There was a Sweetheart Chai Latte which was a raspberry and vanilla chai latte. Sold. We both got one.

Despite being too hot to drink initially, the Sweetheart Chai Latte was amazing. It wasn't too sweet or fruity. It was the right combination of flavors to make it delicious. 

Copper Rock also has a baked goods plus a small breakfast menu and plenty of options for lunch. The food all looked amazing. Oh.. and it has gelato. This could be dangerous. There is definitely plenty of space to sit and chill. I am putting this on the list for potential Cookie Baking breakfast spots.

I am glad to support local coffee shops when I get a chance and I will definitely be back. If I was still working at the site and not home, this could potentially become a a very expensive habit since I would pass it every morning on my way to work. Even Heather sent a message to her coworker recommending this place. Definitely check it out.