Mugs (coffee house) warmed me today with a simple, huge cup of tea. Centrally located on College Avenue, this funky café just does it for me. I like the staff—friendly, honest, and hardworking. I love the casual atmosphere: sofas, bistro tables, computers, stuff hanging from the ceiling, posters for local theatre and music. Also, the clientele is interesting and diverse which can make for fun observations.

An environmentally conscious coffee house, there are reminders everywhere to take care of the planet while indulging in cappuccinos. My favorite—one I noticed today staring into space—is a large translucent trash bag suspended from the ceiling. It is filled with empty paper coffee cups. The sign reads (I paraphrase), “The amount of trash you would produce from drinking one cup of coffee in a throwaway cup every other day in a year.” Mugs is persuasive and rewarding when it comes to making good decisions.

Over the months I’ve popped in for house coffee, iced chai, and today—the regular old hot tea (if you can call organic silver chai “regular”). All are prepared fresh and of high quality. Their menu is extensive, and I look forward to enjoying a little snack sometime when I have more than a minute or two. Baked goods, healthy sandwiches and wraps, and smoothies definitely caught my eye.

Mugs is cool. With outside seating, indoor on two levels, and comfy couches and chairs a-plenty, you will feel right at home. With so many places to sip, write, and stare, this café does a nice job of beating the others in many ways. Fort Collins has no shortage of coffee houses. These businesses have to work hard to have me return. I’ll be making my fourth trip to Mugs very soon.

Mugs Coffee Lounge
[where: 1033 S Taft Hill Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80521]
www.mugscoffeelounge.com