Discover the Pioneers Who Blazed America’s Trails Fueled by Coffee: The Lewis and Clark Phenomenon

Don Senneville and Jim White

We were at our regular spot at the Village Coffee Shop and Creperie, musing over our coffee, when a woman approached us. She politely asked if we were the “Coffee Guys.” Confirming her suspicion, she recommended we check out a place called Little Snitch near Preston’s at Pinnacle Peak and Pima.

Her suggestion intrigued us, so we decided to venture there. Despite hearing about their walk-up coffee window, our visit revealed it was closed. Curious about the name “Little Snitch,” we discovered it referred to someone who secretly informs on others to cause trouble.

With Little Snitch closed, we explored other nearby options like Zahar Medspa, Izzy and Ivy, The Blonde Bar, and EuroStretch. Though these were out of our usual range, we felt like explorers. This time, we dubbed our quest “Coffee Outliers.”

Across the way stands the Pinnacle Peak General Store—a mix of post office, antique store, and restaurant with a pioneer vibe. Inside, it felt like stepping into grandma’s house, complete with a full-size vintage wooden canoe hanging from the ceiling. We ordered drip coffee and breakfast; Don had his usual pancakes. The coffee, listed as “Restaurant Coffee” on the bill, left us longing for our usual Macchiato or Americano.

Afterward, we headed west on Pinnacle Peak towards Scottsdale Rd. We noticed an Egg n Joe but opted to pass, having had enough “restaurant coffee.” Then we discovered Sprouts, testing Press coffee outlets in their stores. We decided to investigate. Eureka! The macchiato was the best we’d had in weeks. However, the lack of seating made it inconvenient.

In a setup reminiscent of Whole Foods, you shop while juggling your coffee. Despite this, a free cup of brew comes with each bag of Press coffee bought. Our coffee adventure concluded with an inspection of fruits, vegetables, and probiotics.

Mission accomplished, we headed back to our familiar Coffee Row after a morning of exploration.

On our way out, we noticed an Einstein Bros Bagels—another potential outlier for a future visit.

If you have more coffee spot suggestions, reach out to us at [email protected] or find us at The Village Coffee Shop and Creperie in Stagecoach Village.