Come in, relax?unwind. Get away from the daily grind by visiting The Daily Grind.
Welcome to Blacksburg?s very own Central Perk (you know that coffee shop from Friends).
At first glance, the appearance is one of an urban coffeehouse furnished with bright red couches framing a modern coffee table and faux fireplace. Gazing over the counter, you see the brewing coffee, whose aroma commands you to order the tallest cup-a-Joe they have.
The Daily Grind, located on Turner Street, will awaken your senses, literally. The franchise shop opened under new management less than a year ago, and was remodeled this year. The new set up caters to patrons who crave a more modern style eatery. ?It?s a good atmosphere. I think most coffee shops have a good atmosphere. It?s really laid back ? most people come in and study,? said Nora Ianni, barista and HNFE major.
When I arrived for my first visit to the Daily Grind, I was immediately greeted by a smiling barista. After ordering and receiving my drink, I plopped onto that huge, comfy red sofa. The atmosphere was similar to most coffee places around Blacksburg. With soft music playing in the background, and surrounded by college students and locals, I was almost mistaken into thinking this was just another caf?. Then the food came.
Being the hummus fiend that I am, I had to try their veggie wrap. Served with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and onions, this wrap created the perfect combination of a Mediterranean delight. The moist lettuce against the thin layer of creamy hummus oozing out of the wrap created a fantastic texture in my mouth.
All of their sandwiches and wraps are served with either pretzels, chips or pasta salad. I opted for the pasta salad. While the portion was small, the taste was fantastic. A mixture of cheese tortellini, tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach and a fat-free dressing, the pasta salad was different from any other you?d find in Blacksburg.
I also spotted a grilled chicken on focaccia sandwich. After making my friend let me try hers, I was happily surprised with the coolness of the pesto mayo sauce mixed with the warmth of the grilled chicken. On a crunchy, flavorful focaccia, served with lettuce, tomato and cucumber, this sandwich is bound to become famous around Blacksburg.
For my beverage, I tried the peach iced tea.
At the Daily Grind, you can add flavored syrup to any teas or coffees to create your own signature beverage. The addition of the flavored syrup gave me a surprising tingle of peach to liven up that same-ole-tea flavor.
At another sitting, I decided to experience the Turtle. The Turtle is one of the Grind?s most popular coffee flavors, consisting of hints of chocolate and caramel. I highly recommend the Turtle to satisfy any sweet tooth that needs a coffee fix. All of their coffee is freshly brewed every two hours. The coffee is so fresh and tasty that even non-coffee drinkers will want a taste. ?I?ve turned into a coffee drinker working here. I didn?t drink coffee before then,? Ianni said.
In addition to the current list of items available, the manager plans on ?freshening up? the menu. In the near future, there will be an all-vegetarian sandwich and a new concoction called the banana-bob. The banana-bob consists of either wheat bread or a bagel with peanut butter, banana and granola.
All of the new and existing items are recipes from the franchise. However, the ?Daily Grind? is always open to feedback from customers. ?We work well with feedback ? people from the gym wanted healthy food items, so we got them healthier food items. So we offer your choice of pretzels, chips or pasta salad. We?ve got the juices machine, as opposed to soda and those typical things. But, we?ve still got cakes and sweets,? said manager Jason Groves.
The target customer at this modern bistro is the Virginia Tech student, to and from class. So, as catering to the customer is a primary concern at the Daily Grind, the coffee shop is currently working on accepting Hokie Passport and offers free wireless Internet access. Also, as midterms and finals come up, the store plans on staying open later if interest warrants.
Another incentive for artists to check out this colorful caf? is the opportunity to display their work for month-long intervals. Any displayed artwork, including photographs, paintings, drawings, etc., can be sold silently through offers on bid sheets in the store. When I arrived, I immediately noticed the abstract paintings lining the walls. They were an outstanding addition to the already vibrant d?cor around the restaurant.
Management would also like to extend an invitation to any student or local artist interested in painting a mural on the restaurant?s unattractive cinderblock wall.
?I would like to get a student artist to do it ... we?re going to have a dynamic with our logo in it, coffee-related, appropriate for the store,? Groves said. ?I would like artists to submit their ideas. Out of the best submissions, we would choose one, and at the beginning of next summer, when it?s not very busy, we would throw it up there.?
Students, artists and local patrons are in for a treat when they enter the Daily Grind. Full of playful energy and delicious cuisine, this friendly environment ensures a relaxing and artistically entertaining experience. As you reach for a napkin from the bright red coffee mugs centered on your table, you may hear one of the baristas laughing happily behind the counter. At the Daily Grind you can truly feel like you?ve found a one-of-a-kind location where everyone knows your name.