Investigating the Menu: La Venta Specialty Coffee
La Venta is the most welcoming coffee shop in Dubuque. Almost to a jarring degree.
This Colombian specialty coffee shop is located right by Sweet Memories, the ice cream shop that I've only recently stopped calling "The Ice Cream Shop Filled with Plushies". It's right by one of the first things I showed my transplant boyfriend, the 4th Street Elevator, so it's in a very prime location. Can't imagine what they pay in rent.
Side note, but that area is so lovely. None of it ever feels touristy, maybe because my family always took me down there as a kid. My dad would always take us down to the irish store, Calico Bean, and Sweet Memories. I remember when Center of I Am was still down there, until they moved and then had to shut down. ALLEGEDLY, what I heard from a few sources, the manager ALLEGEDLY ran off with all the money. ALLEGEDLY. Don't sue the messenger, that's just what I heard. Miss that store.
Anyways, I had no idea that there was even a store for sale next to Sweet Memories. Which is probably true because there's no way La Venta didn't used to be a house.
The coffee shop is beautiful and homey, not unlike a lot of places in Dubuque. With how historic these homes are in town, it's nice seeing their function change without a total redo. Fascinating too. How do you even plan that out? Can you still live in there? I have many questions about the logistical workings of building code and renovation. Some people find that boring though, so we'll get back to the review.
The outside is nice, with some cute coffee icons in the windows and a door that confused me thoroughly when I tried to enter. Not their fault, I just have bad luck with doors. I saw a wooden ramp next to the stairs with instructions to press a button for assistance. A lot of the neighboring shops, of course, have to accommodate for wheelchair users but this has to be the first time I've seen a collapsible ramp. I can't speak for how well it works, but it does have me worried about how people will use it in the winter. I hope that a wooden plank isn't their final solution is all.
Walking in, the place is lovely. Good amount of seating, tidy, and with little ferns at the tables. You are greeted when you walk in. Everytime I've been in there, it's always been the two owners (I assume) working. Incredibly nice people. From their website, I learned they are a Farm-to-Table coffee shop, getting their coffee beans from Colombia, processing them here, and selling them in bags around the country. Or in this case, brewing them in the shop. As a red, white, and blue blooded American, I can appreciate being dedicated to farm to table.
I had heard through the grapevine that a local bakery called Tangy Loaf was selling baked goods at La Venta so, I had to check that out. One thing had caught my eye when I was looking at their offerings, was a cream cheese and chive SourDonut. I believe it's a cross between a donut and sourdough bread but I could be mistaken. I love a baked good with cream cheese so I had to try it.
When I got there, they were just setting up the SourDonuts and the other pastries they offer. I asked what flavors they had and they ran into the back to get the full list of offerings. I appreciated the dedication because they could've just told me about the ones out in the display. I did feel a bit bad for making them run around because I had gotten in right when they opened.
I will preface this review with this; I am not a coffee person. I do a mocha or a latte once in a blue moon. Doesn't agree with my stomach. So unfortunately I will not be reviewing the coffee that they are known for. I've tried to make myself try coffee at coffee shops for reviews and I'm just not the right person for the job. Go to 365ink's (much lesser) reviews or whoever writes for the Telegraph Herald. I don't know if they even have food reviews, I can't get past the crazy paywall to read their articles online.
(Side note, since one of the 365ink team follows me on Instagram (@mnskdbq); I am a huge fan of 365ink. I have a pile of copies in my dining room. It's a great FREE newspaper that covers local events. You can read it online or pick it up pretty much anywhere around town. To 365ink's dining team: If your team wants to have mutual fake beef with our blog, please do. I think it'd be extremely funny.)
Anyways, here's all I tried and all my thoughts:
Hot Cocoa:
La Venta can make a mean hot cocoa. Possibly one of the best one's I've had so far. It's rich but light, perfect for a cold day. It's definitely not your average packet hot cocoa.
Chocolate croissant:
This thing was delectible. Buttery and crispy with a nice creamy chocolate folded into the flaky layers. My stomach's growling thinking about this little treat. La Venta stocks pastries from Millwork and Tangy Loaf so I'm not certain which bakery is responsible. Highly recommend it if you don't want something super sugary or chocolatey, its a very balanced baked good.
The SourDonuts:
Tangy Loaf. Can I call you Tangy? What did you put in these things? Can you sell these addictive little donut things to the public? I think these are better than regular donuts in every way. They're beautiful donut-like treats filled with an assortment of different flavors. I've tried a good few flavors and every single one is worth it. The chocolate and peanut butter is probably my favorite. Incredible.
Mango Italian Soda:
I wasn't a huge fan of this drink, but my partner loves it. It's a mango flavored drink with a very refreshing soda base. I can't do super carbonated drinks but even then, it was pretty nice. I can also appreciate a little mango slice in a drink. Not everyone goes through the effort of including a slice of mango.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
La Venta is a lovely little coffee shop run by lovely people. The level of customer service they give you when you walk in is stellar. They ask if you need anything, they help grab your dishes as you're walking up to drop them off, the place is always cozy and inviting, there's REAL ferns at every table, and they are willing to go the distance so you have a nice experience.
Good customer service isn't unheard of in Dubuque, we are in the Midwest after all, but these folks go above and beyond.
They have a suggestion box right by the door, but honestly, there's nothing I would change about this place. The bakeries they stock are stellar and their drinks are lovingly crafted, what's not to love? If you're ever on 4th Street, I highly recommend stopping by.
THE RATING:
Space: 7/10
Price: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Drinks: 9/10
Food: 10/10
FINAL RATING: 9/10
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