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Aromas
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
5 reviews for Aromas
5 reviews in English
-
Review from Kira T.
Seattle, WA
9/6/2008
Love this place. Love it. Owned by a friendly, charismatic young couple, located in a gracious old high-ceilinged space on North Main Street in Charles City, "America's Home Town," Aromas is a delight. Free Wi-Fi, lots of space to sit and chat, a welcome, friendly atmosphere, and local art for sale on the walls would all recommend it even if the coffee weren't good.
But the coffee? It's GREAT. Not "for Iowa" great - just plain "GREAT."
Mr. of the Mr./Mrs. couple who own and run the place was actally raised in Seattle, so I suppose he must've gotten his "coffee cred" there. That being said, he avoids the dreaded Starbucks Burn that I fear a lot of people associate with Seattle coffee culture. He roasts his own in a little booth in the main service area, and it's FANTASTIC. He buys excellent beans, then respects them during the roast. The resulting coffee is soft and smooth, with not a trace of extra acid or burn. It's mellow enough for me to have horked down shot after shot over ice with no sensation but smooth perfection.
They've also got scones, teas, chai things (I'm not a Chai Person) and Italian sodas, which they'll whip up "cremosa" or plain. My orange cremosa Italian soda the other morning was tart/sweet and very light - not syrupy and awful, like most that I've had.
This place is seriously good. My mother and aunts come and get scones and coffees, spread out over a big table in front where the sunlight floods in off Main Street - they even bring in cheese from the Hy-Vee! - and the owners could not be nicer.
I hope they thrive and prosper for a very long time. Go there! -
Review from Nathan P.
Sheffield, IA
9/29/2011
This place is a wonderful jewel in an otherwise unimpressive small Iowa city. The owners are warm and charismatic, the place is charming and unique, and the coffee is flavorful, mellow, and well worth whatever they charge for it. A recommended stop for anyone looking for a pick-me-up and a feeling of satisfaction.
-
Review from Barb J.
Portland, OR
12/23/2010
Best coffee/mochas we've had since we left Portland, and that is saying a lot since we've been using Yelp and getting good coffee along the way. A gem in the middle of Iowa. Nice guy, fresh roasted beans, comfortable place to hang out.
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Review from K C.
San Francisco, CA
7/26/2009
We stopped here on our way back East from SF. I was in the car with the sleeping baby but my wife went in and got an iced chai and for me a pound of recently roasted Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. It's superb -rich and not roasted too much. Nice place from my view through the front window. The owner gave us good advice about where to have lunch at our next stop in Cedar Falls.
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Review from J J.
Seattle, WA
11/11/2009
Coffee cred? Are you serious? Have you even had good coffee? Growing up in Seattle does not automatically mean he's got coffee credentials. This coffee? Meh. Pretty forgettable, even "for Iowa" where you can find much better coffee in Iowa City, Ames, Des Moines and even Decorah! Granted my coffee was possibly tainted by the arrogant, unfriendly, know-it-all attitude of the owner. And this wasn't just one experience - it happened twice! The second time he was an a$$ to my whole family. Friendly, charismatic? I must have been served by Mr. Hyde.
I don't want to wish ill will to a small business that is possibly barely surviving in a dying small town (and sad little main street) but take a look in the mirror buddy, work on your customer service skills and your coffee. (I work in the customer service business so I think I would know) A friendly greeting and a smile go a long way. It's a small town, you rub the wrong person the wrong way and word will spread fast in this Mayberry-wanna-be town. I've had better coffee and friendlier service in true Seattle coffee shops of Stumptown, Vivace, Lighthouse... and even Starbucks!!!
I'd rather go to Hy-Vee for breakfast with drip coffee flavored by those tiny creamers served by people who are truly friendly and aren't trying to be something they're not. And I probably will!
