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Empire Coffee
Rating Details »
Categories: Coffee & Tea, Art Galleries, Music Venues [Edit]
434 Orange StChico, CA 95928
(530) 899-8267
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- None
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
12 reviews for Empire Coffee
If we commonly refer to the nerve on our elbow as a "funny bone" for the strange and painful feeling we get when banging into it, then I would like to suggest that the feeling I get in my chest when coming into contact with something adorable and clever be heretofore referred to as "hitting your cute bone."
Pretty much everything about Empire Coffee hits my cute bone to the core. This little oasis on a hot Chico day has all of the markings of the best kinds of cafes: unique atmosphere (it's in an old train car, in case the pictures didn't tip you off), comfortable seating (again, train car booths), a plethora of 1980's boardgames including Scrabble and Battleship, delicious coffee and pastries, regularly-changing art for sale, tons of parking, friendly staff, good tunes, and even the occasional fun music and/or artist showcase. If you're a student, it's a great place to spread out notes and books for studying, and it's pretty much an artist's dream spot for working on that new diorama, drawing, found art, mobile, or pastel - though I wouldn't recommend such a space for any live art performances. Best to save that sort of thing for the parking lot, ya dig?
Yes, this place certifiably strikes the cute bone dead on, and I'm so happy to know that it's there when I need a heaping dose of charm. Empire Coffee, I really think I love you.
The owners and staff are 5 star when it comes to coffee/tea! Their drinks are amazing. They have them down to a sience. And if you need something special they can do that too! Yeah to no charge for soy milk. A great place to hangout. No where else like it! They make a great hot chocolate for the kids. Highly recommend your next coffee date be at Empire!!!!
I love the atmosphere. The coffee is excellent and great service.
Loved this place. Stopped in twice on the way up to and back from Lassen. First visit, it was 103 in Chico, so iced drinks were on order. Tasted both the Aztec and Mexican mochas over ice, as well as the basic americano on ice. All were great! On the way back, it was much cooler, so we went for the hot drinks. Again, the drinks were very delicious. We all loved the space. Great reuse of the old train car. We can we get one of those?
I really like the location, and the train car is awesome. Baristas are downright artists, and the vibe is super bohemian.
The location is kind of out of the way, and the train car makes for an awkward shape to a cafe. Sometimes I get the feeling the person making my coffee doesn't think I'm worthy of his craft, and the whole "I'm an artist and a free thinker and I do what I want WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE ME?!?" thing gets a little out of hand.
Damn, they do a good latte.
This is the sweetest coffee shop in town, the owners are so awesome! I am really amazed by what pride they take in their specialty beverages such as their brewed teas and their selection of condiments. They have hosted drinks at my store for big downtown events and it was a blast!
A very unique and tasty experience on this ride.
Cool place! Comfortable, relaxed, free wifi (ask for the password), power outlets on the street side ("booths"), openable windows. Mean espresso and delicious scones.
For the steampunk industrial era romantics, the magic of sipping coffee in this train car cum cafe is only enhanced by the sounds of the REAL WORKING train that passes by a hundred yards away.
There is little merit to keeping these sorts of places secret.
I love Empire Coffee. Five stars automatically for NO CHARGE FOR SOYMILK. Seriously.
That was the reason I checked Empire out, and I have to say it's the best coffee I have ever tasted. I haven't been drinking coffee for that long, really -- I have never owned a coffeemaker and didn't really start getting lattes or mochas until almost 10 years ago (we'll leave my age out of this review). So while I haven't had gazillions of lattes, I knew awesomeness when I tasted it. I do like sweet, so I get the vanilla syrup added.
They also offer all kinds of teas, and now I'm hooked on their Genmai green tea latte. Oh my, it is wonderful.
Every time I've gone in, it has been quiet, with students/laptop users working in silence. It almost makes me wish I were a college student again -- where was a cool place like this when I needed a latte and had a ton of biochemistry to make my brain melt/study for?
They also have local art hanging up in the car (as others mentioned, Empire Coffee is in a train car) which is a nice touch and it's rotated regularly.
Empire Coffee makes me happy!
This one-of-a-kind coffee house offers the only (and best) organic coffee in town. Everything from the teas to the pastries are carefully selected to represent absolute perfection. There is always room for one person or a group to have a seat and enjoy this 1947 rail car's classic environment. If you're looking for a coffee house that isn't full of franticly studying and chatty college students, look no further. Hop in and grab a cup of joe while waiting for your bus or make this your regular coffee joint. Lucky and Alec are some of the best in the business -- in fact, Lucky ranked in the top 20 nationwide at last year's national barista contest. He will be happy to talk to you about anything from politics to your night out last night and he knows his shit.
Give these guys a shot, you wont regret it.
What a great place for coffee! Great ambiance, great staff, great art ... GREAT coffee. Free-trade, organic coffee, and no charge for soy milk! I have never had a bad latte there, and the folks that work there are always friendly, helpful, and non-holier-than-thou. I wish Empire Coffee were downtown, but it's still worth the trip.
The best coffee, especially latte's! Super friendly staff, really love being there & they always make a fun design in the foam. I love coming and enjoying a cup of coffee and looking at the art. Nice, relaxed atmosphere.
