Java Shack
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sun 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Paid
17 Reviews for Java Shack
java shack rules. dont laugh at me, but after years of living in DC and coming out to arlington b/c i couldnt find as delightful a coffee shop as the shack anywhere in the district (yes, tryst is tasty, but too many bloggers and 'tude for my liking), i ...moved to arlington. it is sweetly tucked away off wilson blvd, and is a small oasis of calm. and the lattes ROCK IT. so do the wraps. its all about sitting outside and decompressing, chatting with dale, and eating your foam with a fork. try doing that one at the caribou on 14th street. what? you can't. no, you just can't.
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Cute place w/ reasonable prices, but wifi costs extra and there's never any indoor seating left on weekends (less of a problem in summer, and evidently not a problem at all for the bikers who come here, but unlike them, I respond negatively to the cold). I always feel kinda weird here, like I'm intruding on someone else's scene. Can't explain it fully, but frequently find myself at Greenberry's instead.
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When I moved to NoAr almost five years ago from L.A. I was in major withdrawal of all things cute, community, outdoors, and green. Naturally I was miserable until I found the Java Shack. I quickly became a daily - making my trip there at all times of the morning and afternoon.
I love that the Java Shack is only the second restaurant in the entire Metro DC area to receive green certification from the Green Restaurant Association. You can really feel it when you go - their "plastic" cups are made from corn and their paper cups are compostable. They are always encouraging people to bring their own to-go mugs...and they do it in a way that makes you feel like they really care and aren't just being cheap. All of their coffee and a lot of their food is 100% organic and fair-trade. This might make it slightly more expensive than the Starbucks down the street, but I'm willing to eat the price. Also, if you bring your own mug, you save $0.25.
The coffee has always been consistently good. The baristas get my order right 99% of the time, and you can actually taste the difference between all of the different blends and roasts. I like my coffee to be really good...and Java Shack always delivers.
The atmosphere is chill. Dale, the owner, is usually on hand to offer advice about your garden, or tips on brewing the best coffee. I'm always meeting the greatest people - and pups - while I sit on the patio. My dog loves this place! We go next door to Spot to get doggy ice-cream and then sit on the patio at Java.
In terms of food, they are somewhat limited, but the Cranberry Chicken Salad wrap is awesome!!!
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Not a "scene" like Murky or Tryst. Java Shack is a down-to-earth, real neighborhood place. Unless you're having take-away, the coffee comes in normal mugs and glasses. Much better for the environment.
As for the quality, I must admit it's been mixed: some really great ones, some pretty ordinary.
Overall, though, I like it and I'll definitely be back. (And not just saying that because Dale is my neighbor.)
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When you think of a good local neighborhood coffee shop this is the place. I can count on the Ice coffee to start my day off well. When I'm not on the run I like hanging out in one of the outside tables and just people watch. The service is always great. If you like you're coffee sweet I recommend the Dale special.
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I second (or is it third?) Jason & Elaine. Nice indie place (great atmosphere/ crowd), but the coffee is less then desirable. The house brew is terrible, tastes like my office kitchen coffee- no body & flavor describes it aptly. The french roast is just a tad better.
I love their muffins though, had the perfect amount of sugar. And real blueberries!
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I admit- I thought my yelping days were over when I read the skitterish reviews for one of my favorite places (urban style lab) for an asinine reason (note to world: haircuts are like tattoos, you get what you pay for), but upon reading the woeful reviews for java shack, i thought to myself, "there is no justice in this yelping world"; my mission was set before me.
let me set the record straight on java shack: it fuckin rules. aside from the, you know, independent (non-chain) benefits, fair-trade (and fabulous) coffees, amazing varieties of teas, fresh food (vegan and veg friendly), pet welcoming, extensive coffee menu, laidback vibe, kitchy so yellow it hurts (in a good way) decor, and great people -did i mention that they give back to the community by sponsoring bike teams and food drives??
so, sorry NADIA I., and JASON WHATEVER INITIAL! i'm not sure what you were looking for when you walked into java shack. perhaps my tastes in coffee are inferior to your own but honestly, you are perhaps better going to starbucks as youd probably be poor company, as anybody that would give this place less than a 4 star review is just a weirdo in my (SUPER EXCLUSIVE) book.
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I don't understand why others have given Java Shack such poor reviews, I have had nothing but good experiences there. In my opinion, their coffee drinks are clearly superior to Starbucks and Whole Foods and most other chain coffee shops. I think they are on par with Murky Coffee. Their baked goods seemed fine to me. In fact, I was impressed that they had some vegan cookies, which I haven't found as an option anywhere else in the area. They are also kid friendly, which I appreciate as a parent. As for price, I haven't compared individual items, but ,overall, an outing with myself and 3 kids for similar items is cheaper here than at Starbucks. I wish there were more places around like Java Shack.
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I agree with Jason F. Though a bright space with a kitschy flair and a nice little porch, the coffee is unfortunately lacking in the necessities: body and flavor. Java Shack is one of those independent coffee shops that garner plaudits for being independent though it lacks the fundamental purpose of an indie coffee shop: provide good coffee. Again, the atmosphere is good and a nice change from my other local place, Greenberry's, but otherwise, underwhelming. I'll give 3 stars because I'd rather Java Shack be here than not.
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I really wanted to like Java. Its 2 blocks from my house, and its one of those cutesy local shops that you want to give business to. But sadly - it sucks. I asked the guy behind the counter if they could make an iced mocha which he told me was no problem. And then he proceeded to give me a whole lot of milk with some home-made chocolate syrup. It was awful. My fiance's latte was all water, and crunchy coffee beans. I took two sips of my "mocha" and he managed to get through a third of his, and then we walked over to the starbucks two blocks away for something to drink.
And our so-called coffees cost more than they would have anywhere else. I don't think I'm ever going back.
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The coffee and baked goods simply are not that good. I do not understand why they have such a strong following with places like Greenberries and Murky around. Atmosphere only goes so far.
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I wish I could award them another half star!
They bill themselves as Arlington's Original Coffee Shop. They definitely foster a sense of community here (they are affiliated with a biking charity and there are ALWAYS cyclers hanging about). Just ask the regulars who are all known by name (and their drink of choice, of course). I always come for the chai, but friends who get their cappuccino fix say it is WAY better than anything Starbuckian. (What a sad day that was when they moved into the neighborhood shadowing this cute little shop).
While the interior is rather small, the WIFI is free and the atmosphere is just plain 'ol friendly. Outdoor seating can be really nice too when the weather is cooperating. The shack is tucked away a bit from the main street so it's a little quieter without being "out of the way." I feel good about supporting little independents like this. Chains - bad. Here's to another 10 years!
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Not open late and they actually manage to be more expensive than Starbuck's and the coffee stand in Whole Foods.
update: I've come around on Java Shack a little. The coffee has gotten better and it's nice for outdoor seating. Indoors not so much, but the staff is actually really friendly.
I love the outside a lot; the inside, not a lot. I'd easily go here over Greenberry's, and while I love murky, Java Shack is worth a trip if you're local.
A good place to sit with a good book.
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One of the few coffeehouses that knows how to make espresso beverages. Superb cappuccino among the best available in DC area. REAL CUPS not paper. Tasty snacks and sandwiches. Staff is friendly. Outside deck seating for good weather, but a little small inside.
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One of my favorite things about this place is that they have more than the usual one or two sugar-free flavored syrups, and still the only place I've been to that can make me a good sugar-free raspberry latte.
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Love, Love, Love this place. Dale who ownes it is the nicest guy in VA. Prices are great. I find them to be better than starbucks for what I order. Alot better. They have great atmosphere and NO attitude like some cheesy coffee shops I have been in.
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