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    Alternative Fuel Coffee House

    3.7 (95 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 1:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    ALTERNATIVE FUEL COFFEE HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Alternative Fuel Coffee House

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    Bacon and eggs breakfast burrito and side salad for lunch together were definitely filling.
    Steve H.

    I was in Rapid City just for a full day, staying right downtown. Walking just the three or four blocks of Main Street, I came across three or four independent coffee shops... Very cool! My friend recommended that we go to alternative fuel which is right at the public Plaza where they have ice skating in the winter and concerts in the summer. The coffee shop is on the 1st floor of a small but very cool and very busy mall. Once inside, I was happy to see that everyone was wearing personal protection masks. In South Dakota currently masks are optional. There was a hand sanitizer gel at the cashier counter, and the menu was on a big chalkboard above the cashier area. I only wish the other customers would have stayed a little bit further behind us, but this is a fairly tight space inside so I was sure not to get my feathers ruffled about it. Because it was so busy during lunch time, and a fairly small place, I didn't get quite a good look around. There were a handful of tables inside, complemented by at least four coffee tables outside on the Plaza. The inside decor was clean in modern, standard independent coffee shop feeling. There were quite a few knick-knacks for sale, and I seem to recall a number were locally made. The music was cool but not obnoxiously loud. It was a nice environment. The customer service staff was very energetic, friendly, polite and knowledgeable. They were not loud and obnoxious like they are at the chain place with the green mermaid logo. My friend and I ordered medium French roast coffees. They were served quickly, hot, and very fresh coffee. This French roast had a very pleasant flavor, not harsh like many French roasts are. Prices were very reasonable. The menu board was filled with paninis, salads , all-day breakfast, and more. I was told the eggs with bacon burrito was quite good, big and filling, and that I could order a side salad and not just a full-size salad. I believe I had to ask about a smaller salad and it may not have been on the menu, but I'm not sure. The breakfast burrito was made fresh, nice and hot and hefty! It came with a cup of salsa. The salad was freshly made, bright and colorful and filled with vitamins! I had a choice of about a half-dozen dressings and went with the raspberry. My lunch was delicious and filling. Taking our coffee and lunch out on the Plaza by the ice rink was so pleasant. We really had a great time and enjoyed our orders.

    Cinnamon roll
    Joseph G.

    Stopped in here for lunch and a quick drink while exploring Main Street downtown. The Nutella smoothie I got was pretty good. The ham egg and cheese Croissant wasn't too great. Not much flavor and the eggs were watery. My wife enjoyed her quiche and my daughter liked her cinnamon rolls so maybe I just chose wrong. Service and staff was great and friendly and the prices weren't too bad. Overall it was a Cool little place

    View from inside Alternative Fuel
    David L.

    Very surprised to see that this place only has 3.5 Stars on Yelp. I stopped here needing a quick bite while waiting for my friend to arrive in Rapid City. This place was exactly what I was looking for. It was also my introduction to the Black Hills and was certainly NOT what I was expecting in terms of dining options. There menu is extensive and full of Gluten-Free and Vegan options. I ended up getting "Fuel Bites" and "Harvest Blast" Fit Fuel smoothie. Both were delicious. The fuel bites were peanut-buttery granola and the shake was filling without being too fruity. I was only in Rapid City for a few hours but I am glad I stopped here. It totally changed my perspective of the town and the nutritional options available to you. I would highly recommend if you are local or just passing through. Though I did not try their coffee, the menu seemed to be extensive.

    Outside
    Mason J.

    The staff is super friendly and the coffee is great, I got a americano and it was great. We also got a sunburst smoothie that was refreshing. Ok

    Inside the cafè
    Fabiana K.

    Absolutely fantastic! The food and prices were absolutely amazing. The service was fast, friendly and knowledgeable. I ordered a garden quiche, a spinach wrap veggie sandwich with Swiss cheese, and a strawberry banana smoothie. The garden quiche was delicious, it was homemade and not at all greasy. You could just tell the ingredients were fresh.

    Myself and my lid...awaiting my mocha!
    Cindy A.

    This place is so cool and full of great snacks and coffee! Even better... you can use your own reusable mug!! Anyplace that's open to reducing waste gets an automatic 4 stars. Looks like a nice place to settle in and get some work done. Pretty good selection of alternative milks: soy, almond and coconut.

    Nice fun vibe.
    TimMarcy H.

    Nice relaxed vibe. Good location. We had a Cappuccino and a hot chocolate. Gentle background music to ad to the atmosphere without interfering with conversation.

    Main Street Square
    Alejandra S.

    This was my second time visiting Rapid City and I had time to kill. I stopped at the super cute craft fair and ice rink. Stopped at this nearby coffee shop for the first time. I ordered a chai latte and then walked around the little coffee place to check it out. I had a stroller so it was a tad bit harder for me to maneuver in the busy crowd. The gal behind one side of the counter was calling out the drinks and I didn't hear her the first time. When I heard her the second time, I hurried over and she yelled my drink in an irritated voice and said that drink pick up was over on her side. For that alone, I give it a one star. I don't like to get yelled at when I visit a business for the first time. That was my first and last time there. I'll try the other many coffee places in RC. And also my drink was not good. I like to taste the chai.

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    1 year ago

    Good coffee, pleasant staff, nice selection. Stopped in on vacation based on reviews and it lived up to the hype.

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    Patti G.

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    7 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Alternative milk options available. Gluten free bagels were fresh and yummy. Service was pretty quick.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Nice patio that offers a great view of the water park. The waitstaff was gracious and the food was good.

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    6 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Great place for a cold drink on a warm day! Peach lemonade mmmm. Trying the coffee next.

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Excellent food, coffee and smoothies! Service was great and the staff was very friendly! Hope to stop again while I am in town!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Alternative Fuel Coffee House

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    Perk It Up

    Perk It Up

    3.7
    (3 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    I come here only because it is the closest coffee shop to my house and is conveniently located in…read morethe library. I have only had their coffee "shakes", which I would say are an attempt at a Frappucino. They charge more than Starbucks ($5 + tax for a 24 oz!), but are nowhere near as good. They add so much ice to them that you have to poke your straw around and "drink" it a straw full at a time. I usually give up and use a spoon or scrape it put of the cup with the straw. Speaking of the straws: They can't even be bothered with giving one to you. You have to get it out of a jar. They are cheap, skinny and flimsy straws. As i type this, I've been working on my drink so long that I can taste the plastic from the straw. They also don't accept credit/debit cards. Any costs associated with accepting these could certainly be paid for with part of the price of the drink. The one big positive is their baked goods. Cookies and brownies are delicious. However, this is a COFFEE shop, so I am basing my rating solely on the drinks I have had. I would much rather support a local business, as opposed to a national chain, but I'd choose Starbucks over this location any day.

    This is the small coffee shop inside the main branch of the Rapid City Public Library and is run by…read morea pair of local sisters who lease the space. I had a wonderful butterscotch latte and a chocolate chip scone. I don't even like scones generally but this one was fresh out of the oven and delicious. The prices are just right and you can get your coffee and pick up a book to read at the same time. What could be better?

    Photos
    From the library, looking in.

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    From the library, looking in.

    Alternative Fuel Coffee House - coffee - Updated July 2026

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