The coffee shop is more than the third place that I perk up with a cup of coffee. A laid back coffee shop is likewise the third place that I relax with a cup of coffee.
Two Saturdays ago following the 120 mile-plus drive from Henderson, Nevada to St. George, Utah I was up for a highly rated coffee shop to perk up and relax between lunch and a hike. But where? Starbuck's? Nah, I wanted to try something different. The cumulative four star ratings on Yelp led me from the Bluff Street Arby's to Perks Coffee.
Perk's Coffee is in the northwest area of St. George. The business abuts Sunset Road (Utah Route 8) between the major cross streets of Dixie Drive and Bluff Street (both have I-15 interchanges).
The outside appearance of Perk's could be deceiving. The exterior looks like a former fast food eatery. However, the interior looks like a cozy living room and kitchen in a historic home. Where the outside with a drive-thru and sufficient parking as a fast food vibe the inside has a laid back and cozy vibe. This is a laid back environment that I'd spend a bit of time in on two Saturdays this month (June).
Before I ordered there was a visit to the rest room. The cleanliness of a rest room really gives the first impression of a business. With that said this clean rest room gave me the confidence that this is a clean operation. Before opening the door, a sign on it gave me the confidence that by supporting a local business that I was supporting the local economy.
I supported the local economy by spending approximately $2.50 on a mug of drip coffee. Both times they were welcoming. When I walked towards the counter, they welcomed me to Perks. They also let me know that the refill was complimentary. Nearby, the black and white menu let me know that there were so many other drinks besides coffee. The spectrum of drinks included lates, Americana, cappuccino, cocoa, Italian soda, and speciality drinks like the Pure Bliss, White Knight, and Chunky Monkey.
If Yelpers did not make me well aware that this was good coffee, the awards displayed on the east-facing wall did. Not once, but twice the Spectrum Media Readers voted Perks the Best Coffee in Southern Utah. This happened in 2014 then again last year in 2016.
After a few sips of it, I would agree that the Yelpers and Spectrum Media Readers were onto something. It is good coffee. It is a good mystery coffee. The question pondering in my head is what beans do they use? Is Perks a bean. Do they create their own beans? I have failed to find the answer on Yelp or the Facebook page. I'll just go with Perks roasts their own blend of coffee and it is a taste worthy of the high Yelp rating and Best Coffee in Southern Utah awards.
The laid back environment was inviting for some relaxation time before a hike in the nearby desert. I want to emphasize that I felt like I was sitting in a living room of a historic house. It just has this quaint, cozy, and laid back vibe. The couches make for an ideal spot to read, chat, study, or watch YouTube. The nearby wooden table adjacent to an outlet was the ideal spot to plan where to hike. It was a quick walk to the counter where the friendly barista gave me a complimentary refill of coffee with a smile.
I walked out with a smile on both visits. To be fair part of the reason was that I was on my way to hiking in Southern Utah great outdoors. I am so impressed with this Perks that I am considering trying their Washington location on a future visit to Southern, Utah. To end this review, I want to say that I agree with the majority of Yelpers that reviewed this location and the Spectrum Media readers. read more