Ugly Mug Café, located on Cross Street, offers some of the best coffee around. Ugly Mug was among the first to introduce third wave specialty coffee, the move to make coffee more of a high-quality food product akin to wine or chocolate.
The scientific theory and culinary execution is used to make what they call a developed, sophisticated and complex cup of coffee. To them, it is just not coffee but an art form to be proud of.
The front walls of the café are all glass, offering anyone inside a good view of the outside world, creating an even better experience. When you walk in they have a couple chalkboards off to the side depicting a menu of their delicious breakfast bagels.
The hand-off bar is closest to the door. Depending on the day, you need to weave through some people to get to the cash register that only accepts cash and credit card charges over $5.
Besides the bagels they offer a variety of homemade pastries, from muffins to cherry-chip scones. To the left of the register is a cooler with Michigan-made sodas and milk.
Their drink menu isn’t as lengthy as Starbucks but there are some awesome choices. My choice is the Mexican latte, which has the taste of cinnamon spice with a hint of sweetness.
One of my favorite things about Ugly Mug besides its hipster décor and baristas are the fact that every drink is made with time and devotion. They never rush a drink no matter how long the line. When you think your drink is ready they will do some awesomely beautiful latte art to top it off.
Besides being able to get a beautifully crafted latte and a delicious breakfast, Ugly Mug also offers coffee beans for wholesale that are roasted on-site.
With 17 different roasts you are sure to find something you love. They are also more than willing discuss what coffee would be best for you.
Even if you don’t enjoy coffee and bagels aren’t your thing, it offers some awesome event nights, from poetry readings, sketch nights, live music or a quiet nook where you can study.
