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  • Washington
  • Cle Elum
  • Sorry to say that the price paid for maximum caffeine is minimum flavor.
  • A worthy destination for coffee hounds in Kittitas County, 90 minutes east of Seattle.
  • Pacific Northwest coffee house, November, 2016
  • A comfy place to sit and sip
  • Thermonuclear espresso is a real eye-opener by itself and a substantial foundation for superior lattes.
  • The latte art is fairly pale, but the espresso used to make it delivers full-bore flavor.
  • A very fruity blueberry muffin provides good balance for strong coffee.
  • Multi-berry scone is available with cream cheese frosting.
  • White Lightning, the strongest imaginable espresso, is curiously pale, and while it has an intriguing nutty taste, it lacks the depth and character of longer-roasted beans.

Pioneer Coffee Company

Coffee House
excellent
Worth a detour
Michael Stern
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Eye-opening espresso, all by itself, is a drink to remember at Pioneer Coffee Company. Inky, thick, and fairly throbbing with flavor, it also is a wonderful basis for latte, its sonorous personality strong enough to be heard even when swamped by milk and foam.

Having loved the espresso one morning, Jane and I returned the next day to try a beverage listed on the menu as white lightning and billed as the “drink for those who desire a supercharged espresso experience.” The server explained that these beans are only minimally roasted, showing us a heap of ground white lightning that was pale almond color — innocuous indeed. The coffee made from this roast is itself quite anemic looking, nothing like the baritone “normal” espresso. A few sips of the triple-caffeinated stuff made me appreciate just how important full-roasting is to the flavor of coffee. With none of the earthy depth that a long stretch of heat imparts, it reminded me of medicinal dishwater. I’ve given it only one star (fail!), because I did not like it at all, but if you are a coffee hound, do give it a try. Chacun a son gout!

Pioneer roasters has a case full of decent pastries and also sells breakfast burritos and sandwiches. It’s excellent coffee that will keep me coming back.

A second location of Pioneer Coffee Roasting Company is in North Bend, at 202 W. North Bend Way. (425-292-0957)

What to Eat
Pioneer Coffee Company, Espresso
Espresso
Must-Try
Thermonuclear espresso is a real eye-opener by itself and a substantial foundation for superior lattes.
Pioneer Coffee Company, White Lightning
White Lightning
Must-Try
White Lightning, the strongest imaginable espresso, is curiously pale, and while it has an intriguing nutty taste, it lacks the depth and character of longer-roasted beans.
Pioneer Coffee Company, Latte
Latte
The latte art is fairly pale, but the espresso used to make it delivers full-bore flavor.
Pioneer Coffee Company, Blueberry Muffin
Blueberry Muffin
A very fruity blueberry muffin provides good balance for strong coffee.
Pioneer Coffee Company, Multi-Berry Scone
Multi-Berry Scone
Multi-berry scone is available with cream cheese frosting.
Directions and Hours
closed now
6am - 7pm
Sunday6am - 7pm
Monday6am - 7pm
Tuesday6am - 7pm
Wednesday6am - 7pm
Thursday6am - 7pm
Friday6am - 7pm
Saturday6am - 7pm
121 Pennsylvania Ave., Cle Elum, WA
509-674-3864
Roadtrips
This restaurant is featured in the following eating tours.
Eastward Ho, from Seattle
5 stops | 120 MILES | 2 hr 7 min

Road Trip Overview

A road trip over the Cascades through Snoqualmie Pass leads not only to a bucolic, big-sky Washington State and some of the most wonderful fruit stands (apples especially!), but also to memorable restaurants.

TV Perfect

First stop, before heading upwards, is Twede's Cafe, made famous in the TV Show "Twin Peaks"…

Tour Stops
Twede’s Cafe, Cle Elum Bakery, Pioneer Coffee Company, Yellow Church Cafe, Miner’s Drive-In
Information
Price
$
Seasons
Open Year Round
Meals Served
Breakfast, Lunch
Credit Cards Accepted
Yes
Alcohol Served
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Website
https://www.pioneercoffeeco.com/

Other Nearby Restaurants

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    Cake donuts and maple bars are at their best in this long-standing town bakery, which also is known for its cookies and bread. Good coffee, too.

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    Oversize hamburgers, thick shakes, and French fries lead the menu at Yakima, Washington’s popular Miner’s Drive-In.

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  • Cottage Cafe

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