You Need a Shot…Of Espresso

Jet fuel. Morning thunder. Jitter juice. Whatever you call it, a lot of us lean pretty heavily on coffee to get through the morning. While you might not be desperate enough for caffeine to order a latte from a bikini-clad college co-ed, there are times when lugging kids inside a café so you can get your daily fix is more trouble than it’s worth. We’ve searched the city to find five convenient coffee drive-thrus (featuring fully-clothed staff!) worth repeat visits.

Capitol Hill

TNT Espresso
It’s surprising that in a neighborhood bursting at the seams with coffee shops there are so few drive-up options. TNT on Broadway is a happy exception to the rule. Parents pushing strollers can order from a window on the sidewalk while cars pull up to the other side of the shack. A former barista bought the more than ten-year-old espresso stand and started using beans from excellent local roaster Herkimer. If your kids are being especially good, grab something sweet to split when you get home: TNT sells fresh turnovers from High 5 Pie.

TNT Espresso
324 Broadway Avenue E
Seattle, Wa 98102
206-323-9151
Online: facebook.com/pages/TNT-Espresso

Roosevelt

Rooster’s Espresso
One of the first businesses in the area’s drive-thru espresso scene, Rooster’s has been fueling busy moms for more than two decades. The friendly staff at the always-bustling stand near I-5 on Lake City Way knows how to move a line. Rooster’s serves frothy lattes and cappuccinos using beans from Dillanos: The Sumner-based coffee company earned props in 2011 as Roast Magazine’s Roaster of the Year.

Rooster’s Espresso
7809 Lake City Way NE
Seattle, Wa 98115
206-632-6351
Online: roostersespresso.com

Ballard

Firehouse Coffee
Sharing a wall with Gymboree Play & Music, Firehouse’s indoor play space makes it an easy spot for grabbing coffee with friends while your little ones explore the kid’s area. But when you don’t have the time or energy to get everyone in and out of the car, opt for Firehouse’s drive-thru. Keeping it local, beans are sourced from Ballard’s True North Roasters.

Firehouse Coffee
2622 NW Market Street
Seattle, Wa 98107
206-784-2911
Online: facebook.com/ballardcoffee

Northgate

Treehouse Coffee Company
A sweet north Seattle cafe close to the mall, Treehouse serves Oregon and Morning Glory chai and beans from Zoka. Baristas manning the drive-thru are personable and efficient. When your kids are screaming for a snack and it’s past naptime, what more can you ask for?

Treehouse Coffee Company
12303 15th Avenue NE
Seattle, Wa 98125
206-365-3224
Online: facebook.com/pages/Treehouse-Coffee-Company

Eastside

Top Pot Issaquah
It’s about to get a lot easier to order a pink feather boa with your Americano. Seattle doughnut and coffee empire Top Pot operates cafes in neighborhoods across the region and sells coffee and fried fritters at Sounders games. Now, moms have something new to cheer about: Top Pot is launching its first drive-thru in a renovated 1960s-era building at 12th Avenue NW and NW Maple Street in Issaquah. The new location will be open seven days a week by the end of February.

Top Pot Issaquah
Online: toppotdoughnuts.com

Where is your favorite place to grab a cup o’ joe on the road? Share the love and let us know in a comment below.

–Sara Billups

Photo credit: gizzypoo via flickr