Cup of Joe: From Cowboy Culture to Local Roasters to Craft Coffee

Texas has a long tradition of enjoying its morning brew from the “cowboy coffee” of the Chisholm Trail to today’s local roasters and craft coffee available across the Lone Star State.

“Historically, cowboy coffee was not a treat, but essential fuel,” says Mashed in The Untold Truth of Cowboy Coffee. “As noted by True West, during cattle drives, cowboy coffee was not only served with every meal but was often available between meals and even late at night – cowboys charged with monitoring their herds overnight would drink coffee before leaving the campfire for the open plain and have more upon returning at the end of their shift.”

That “coffee anytime” mentality is true today across Texas in some 7,000 coffee shops that have become vibrant hubs of culture and community, replacing the general store, feed store, and post office as a gathering place.

In fact, Austin was ranked as one of the best coffee cities in the U.S. in Clever Real Estate’s study.

“Austin is home to an ever-growing list of local and beloved coffee shops, so it's no secret that Austinites take their coffee game seriously,” reported Spectrum Local News. “If you've spent some time in Austin, you know that finding a coffee shop in the city is no difficult task by any means. Clever reports that Austin is home to 14.7 coffee shops per 100,000 residents, which is 16 percent more than the average city. Austin also commits to the craft by roasting their own beans. There are 1.4 coffee roasteries in Austin per 100,000 residents.”

Coffee Shops Have a Long History in Texas

While cowboys and pioneers made coffee an essential part of their day in the 19^th century, coffee houses in Texas gained a foothold in communities with seaports such as Galveston.

 Sailors and other travelers brought the coffee culture from far-flung parts of the globe such as the Ottoman Empire, which is credited with the first official coffee house opening in Constantinople (now known as Istanbul) in 1475.

By 1868 the Galveston Daily News, per newspapers.com, was reporting that “some two or three fisticuffs occurred in the vicinity of Dr. Barnett’s Coffee house yesterday”, and in 1875 the Austin Weekly Statesman said that “Galveston has a coffee shop where hot coffee is served to tired clerks, etc. at ten cents per cup.”

Fort Worth’s Paris Coffee Shop May be the Oldest in Texas

It’s hard to pinpoint the oldest coffee shop in Texas but the Paris Coffee Shop, near Fort Worth’s Southside District, must be in the running.

A gathering spot for TCU students, visiting celebrities, and local movers and shakers, the Paris Coffee Shop was established by Vic Paris in 1926.

“Opening Paris Coffee Shop just east of Hemphill Street on Magnolia Avenue, Paris sold the business to Greg Asikis (who changed his name to Smith) in 1930. Taking over for his dad in 1965, Mike Smith grew the café to icon status, even as he moved it one block west in 1974 to a former Safeway grocery store at the corner of Magnolia and Hemphill,” says the Paris Coffee Shop’s history page.

Paris Coffee Shop, utilizing historical photos, was restored to its authentic look in 2022.

Putting Coffee Front and Center in the Coffee Shop

Of course, the Paris Coffee Shop may have more in common with traditional diners than today’s coffee-centric coffee shops such as Magnolia Press opened by Chip and Joana Gaines in Waco as part of their growing “Magnolia Empire” featured on HGTV.

Local Texas roasters such as Hill Country’s Summer Moon Coffee are taking off with Summer Moon starting with one location on Austin’s South 1^st Street to locations from El Paso to Dallas and now across a dozen other states.

“Founded by closely-knit family and friends in Texas Hill Country, we’ve always had one goal in mind: to create a distinctive, out-of-this-world, experience that people drive across town for. An experience to be shared through coffee + atmospheres that inspire the warmth of cozy evenings under a summer moon” says the company.

Summer Moon Coffee is emblematic of today’s coffee house where coffee beverages are front and center on the menu with food offerings and many places offer coffee beans and ground coffee to take home to enjoy.

Hallmarks of Today’s Texas Coffee Shops

Today’s Texas coffee shop scene can be summed up as a mix of the following:

Diverse Offerings

• Variety of Beverages: Texas coffee shops often go beyond traditional coffee offerings. Many locations feature seasonal drinks, specialty lattes, matcha, kombucha, and even local delicacies like Texas Hill Country pecan coffee, known for its rich and nutty flavor.
• Food Pairings: Many Texas coffee shops provide a menu that includes baked goods, breakfast items, and light lunches, creating a full café experience. This trend caters to the growing demand for a cozy gathering space where patrons can enjoy both food and drink.

Community Focus

• Local Engagement: Coffee shops emphasize community involvement, serving as gathering places for locals. They often host events and support local causes, making them integral parts of their neighborhoods.
• Supporting Local Roasters: Many Texas coffee shops prioritize sourcing beans from local roasters or even roasting their own beans. This not only supports local businesses but also ensures fresh and high-quality coffee for customers.

Specialty Coffee Scene

• Rise of Craft Coffee: The specialty coffee movement has gained significant traction in Texas. Shops are increasingly focusing on craft brewing methods and sourcing high-quality beans, leading to a burgeoning scene where coffee enthusiasts can explore various flavors and brewing techniques.
• Educational Opportunities: Institutions like the Texas Coffee School offer training for aspiring baristas and entrepreneurs, contributing to the growth of knowledgeable professionals in the industry. This educational focus helps elevate the overall quality of coffee service across the state.

Unique Concepts

• Drive-Thru Innovations: Some Texas coffee shops, such as Mudslingers Drive-Thru in San Antonio, cater to customers' fast-paced lifestyles by offering convenient drive-thru services without compromising on quality.
• Themed Cafés: Unique themes and atmospheres are prevalent in many Texas coffee shops. For instance, some may incorporate local art or music into their spaces, enhancing the overall customer experience. El Paso was even home to the beloved H&H Car Wash and Coffee Shop that sadly closed in 2021 after 63 years of business.

These elements showcase how Texas coffee shops are not just about serving coffee; they are about creating community spaces that celebrate local culture while providing high-quality beverages and food.

Where to Enjoy the Best Coffee Shops in Texas

Trying to choose the best coffee shops in Texas is sure to create a Lone Star State size argument but Enjoy Travel did just that last year.

“Craving the best coffee in Texas? The Lone Star State has incredible scenery, lively ‘n’ jively bars, and some of the country’s best meat (burger lovers, this one’s for you), but it’s also a solid state for caffeine obsessives,” said the publication. “From small independent roasters in Dallas to spacious Houston cafes that brew up a huge variety of beans, Texas is one place that you won’t miss out on your daily cup of joe.”

Enjoy Travel highlighted 25 coffee shops across the state, including these Top 10:

1. Giant Leap Coffee (Houston): Serves stellar premium locally roasted coffee, cosmic pastries by Café Louie, as well as a succinct and diverse selection of teas sourced from around the world.
2. Common Grounds (Waco): Serving top-notch local coffee, and live music, since 1994.
3. Better Half Coffee & Cocktails (Austin): Award-winning all-day establishment located just west of downtown Austin with offerings from early-morning coffee to late night cocktails and they share space with their brewery (Hold Out Brewing) next door.
4. Cavo Coffee (Houston): Uses freshly brewed beans from Cleo Roasting Co. to create their selection of brewed and espresso-based beverages.
5. Houndstooth (Dallas): Serving coffee, tea, beer, wine, and pastries at several locations with a highlight on community, coffee, and coffee shop culture.
6. Merit Coffee (San Antonio): Started in 2009, Merit is spreading across the state with locations in Austin and Dallas as well. Their coffee teams travel to Central America, South America, and Africa to source beans which are shipped to Texas and roasted on custom-built roasters made in Germany.
7. Liberation Coffee Co. (Coppell): Serving locally roasted coffee by Eiland Coffee Roasters out of Richardson. This family-owned business keeps it simple and delicious.
8. Blacksmith (Houston): At this Montrose establishment, according to Conde Nast Traveler, “When Queen Plays, Freddie Pays” … which means free coffee for all when a track by the British rock band plays in-house! In the meantime, it’s worth paying for the drinks and food by James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd.
9. Boomtown Coffee (Houston): A small-batch specialty roaster known for its friendly vibe.
10. Greater Goods Coffee Roasting Co. (Austin): A woman-owned, small-batch roasting company based in Dripping Springs that travels from Mexico to Vietnam to source coffee beans. And they do it while supporting local causes such as the Central Texas Food Bank.

Interested in those coffee shops highlighted but didn’t make the Top 10? Here they are: Davis Street Espresso (Dallas); Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters (Dallas); Ahh, Coffee! (Houston); Yellow House Coffee (Lubbock); Little Brother (Austin); Evocation Coffee (Amarillo); Catalina Coffee (Houston); Gold Stripe Coffee (Lubbock); Mudsmith (Dallas); West Oak Coffee Bar (Denton); The Coffee Emporium (El Paso); Lucky Lab Coffee Co. (Austin); FIX Coffeebar (Houston); Sugar Bean Coffee and Cream (Galveston); and Coffee Box (El Paso).