The Daily Grind
Statesboro, Georgia

The first place to cross your mind when deciding on a lunch locale may not be a coffee shop, but when you visit Statesboro’s The Daily Grind, that Gingerbread Latte won’t be the only thing that tempts you. Serving up more than freshly roasted espresso beans, I’m totally impressed by the plates they produce out of that tiny little kitchen, like Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Smoked Gouda, Hot Ham and Cheese Croissants, Shrimp and Roasted Corn Soup and an array of other nutrient-packed wraps, inventive salads and flavored teas. Open since 2000, the quaint and cozy hideaway boasts a notable Noonday menu, but wait until you discover the 14-layer cakes, giant cookies and homemade muffins.

On the day I ordered this wrap, I remember tweeting this photo with the words, “This is the kind of pretty little lunch that inspires me to write.” Presentation is everything. At The Daily Grind, they take great care in plating. Whether it’s an over-sized coffee mug brimming with fresh whipped cream and steaming hot mocha or a cup of soup, when your order is up, it’s placed on a feminine and delicate doily and served alongside a single napkin-tucked utensil.

Cold beverages are served in faux, branded hurricane goblets. One guest commented, “I’ve never felt so elegant drinking Mountain Dew.” It’s these special touches and subtle notes of detail that add to the comfortable home-away-from-home vibe. Customers have their choice of fountain drinks, sweet or unsweetened tea, and flavored teas including raspberry, pomegranate, peach, mango, kiwi and my personal favorite–blackberry. Arabic coffee beans like Pumpkin Pie and Caramel are also roasted in small batch orders.

The atmosphere sets The Daily Grind apart. Large area rugs cover the cement floors, two wingback chairs sit directly in front of the fireplace and a mixture of round and square tables fill the dining room. You can also take a seat at the bar area and read the morning news, or catch up on your Facebook news feed. No matter where you chose to sit, it’s easy to slip into a corner with a good book and enjoy a cup of Joe.

A tip jar near the cash register reads, “Thanks a Latte.”

THE FOOD:

The menu features soups, sandwiches, wraps and sides like chips, pickles and cookies. Lunch prices vary but average around $10. Open Monday – Friday from 6:45 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., live music happens every Friday night.

As a college student circa 2001, I was a regular at this unique spot. Twelve years later, that fact hasn’t changed.