some great houston coffee shops (that aren't called starbucks) to get your fall-themed beverages
I was never one of those people who got super excited about the fall weather. As a lifelong Houstonian who always took pride in my ability to handle the heat and humidity and loved wearing shorts, younger Liz thrived in the 100 degree weather and would sit longingly through “fall” and “winter” every year waiting for the unbearable temps to return. But not this year. Last year I spent a great deal of time in Minnesota (I think I just heard all my friends, somewhere out in the distance, collectively groan as I typed that), where I experienced four actual seasons, and finally understood what I was missing out on1. Then this year’s summer came along, which was somehow even worse than usual, and interfered with my newfound love of hammocking at the park, and, anyway, I am so 10000000% over it and all I want to do is wear jeans and sweaters and boots and participate in basic white girl fall nonsense and bake pumpkin bread (actually, I already did that).
I should really cut down on the preambles on these posts. If anyone is reading this at all, I doubt they’ve made it to this paragraph. But let’s get to the actual purpose of this post. As a female white millennial, I have no choice but to get irrationally excited over nonsense, like, decorative plastic pumpkins being available in the dollar section at Target, sepia toned Instagram photos of people wearing sweaters and holding coffee cups, and Trader Joe’s releasing pumpkin-flavored versions of literally every item sold in the store. Also, unless you’re living under a rock, you by now know that the ever-divisive PSL has returned to Starbucks for this year. Now, I hate to make broad generalizations (lol jk, I do this so much it’s a legitimate character flaw), but if you live in Houston proper and you are still getting your coffee at Starbucks you are single-handedly contributing to the demise of the coffee scene in the city and responsible for the impending collapse of the local economy. Just kidding. Kind of. I think the Houston coffee scene is actually doing pretty great right now…all the more reason to check out one of the places listed below next time you need pumpkin flavored caffeine (tangent: now that I think about it…why did we ever start doing this? I truly believe that no one actually likes the PSL that much, we just love the idea of it) instead of Starbucks. You can do better than Starbucks. I promise.
Boomtown - Maple Pecan Latte
For our first PSL alternative, let me suggest this Maple Pecan Latte from Boomtown coffee. There was a more pumpkin-y option available, but this seemed more my speed. As with everything I’ve ever had from Boomtown, the Maple Pecan did not disappoint. I’ll also welcome any excuse to take a “trip” (okay it’s like a mile and a half from my home) to the Heights. A weekend stroll down 19th Street, Boomtown coffee in hand, obviously, seems like the perfect fall activity to me. And no visit to 19th would be complete without a stop at Vinal Edge, the awesome little record store across the street from Boomtown. There ya go, I just planned your next Saturday morning activity. You’re welcome.
Inversion - Salted Caramel Latte
One of my other favorite coffee spots is also currently serving their version of a PSL, but I opted for the Salted Caramel Latte, which I am sipping on as we speak. I have to say this drink is a very sugary departure from my normal coffee order (black coffee in the largest sized cup you have please) but this thing truly tastes like fall. Or at least, tastes like what people mean when they say stuff like that, because obviously something can’t actually “taste like fall,” that’s ridiculous. Side note: check back at Inversion for interesting seasonal drinks year-round. There’s always fun stuff to try, plus the regular coffee drinks are consistently excellent.
Slowpokes - Pumpkin Chai
I can always count on Slowpokes for fully committing to a theme. The whole place is sloth-themed and this adorable cup has a cute little bio of the mascot(?) Patches the Sloth on it, so that’s fun! And while most places I’ve checked out in my research for this post have had one or two fall latte options, Slowpokes has five, and none of them are technically “pumpkin spice.” I got the Pumpkin Chai, because I had already surpassed my coffee quota for the day and I freaking love chai. If you’re looking for the quintessential fall beverage, this is it. It was a super rich creamy chai latte with just a hint of pumpkin spice, not overpowering. Bonus: if you’re looking for somewhere to (socially distantly) hang out and work remotely, study, etc., Slowpokes would be a great choice.
A 2nd Cup - Chaider
For another non-coffee option, check out the Chaider at A 2nd Cup (like chai + cider, get it?!). Now this thing is festive. How has no one thought to do this before?! Is this, like, a normal thing people drink all the time in the winter and I’m just oblivious? It just makes sense. This almost seems more like a Christmas drink, but how can that possibly be a bad thing? Side note: the inside of the coffee shop, which was a good hang out / work / study / reading spot back in the day, is now a cute little market selling locally made stuff. Jewelry, cards, t-shirts, fun stuff like that.
Red Dessert Dive - Pumpkin Spice Latte
Taking these pictures has been extra-awkward at these to-go only places when there’s no one else in there.
For my last stop on this project, I finally broke down and ordered the classic PSL. Except it was made with Red’s house-made syrup, also I ordered it iced (because I’m not completely delusional, it’s still like 80 degrees outside) and with oat milk (because I think I’ve consumed more whole milk in the past week in the form of these lattes than I have since I was a toddler). I was skeptical of the oat milk thing at first, but I have come to occasionally enjoy it as an (I guess somewhat healthier?) alternative to regular milk. It also, to my surprise, totally worked with the pumpkin spice flavor. I would definitely recommend. Side note: going into this place without getting any of the beautiful baked goods was a STRUGGLE, but I resisted. Actually, screw it. It’s 2020 and I want a freaking cookie. I think I’ll go back today.
To be completely transparent, I originally had plans to try a few more fall-themed drinks for this post (always striving to provide the highest quality content for y’all, of course), but I’ve never had this many fancy (i.e. sugary) coffee beverages in one week and I felt I could not carry on with this project for the sake of my general well-being. Please don’t mistake my inability to drink more PSLs for a lack of excitement about the autumn season. More fall-themed content is in the works, stay tuned!
<3 liz
