Common Grounds — Restaurant in Branford

I drink precisely one kind of espresso drink: a hot mocha (latte). I drink my mocha with the appropriate number of espresso shots: 2 in a 12oz cup; 3 in a 16oz cup; 4 in a 20oz cup. I have no idea who you people are, drinking “espresso drinks” that are 3oz espresso and 17oz of milk….FYI that is a espresso flavored steamer. NOT a latte of any kind. And if it’s got chocolate, it’s a hot chocolate with a hint of espresso flavor.

Blech.

I only drink a mocha hot and with whole milk. I do not eat with my mocha. It is not part of a meal or snack. When I drink a mocha it IS the meal or the snack. I enjoy the entire sensory experience of a mocha: actual hot beverage, full flavor and mouthfeel, strong espresso AND chocolate; slightly bitter, definitely not sweet. The chocolate should be strong and dark, like the espresso. A proper, good mocha is not a sweet beverage. The chocolate just enhances the espresso and “rounds out” the flavor. It should never “weaken” or sweeten the espresso experience.

Most of what is made in this country and called a “mocha” is, frankly, undrinkable. I have ordered, paid for and tasted quite a few that I then threw away. Because I won’t drink a poor quality mocha. I’d rather have nothing. Bad coffee drinks are not for me. I will not waste my time, money or calories on them.

I have thrown away any number of espresso drinks from Starbucks, back when I used to keep giving that company a chance because I thought they MUST be able to make a good espresso drink if so many people buy espresso drinks from them?? This is faulty logic. Starbucks is trash. Their espresso drinks are trash. Just because something is popular, does not mean it is good my friends.

As you might imagine, I will go out of my way to get a good mocha.

Luckily for me, my parents and sisters live in Branford, CT and Common Grounds is right in the Branford downtown across from the town green. Interestingly, Branford also has a Starbucks. Which is maybe 2 miles from Common Grounds.

I LOVE the fact that independent little Common Grounds is able to compete against corporate monstrosity Starbucks.

But, in reality, they are serving two very different things…

The Mocha Latte at Common Grounds is one of the best I’ve ever had. Every time I get one. Because the other hallmark of good espresso drinks is CONSISTENCY. There are rules and ratios for making these beverages. It should not depend on who is making your mocha, everyone at the spot should be able to make the drink just like everyone else. Ya dig??

I have been known to SNEAK out of my parents’ house to drive downtown and get myself a mocha from Common Grounds.

I have been known to HIDE my mocha from Common Grounds from my father (who has his own, home espresso machine and loves to make me a mocha - his are good….don’t get me wrong…), who is offended if I buy a mocha rather than drink his.

But Common Grounds makes me The Perfect Mocha every time: 20 oz size, add 2 extra shots of espresso (if you just order a 20oz you will only get 2 shots…) with whole milk.

Every time I take that first sip…Joy…Bliss…

All you people who live easy driving distance from Common...

The place is beautiful & nice. We went at 12pm so no breakfast sandwhiches. There were sandwhiches like chipotle chicken wraps etc. Premadw. It was busy but line went by fast.

I give two stars because me and my partner ordered two seperate drinks. He ordered a caramel iced mocha latte. & i did the same. Our drinks tasted like stale milk ! But i still drank it lol it wasnt unbearable i just think its not good in my opinion. He threw his out immediately. It doesnt taste like caramel or mocha it just tasted like stale milk. He also ordered a chicken cutlet and he said it wasnt all that he was disappointed. I didnt try it because im not a chipotle fan. I cant give my opinion. However to each his own for trying this place out !

However, the staff was super friendly and nice ! You saw they had a friendly connection with everyone and looked like they knew their customers, i heard them call customers by their name so i thought that was nice !

I wouldnt come...

This is one of my favorite coffee shops on the CT shoreline. Unfortunately, with limited street and rear parking, it may try to patience of someone just looking for a quick cup of coffee. Common Grounds has a good selection of loose coffee beans for sale, all the usual coffee based drinks with a few extras, and a solid prepared food selection. But it's really the atmosphere that makes it so enjoyable. From spring to fall, customers can relax on the sidewalk seating in the front of the shop or the cozy courtyard in the rear. And when the weather goes bad, they'll enjoy the abundance of rich natural wood tables and...