Kairos Coffee House — Restaurant in Colorado Springs

The internet is a problem, but this is still the best kept coffee shop secret in town. The staff is the best. The space is the best. The drinks are top notch.

There's a major problem though for anyone wanting to work on their laptop/devices: In-house wifi blocks VPNs.

This is a problem whether you're using anonymizing or encrypting services (something EVERYONE should be doing on any public wifi) or whether you're using a VPN to connect to work or school - it can't be done.

So if you want to go to a coffee shop with your laptop and look at cat memes or YouTube videos (ironically much more bandwidth intensive than doing anything productive over a VPN) then have at it.

If you want to check email or Facebook, write a blog, connect to the UCCS library VPN to do homework, or do anything else that requires a secure connection or password - you should stay home or get something to go. Because that information on this network can be viewed by anyone with readily available tools and malicious intent. Kairos specifically prohibit the tools required to keep your personal data and information safe on their public wifi network.

This is unfortunate because it is literally the best coffee shop in town and I could spend hours drinking their lattes and craft sodas, and eating their stellar breakfast paninii. But open wifi that prevents you from protecting yourself is a...

I’ve visited here 3 times in the last month. The first two times were great. Today I showed up at 8am and there were three college age girls working. They were talking loudly with each other and moving like snails. It took 15min to get a latte and another 15min to get my breakfast sandwich. There were not many people in the restaurant, but the girls were putting most of their energy into a loud political conversation they were having with each other. Multiple customers were standing around shaking their heads as these young women made multiple mistakes on customer orders because they were not paying attention to their work. They were focused on their politics.

One dropped an egg sandwich on the ground because she wasn’t watching what she was doing. Then two orders in a row that were “to go” were brought out on plates. Then they had to take them back and put them in boxes and again, more delays. No apologies. Just “oh” and right back to politics.

If their regular manager can’t be on duty… Perhaps they shouldn’t even open. It was a horrible experience this morning. 35 minutes to get a coffee and breakfast sandwich to go.

Update: Well, just took a bite of my sandwich. Threw the whole thing away. Tastes like the lid fell off the salt shaker. Inedible. So…no breakfast. Oh well. I’m sure their brilliant political discussion will change the world.

I...

I'm not going to get dressed to make something I can make at home if all I want is a good coffee. When I look for a café, I'm typically looking for an ambiance that ties with a coffee that is trying to keep me there.

Kairos offers that, even while under some construction. Walking into what appears to be an older conference center, or just an addendum to YWAM, this little(big?) Cafe keeps on keeping on. Offering the typical coffee options, plus cortado, scones, croissants, and breakfast sandwiches, they also offer some unique coffee styles.

Right now, that is the Maple Raf (think Ukrainian Latte). An excellent kick into fall, and a reminder how much I've missed maple.

A classic breakfast sandwich of egg, sausage, and cheese on an English muffin.

The atmosphere is wood, leather, and a dark ambiance. While I sipped and dined, I studied. I felt comfortable enough to stay for 4 hours, and enjoy some lunch too. A wonderful pesto spread caprese panini was just what I needed after fatiguing my mind with kanji.

Conversation with hosts was bright, cheerful, and reminiscent of my travels abroad.

I will definitely be bringing friends...