Java Hut Espresso — Restaurant in Decherd

Not really sure how to feel about this place. I definitely think it has a lot of potential; my experience was just kind of odd.

This is a drive through coffee shack -- which I love. There are two lanes so they can support a good bit of traffic. They're located a good bit off the main drag but my GPS got me here just fine.

They have your standard coffee offerings, lots of frappes, a couple of chai drinks and cocoas, and smoothies. My go-to is usually some sort of flavored iced latte, and I was excited when I saw how many flavor combinations they had, including Java Chip. Any opportunity to fuse chocolate, mint, and coffee together has my attention, so I asked for an iced Java Chip latte.

This is where things got a little weird.

Per the menu, frappes and iced lattes are paired together. Beneath that heading is a list of about 10 different flavors: Java chip, pumpkin pie, cinnamon caramel dulce, etc. To my eye, that makes it look as though you could order any of those flavors as either a frappe or a latte.

The barista told me that they didn't usually make Java chip lattes, just frappes, because the flavor is made from a powder, not a syrup. She did say she COULD make one, just that wasn't how it usually worked. I thought that was weird. Why list the flavors as though they can easily go in either drink when that's not really the case? I inquired about the heath mocha flavor and she told me the same thing. At this point, I was feeling too confused and embarrassed to ask more questions, so I told her to go ahead and make me a medium iced heath mocha latte.

No hard feelings toward the barista or anything; she was perfectly professional. Just kind of a confusing situation.

I thought my drink was reasonably priced at less than $6 for a medium sized latte. It tasted...okay? As I kind of expected once I learned it was flavored with a powder, it was pretty gritty throughout. I also could've stood for a tiny bit more ice on a hot day. But it was pleasantly chocolatey and had it not had the gritty factor, I'd call it pretty good.

I dunno, just kind of a weird experience. I'd give this place another try, but maybe just keep it to a frappe or something...

I consider myself one of the original fans of the Hut. After moving away from the area for college, I was home one weekend and to my disbelief I spotted this little shack that could only mean one thing….COFFEE! And it was that good coffee, not the watered down coffee flavored hot milk you get at most places. Before Java Hut, the best coffee you could get was at a gas station. To say we needed this place is an understatement. Over the years, it’s become my go-to! I will drive plum past 3 coffee shops just to get “my” drink. I don’t even have to tell them my order anymore. At this point, I think it’s part of the training package. Now I will warn you. The place is not a secret anymore. Like any good spot, it usually has a line, especially in the mornings. The gals keep the line moving though and will always greet you with a smile and a consistently...

Still love the place We moved from winchester years ago but if I come to town I stop every time. The window/wait times are absolutely ridiculous now though... I've been here 20 mins each visit the last 3 visits, with 1 car in front of me. Family owned small business and still fantastic so I won't rate less than 5 star... My last visit I waited nearly 10 mins because the girl at the window was talking to her sister. I got a dirty look and attitude when I inched up and then she explained she didn't get paid enough to care. 3 cars went thru the other window before the 1 in front of me moved. It was 7 mins AFTER she got her drink before they got done talking and she pulled off.

Good employees are hard to find but figure out a way to be more efficient imo. It didn't use to...