Jaded Java — Restaurant in East Moline

I don't have much reason to travel to East Moline most of the time. I was across the river and away from my normal stomping grounds around Bettendorf to get breakfast in Rock Island. After a great and filling breakfast I still wanted to relax for a bit with a hot beverage and do some reading. With that goal in mind, I made my way over to East Moline to check out Jaded Java and hopefully kick back for a time.

The space occupied by Jaded Java is unassuming, to say the least. There's a green awning identifying the location in an otherwise older looking brick and stucco building. The interior is far more updated however, consisting of dark stone-colored tile throughout the space, a series of comfy chairs right off the main entrance, and a coffee/alcohol bar further in. The ceiling is uncovered, allowing for full view of the conduit and HVAC ductwork run throughout. Lighting is provided by suspended single bulb fixtures spaced evenly throughout the space. In combination with the black ceiling, brick wall to one side and beige painted drywall on the other, the space has a certain dark, relaxing warmth to it.

Like nearly every bar/restaurant in Illinois, this place also has a series of video slots in a space set aside for their use. Nothing against Jaded Java in particular, as the slots present here looked relatively new and clean, but I wish the state of Illinois could figure out how to allow land casinos and do away with this trend. The space is otherwise really nice, but like all other places that have these slot machines, their presence is a jarring and takes away from the overall ambiance.

After a brief chat with the barista/bartender, I settled on a hot chocolate for my beverage. After securing the beverage, I found a semi-comfy chair behind the slot machines and settled into reading my book for a little while. The hot chocolate was pretty good - for the price of $2, I'd come back for this any day! It was rich, had some creaminess to it, and I didn't burn my tongue immediately after sipping it.

The ambiance was further augmented by the quiet music playing at the time of my visit. Whoever was in charge of the music had light 70s-80s playing the entire time - a mix of Led Zepplin, the Beatles, and other similar fare. It was at a volume conducive to quiet conversation and contemplation, exactly what I needed and wanted at the time from a small cafe. Keep doing this, it's a great overall functional vibe.

If this place were closer to home in Bettendorf, I could envision stopping by here frequently. Alas, this is all the way over in East Moline, so I probably won't be stopping by again any time soon. If you want somewhere to sit and relax mid afternoon in East Moline, I'd recommend giving Jaded Java a try. Thanks for the great...

A truly unique place with a great combinations of all things. COFFEE for your early a.m. starter or all day needs!! Delicious pastries. Alcohol!! Slot machines! Pool tables, dart boards, nice paintings available to buy and CBD products! Yes nice staff and great atmosphere! Open Mic ans Karaoke nights. All Ages...

We hosted our Mother's Celebration of Life there last night and Tammy and Heather were very welcoming and let us set up our food and tables however we wanted to. Never had to wait for drinks and everyone who was there shared with me how the side room was perfect size for our event. Great...