Giant Coffee — Restaurant in Phoenix

Giant Coffee does not have the vibrant name expected of a premiere coffee shop like Lux or Cartel Coffee Lab. But don't let that deter you from going. I came to Phoenix for a one-week business trip and had the opportunity to sample coffee in the downtown Phoenix area. Most of the coffee shops were somewhat homogeneous, but Giant stood out as my favorite.

Out of all the coffee shops I tried, Giant was the only one that served both espresso beverages and pourover coffee. Pourovers are extremely popular in LA but not so much in Phoenix. In Phoenix, the menus are typically limited to espresso variations (macchiato, cappucchino, mocha) prepared on a La Marzocco machine. Unlike what its name suggests, the coffee at Giant are not enormous like the counterparts found at Starbucks. The largest size served at Giant is 12oz.

Giant sources its beans from Four Barrel and offers organic Straus milk, products which are from the Bay Area in California. I appreciate Giant's attention to detail. Straus barista milk specifically compatible for coffee is used. This milk is richer, sweeter, and creamier than the ordinary milk available at chain shops.

Breakfast is one aspect that Giant Coffee fares better than LA coffee shops. Breakfast in LA is usually limited to simple pastries. However at Giant, oven baked eggs, proscuitto, and levian toast are available for $8. In LA, this type of food can be found at diners but not at boutique coffee shops. The difference is that at Giant, I could eat a delicious full breakfast AND sip on a cup of crafted coffee before work. At LA, I would have to choose one or the other.

During my next visit to Phoenix, I will be sure to stop by at Giant. The environment was comfortable, the beverages were carefully-crafted with premium beans and milk, and prices were slightly lower than those at local...

Popped into Giant Coffee Co. on a mission: one writer, one laptop (at 38% battery), and one emotionally charged memoir-in-progress about ex-lovers who shall not be named (but definitely will be written about). And let me tell you, this place delivered.

From the outside, Giant gives off the kind of sleek, modern vibes you’d expect from an architecture magazine spread—complete with palm trees, crisp white lines, and a chic desert-modern aesthetic that says, “Yes, I journal AND I moisturize.”

Inside? Total vibe. Think warm wood tones, industrial ceilings, and just enough green plants to say, “We care about oxygen.” There’s a retro guitar mounted on the wall like a piece of visual poetry (or perhaps a subtle reminder not to date musicians again). The seating is cozy without being too let’s-share-feelings close, and the people-watching is top-tier.

The staff? Friendly, cool, and caffeinated—just like the espresso. My latte was strong (like the boundary I should’ve had with Chad), and the pastry I inhaled was flaky perfection. I did shed a small tear when I realized there were no power outlets, but honestly? Sometimes the universe says, “Just write, don’t scroll.” And I listened.

Giant Coffee Co. is the kind of place that makes writer’s block feel like a temporary detour rather than a brick wall. I left a few pages lighter and a lot more caffeinated.

Will I be back? Absolutely. Next time I’ll just bring a fully charged device—and maybe a first date to psychoanalyze...

Giant was at one point my go to shop for coffee. They served great coffee and food and the atmosphere was perfect for spending time reading and doing homework. Giant WAS the place for any specialty coffee enthusiast. While it is understandable why they had to change roasters, there are other aspects of the shop that are changing that take away from the details that at one time set Giant apart from other shops. Today I spent $6 on a honey vanilla latte that tasted like flavored milk. It seems like focus has been shifted away from the natural flavors of the coffee itself. The quality that went into their handcrafted beverages has drastically declined and they don’t even have lids that fit their cold cups properly. I may have been willing to look past one poorly crafted beverage and give the shop a second chance had my iced latte not leaked into my cup holder and onto my clothes because the lid didn’t fit the cup well enough. The shop was once staffed by enthusiastic baristas that we’re knowledgeable about coffee and truly cared about the quality of the drinks they made. Sadly, that is no longer the case. One of the gals behind the counter spoke very openly about not wanting to be there and was obviously not concerned about customer service. Giants attention to detail was what made the shop my top choice over others for over three years. Sadly, I won’t be returning...