Brick Road Coffee — Restaurant in Tempe

i'm an ancient coffee shop addict, and i thoroughly approve of this place. it has The Vibe: you know, the ”it's cool without trying, it is trendy only because others try to copy” kind of place like Solo used to be... or Java Road or Higher Ground, if we go back to ancient times.

i have but two complaints:

1- i wish it were open later. i'm a 24-hour dark dweller and would love an alternative to ”the bar¹” where i can go at 3am.

2- i wish it were a bit bigger: there's enough awesome (and people) to fill a larger space.

the nitro coldbrew was as near perfection as i've had in this state, and i'm not sure if they do this on purpose or if it's a happy accident, but they sell plain salted lay's brand crisps. why is this important? because it pairs perfectly with nitro coldbrew². the salt and crunch of the crisps offset and accentuate the smooth and slightly bitter nitrogen-foamed cold-brew.

if i wasn't already so caffeinated the world was vibrating around me, i'd have had seconds on taste alone.

coffee shops³ have a bit if magic in them and tens to be the locus around odd stories, coincidences, friendships, and adventure, but unfortunately the ones i used to live at are long gone.

i'd often joke that if i ever had to move, it'd be either because valve corporation hired me or a very large crowbar was involved... but in either case i'd pull a 180 and go super-minimalist⁴ move somewhere i could walk to a good coffee shop.

a couple weeks after i found brick road coffee⁵, as i still could not find a job i had to sell my house⁷.

now, serendipitously, i am exploring cyberpunk minimalism and can walk to a cool coffee shop... at least when the arizona sunshine calms down a bit and walking 250m isn't a death sentence.

i'll update this review after i've tried their iced tea. hopefully they have a great black ginger peach!

--kaws

1: doesn't matter which. 2: black, unsweetened... shines the way the night between stars doesn't. 3: at least the right ones 4: as opposed to having a large house with a lot of space for tools and dedicated studios and labspace. i had basically my own personal hacker-space shangri-la... ... and now i'll have a studio apartment with a tatami mat, a futon, my vr rig, and a rack of servers. 5:by accident. a friend happened to be driving and we were thirsty⁶ 6: for coffee. or tea. not like that, yo. 7: the...

Hidden away in a quiet spot, Brick Road Coffee was a surprise find while I was trying to visit a framing store nearby. The space is much larger than I expected, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating—perfect for studying, working, or just catching up with friends.

I wasn’t initially aware that this was an LGBT+ owned shop, but it’s immediately clear upon entering. They proudly call themselves “the queerest coffee shop in the valley,” and the rainbow decor blends seamlessly with the Wizard of Oz theme. Beyond just aesthetics, they also foster a strong sense of community, offering a shelf full of activities and groups for those new to town.

Now for the coffee!

Cinnamon Roll Latte – Incredibly creamy, with a flavor that reminded me of the milk left after a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch—sweet, spiced, and finished with a bold kick of coffee. Great recommendation from the friendly barista!

Nitro Cold Brew – Super rich and bold, likely steeped longer than the usual 12 hours. It has a slight acidity, which I personally enjoyed, but if you’re not a fan of strong coffee, adding cream or flavors would mellow it out.

Coffee Cake – Very different from the usual; it has a thick, almost doughy texture but is fully baked. The crumb topping is where all the flavor is, so each bite is best with a little of that on top.

Overall, I really enjoyed my visit. The staff is welcoming, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the low music makes it an ideal space to work. If you’re looking for a cozy, inclusive coffee shop with great drinks and a strong community feel, Brick Road Coffee is definitely...

i dont often offer 5 stars

was only here once on 2.20.25 , its not close to home or work like by 150 miles. very LGBT friendly, not in a way that most would notice during my visit, i didnt come here for that reason i was looking for alternative to corporate coffee and had way better experience over other coffee shops possibly b/c they are LGBT friendly

i ordered an Americano and got the rice krispy bar. my coffee was made right and w better than average espresso most local coffee shops dont hit this mark :)

all the inside tables were occupied while that wasnt ideal i just needed like 5 minutes or so so sat at shallow counter against wall but outside would have been fine. if i ever find myself in this area again and need a table i'll make point to check for that first.

the lighting seemed better than others though i wasnt looking and often dont until i see glare on laptop from track lighting - this is one of my biggest pet-peeves w coffee shops

the restroom was clean, not something i even see at corporate coffee.

service was good on my brief interaction with staff

one area i wasnt happy about but not faulting store is having ingredients lists for the baked goods, they had it for gluten fee foods. i have an allergy to an uncommon ingredient that really shouldn't be in baked goods especially those w gluten.. i was very content w the rice kripsy marshmallow bar that had printed ingredients.

i would go here daily if its was...