When everything seems to be going smoothly, things always seem to flip and start going haywire. This weather isn’t helping right now. SUN, COME BACK. Tried to brighten up the day with some JJ Bean coffee:. M had introduced me to their blended ice beverage, the SHIVER, a few weeks ago, and the cravings were real yesterday. I brought H with me, and he really loved how creamy it was too. We also got their chocolate, zucchini muffin to go with it. This thing has a muffin top the size of my face, and it is dense.. My boss had told me before that JJ Bean really listens to the voice of the customer, and hence, the best muffin ever with the biggest muffin top ever was created, baked fresh at all of their locations. The Commercial Drive location is a bit dingier than the Main Street one, but it might also have been the grey weather.
I've been to this JJ Bean location a couple of times and have had a chance to sample their muffin, cookie, and croissants. Overall, I'm quite impressed by their baked offerings.
Very Berry Muffin (around $3): 4/5; The muffin was large, probably 1.5-2x the size of regular muffins. It was overfilled with juicy berries. I did find it to be a bit doughy in some parts and I would have preferred for it to be a bit sweeter, but that’s probably just because I love sugar and have a high tolerance for sweets.
Double Chocolate Browne Cookie (around $3): 4/5; Although not as big as the muffin, it was still quite substantial in size. I really liked the texture: crispy on the edges with a softer interior. There were a nice amount of chocolate chunks. I just would have liked there to be a bit more chocolate flavour however.
Butter Croissant (I want to say $3.50): 4/5
Ham & Cheese Turnover (I want to say $4.50ish): 4.5/5 Both the croissant the the turnover were flaky, fresh and buttery, and just as good as those from higher end patisseries.
The quality and taste of their food alone is enough for me to return. Add that to the fact that their cookies and muffins have great value for their size, and you've got a real winner. I'm just so glad that they are apparently setting up a new location at UBC (where I'm currently studying).
You'd think that the lack of the WiFi in this place would dispel the crowds, but nope, unlike other coffee shops, people actually come here for the coffee. This JJ is definitely among the busier of the coffee houses in town, simply because everything is perfect. The muffins are delicious and cookies are a favourite. Not to mention the ambiance is very warm and inviting.
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