Decorative succulents, white-vased orchids, and whimsical chalkboard signs sound like the ingredients for my dream apartment, but they also make up the decor of Athena Beans Coffee House & Bistro, the latest addition to my coffee-shop rotation.
It's been awhile since I found a shop that's relatively close to home and worth hitting up on the reg. The past few months have been a pretty steady rotation between my go-to local shop, my favorite local drive-thru, and of course, the home of the green mermaid. So I was enthralled with the existence of Athena, located in Sandy on 90th South.
For quite awhile, Athena was a mystery to me. I had seen the opening of their drive-thru celebrated on Instagram, so I wasn't sure if it was just a drive-thru or if it had indoor seating as well. Desperate to piece together what I felt could be a great shop, I sleuthed around their Instagram and found pictures of cozy pillows, a fireplace, a cream-colored hammock and plates displaying decadent berry-topped waffles. Surely these weren't the offerings of just a drive-thru.
Rewind to a few months ago, pulling into the parking lot, ready to descend upon a new pastry case, and seeing the place shuttered but definitely not permanently closed. Say whaaat? I assumed they were remodeling the indoor space, ready to launch anew. I guess the universe wasn't ready to let Athena into my life, and who am I to mess with the universe?
Fast forward to a rainy day in late May, and I was ready to try again. (I had spotted big "open" signs outside the shop while driving by, so I felt pretty confident their doors would be open this time.)
I ordered my go-to drink when trying a new shop: an iced vanilla latte. It was creamy and sweet and ice-cold: perfect. My dad ordered one of the green juices which he said was delish. (We were surprised the juice didn't have ice in it, but I guess a lot of places, like Jamba Juice, don't put ice in their juices, which strikes me as odd as someone who likes my drinks filled to the brim with frozen water chunks, but I'm not a juice expert so to each their own.)
They have a pretty extensive juice and smoothie menu, something I rarely find at coffee shops (besides the stray "strawberry-banana smoothie" you'll sometimes see tacked on to the end of a menu) so if you want something refreshing and fruity for those hot summer days, this is your place. That chocolate espresso smoothie has really caught my eye.
But my favorite item on the menu is definitely the lavender latte. The variety can be hard to come by, so imagine my delight when I saw it on the Athena menu's flavor list, nestled with staples like vanilla and hazelnut. I expected it to taste like any other lavender latte I've had, creamy with just a hint of the flavor, but this exceeded my expectations. It was intensely floral in the best way. I don't know if they use a different kind of syrup than I've had before, or if there's simply more flavor pumps in it, but the lavender is sweet and rich without sacrificing the strong taste of the espresso (I get 4 shots in a 24 oz, but you could do also do 3.) One barista told me she's been a fan of adding lavender to a dirty chai, which practically made me salivate. The floral taste balancing out the sweet-spiciness of a coffee-rich chai? This is definitely on my "to try" list.
This brings me to another plus about Athena: The variety of sizes. Drinks come in 12 oz, 16 oz, 20 oz, and 24 oz, which in my opinion is the perfect distribution of beverage sizes. I've experienced a lot of coffee shops that don't go above 16 oz, which is a downside if you're seeking a generous heaping of caffeine, or they'll go up to 32 but have no middle option like that sweet spot of 20.
Now let's talk atmosphere. Athena has pops of bohemian decor, from geometric cactuses to black signs adorned with Pinterest-worthy fonts. But the neutral colors and expansive space keep the aesthetic from being too busy. There's an entire seating area at the back of the shop, visible in the photo at the very top of this post. There are large booths in addition to tables, which give the space more of a restaurant feel than other coffee shops.
I particularly enjoy the space at the front of the shop, which has more booths, tables and that cozy cream-colored hammock. (I fantasize about renting out the space for just myself and reading in that hammock for hours, sipping my iced lavender latte and wearing sunglasses even though I'm thoroughly indoors.) Large windows let in lots of light, and a side door leads to a patio if you want to take your caffeine consumption outside.
(There's also an event space upstairs I haven't ventured to yet, but I imagine when I see it I'll for sure what to get married there. What better place to profess your lifelong commitment to your soulmate than above a coffee shop? Oh, I'm the only one who feels that way? OK, carry on...)
Let's talk food: Athena has a case of pastries and a "muffin of the day." I haven't officially ordered any of the case treats, but I've sampled their deliciously chewy chocolate chip cookies and I've had my eye on the giant scones. If you prefer something savory with your coffee or juice, Athena also advertises a variety of hearty options, from pizza to toast. I can't wait to try one of these options for breakfast or brunch.
I'm ecstatic that I have a new place in my rotation, and one that has such a tasty iced lavender latte, at that! I can't wait to explore more of the menu and try some of the food options. If you're in Sandy, check out Athena Beans Coffee House & Bistro.
Address:
111 W. 9000 S.
Sandy, UT 84070
Hours:
6:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Monday-Saturday)
7:00-4:00 p.m. (Sunday)
(Source)
Perks:
-Loads of seating space (definitely not just a drive-thru)
-Variety of drink sizes
-Both savory and sweet food options
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