Alterra on Humboldt

 

8

59

John D.

Milwaukee, WI

Staking a claim on the West Bank of the Milwaukee River, this locale of the local coffee chain impresses with a slick building and its standard offering of famously strong coffee.   Although the seating area seems small at first, once the weather warms up, there is a balcony and possibly a patio area, allowing plenty of room for the coffee drinkers and laptop campers to hold sessions of coffee and conversation.  I admit, I brought my little EEEPC here and wrote for a bit and drank two cups of the Alterra coffee that seems to give a great, energetic boost to an afternoon.  I appreciate having another option for a cafe in Riverwest.

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2

75

Stephanie M.

Milwaukee, WI

Finally, an Alterra in my neighborhood.  It's not very cozy, but it gets the job done.  The building is really cool, with lots of outdoor seating and a huge, HUGE warehouse space for roasting beans in the back.  Same drink menu and prices as all the other Alterras across town.

Bonus:  vegan curry tofu + potato breakfast burrito!  A breakfast 'rito and coffee will set you back a mere $5.95.  Yum.  I take Humboldt to Capitol to work, and let me tell you:  7 AM at this Alterra is HECTIC.  Lots of soccer moms getting fussy about the half-caf lattes.

I must admit to cheating on my veganism here -- to try an espresso truffle from the baked goods cooler.  It was totally worth it.

Parking on Humboldt is a piece of cake, forever and ever, amen.  I can dig it.

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Elite '08

9

123

virginia l.

Milwaukee, WI

Alterra coffee is pretty good and the baristas know what they are doing.  Yeah!

I hear this location opened up just before the new year and that they are going to be doing some roasting in the warehouse space connected to the cafe.  

Free wifi and big tables are super nice.  The food is good.  I think more people come to eat than to just drink coffee.

It's the closest coffee shop for me, so I frequent it often, but I'm not really in love with the place.  It doesn't really have a personality yet.  I think that's what I'm missing here.  There's a knitting store next door, so it seems like there always a group of people sitting around knitting and talking.  There's also a few students, but not very many.  It doesn't have that study hall feel (that I love), but it doesn't have that fun festive we're having a party in here vibe either.  Oye.  I'll figure it out dammit.

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15

134

may l.

Chicago, IL

Alterra on Humboldt is right across the street from Pumping Station Park, where my bike was stolen when I was 11, where I swapped kisses on the bleachers with a teenage crush, where I played baseball and soccer and where I walked my dog all growing up.  Having a cafe here is crazy!  The Riverwest of my youth had one cafe-- Lava Java on Burleigh.  Some came along later and are still growing strong, notably Fuel, which just went smoke free.  Alterra is a welcome addition to the neighborhood, but I wish it had a more diverse staff considering it locale.

Still, this is another one of my dad's haunts that I get dragged to everytime I visit Milwaukee, which is becoming much more frequent.  We met baby brother here yesterday afternoon for coffee and enjoyed some lattes.  The barista attempted some latte art, and as a person who knows how its done and can make a pretty damn good rosetta myself, I was unimpressed.  I also still prefer Stone Creek Coffee when I'm in the city-- something about their milk foaming and their amazingly good espresso beans (brought some home last trip and they lasted four days!) makes me quiver.  But, Alterra is a close second and Father Dearest still says they're hands down better than Stone Creek.  You decide.  

The cashier helped me pick some beans to take back to Chicago and I'm sipping on their Fair Trade Organic Campesino Blend.  Eh.  Pass on it if you're looking for something strong and heady.  I've never been able to find good Organic coffee outside of the Bay Area and this is no exception.

All in all, definitely worth a stop if you're in the area, but don't sleep on Stone Creek!  Their coffee kicks Alterra's ass.

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