Mills End is a good staple for a non-chain coffee fix. I am a bit nostalgic, I will admit, of visiting this place when I was a student at ASU. However, my visit there today reminded me that my fond memories are justified. I was there this morning with my mom after a stressful doctor's appointment and the friendly atmosphere and service really put me at ease.
The espresso-drink selection is very wide and my peppermint-mocha (with half mocha) admittedly tasted better than my typical Starbucks version. An egg-cheese-pesto crepe provided a protein punch and I really appreciate the food selection vs. typical sugar-carb coffee house fare. The service was very personable and attentive--while I wasn't initially in the mood to chat when I first arrived, the sincerity of the manager quickly opened me up to some friendly banter (a difficult task)!
There is obviously a lot of love put into this establishment, between the promoted happy hour specials, live music events, and hand-touched bathroom rennovations. While the scene might not be as polished as other coffee houses, my stop at Mills End was like stopping by a friend's college apartment -- comfortable, welcoming, and worn-in.