Mocha Joe's is in St. Elmo. Click to enlarge.
photo by Jane McDaniel
Subtle earth tones, mosaic tiled table tops, and artistically painted walls were specifically designed and crafted by local artist and owner Ann Keaton to give Mocha Joe’s a warm, yet sophisticated feeling. A relaxing yet classy establishment with the ambiance you can only find in a vintage art painting such as the streetscape of Paris that Ann painted to adorn Mocha Joe’s walls.
Overstuffed leather sofas and “coffee” tables (filled with coffee beans) offer comfort while playing one of the many board games available. An antique coffee cart is lined with books for a liesurely afternoon or cold winters night reading.
While visiting Mocha Joe’s there were two gentleman concentrating on the next chess board move, while a teenager, with legs tucked under her, reads a novel by Johanne Lindsey. A business man is busily clicking on his laptop and three women are busily catching up on the latest gossip while a toddler fingers through the pictures of a Grimms fairy tale book. This is a true coffee shop. All ages. Together.
THE OWNERS
Glenn and Ann Keaton are Lookout Mountain residents who have driven the engine of small business for several years. Glenn owns and operates a renovation and painting business while Ann captures the art business as well as the food and drink market.
When asked, “How did you come to realize you wanted to own your own business?” Ann replied, “Everyone has dreamed of owning a business. At one time or another, we all have ideas that come into our minds but never quite make it into the marketplace. All people have great ideas while in the shower. Most of us get out of the shower and forget about them. Glenn and I were the ones who got out of the shower and acted on our ideas. We had to take a step back and take an objective look at what we faced ahead. We had motivation and desire so we looked at our hobbies and interests and decided to sell what we knew while utilizing our exsisting skills; Glenn, construction and me; painting, coffee and cooking. I wanted to create a place where all people could enjoy a variation of drinks and foods while playing family games together in a relaxed atmosphere, somewhere other than home."
Six years ago, Ann opened a coffee shop/restaurant in Trenton, Ga., - The Laurel Cottage - where she became very successful in her business endevours and was awarded Dade County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award 2003.
“It brings me much joy to see my Trenton customers come running through the door at Mocha Joe’s saying how they missed my Turtle Frappe and Chicken Salad Croissant. I have been amazed at the number of people willing to drive from Trenton to St. Elmo just for coffee and lunch especially with gas prices the way they are. I love my customers and I try to go the extra mile for them, but going the extra 20 miles for me is truly a heart warming feeling. Thank you, guys.”
THE MENU
The lunch, fine pastry and dessert collections feature a contemporary blend of Southern and Northern American influences along with a taste of European flair. An extensive menu of breakfast pastries, desserts, lunch meals, and not to mention the vaste collection of espresso based drinks, have been incorporated to please most any preference.
BREAKFAST
The moderately priced breakfast menu features a list of chef prepared hand rolled bagels with a variety of handmade cream cheeses.. The bagels consist of: cinnamon raisin, blueberry, fresh herb, multi grain, plain and the everything bagel The cream cheese spreads are a winner with such mixtures and sundried tomato and basil; apple cinnamon; honey walnut; jalepeno cheddar bacon, spinach dill; vegetable medley, cheddar and onion, lemon dill, pumpkin pie and other seasonal mixtures. The pastries and croissants are delicately made daily with fresh ingredients and almond fillings. The almond croissant is, by far, the winner of pastries; a twice baked croissant filled with an almond- buttery paste, brished lightly with a sugar icing and topped with sliced almonds.
COFFEES AND TEAS
Extraordinary worldwide coffees, tea’s, cappuccino’s and lattes are in abundance and prepared for a fast mornings commute to work. Homemade Italian Biscotti makes a great companion to the house blend coffee, “Lookout’s Foggy Grogg”.
Mocha Joe’s blends are named for the awesome St. Elmo and Lookout Mountain areas in which some names include: Rock “N” Ruby; Trolley Street Jitter Java; and Sky Hippy Heights. Hot loose teas (black and green) are available in an array of flavors and types. Mocha Joe’s strong partnerships allows them to bring you the highest quality coffees and teas. As a devoted specialty coffee resource, they strive to offer a complete selection of outstanding gourmet beverage products and accessories in addition to award winning coffees and teas. Their purpose is to offer customized service by listening carefully to the customers wants. The company’s customer service heritage is the foundation of the business philosophy. They are passionate about the products and service and the commitment to service excellence. Their goal is to help you discover and explore the treasures of coffee and teas from around the world.
LUNCH
The lunch menu is an increasingly popular favorite. The menu consists of your choice of The Tuscan Chicken Croissant – chopped grilled chicken, red globe grapes, fresh celery and toasted almon slivers; The Venice Cheese & Pimento Croissant – shredded sharp and mild cheddar cheese, monterey jack cheese and colby cheese mixed with chopped pimento and several spices with a homemade mayonnaise and The Florence Cucumber & Tomato Bagel Sandwich- a creamy cheese spread topped with fresh minced onions, cucumbers and tomatoes, served open faced. All sandwich meals are served with potato chips and a kosher pickle spear.
SODAS AND COLD DRINKS
Not a coffee drinker? Mocha Joe’s offers some of the great old forgotten soda fountain drinks just for you. To compliment lunch, add an italian soda, a flavored tea such as peach tea or a lemonade with a touch of flavoring such as strawberry, kiwi or raspberry. A strawberry lemon twist is the perfect old-fashioned soda fountain concoction. If frozen is your preference a smoothie or frappe is sure to freeze and tantilize those taste buds. Mocha Joe’s has approximately 35 different smoothies and Frappe’s to choose from.
DESSERTS
Desserts are, of course, the sweetest menu item at Mocha Joe’s. Choose from a huge Almond Croissant, a large slice of Italian Cream Cake, Tiramisu, or Chocolate Decadence, a Chocolate Walnut Brownie finished with Ganache, a slice of Hazelnut Bliss or our homemade in house cakes of the day which may include peanut butter cake, carrot cake, snickers cake, strawberry cake, chocolate cake, red velvet cake, orange cake, pineapple cake and more.
LOCATION
Mocha Joe’s is located in the heart of St. Elmo - actually the old drug store building. It sits facing the towering Lookout Mountain only steps north of the Incline Railway. So when you are “Inclined” to have a great cup of coffee in a quaint atmoshphere, Go to Mocha Joe’s Bistro. You will leave with a “New Brewed Attitude.”
Address:
3914 St. Elmo Avenue
Chattanooga Tn 37409
423-821-JOES
Hours of operation:
Monday–Thursday: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m.
Closed on Sunday