Everyone who knows me, knows that I have an unwavering love for coffee. No matter where I go, I need to get some…and I’m not talking about venti white chocolate mocha with three pumps of white chocolate and a half pump mocha with milk that must come straight from a cow. Nor am I talking about that bean water that Dunkin Donuts claims is coffee either. I like to look for local coffee shops or cafes that really knows what they’re doing. Which leads me to my current coffee obsession: Rook.

Rook coffee is, without a doubt, Monmouth and Ocean county’s best kept secret. Since opening in 2010, they’ve opened 12 different locations, and even landed a spot on Maxim Magazine’s 7 Best Iced Coffees in America list in 2017. So what’s the hype all about?

Product: Rook coffee is a coffee shop that is purely that-just coffee. No syrups, no lattes, just simple pour over coffees. With 8 different hot flavor options, and 3 different cold brew options -not to mention their seasonal flavors, you will never get bored! I personally prefer dark coffees with strong robust flavor so Sumatra is my go-to. If lighter roasts are more your style, you can’t go wrong with the Guatemala, not too strong, but definitely still has a great taste. Their Traditional cold brew is perfect-I don’t even add anything to it, and their current seasonal option, Vanilla Spice, tastes like Christmas in your mouth! Over all, I can’t rave enough about their product!

Ambiance: Rook is great for grabbing your coffee to go. There aren’t any chairs or tables to sit at so if you’re trying to go on a coffee date, this may not be the place for you. At every location, the baristas even make punny drawings on the black boards, and it’s just a simple touch that always brightens my day. They also have different merchandise for sale; mugs, clothing, cups, travel mugs, etc. (and they’re not at all cheesy looking, I promise) displayed along the walls.

Customer Service: I have been to just about all of Rook’s locations, and I have not once had a problem with their customer service. Even early during the morning rush, all baristas greet you warmly and make sure that you’re taken care of as quickly as possible. Another great thing about Rook is that you can text in your order to be picked up! I also recently found out that you can get all of their products shipped nation-wide, which will be great for friends and family who get hooked on rook when they visit!