Java Joints of Jet City: Katy's Corner Cafe

Rachel Hynes is a former barista and yet still enjoys spending time in espresso places. She will review them. This is her third such review.

It's 8:45am on a Sunday morning when we stroll into Katy's Corner Cafe and the gal behind the counter is cheerful in a way that's totally disarming. Our early Sunday crabbiness disappears as she explains that a veggie quiche is about to come out of the oven. She serves our coffee in cool, DIY hand-marked cups. "Katy's," they say, followed by a heart or a star. (It doesn't sound cool, but it was pretty rad.) "It's what I do when it's not so busy," the barista confides.

We consider sitting at one of the clean, metal-topped tables but opt instead for the carmel leather sofa, sinking deeply into its cushions. We're staring up at the red walls, sipping nutty, full-bodied espresso and feeling positively cozy.

Customer after customer comes in and the barista seems to know everyone's names, their business and their dogs. The glass jar full of doggie treats by the register gives us the idea that Katy's is a neighborhood joint. The bin of toddler toys and the small used-book reading library confirms this.

Katy is not a woman in her 50's, on a second career, as we expected. Our cheery barista informed us that Katy is only 24, and those signed photos on the wall aren't celebrities, but Katy's friends, wishing her well. We heave our fists in the air to salute her entrepreneurial spirit and her fresh veggie quiche.

As we turn to go, we notice a hand drawn sign on the door. It's a picture of a bird proclaiming, "You Are Here." Ain't that the truth.

Katy's Corner Cafe is on 20th and Union in the CD