Chattz: Now That's Coffee 
Score: Three and a half out of Four Spoons.
by Santé; reviewed by Chattanooga Food Critics
With the insane proliferation of Starbucks stores since the 1990's, you would think that Americans' taste in coffee (and especially espresso drinks) would've vastly improved over the past 20 years. Sadly, to us Chatt Food Critics, it seems that the opposite has happened. As long as it comes out of a fancy machine into a small shot glass, tastes like a heavyhanded and clumsy French Roast, then ends up in some sort of foamy milk concoction with at least three or four adjectives in its name, we seem to be more than happy.
Americans, its time to stop calling it "expresso". Wake up and smell the coffee.
Fortunately for Chattanooga, it seems that enough of you have done just that, and are waking up to Chattz coffee.
Chattz (Chattanooga Coffee Company) has been making damn good coffee since 2002 and is still going strong.
Like any good coffee shop, Chattz roasts its own beans so it can get the maximum flavor and freshness out of its coffees and espresso drinks. They offer the old standbys (like Colombian) as well as various limited editions and specialty roasts. You can buy the beans at the store for your home or office needs of course.
For us, the espresso is the purest way to taste/test the quality of both the roaster and the barista. Chattz has been making the grade for over 8 years now. The baristas are not only knowledgeable as to how and when the beans have been roasted and how their particular machine works (a Marzocco), but are constantly making adjustments throughout the day due to humidity and other atmospheric phenomena.
The result is a beautifully balanced espresso, exhibiting the perfect combination of thick crema and deep nutty coffee. If, for some reason, you don't get to it soon enough and find that your crema has dissipated, the barista will pull you another espresso for free.
Of course, the standard in the espresso world should always be how the Italians make them in Italy. We can vouch that Chattz can do just fine if they opened a store in Florence.
We often get a double mocha (no whip, no foam!). As far as mochas go, Chattz has one of the best. It's a good chocolate and they don't overdo it - that's the big thing. Many coffee shops (both chain and indie) over-chocolate their mochas and it can be like drinking Hershey's syrup. This is subjective of course - maybe most people like more chocolate. But less is a plus for us. Maybe most folks wouldn't usually think of the word "subtle" or "nuanced" when describing a mocha, but the adjectives fit.
Any drinks involving milk (cafe au laits, cappucinos, lattes, etc) are carefully crafted, with proper attention paid to both temperature and/or foam consistency.
The hot chocolates are quite popular too, but if you are a true chocoholic you will have to try the insanely dense sipping chocolate (with a mix provided by the Hot Chocolatier). It is a smaller cup of molten chocolate lava, sure to please and satisfy.
The tea selection is great, for those who are fond of the fair leaf. A nice mix selection of Republic of Tea caffs, decafs and greens in lovely flavors. True to their connoisseur roots (and leaves), Chattz is the only place in town that we've been able to order a cup of Rooibos, our current favorite.
If you prefer Chai, you'll find Chattz's version to be expertly mixed. Unlike chais from other shops, this doesn't taste like hot water. With full flavor and a nice thickness, you'll want to order a large.
(By the way: yes, we said "large". Chattz doesn't ask us to endure any of that tall, venti, grande silliness).
As far as the customer service goes, Chattz brings the A game. The two owner-operators have taken painstaking efforts to create efficient systems for all their drinks and they train their workers very well. They are courteous and professional, yet friendly and fond of the regulars. Also, they're consistent. So we don't so much need to worry about which barista is going to tend to our drinks.
The ambience of the shop is a bit more on the formal side for coffee shops (no couches or lounge chairs) and seems to appeal to an older crowd (not so many college kids), but it is hard to tell if this is due to the decor or the proximity of the store to several big corporations and law offices.
The only strike against Chattz, what keeps them from getting four spoons from us, is the food selection. It's true that they are a coffee shop, so food is not the focus. But the croissants and pastries were on offer when they started - and were quite a bit nicer than yogurt, granola, bananas and biscotti. Bring back the Frenchy sweets!
If you don't already know this fine Chattanooga coffee shop, it's time you acquainted yourself with what real coffee tastes like. It tastes like Chattz.
Chattz
1010 Market St
Chattanooga, TN 37402-2650
(423) 756-8890
chattz.com
