Philip Ashby
It’s just a teeny alcove in the lobby of the Grand Central apartment building, but don’t be fooled: Java Den brews some of the best coffee on campus.
I stopped by the 1022 W. Johnson St. location on the first day of the semester and felt a pang of nostalgia watching students flip through syllabi as I waited in line. This is a magical time, kids. Savor it like you would a good cup of coffee.
Speaking of which, I order a café latte — a gateway drug of my college years that opened the door to the beautiful world of coffee culture. At Java Den, the execution is perfect — rich, velvety high-quality espresso topped with steamed milk and a bit of foam. It’s smooth, balanced and slightly sweet, just the way a latte should be.
Java Den gets its beans from Kickapoo Coffee Roasters, a Viroqua-based roaster known for single-origin beans and eco-friendly practices. I think they’re one of the best roasters in the state, but I might be a little biased since I too hail from the Driftless Region.
The Espresso Crema, with subtle hints of fruit and chocolate, is perfect with milk or by itself.
