While already established as a local favorite for its fresh-brewed coffee and espresso drinks, Jammin Java, just off the Fayetteville Square, has been even more of a public hot-spot of late -- for a virtual reason.
"We are also a 'Pokémon gym,' even though I'm still not sure what that means or entails," Jammin owner Brandon Karn said with a laugh. "I just know we have had an influx of folks coming in to battle for them."
Whether its for the new virtual-game craze, or for one of Jammin Java's fresh drinks or food options, Karn welcomes all to his quaint little shop, located behind Tiny Tim's Pizza on the Square.
Jammin Java offers a broad selection of fruit smoothies, frozen coffee drinks, chai, hot chocolate, mimosas, craft beer and wine. The 100 percent, all-natural smoothies include classics such as strawberry and lemonade, as well as raspberry, peach and mango and more.
Some new favorites that are growing in popularity are the Southern pecan mocha, the bullet proof coffee, and a Cuban Cremosa.
In addition to muffins, bagels, cookies, brownies and dessert bars, the coffee shop cooks hot breakfast items to order. The morning menu includes a breakfast burrito, biscuits and gravy, breakfast bagels, a hog heaven biscuit and granola and fruit.
For lunch, deli sandwiches, homemade soup and fresh salads are served. A local favorite is the Albuquerque Turkey with hickory-smoked turkey, Swiss cheese, tomato, avocado, organic greens. Grilled sandwiches include The Cisco Kid with roast beef, cheddar, onion, horseradish and mustard. There is also a vegetarian selection, which includes a Michele's Masterpiece, the Grilled Cheese Incident and other options, as well as a variety of wraps to choose from.
Jammin Java features Boar's Head brand meats and cheeses, and locally made bread from Stone Mill Bread & Flour Co.
House-made soups are a hot item. The rotating soup schedule is: chicken gumbo on Monday, potato bacon on Tuesday, broccoli cheese on Wednesday, Baja chicken on Thursday, and Southern-style chili on Friday.
The ½ & ½ combo offers the best of both worlds, with a cup of soup and half a sandwich for $7.75. Fridays offers a lunch special of Frito Chili Pie.
"We have a great food menu, both breakfast and lunch, which sets us apart from other coffee shops," Karn said. "And a selection of wine and craft beer, as well as a full line of frozen espresso drinks and all natural fruit smoothies. We try to cover all of the bases."
Jammin Java, once a small, single location on the downtown Square, is now a homegrown chain that remains committed to high-quality products made locally and, with sustainable intentions, remain an underlying theme. In addition to their locations on the Square, they also have smaller locations at the Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville and the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Highfill.
Karn opened Jammin Java in the Old Post Office in 2002, after managing other coffee shops and restaurants in high school and college. After completing his degree at the University of Arkansas' Walton Business College, owning his own shop was next on the agenda.
"The Square didn't have a coffee shop at that point, and with the farmer's market and the Lights of the Ozarks, it seemed like the place to be," Karn said.
Although business does decrease when school is out and fewer students frequent the business, Jammin Java has established a solid local-based business as well, with downtown merchants and employees often stopping by for a drink or a quick meal, as well as farmer's market customers and out-of-town visitors.
Jammin Java also features a great patio atmosphere, currently hosting live music on Saturday mornings, during the farmer's market.
Full catering service is also available for breakfast, lunch or dinner, with food and/or beverages. They will provide fresh handmade sandwiches, salads, soups, meat & cheese trays, veggie trays, and more, for crowds of 5 to 5,000.
"We do a lot of morning meetings with continental-style pastries, fruit, coffee, hot tea, etc.," Karn said.
More information is available online at jammin-java.com or by calling (479) 443-2233.
NAN Dining Guide Spotlight on 11/04/2016