HHJ Eats: Dutch Bros Coffee

4/5

• Food: 2.5/5
• Drinks: 4.5/5
• Value: 4/5
• Atmosphere: 4/5
• Service: 5/5

WARNER ROBINS — Dutch Bros Coffee’s Warner Robins location is the first in Georgia. The Oregon-based chain opened shop on July 15, generating excitement both on social media and within the local community. 

However, like any new chain coffee shop, the question remains: Is it unique enough to attract a steady customer base? I decided to find out by visiting and trying it for myself.

My coffee routine is pretty established; I usually go for a morning run to Dunkin’. It takes a lot to change that. However, I decided to break it and visit Dutch Bros, and I have to say, I was impressed. It looks like it’s going to develop a strong following.

To clarify, I had tried Dutch Bros before while on vacation in Colorado. My hometown had a local store that my family enjoyed, so we visited it a few times during our stay.

I couldn’t fairly compare the wait times or customer service between different locations; however, the drink that caught my attention in Colorado, a blue raspberry dirty soda, was both refreshing and delicious. The sweet cream added a smooth texture, while the blue raspberry poppin’ boba provided an extra burst of flavor without being overwhelming. It was fantastic for the hot weather in Colorado.

To prepare for my upcoming visit, I asked my family about their favorite drinks.

“My favorite is the Caramelizer,” my mom said. “It’s not too sweet and good hot or cold.”

“The Caramelizer is fantastic!” my brother said. Another point for that drink. (His girlfriend is a fan of the Cocomo, an espresso drink with coconut and chocolate milk.)

“I get a large iced Kicker [Irish cream and breve,] extra shot of espresso and add caramel drizzle,” my cousin said. “I love this drink as it’s not too sweet and gives me the right amount of energy boost. I absolutely love the taste of Dutch Bros coffee!”

“I liked the Cotton Candy milkshake,” my husband said. “I imagine it’s what a unicorn would taste like.”

With two votes for the Caramelizer, a blend of espresso, caramel, and chocolate milk, I decided to swing by the drive-thru on a Friday morning to see what all the hype from my family was about. 

To make the process quicker, I ordered ahead on the Dutch Bros app. By avoiding peak hours, I was able to move through the line even faster, taking a total of about 10 minutes. I expect that during busier times, the wait would be longer, so it’s wise to plan ahead.

I believe the most time-consuming part of the experience is deciding what to drink. Dutch Bros offers a wide selection to suit any taste, including traditional coffee drinks, energy-drink-based refreshers, smoothies, teas, lemonades, milkshakes, and sparkling sodas. Their website alone showcases dozens of options, and the beverages are customizable, leading to hundreds of possible combinations, which is a significant plus for those who enjoy variety.

However, I found the snack options lacking. Dutch Bros only offers two food items: various flavors of muffin tops or a granola bar. Since my coffee runs usually involve picking up breakfast, I found the limited selection of only sweet options to be a bit restrictive for those who are like me and don’t typically eat sugary foods for breakfast.

I ordered a medium iced Caramelizer and an orange-cranberry muffin top. The muffin top was very sweet and pre-packaged, typical for a shop specializing in drinks.

But the drinks are where Dutch Bros really shines; the coffee was fantastic! What initially prompted me to order it, aside from my family’s recommendation, was the chocolate milk base. You could taste the chocolate milk on the first sip. The caramel was strong enough to be noticeable but not overpowering. I couldn’t detect any espresso; there were virtually no bitter notes.

My only downside was the amount of ice in the drink. I’m a slow sipper, and by the time I arrived at the office (about a 20-minute drive), the drink was gone, leaving only a cup half full of ice. I feel I would have gotten more value from the drink if there had been a little less ice.

The service and atmosphere were excellent. Dutch Bros takes pride in spreading good vibes and I truly felt that during my visit. The staff was very friendly, and upbeat pop music was playing loudly through the drive-thru line. With both a drive-thru and a walk-up window, the music and service was the perfect way to foster positive energy.

For my order on Friday, which included a medium drink, a muffin top, and a tip, I paid $9.35. The drink cost $4.85, and the muffin top was $2.95, which I consider standard for a coffee shop. I find that when drinks start reaching the $7 to $8 range (looking at you, Starbucks), it feels excessive.

Overall, while I don’t feel that it was enough to completely overhaul my morning routine, I will likely return to Dutch Bros, given the sheer number of options available. There are a lot more drinks I want to try.

Dutch Bros is located at 2695 Watson Boulevard and is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.