BEST OF 2009

Best Indie Coffee Shop: Big Bear Cafe

Big Bear Cafe
LOCAL, SUSTAINABLE AND AUTHENTIC are three of the guiding principles at Big Bear Cafe. That, and you won't find Splenda anywhere on the premises. "It takes away from the purity and essence of the coffee and espresso," says Jo-Elle Burgard, one of the cafe's managers. The Eckington building dates back to 1895, when it housed a corner store that may have been called the Big Bear Market (the owners don't know for sure). Its current incarnation opened with a simple goal: "To have a community meeting place," Burgard says.

Her Fave: It's a tie between Peregrine and Chinatown Coffee Company for Burgard's non-Big Bear place to grab a cup of joe.

» Big Bear Cafe, 1700 1st St. NW; 202-470-5543; Bigbearcafe-dc.com

» Explore a full list of the year's winners at the Best of 2009 index.

Photo by Kevin Dietsch for Express

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COMMENTS (1)

  • It's in Bloomingdale, not Eckington.

    By Drew , Posted November 6, 2009 1:41 PM
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