Here's a south central Idaho hot spot that serves latte strong enough to wake the dead. At least that's the effect it had on me.
It's a gracious gathering spot in downtown Buhl that attracts everyone from weathered truckers and ranchers to neatly coiffed grannies. There's a Rolodex on the front counter where regulars can keep their coffee cards as they accrue points for future freebies.
The owner's sister, a local real estate agent, comes in to help out when things are slow in her own business, which is often these days. Once she conducted an informal survey as to whether tiny Buhl could support another quilting shop, now that the old one has moved to Twin Falls.
The Cosmic Jolt is in an old storefront with high, coved, pressed-tin ceilings; stucco walls; a row of stained-glass windows at transom level; and scuffed blond hardwood floors. There's a space in the back with a mini-library and a big table that would be ideal for book club meetings. Crafts and beading supplies are for sale up-front, along with "Sagebrush Days 2008" T-shirts that benefit the local fire and EMS volunteers.
This was my "corner office" on a couple of recent mornings. I prepared questions for several phone interviews, made some calls, got good and caffeinated and ready to face the day.
The Jolt has a great breakfast burrito, with piping hot bright yellow scrambled eggs, citrus-y salsa, ham, mushrooms, and cheese on a chewy flour tortilla. The daily special clam chowder was tasty, a bit over-thickened, but the clams were tender and flavorful. Another special, the dagwood sandwich, consists of a combination of every kind of meat and cheese they have on hand. A cup of soup and half a sandwich makes a hearty lunch.
Each table holds an antique bowl full of gummy candy. That was a big hit with me, since I love fish in all forms including Swedish.
It's hard to spend a 20-dollar bill in here, but it's fun to try.
