Caramel syrup, cooler mix, ice, whipped cream and caramel drizzle... it all adds up to a Caramel Cooler at Caribou Coffee. We declined dessert earlier tonight at Four Seasons Grille after a wonderful dinner, but then walked next door for a cup of coffee. My husband instead succumbed to the temptation presented by a giant poster picturing summer coolers, and now I do believe he's hooked!
Caribou Coffee is located at The Village of Waugh Chapel in Gambrills, about 3 minutes North of Crofton and perhaps 10 minutes east of Fort Meade. Until tonight, it was one of the few stores there which I had never visited.
I always assumed it was similar to Starbucks, but never gave it much thought since I'm not much of a coffee-drinker. Actually, this location of Caribou Coffee is larger than any Starbucks I've visited nearby, with a huge lounge area beyond the counter area as well as casual seating as you walk into the store. I'm guessing they must have wi-fi, since I saw several people with computers open as well as others reading or chatting.
Outside they have a beautiful patio area with umbrella tables, separated from the patio at Four Seasons Grille by a curving brick wall. On a beautiful evening like we had tonight, there were lots of people out there - including a few from Titan Cigar, located next to Caribou Coffee.
When I got home, I checked out Caribou Coffee's website and found more info than I could ever want to know about that Caramel Cooler my husband enjoyed tonight: Calories (420), fat grams, cholesterol, calcium, sodium, calcium, and caffeine, to name just some of them.
Then I started exploring the website a little farther and found they have 8 "classic" beverages, 6 cold ones and 6 coolers, 5 flavors of smoothies, and a "snowdrift." They also have 8 flavors of espresso, 5 lite lattes, 7 "wild" beverages and at least 7 teas. Each has its own page with the same type of info that I found for the Caramel Cooler. Oh, by the way, did I mention they do have coffee... and feature a different one each day?
Now I'm kicking myself that I never visited Caribou Coffee before tonight because it would be a very comfortable place to sit down with clients and recap the days showings. It really doesn't matter that I'm not a big coffee fan because chances are my clients will be. Even non-coffee drinkers will find a Caramel Cooler refreshing!
Crofton Area Restaurants and Carryouts
Copyright 2006-13. Margaret Woda. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice.
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Margaret Woda, REALTOR & Associate Broker
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114
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Hi Margaret, Being a coffee person ( meaning of course I like it, LOL ) I love these coffee houses as they provide all the unique flavors and combinations but also so much more. It is a new culture that has sprung up in our country and it is a good one. These places are clean, wi-fi active and generally quite safe and what is really cool is that are not replacing something else. It is a new entity and something wonderful for our communities.
The coffee shops are a great place to meet with clients while we are out and about. Sounds like this is at good stop.
Hi Margaret... I actually have had a Caramel Cooler from Caribou Coffee... all I can say is "YUM!". I wish fewer of these localism posts had to deal with food... this isn't doing any good for my diet! :)
There is a Caribou Coffee nearby - I usually stick to a tea though as I'm not really a coffee drinker :) ~Rita
Sounds like a really neat place. I should utilize our coffee shop in town more for sitting with clients. Don't know why I don't! As long as there is decaf for any coffee after 10 am, I am fine with that! Great post and it seems like a wonderful place to hang out!
William - Your comments are always so throughtful and relevant. We all could learn something about that from you!
Terry and Bonnie - Yes, this is about 5 minutes from my office, and it is a pleasant environment. 'Don't know why I never checked it out before except that I'm not a coffee-drinker myself.
Steve - How's your new office? Nothing like new surroundings to get the adrenalin flowing.
Rita and Brian - I'm not much of a tea-drinker, either, but I do think I might become a Caribou Coffee groupee anyway
Andrea - Isn't it funny how someplace like this can be right under our noses and yet we miss it?
Hi Margaret - thanks for the tip on what to order - I really hate to admit this but I feel so stupid at these coffee places because I don't know what to order!!! Our daughter is a big fan of the Starbucks and had me put IN MY BB the exact words to use so that I look like a regular! :)
Margaret,
Oh my that looks seriously delicious! I think there are a few Caribous here in DC. And I am so close to doing something diet busting right now!
It looks very refreshing. Since its not local to me, I'll have to go somewhere now and have something similar.