Cafe Review: Blue Chip Cookies - Historic Downtown Loveland, OH

Blue Chip Cookies

200 W. Loveland Ave.

Loveland OH, 45140

The Blue Chip Cookies shop in Loveland, Ohio is a quaint cafe in a quiet downtown neighborhood. It is located at the historic district situated along the town's nature bike trail. It is a full service cafe offering gourmet pastries, light fare breakfast and lunch, gourmet coffee, premium ice cream - gelato and sorbetto, and smoothies.

The coffee they serve is always fresh ground and brewed. Their repertoire consists of the usual cafe specialties: Freshly Brewed, Latten, Cappuccino, Mocha, White Mocha, Peppermint Mocha, Americano, White Chocolate Mac Latte, Espresso. Their coffee comes in 1 size - 20oz and reasonably priced: $2.00 - $3.75. For the cold espresso drinkers, you can have your coffee prepared iced.

Their sandwiches are prepared upon order with fresh ingredients. They have the breakfast bagels, Club Wrap (Turkey/Bacon), Chicken Ciabatta and the Deluxe Club Sandwich. Prices are reasonable from $1.75 - $8.50.

The cafe's claim to fame is their gourmet cookies which, in my humble opinion, is the best. Their premium assortment includes Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, White Chocolate Macademia, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip Macademia and Blue Chip Joy. It goes very well with their freshly brewed coffee. They also serve hot chocolate, a variety of tea, smoothies, and apple cider for non-coffee drinkers.

I'm not a big fan of ice cream but my wife and daughter loves the home made gelato.

What I like most about the cafe is the unpretentious attitude the place exudes. It offers the same quality of coffee and pastries that the big chains have without the busy, bright, and business-like atmosphere and the price tag. There is no wi-fi, so this is not a place for telecommuting, but rather one for intimate conversations with friends or enjoying a good book. The place has a very quaint and relaxed ambience that people can't help but forget their cares and feel the peace upon entering the cafe. The old cottage decor inside makes everyone feel at home the moment they walk in. The lighting inside is well balanced, contributing to a relaxed atmosphere. It is small, not more than eight tables and a couch. The exterior is also true to it's old town decor. They have patio seating, facing the nature bike trail, which they open on good days.

Care for a Cup?

“I would rather suffer with coffee than be senseless.”

~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Why do I love coffee? What is in that cup I find so irresistible? Is it the aroma? Is it the smooth, warm piquant acidity that rolls on your tongue as you sip? Or is it the mocha infusion that plays on your palette or the white soft cream? or...

“Tall Cafe Misto!”, called the barista, a welcome interruption to my thoughts. I picked up my cup from the counter and retreated to a quiet, solitary spot in the cafe. As I took my first sip, I realize it’s not the aroma or the taste that draws me to it. Yeah, the coffee I’m enjoying at the moment is a fine cup but I know instant coffee can satisfy my espresso craving just as well. Heck, even coffee flavored candy does it for me in the absence of the real thing. 

Or maybe it’s the winter chill outside that makes me crave for a hot drink. Nope, that can’t be it. I have the same degree of craving for it during hot Cincinnati summers.   

I guess what amazes me about it is its ability to bring people together.  How many times have I heard people say “let’s talk about it over coffee”? A lot of people prefer to talk about important, and not so important matters over coffee. I notice that, despite its high caffeine content, people tend to be more relaxed and talk more sincerely over it. Differences are forgotten, eccentricities go unnoticed when people gather around a coffee table.

Coffee has this universal appeal as a conversation drink. Kinda like beer without the need to acquire the taste and the need to worry if you’ve made a fool of yourself in front of your friends the day after.

As I enjoy my coffee by my lonesome self, I am reminded of the happy conversations I’ve had while enjoying a cup with my wife, my close friends and my 3-year old daughter (yes, I bring her frequently to a local coffee shop. Don’t worry, she only orders chocolate milk). With every sip I am transported to a coffee table in the past, surrounded by stories and laughter. Never fails to make me smile. Happy times.

Until the next cup!