Best of 2000: Best Non-Starbucks Coffee Shop

Daily Grind Coffee House & Cafe
6695 El Cajon Boulevard,
College Area
(619) 697-0750

The backlash against the kudzu-like spread of generic coffeehouse chains has enabled eclectic mom-and-pop caffeine shops like this to thrive, especially near colleges, where quality caffeine is most needed and appreciated. Open at 6:00 a.m. every day, this converted house, where Montezuma meets El Cajon, no longer has late-night hours (they close at 4:00), but specialty coffees like Rocket Fuel (double espresso w/steamed milk and foam, $3.25) and Vietnamese (double espresso with sweetened condensed milk and shredded chocolate, $3.25) can provide all the jittery jolt you need for an all-night study session. Bonus: breakfasts here are fantastic.