Best Espresso '96

Best Espresso

Cuppuccinos Coffee House
3400 East Speedway

READERS' PICK: Bleary-eyed and yawning, Tucson stumbles in to Cuppuccinos. Couples stare at each other in semi-recognition, students search through their computer bags for that last dollar. Then appears a steaming demi of espresso, served reverently in that classic white ceramic with a sunshine streak of lemon on the side. Two cubes (yes, actual cubes) of sugar await your command. One sip and the eyes clear, the mind perks, lovers start laughing, students pull out powerbooks and solve complex algorithms in under five seconds. This is jump-start, hard-driving, seriously good caffeination. Brewed by the best barristers this side of the Mississippi, Cuppuccinos uses Italy's prized Torrefazione beans. There's a wide range of espresso drinks, including lattes tall or short, hot or iced; the frightening hammerhead consisting of a double shot of espresso in a cup of house java; or the excellent house specialty, the Cuppuccinos cappuccino, a double espresso with steamed milk in an oversized mug that will prompt all who've seen So I Married An Axe Murderer to say, "Excuse me...I believe I ordered the large."

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: Coffee Etc., 2830 N. Campbell Ave., and 6091 N. Oracle Road.

STAFF PICK: The strong fragrance and onyx black appearance of Coffee X Change's (6841 E. Camino Principal) espresso let you know you're in for a treat before you even lift the cup to your lips. Served in a cup with a little weight, slightly larger than a demitasse but smaller than a standard American coffee cup, your espresso will stay piping hot long after you give up waiting to take the first sip. Only six months old, the Coffee X Change, on Tanque Verde Road just north of Grant Road, has been welcomed with open arms by eastsiders. Owned by Keya Tehrani, and staffed by extraordinarily attractive people, Coffee X Change also serves their own house blends of specially roasted coffee, brewed to full-flavored perfection. They do have a drive-thru window for java junkies on the go (See Best Drive-Thru Coffee); but for those after the perfect espresso, park your car and sit inside. That way you can enjoy your full-bodied, black velvet espresso while nibbling a biscotti and reading a newspaper--the way nature intended!

A PERFECT 10: You know you've had a good cup of espresso when your retinal nerves begin to sizzle just a little bit, indicating your eyes are now ready to absorb the world in all its pain and glory. Sidle up to the counter at Epic Café, 745 N. Fourth Ave., and belt down a cup or two of their inestimably wonderful espresso, made with an Italian blend by loving, if perhaps trembling, hands, and you'll know what we mean. The especially daring may want to try Epic's espresso gone amok in the form of a chupacabras, a four-shot cardiac whammy with a hint of raspberry syrup to sweeten the blow.

1998 Winner: Cuppuccinos Coffee House
1997 Winner: Cuppuccinos Coffee House
1995 Winner: Milagro Fine Coffees