In mid-20th century America, a place that called itself a "coffee shop" was probably a small, casual restaurant serving hearty meals and industrial-grade coffee. In some ways, Bean Town Coffee House & Bakery hearkens back to that model, although the coffee—a private-label blend from The Sierra Madre Roasting Company—is surely a lot better. Gourmet burgers start sizzling on the grill around noon, drawing hungry lunchers on break from work or burger-making school. Patties come in three varieties: standard beef, black bean, or portobello, any one of which slides easily into creations such as the Portobello Burger – a whole grilled portobello cap topped with feta cheese, spring mix, and tomato, then dressed lightly with balsamic vinegar.

Being a bakery, Bean Town has dessert covered, too. Guests can opt for sweet stuff such as a scoop of the Fosselman's ice cream, fresh-baked pastries, or a complimentary slice of warm Wi-Fi.