The big cat of LION Coffee's logo looks young and alert—his eyes gleaming mischievously beneath an unruly mane and sailor's cap. But he's part of a legacy that dates back nearly 150 years. Founded in 1864, the Hawaiian-based coffee company has a dynamic history that came to an abrupt halt when operations ceased in 1919. Luckily, Jim Delano obtained ownership in 1981, and the beast has run strong ever since, having been voted one of the city's Best Coffee Shops by San Diego A-List in 2011 and 2012.

Behind the counter of the mainland outpost, baristas brew a spectrum of LION and Kona Coffee blends, in addition to concocting espresso drinks and natural fruit smoothies. For food, diners munch on pitaya bowls, breakfast burritos, and fresh pastries. And although times have changed, the coffee enterprise has never forgotten its roots: an enormous drawing of the LION peers down over the shop, smiling at customers and silently vowing to hunt down their enemies.