TRUE OLD SCHOOL NEIGHBORHOOD COFFEEHOUSE >>>

Neighborhood: Fircrest

Address/phone: 1009 Regents Blvd., 253.564.3066

Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Standard Cup o' Joe: $1.24-$2.16

Bean Source: "We roast our own beans daily," says the morning baristas.

Crowd: Fircrest locals, dads in North Face apparel, and seniors providing a battle ground for White Shoulders by Evyan and Aviance Night Musk by Prince Matchabelli to face off.

Soundtrack: Often too low to hear over the crowd, but I have caught "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's, Taylor Swift's "Love Story" and "My Heart Is The Worst Kind of Weapon" by Fall Out Boy.

WiFi: Yes

Noshing/Sipping: Bakery goods, breakfast sandwiches, 10 sandwiches (including three different turkey pairings, chicken salad, shrimp croissant), soups, salads, and specials. Most items are made in-house. The sandwiches and soups are tasty. They offer all the standard espresso drinks, plus ice cream shakes and fruit smoothies.

Bonus: Their in-house made buttery scones are 99 cents during the Puyallup Fair. They've recently added a hummus plate. They sport a drive-thru window, but it's a tight squeeze in a small parking lot. Morning sun reaches the front outdoor deck.

The House:

As any of the loyal regulars will tell you, Espresso Yourself makes a perfect home away from home. Located off the turnabout on Regents Boulevard this cozy spot is the perfect refuge from the cold community center, overcrowded retirement community dining hall, and undercaffeinated library rooms. For a chunk of the Fircrest population, it provides a spot to show off pictures of the grandchildren and catch up with friends. Over the summer, the outside deck was a sea of North Face warm-up jackets worn by men discussing outdoor adventures and the stock market.

Inside, the room resembles an apartment complex community room, but with cool antique coffee signs and accessories. Seven low tables and three hightops give just enough room to squeeze by, providing an opportunity to catch a glimpse of Marge's 7-year-old grandson, Mikey.