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The Sweet Retreat and Espresso

Address

264 Spring St.
Friday Harbor , WA 98250
(360) 378-1957

Review

It’s easy to spot Sweet Retreat and Espresso - a cute little walk-up stand with raspberry pink trim, flower boxes, and usually a line at the window.

Strictly take-out, the Friday Harbor business serves a lot of morning espresso, chai, hot chocolate, and flavored milk. To go with those hot drinks, they sell muffins and make their own Breakfast Sandwich consisting of an Outback Biscuit with egg, cheese, ham, bacon, or sausage.

Over the past few years, they have also built up a loyal lunch following. Lunches to-go include Secret Recipe Chili, Soup of the Day, Hot Dogs of several variations, and Barbeque Beef. Owner Kathie Morton’s homemade soups are served with fresh bread or her famous homemade cornbread. Get there early on cornbread day, it goes fast. For a modest fee, they’ll even deliver your order within town limits.

And yes, indeed, hand-dipped ice cream is still served. Order a cup or cone of your favorite flavor; they stock about twenty. In addition, they make malts, floats, ice cream shakes, espresso shakes, even a fat-free shake with nonfat milk, nonfat frozen yogurt, and fresh fruit. Sweet Retreat also sells Hawaii Shave Ice in a wild array of flavors plus fresh fruit smoothies, Italian cream sodas, Mocafe Granitas, Orange Julips, and Strawberry Lemonade.

The service here is cheerful and friendly. If the employees act like one congenial family, it’s because they mostly are. Several generations of the family pitch in to help Kathie ("Mom"), during the hectic summer season. A sign posted in the window reminds tourists that they have come to the islands to relax, "so please start now". Sweet Retreat and Espresso the hospitality is extended even to visiting canines; a pail of fresh drinking water is always waiting.
Written By: Madelyn Altman
On: 3/21/2001

Directions

Sweet Retreat and Espresso is located about 2-1/2 blocks from the ferry landing on Spring Street between San Juan Jewels and Island Studios.

Features

Kid Friendly | Wheelchair Accessible | Breakfast | Delivery | Espresso | Lunch | Senior Discount | Take-Out

Map

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