A Sip and A Thought: PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans

MONTGOMERY, TX -- After that Japanese Whisky haul a few weeks back. In which I drank responsibly, as I encourage all of my readers to practice when partaking in the good stuff. I could have used a cup of coffee, and with gas prices finally relenting a bit, I was finally able to venture outside of Historic Montgomery, making it as far as Walden. Wait, I was in April Sound for the haul, but? Well, you do the math. I’m at ‘PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans’ this week, located at 17128 Walden Rd, in Montgomery, where it's Mardi Gras every day. So if you are on your way home from that all night bender with a building hangover, PJ’s open at 5 am, ready to fill you up with a stiff Cup of Joe and perhaps a French fritter, to knock back that katzenjammer, so you can sleep peacefully until 5 pm, then make it back to PJ’s for a sandwich and lemonade, on the way back to the rinse and repeat of the previous night. LOL. Please don’t party to excess my good readers, but please do make every effort to try PJ’s Coffee at every avail. In fact everyday. That’s an order!

I first tried a cup of PJ’s ‘Viennese Blend,’ one of their Dark Roast coffees, which would have helped against those Ninja sword wielding whiskys I tried a while back. I enjoyed the aroma. It's a toasty reminder of the coffeehouses of the Old World, and is PJ’s attempt to bring to Montgomery the unique balance and blend of Vienna roasted beans (with origins in Nicaragua and Honduras) so that tasters can enjoy it in every cup that is brewed. At first to the untrained palate, you might get an espresso feel with the VB, but you will come to find it full bodied and smooth. And after a sip or two, concentrating on the ending, I picked up on a chocolate aftertaste that I appreciated. It’s a great eye opener for sure in the morning, and will make a great replacement for those energy drinks people constantly consume in the afternoons.

Next I tried a cup of ‘Maple Street Blend,’ which I envisioned would be perfect for those who don’t need to be jolted awake with the darker roasts. It's a blend of Honduran and Brazilian beans, with it yielding a more floral and nutty aroma. MSB harkens back to 1978 and The Big Easy, when PJ’s Founder, Phyllis Jordan, poured her first cup of coffee on Maple Street, in The French Quarter; using high-quality beans and the best roasting method available. The Maple Street Blend is a Crescent City original. Each sip of this Medium Roast has a crisp, clean, and smooth finish to make a great start to the day.

PJ’s ‘Hazelnut Blend,’ is much lighter for the younger palates that are getting into the coffee scene. Perfect for any segment of the population looking to enjoy a nice Medium Roast with beans solely sourced from Brazil, this medium-bodied selection is perfect for a relaxing weekend, where time is not a factor. With the HB, you have some options. You can come and sit and enjoy a nice cup of coffee and a beignet, have a chat with that special someone, or simply read a book, or the Montgomery County News (shameless plug). It’s a classic that may spark memories of trips to New Orleans. I appreciated the aroma, with a hint of nuts and sweet tones, and its smooth and creamy flavor is why it’s one of PJ’s best sellers.

There are many ways to flavor the coffees, and change up your selections, and of course all of the coffees can be ‘iced’ creating whole new layers of flavor in your selections. PJ’s Coffee also has a wide ranging choice of hot drinks, organic teas, and even frozen beverages. And everything can pair well with a pastry or sandwich.

PJ’s is a definite reminder of old New Orleans. Their beignets are all things decadent. And when presented with a batch, I believe I echoed Admiral David Farragut’s exact words at the Battle of Mobile Bay, “Damn the Glucose Meter, Full Speed Ahead,” yielding to a victory over my blood sugar that those fluffy pillows of goodness wielded from their fried squared leavened dough humble beginnings. I then tried a ‘Sausage, Egg & Cheese Bagel,’ and well, let’s just say I was blown away. This breakfast sandwich is my new standard, and everything just clicked, with the best sausage available. It’s super-savory and cooked to perfection, and coupled with everything else, it’ll make you think of it, until it's time for lunch or dinner. Another savory sandwich on offer at PJ’s, this one for lunch or later, their ‘Cuban Sandwich;’ made with marinated pulled pork, hickory-smoked ham, Swiss cheese, bread & butter pickles, and mustard on ciabatta. And with the melted cheese keeping everything together it was tops in my book.

There are so many choices at PJ’s, the Iced Coffees can cool you down on a warm day. I tried the ‘Southern Wedding Cake,’ made with whole milk, with a bold body and creamy texture. There is a hint of sweetness at the end. The ‘Honey Oat Milk Latte,’ surprised me. I had no idea oats could be milked, and it’s just another feather in PJ’s cap. LOL. It’s a beautiful latte made with steamed oat milk and honey which makes for a wonderful non-dairy espresso. Even more beautiful is the ‘Mocha Granita,’ which is frozen and blended. It’s a rich chocolatey slurpy that’s topped with whipped cream, and streaks of more chocolate, and it’s the most caffeinated thing I had that day. I had drank so much coffee that I might have needed a shot of whiskey.

PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans even has some drinks for kids, like ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ and ‘Frozen Lemonade,’ and they will surely appreciate the pastry selections, as we big kids will attest. PJ’s is a real touch of The Big Easy headquartered on Walden Road. They have a real drive to serve you the best coffee that New Orleans has to offer. I tasted the difference, and I’m sure you will too!

PJ’s website is: pjscoffee.com

Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net

Photos