KELCEY NORRIS: Why you should go to High Octane Coffee Company this week in Austintown

By Kelcey Norris August 26, 2024 at 2:19 PM

If you’re looking for fresh, small-batch coffee by a one-of-a-kind small business in the Mahoning Valley, start your engines and head out to High Octane Coffee Company.

I’ll usually drive in or out of Youngstown on Interstate 80, passing right by High Octane.

Instead of supporting chains like Starbucks, I recommend checking out small businesses like High Octane next time you’re going out for your morning brew.

Inside High Octane, it’s all about automotive and racing culture, with vintage auto industry regalia on the walls and along the floor, like an awesome orange gas pump.

Founder Joe Sylvester said he started the High Octane to help fuel the Mahoning Valley and help people “live out their dreams and make the most of every day they have.”

The shop is under new management this summer, but the high quality products remain the same.

I always order a specialty iced coffee called The Super Bee, which is flavored with honey and vanilla; another customer has agreed it’s the best choice.

The coffee is amazing, roasted in small batches in a meticulous process “from farm to cup.”

Even though I love specialty brews and iced coffee, I keep coming back for the ice cream and the sandwiches.

Before coming to Mahoning Matters, I worked at WKBN and one of my friends who was also a production assistant took me to High Octane Coffee for the first time.

To fuel our drive, she said we had to stop at High Octane Coffee to get a Super Bee and the Monster Truck sandwich: shredded pot roast with melted white cheese on a pretzel bun.

It’s delicious and filling, the perfect fuel for a working journalist covering stories all day.

I’ve also had their breakfast sandwiches, and this was my first time trying the warmed apple pastry, which I loved.

Visit High Octane Coffee from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 890 N. Canfield Niles Road in Austintown.

Check out their online shop to place an order for delivery or take home a bag of coffee beans. For more information, call (330) 349-0444.

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Aaron Moody is a sports and general reporter for the News & Observer. Here is a second sentence for the bio because it will probably be longer than this. Maybe even longer I don't know. Support my work with a digital subscription

This story was originally published August 26, 2024 at 2:19 PM