13 of the best drive-thru coffee stands in and around Spokane

Drive-thru coffee shops offer caffeine as well as convenience.

Customers don’t even have to leave the comfort of their cars to satisfy their espresso craving. For many, it’s a required stop on their daily commute to work.

Here’s where to get drive-thru coffee in and around Spokane.

Ladder

This new drive-thru coffee shop got its start in a barista’s yard over the summer. Husband-and-wife Aaron and Katie Rivkin began holding Saturday morning coffee klatches at their home to start building buzz for a brick-and-mortar location and get the word out about their mission. Eventually, they’re hoping to hire employees and be able to give people with felony convictions – and other folks who need a fresh start – an opportunity to gain work experience and job and life skills. They opened their first official location in the Fairwood Shopping Center. Ladder sources beans from specialty coffee roasters, uses organic syrups and offers its own label, roasted in partnership with Indaba, where Aaron Rivkin used to work. Ladder also sells drinks made with chai from Spokane’s Mandala Chai Co. as well as a specialty sips such as a lavender-white chocolate mocha, pumpkin spice latte and the Dale, a mixture of espresso, Sprite, organic cardamom syrup and cinnamon. It’s one of what the Rivkins call “coffee cocktails.” Expect more creative combinations from them as they become more established. 603 W. Hastings Road. (509) 288-1258. www.facebook.com/laddercoffee.

Harmony

This unassuming but highly rated drive-thru near a downtown Spokane freeway entrance is known for its customer service and creativity. Signature drinks include the Golden Dragonfly, with caramel and brown-sugar cinnamon, and the Black Nova, with dark chocolate and honey-vanilla. Look, also, for Tigers Blood, with cayenne pepper, macadamia nut and chocolate, and the Viola Watson, with blackberry and salted caramel. Other concoctions include the white chocolate-ginger mocha. Signature drinks are dessertlike but balanced and inventive. 1505 W. Fourth Ave. (509) 624-2460. facebook.com/harmonycoffeespokane.

Cool Beans

This popular coffee stand on the South Hill serves hot, iced and blended drinks with a smiley face. That is, the logo features a smiley face with coffee beans for eyes. Look for traditional espresso drinks such as lattes, mochas, cappuccinos and Americanos. Noncoffee drinkers who want a boost of caffeine might opt for the Red Bull Italian soda. Look, also, for smoothies, chai and Isagenix meal-replacement protein shakes. 4337 S. Regal St. (509) 443-6402.

Whistle Stop

Don’t be surprised if there’s a wait at this popular, 10-year-old drive-thru. It’s known for its drink specials, seasonal drinks and blended beverages. Look for train-themed signature drinks such as the Caramel Caboose, Nutty Conductor and Train Tracks. Look, also, for assorted teas, Italian sodas, seasonal cold brew, a Mexican mocha, hot cocoa and more. 16409 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 891-5852. facebook.com/WhistleStopCoffeeShop.

White Dog Coffee

This small, dog-themed drive-thru shop serves two locally roasted kinds of coffee: Thomas Hammer and Cravens. It’s known for its friendly service and specialty drinks. Look for blended beverages as well as seasonal offerings. Spokane: 2909 E. 57th Ave. Spokane Valley: 1014 N. Pines Road. facebook.com/WhiteDogCoffee.

Thomas Hammer

This longtime coffee roaster and coffee shop has 18 locations in Eastern Washington and Idaho. Four of them – Post Falls and Hayden in Idaho, Fairwood in North Spokane and East Sprague Avenue in Spokane Valley – offer drive-thrus. Fun fact: If you select the “Chat with Tom” option on the website, your email will be sent directly to founder and CEO Thomas Hammer, who started the company in 1993. Find locations at hammercoffee.com.

Rise and Grind Espresso

This coffee stand serves small-batch Blue Star Coffee, roasted in Twisp in Washington’s Methow Valley. It also offers daily specials and specialty and seasonal drinks, such as eggnog chai. 6107 E. Trent Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 309-8882. facebook.com/riseandgrindespressostand.

Strada

Strada is located in a converted oil-change shop. The building used to house an Oil Can Henry’s. The old underground oil-changing bays have been concealed, and part of the driveway has been redone to allow for outdoor seating. There’s also plenty of free parking in the surrounding lot in case you decide to go inside. 1830 N. Third St., Coeur d’Alene. (208) 966-4098. stradacda.com

Union

This hip new coffee shop and roastery opened in early 2017 and specializes not only in espresso but also Belgian-style waffles, which come in both savory and sweet combinations. Look for other assorted housemade pastries and seasonal specialty drinks such as espresso with Mexican Coca-Cola and lime. The motto here is “for the people.” The decor is contemporary – done in black and white with dark accents, chalkboard signs and metal stools. 2102 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. (208) 966-4041. facebook.com/unionroasters and unionroastingco.com.

Lean Bean

The Cali bagel at this popular coffee stand enjoys a cult following. Cream cheese, tomato, avocado on a bagel with bacon, if you want to add it, is a top-seller at this spot, which also sells assorted coffee drinks and teas. Look for daily drink specials, too. 1820 Northwest Blvd. and 1207 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene. (208) 676-2326.

Jacob’s Java

Founded 25 years ago in 1992 by two brothers, Paul and Scott Jacobs, this small but longtime local chain offers traditional as well as specialty drinks. Look for classics such as lattes, cappuccinos, mochas and Americanos as well as blended drinks such as fruit smoothies, granitas and blended lattes. Specialty drinks include Oregon Chai tea lattes, hot chocolate, assorted teas, spiced cider, Italian sodas and flavored steamers, or hot milk spiked with a flavored syrup. For locations, visit jacobsjava.com/locations.

Wake Up Call Coffee

This growing chain, headquartered in Spokane Valley, is easily recognized by its oversize replicas of London’s iconic red phone booths. Specialty drinks include the London Latte, with salty caramel and cinnamon, and the white-chocolate Abbey. The Double-Decker Mocha features chocolate and real peanut butter. Drinks come in 12-, 16-, 20- and 24-ounce sizes. Iced drinks are also available in 32 ounces. Look for traditional espresso drinks as well as cold brew, French-press coffee, hot chocolate, steamers, Italian sodas, smoothies, granitas, assorted teas, chai tea lattes and assorted baked goods, such as bagels, muffins, cookies, scones, cinnamon rolls and cake pops. Wake Up offers free delivery for orders of $25 or more. For small orders, its menu items are available via UberEats. For locations, visit wakeupcoffee.biz.

Dutch Bros.

Founded in 1992 by two brothers of Dutch descent, this Oregon-based chain now boasts more than 260 locations in seven states, including Washington and Idaho, and enjoys an extremely loyal following. It’s been recognized by Forbes as one of the best small companies in America. And its drive-thrus are easily recognizable with their blue-and-white windmill motif. Dutch Bros. roasts its own coffee and makes annual donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in honor of co-founder Dane Boersma, who died in 2009, after a four-year fight with Lou Gehrig’s disease. The annual Drink One for Dane campaign to fight ALS falls on the first Friday in May. His brother, Travis Boersma, remains CEO of the company. For locations, visit dutchbros.com/locations.