Dutch Bros Coffee takes on the East Coast by opening their first coffee stand in Davenport, Florida. 

Dutch Bros was founded by two brothers, Dane and Travis Boersma, from Grants Pass, Oregon in 1992 as a pushcart by the railroad tracks where they sold espresso after leaving their family’s Dairy business. 

The once pushcart has now evolved into a drive through and walk-up coffee stand that has established several locations over the West-Coast. The coffee shop’s Florida location officially opened last Friday making it the first Dutch Bros on the East coast. 

Though the chain is mainly along the West, the company has expanded to Tennessee, Alabama, and now Florida. The shop has become a staple for people from the west coast,  such as myself. The chain has signified themselves as a competitor in the coffee business and have opened over 800 different locations in the United States.  

Dutch Bros features a large menu that includes drinks such as espressos, blended coffee, iced teas, lattes, and other standard drinks you could find at a coffee shop. Along with drinks the shop also offers pastry items such as their famous muffin tops.  

One of the most popular drinks with customers is the ‘Golden Eagle’. The drink is a “Creamy breve featuring bold espresso, half and half, vanilla syrup and caramel sauce, then topped with whipped cream and a caramel sauce drizzle”.  Other fan favorite coffees include the ‘Caramelizer’ or the ‘Cocomo’.  My favorite drink happens to be super basic and is a plain mocha with almond milk. 

Unlike other coffee chains Dutch Bros offers beverages such as “Rebels”, protein coffees, shakes, sparkling sodas and more. The “Rebel”, an energy drink made by Dutch Bros is another one of the stand’s beloved drinks. Dutch Bros also just announced their newest limited time drink their ‘Poppin Bobba’. The Bobba will feature flavors like ‘Fire Lizard Rebel’, and ‘Berry Lemonade’.  

When it comes to the pastry’s the stand offers, they have a not so long menu of four options. The menu includes three different flavors of muffin tops and a granola bar. However, their muffin tops are a treat that a lot of customers rave over. While I have never had any of Dutch Bros’ food, the reviews sound promising. 

Dutch Bros has gained a huge cult like following and now that the chain has made its debut in Davenport, Floridians can join the “Dutch Mafia”. A huge part of the Dutch Bros experience is the cool, always positive, and laidback vibe the company gives off. The employees are known as “broistas” and are trained by “The Mob” also known as the experienced “broistas”.  

The stand strives off its positive attitude and brings in loads of customers such as myself,  through the energy the shop gives out. A big way the company likes to spread good vibes is through the music they play at the stand. All day long the shop has feel-good hits playing. The business also hands stickers out with orders, and are constantly changing their sticker inventory making sure you do not always get the same sticker. I currently have 2 different stickers from the stand in Davenport and can’t wait to collect more. The stand in Davenport has a game of cornhole for walk up guest to play while waiting for their order. 

Along with the daily things the stand does to spread a positive message they also give out special edition items with orders on some holidays. While the Davenport location was not open yet on Valentines Day other Dutch Bros were handing out friendship bracelets. On National Pet Day the business gave out dog tags with orders as well. Every year items given out are new and not known until the special day. I haven’t received any of these special items yet but hope to in the future as they look amazing. 

The company has also started a Drink One for Dane Day in honor of Dane Boersma, one of the brothers who started the company. Dane passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2009. Every year on May 17th for every drink sold, the Dutch Bros Foundation donates funds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). This year will be the 18th year Drink One for Dane Day will be hosted. This year, the stand in Davenport will take part in the event too. 

Residents of Davenport will not be the only people in Florida who get to take part in the “Dutch Mafia” and their experiences. The Dutch Bros website list Clermont, Winter Park, and St. Augustine as upcoming locations for the coffee stand.  

According to Jacksonville, Tampa, and Gainesville’s permitting websites Dutch Bros also has permits to start building in those cities, expanding their locations throughout Florida. With Dutch Bros upcoming expansion plans, people all over Florida will get a chance to partake in the Dutch Bros experience.