August is a month of many recognitions, including National Coffee Month. Establishments in our local communities offer many opportunities to try delicious hot and refreshing chilled coffee beverages.
New in Dos Palos, Hot Shots Coffee and Ice Cream at 1520 Frank Ave. has a 100 percent recommendation on Facebook as of this column. The drive-through enters Frank Avenue and exits onto Blossom Street.
Hot Shots features Peet’s Coffee, which bills itself on its website as “The original craft coffee, established in 1966.” Born in 1920, Alfred Peet learned to grind and roast coffee at his father’s knee. His father owned a coffee-grinding company in the Netherlands.
By 1955, Peet went to San Francisco after expanding his knowledge of coffee in other countries. In 1966, he opened his own small-batch coffee bean company in Berkeley, California.
Hot Shots is becoming popular for creative and yummy coffee indulgences. The shaken expresso choices are brown sugar cinnamon, salted caramel or decadent vanilla. Owner Marc Porter guarantees, “One of these is sure to put a pep in your step.”
Cold brew is available in various flavors: ask the barista when ordering. The drive-through also offers multiple teas and other beverages, including mangonadas, a specialty from Michoacán, Mexico. The treat is a mango sorbet that is sweet, salty and spicy.
Hot Shots created an original watermelon raspberry quencher and other fruit quenchers. The real fruit beverages draw return customers.
Lemonade can have a power booster added. Fruity, creamy sodas are available with optional boba.
Local teacher Katy Reed says Hot Shots’ peach iced tea is the best. She explains, “The peach iced tea has the perfect blend of flavors.
Porter emphasizes, “We strive to offer our community the best quality coffee and beverages available.” Premium coffee compares with the best.
Hot Shots is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.—except on Sundays. They serve breakfast and lunch items, and the many offerings vary.
Breakfast sandwiches and burritos are the basics. Breakfast pastries on display include a lemon blueberry loaf, cakes, muffins and Danish pastries.
Two popular lunch favorites are a chicken ranch with bacon sandwich on a French roll and Tuscan chicken on a fresh baguette. A turkey, bacon and avocado sandwich is an alternate offering.
Chips and a cookie complete a lunch meal. The Chinese chicken salad, the original recipe, is always available.
Hot Shots drive-thru is open for supper on Tuesdays and Fridays. Dinner items are served from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Porter is known for the loaded potatoes he has served at local fundraisers. Sometimes, calamari and shrimp are on the menu.
Churros, shakes and ice cream treats complete evening fare. Choose from eight ice cream flavors, or have a milkshake or sundae.
Hot Shots’ slogan is “Take the journey with us.” Porter explains, “We are on a journey, small now, but we will continue to grow. We are creating delicious concoctions [that are] not available anywhere else. As we grow, we plan to have dining in the future. We want the community to be part of that journey with us.”
Now that it’s almost late August, Porter says, “It’s back to school, so come on through.” He encourages everyone to grab breakfast or a morning perk-up.
Hot Shots sits on the large lot shared with the Dos Palos Palm Café. While cruising down Blossom Street, stop and try some favorites.
Find current offerings on its Facebook page, Hot Shots Coffee & Ice Cream. For breakfast and lunch, call 209-979-4198. Calling in is recommended.
Janet Miller’s e-book, Family Prayers and Activities: Weekly Guides, is for families or prayer groups. Janet is the creator of Friends on the Way, an e-resource for churches to teach families about the Bible and discipleship. Find it at www.TeamRCIA.com.
