Hey friends,
Super stoked to talk about Houndstooth coffee! During my staycation, this place was a convenient spot to stop and take a break at. Just by taking a look at their website you’ll see this place is very popular and all over the hipster-saturated cities here in Texas, Austin and Dallas. They have 4 locations in Austin, so if you’re visiting there is no way you won’t have time to get to one of em. Here in Dallas, there are three locations, Henderson Avenue, Sylvan and Walnut Hill. Although I find Henderson Avenue being the most popular, the Walnut hill has just another character of its own that I’m really digging! The super small tree-house-like coffee shop has a swagger of its own that really attract numerous of people, despite the limited space.
For one, Houndstooth Coffee is no-joke one the most serious coffee shops in Dallas, hands down. They do not take their coffee lightly (both no pun and pun intended). They are locally brewed and their barista’s represent Houndstooth with pride by always staying on top of the coffee trends and crafting coffee in ways that many coffee shops don’t know how. They are the stylish creatives of the industry, always finding ways to make coffee a fashion statement, for lack of better words. Houndstooth is both committed to the coffee they serve and the community they serve to. Even this “almost missed by sight,” small coffee shop can curate to the biggest crowds due to their passion and I find that astonishing and admirable.
Now lets get to why this place made it to my list? I mentioned the convenience of the coffee shop’s location earlier and its true that the Walnut Hill location is probably the best location to have such a small and relaxed coffee shop here in the North Dallas area. They don’t need to be in the middle of everything that is happening in Dallas in order to attract the “right” crowd. Both coffee drinkers and coffee enthusiasts get the pleasure of coming to Houndstooth Walnut Hill. Funny story, I was actually at Civil Pour before I walked into Houndstooth. I’ve been here before, might as well come again, right? But it’s more than just convenience. It’s experience.
The barista is a freakin coffee nerd, to say in the most loving way, I loved his expertise. I had a cortado with floral notes, and to be honest I didn’t have much of an idea of what that meant but, thanks to this guy, I do now. Their coffee is super strong, its bitter in the best of ways, and it will make your pupils dilate seconds after taking the first sip. But you get those notes I’m talking about. The cortados floral note was very light, which meant to me it didn’t leave your tongue with the nasty “burnt coffee bean” after-taste that most coffees carry. No Joke. Nothing better than a coffee that can work the true magic of its purpose, huh? Even though the coffee menu looks slim and limited, you don’t need to want anything other than what the baristas recommend. And it’s okay to ask dumb questions here like, “what is that?” because they actually want to tell you.
So what if you’re not into the strong coffee or what if you’re not a coffee enthusiast but want to just capture the right picture? Well, they have this cutest sign of the word 
COFFEE that has become super popular and a signature to their location. Everyone knows where you’re at when you see this sign on Instagram. Seriously, anyone’s instagram can be transformed by a pic like that don’t you think?
I love the style of their coffee shop, although it’s very minimalistic for my personal taste. I think for the sizing of the shop, the modern and minimalistic fits perfectly. I see how clean it is, and there are details here and there that make you feel connected but not overwhelmed. The windows really make this place open and liberating, so that if you did get lucky enough to find a seat, you could feel revitalized by the sun’s brightness. They have a separate area where you can find tables to work on your own, away from the barista’s just in case they get rowdy.
My only issue with the place really is the space. Like I’ve said, I do admire that they can continue to attract the number of people they do with such a little tiny coffee house, but when it comes to feeling comfortable and productive, my personal opinion is that you won’t find any of those two here. I don’t if it was just those guys’ preferences, but they were standing… and so was I. The area where you can move away and find a table still continues to be to small, and bring out too much competition for a table that I rather not deal with. If it wasn’t too hot, I’d be outside by the benches, which at least they do have.
Overall, this place is an oasis for many. Small enough to escape for a second, big enough to get the job down of being a coffee shop. There is creativity floating around and you can feel it. But most of all, their coffee carries classiness and signature tastes that are incomparable. I mean, just look at Victor’s face!
Let’s talk, I want to hear all about your own coffee addiction! And if you liked my post please hit like to this post, follow my blog and comment your thoughts. If you have time go visit my personal Instagram page, click here.
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-Xo Monica H
about here in more detail) you’ll notice this place kind of has that same vibe. Local art posted in the wall with the artists information and cost of the painting or drawing, really makes me feel local and like the city cares about the creatives. I’m super mush over it.
Who else wants to know if the coffee was good or not?
seen. From my point of view, there’s not much of a story here except that this place was designed to be photographed, tagged, and shared by others in the Dallas area who go crazy for all things pink, shiny, sweet, and iced!
I love how creative the owners were to implement scrabble tiles into their menu because it truly attracts everyones attention and gives the place so much more character. Honestly, I could just read the entire menu to myself because it’s so pretty. I feel like I sound super basic but this coffee shop kind of is so… I don’t feel that ashamed.
these very knowledgeable and scientific baristas pour you a beer or some coffee. I would say the theme is modern. And judging from their customers appearance, it located in a very corporate-business sector of Dallas.
another cup of this coffee right NOW. *Crying on the inside because I wasted precious time buying Starbucks coffee while living in this side of the city instead of tasting blueberry pancakes every morning.* I tell you, please go and ask for this drink at least once this summer. I believe its a seasonal drink of theirs but maybe if everyone contributes to requesting it as much as I will, they might add it to their more permanent menu –fingers crossed. The magic doesn’t end there though.
Their space is very inviting and cozy. You feel zero pressure to come in looking like a million bucks because after a few drinks, you’ll be feeling like it anyway. They have tons of books to look at and read if you get bored, and they even have a cute nook-reading area which is very Instagramable. Their Wi-Fi is completely free and they have a very strict rule about shutting off their Wi-Fi after 6 PM on weekdays and weekend nights. Again, they want to create an environment where people will feel free and welcomed to share ideas with one another without being in any distracted.
Place is super white, the walls I mean, and the huge window facing the inside of the coffee shops really gives the ambience a Soft & Airy type-feel. I’m not big with interior design terminology but I would say it is definitely mid-century modern with a tiny hint of modern boho.
their drinks really gives character to the establishment as well as serves as a marketing technique to sell some of their “best-known-for” items. Merit Coffee has a very simple menu. Most people into midcentury and bohemian design are cut-to-the-chase and minimalistic (I assume), so this menu was definitely that. I’m the type of gal who wants to only glance at a menu at times to see what really stands out in the first few seconds. If I’m not already up at the front of the ordering line, I’ll definitely take a hard-copy of it and contemplate my options a little longer because I want the best experience. Today, I choose to glance and what stood out was the adffogato, so I had that.
actually enjoying anything in life, I decided to sip on the adffogato before eating it as an ice cream dessert. The reason I did this is because since I didn’t get a full coffee drink, I wanted to get a hint of what their coffee does taste like. Well, let me tell you. I’ve had a better affogato, but this was not the worst at all.
monic·a·ble 