10 Johnson Ave
10 Johnson Ave.,
Indianapolis, IN 46219
facebook.com/10JAve
(317) 929-1019
When interviewing people for my Recorder stories, I like to meet them near where they live or work, to make it as convenient for them as possible. That’s what first brought me to an Irvington coffee shop called 10 Johnson Avenue (that’s both the name and the address).
Atmosphere-wise, it was the perfect location for a low-key meeting. It is much more spacious than many other coffee shops, and it’s not nearly as loud. There are newspapers to read and board games to play, and I felt none of the pressure to hurry along and let someone else have my seat. The cafe also hosts several events, such as open mic nights and board game nights. If I didn’t have to drive up from the south side, I can imagine spending many leisurely Saturdays in 10 Johnson’s dining room or on the patio. For Irvington residents within walking and biking distance, it’s truly a gem.
The menu includes pretty much what’s to be expected — a variety of coffee drinks, teas and pastries, plus some sandwiches, sodas and soup. On my first visit, I had the Chocolatier, a chocolate-flavored Italian cream soda. It was a tough decision; other available flavors include Mango Sunburst, Rootbeer on the Beach, Chai Soda, Cherry Coke and several more. My soda was a refreshing drink, caffeine-free and not too sweet — perfect for the p.m.
Since it’s a coffee shop, I thought I’d better try the coffee before writing this article. I returned to the cafe on a weekday afternoon and found it to be as charming as I remembered from my prior visit. This time, I ordered a Snickers Latte and a blueberry muffin. 10 Johnson boasts gluten-free baked goods — cookies, cakes, bagels and muffins. Though that’s not a dietary restriction I follow, I know there are many people who’d appreciate the offerings.
The latte was delicious, which was expected given that it’s named for a candy bar. My favorite part: it was warm, but I didn’t burn my tongue! I pretty much always burn my tongue when I get coffee from Starbucks, McDonald’s or Dunkin Donuts. It was nice to be able to taste my drink for once. The muffin was large and very dense, in a good way. I was most pleased by the blueberries — they were huge, and there were so many of them!
A couple caveats: I wouldn’t recommend stopping here if you’re in a major hurry. Everything moves at a leisurely pace, which adds to the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, but it could derail your day if you’ve only got a couple minutes. Also, like many coffee habits, it can get pricey. My soda was $-4–$5, and my latte and muffin ran $7–$8. 10 Johnson does offer a “Frequent Sipper” punch card, and they gave me a retroactive punch for my first visit.
