Kevin and Sydney Ballentyne are the husband and wife team, alongside Kevin's father, James, who run Americano Ammunition Coffee out of a small structure in front of the Big Tin Cotton Gin. Both buildings have a history too, the local homesteaders in the area brought their cotton to be processed at the Gin, and the coffee shop once scaled all the cotton. Today, Kevin greets regular customers as they come and go, a few of whom enjoy the outdoor seating, while others hit the drive thru for their caffeine fix.
Americano Ammunition Coffee has been open for the last two years and is unique for several reasons. They roast their coffee beans in house, and they are committed to being 100% local and community minded. They also stand apart from other coffee shops by selling ammunition alongside their lattes. Kevin says they merely want to show that they are 'freedom and American loving' who promote Arizona values.
Besides being passionate about the Constitution, the love for coffee is apparent, coming up with delicious flavors and combinations for their customers. In addition to various espresso based coffees, they also provide energy drinks and pastries. Their signature drinks, however, are a must. The 'Red Tip Tracer', for example, is a strawberry latte topped off with homemade strawberry whip cream. Then there is the delectable 'Desert Eagle' which is a salted caramel breve, a mix of espresso with a rich caramel sauce and real sea salt. They offer up seasonal concoctions too, in May they celebrate peach season in Queen Creek with a Peach Latte, and Fall will usher in the much anticipated Pumpkin Spice flavors.
Kevin says they usually go all out for Halloween and will have a 'haunted' walk thru with costumes and more. Meanwhile they also have a coffee truck that travels around the East Valley serving up hot and cold blends. For those who visit regularly they also offer their customers a rewards system and are open six days a week from 6am - 4pm. Kevin says they want to be seen as the neighborhood coffee shop, embedded in their locality where people gather around coffee. Kevin is clearly proud to be American, perhaps even more proud to be an Arizonan, while sharing a love for his neighbors and great coffee.
www.americanoammunitioncofeeaz.com
'Besides being passionate about the Constitution, the love for coffee is apparent, coming up with delicious flavors and combinations for their customers.'