A Day In The City With Simply Great Coffee

This post is sponsored by Circle K.  All opinions expressed are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that support YUMMommy! 
Coffee.  I’ve been a coffee drinker and lover since I was a kid. (Thanks, Mom!)  Where some moms destress with a glass or two of wine, I prefer to start and unwind my day with a deliciously warm cup of great tasting coffee.  Honestly, when people ask me what’s one thing I miss about living in Charlotte, great coffee is at the top of my list.
This is exactly why I jumped at the opportunity to spend a day in the Queen City checking out Simply Great Coffee from Circle K.  Trust me when I say that I was not disappointed!  Seriously forget what you’ve heard or you’ve what tasted at other gas stations because they have nothing on Simply Great Coffee.  Circle K just changed the gas station coffee game forever!
Charlotte was where I first got hooked on European-style specialty coffees.  I had my first latte my freshman year of college at a coffee shop near campus.  While I loved the coffee and overall experience of being able to customize my drink, I didn’t love the long lines or sometimes moody baristas.  My student bank account definitely didn’t like and couldn’t afford the prices.
Ten plus years later not much has changed.  I still love high-quality and great tasting specialty/gourmet coffee.  However, I still despise the long lines (my kids are impatient), moody baristas (sorry, I can’t do bad attitudes), and ridiculous prices (Moo’s future Ivy League college tuition isn’t going to pay itself).

It’s for all these reasons listed above that I will now be frequenting my local Circle K (and you should too) to get my coffee fix.  Seriously, they have this really cool state-of-the-art coffee machine that lets you make lattes, cappuccinos, americanos and even hot chocolate for the kids all at the touch of a button.  No moody barista required.

If your kids are allergic to long lines like mine or you just don’t have the time to wait out long lines, no worries.  It takes less than 60 seconds to make your coffee or hot chocolate.  So you can be in and out in less than 5 minutes.

You can still customize your coffee thanks to the handy drink customizing station they’ve added as well.  It’s stocked with pretty much all of the options you’d see at a traditional coffeehouse- a variety of sweeteners, flavored syrups, creamers, etc.  The prices are truly reasonable with a small being $2.29, a medium $2.69, a large $2.99 and an expresso $1.29.  That’s right you can get a latte for under $3 now!!

But the best part is that Simply Great Coffee actually tastes great!  This is not your average gas station coffee.  They sustainably source high-quality coffee beans and then roast them to perfection and in a way that doesn’t leave you with that bitter/burnt aftertaste that coffee can be known to have.  It was so smooth that I didn’t even add any sugar to my cappuccino, just a pump of my usual French Vanilla flavoring.  Even then I was surprised that I only needed one pump of flavoring compared to my usual three because again I didn’t need to combat that bitter/burnt aftertaste.

And because most Circle Ks are open 24 hours, I can get now get my late night cappuccino fix!!  It felt great to be back in the Queen City after four months away.  Even better it felt great discovering Simply Great Coffee.

 It feels good going to my local Circle K and getting a cup of coffee that will always remind me of the great city we used to call home for over a decade.  This move is still an adjustment, but having the ability to curl up with a good book and delicious cup of Simply Great Coffee and letting all the feels wash over me is priceless.  I still and probably will forever miss living in the Queen City, but having something seemingly as simple as the convenience to treat myself to specialty coffee is helping to make me fall in love with our new city.

Of course, we couldn’t leave the Queen City (or waste a good coffee high) without doing some furniture shopping or visiting a few of our favorite places like the wishing fountain at Philip’s Place and the park.

Circle K is celebrating the launch of Simply Great Coffee by offering FREE 12 oz Simply Great Coffee beverages (they have iced and cold brew coffee too) during the first two weeks of October from 6-8 AM.  So you can try it out for yourself risk-free and let me know what you think afterward.  Click here to see which stores will be participating.

Don’t forget to follow Circle K on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all of their latest happenings.  I can let you guys in on a little secret that they’ll be doing something special for the holidays!  I won’t say what because I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but I’m excited about it.  Also, I heard that they could roll out new machines in the future that will include non-dairy milk options like soy or almond milk for those with dairy allergies!  You guys know I had to ask because Moo and JJ have a milk allergy.  Circle K has really changed the way I look at gas station coffee and hopefully, they’ll win you over too!

What’s your favorite time specialty coffee beverage- latte, cappuccino, americano?

38 Comments

  1. Daenel T.

    October 5, 2017 at 10:10 PM

    Say what?! I'm a coffee snob and would be hard pressed to drink gas station coffee, but… Yeah, I might have to give it a second thought {taste?}.

  2. Masshole Mommy

    October 18, 2017 at 7:23 PM

    I am such a coffee addict and I am going to keep an eye out for Simply Great Coffee! It sounds like just what I need in the mornings.

  3. candy

    October 18, 2017 at 7:42 PM

    We stop at Circle K and my friend swears by their coffee. Me well I'm more of a hot chocolate fan.

  4. Natalie Loves Beauty

    October 18, 2017 at 8:26 PM

    This looks and sounds like a great place for a coffee run. I know a few coffee addicts who would love it!

  5. Unknown

    October 18, 2017 at 8:44 PM

    I am a coffee snob like Daenel but this does look GOOD! And here I was just going to make a cup of coffee. Wish one of these places was near me!

  6. tiarastantrums

    October 18, 2017 at 8:56 PM

    Oh I'm with you – give me coffee any time of the day – I would rather a great latte than a glass of wine too! I like really GOOD coffee too! Can't drink it if it looks or tastes like dirty water!

  7. Jeannette

    October 18, 2017 at 8:57 PM

    My husband loves coffee anyway he can get it! We have a Circle K right down the street and when we go on road trips it's the first place we stop so he can get his coffee.

  8. AiringMyLaundry

    October 18, 2017 at 11:18 PM

    I wish I liked coffee! I do love the smell though. I usually get Diet Cokes for caffeine.

  9. Liz Mays

    October 19, 2017 at 12:58 AM

    A good cappuccino really hits the spot, especially when it's cold out! It's nice to be able to quickly stop in and get one!

  10. joannabri

    October 19, 2017 at 12:58 AM

    We don't have any Circle K's near us, but I'll be sure to look out for them when we travel. It's always great to be able to gas up and grab a great cup of coffee.

  11. Tomi C

    October 19, 2017 at 2:29 AM

    Any time is a great time for a cup of coffee. I like specialty coffees. You know this spice and that spice and this special blend and that special blend. Just make sure it's full of sweet tasting cream.

  12. Unknown

    October 19, 2017 at 4:00 AM

    Coffee fanatic here *raises hand* but I will admit, I've tasted some decent gas station coffee from places like Wawa. I have to check out this Circle K's 🙂

  13. ricci

    October 19, 2017 at 8:06 AM

    I love a good cup of coffee and don't really care where it's from as long as it tastes good…LOL!! I need to try Circle K's new coffee ASAP!!

  14. Miss Angie

    October 19, 2017 at 2:07 PM

    I am a BIG coffee drinker. I don't think we have a Circle K around here, but I'll have to check! Thanks for sharing.

  15. Julee

    October 19, 2017 at 2:28 PM

    Mmmm…coffee. I love specialty coffees and creamers. I've had Circle K coffee and it is indeed a good cup of joe.

  16. RYFL

    October 19, 2017 at 6:08 PM

    I love love love my coffee – I didn't know that Circle K stores offered such a great selection . I will keep that in mind the next time I see one.

  17. Kita Bryant

    October 19, 2017 at 8:11 PM

    Coffee is definitely a must for me. I love finding out about great coffees to try!

  18. My Teen Guide

    October 20, 2017 at 11:34 AM

    I can never be without my large mug of coffee in the morning. It is the best beverage for me ever. I will have to check out Simply Great Coffee the next time I stop by Circle K.

  19. Cheap Is The *New* Classy

    October 21, 2017 at 11:47 AM

    There's nothing like a great cup of coffee to get your day started right. I am having some right now myself. 🙂

  20. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 5:50 PM

    Well, definitely give Simply Great Coffee a try. I completely understand about being a coffee snob, I'm particular about my coffee as well.

  21. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 5:50 PM

    Hopefully, they have it available in your area and you can try it.

  22. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 5:51 PM

    Sounds like your friend has great taste in coffee. Trust me it's not your typical gas station coffee. They really worked hard to make sure that they're giving customers quality coffee. It really is worth a try.

  23. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 5:52 PM

    Well, definitely let them know that Circle K is where it's at if they're looking for some gourmet/specialty coffee that's affordable and actually great tasting!

  24. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 5:53 PM

    Keeping my fingers crossed that they put a Circle K closer to you!

  25. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 5:54 PM

    Exactly! And with all of the technology and advancements agriculture as well as the food industry, nobody should be serving bad coffee in 2017. Circle K is definitely setting the bar high.

  26. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 5:55 PM

    It's great to hear that he's already a fan of the coffee at Circle K. Can't wait to hear what he thinks about their new Simply Great Coffee as well.

  27. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 5:56 PM

    Sorry to hear that coffee isn't your thing. Don't forget they hot chocolate as well! It's pretty delicious too.

  28. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 6:01 PM

    Sorry to hear that you guys don't have a Circle K, but if you travel for the holiday, definitely stop by one and try out the coffee or the hot chocolate. You can't go wrong with either.

  29. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 6:04 PM

    Agreed! I love coffee any time during the day but especially during the evenings in the winter and the fall.

  30. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 6:04 PM

    Let me know what you think after you try it!

  31. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 6:05 PM

    LOL. Well, I hope you enjoy it when you try it!

  32. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 6:06 PM

    Coffee is just so good! It definitely needs to be our national drink. LOL. I hope you get a chance to try Simply Great Coffee.

  33. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 6:07 PM

    Yes, their regular coffee is good as well! So, you will definitely love their new Simply Great Coffee drinks too!

  34. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 6:08 PM

    Yep! I'm glad they've expanded their selection and the machine is pretty cool to work as well!

  35. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 6:09 PM

    Hey Kita! I hope you get to try it and enjoy it.

  36. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 6:10 PM

    You sound like me. My daughter teases me that my mug must be glued to my hand. LOL.

  37. K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy

    October 25, 2017 at 6:11 PM

    So true. Having coffee just helps my day to go smoother. It relaxes me.

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