Visiting the Ozarks? Try Mocha Jo’s Coffee Cafe!

Last week I talked about my reunion with a dear friend.

I mentioned that we met at Mocha Jo’s Coffee Cafe, an eclectic gem in the Missouri Ozarks, and today I wanted to tell you more about it.

I found Mocha Jo’s online as I researched possible places we could hook up for lunch. Since I hadn’t seen my friend in 25 years, I wanted something other than the typical fast food fare, pizza chains, or sandwich shops. I hoped to find someplace unique. Special. A place we could let our hair down and have a nice, long visit.

Since we wanted to meet at a halfway point geographically and we were familiar with the town of Monett, we decided we’d eat there.

(While Mocha Jo’s website needs updating, don’t be deterred. Check out the link above for the menu, hours, and several scrumptious-looking photos. I left a comment on their website, but as of today, it hadn’t posted yet.)

Mocha Jo’s is located in a renovated brick building with the date “1903” inscribed above  and sandwiched between Modern Variety and another adjoining business. There’s plenty of parking in front and across the street, though there is a two-hour parking limit. (The day my friend and I visited, parking wasn’t a problem. It rained buckets!)

The first thing I noticed as we entered the small alcove and through the glass doors was the tantalizing aroma.

Oh my goodness!

The delicious scent of coffee wafted through the air and made my mouth water. The smell was heavenly.

The architecture inside this renovated building was beautiful. The exposed brick added character, as did the unique choice of wall art. (I found the use of antique doors a fun conversation-starter.)

There was ample booth space and each booth had its own individual table lamp. There were also various comfy sofas, chairs, and relaxing spaces scattered about, as well as a repainted church pew I found quite charming.

I immediately recognized this was a cozy corner of the world I could lose myself to, and I envisioned returning sometime with my laptop in tow. (Ahh… be still, my writer’s heart!)

My friend Beth and I wandered up to the counter where we were promptly greeted with a smile.

“What can we get for you ladies?”

Everything on the menu sounded wonderful. I wanted to try it all!

We both decided on chicken salad sandwiches and homemade potato salad, but we took note of the mouth-watering array of baked goodies inside the display case, too. (We promised ourselves a treat after lunch if we still had room.)

“Brian,” a pleasant young man assisted us with lunch.

Now—about Brian.

From the outset, we were drawn to his friendly, outgoing demeanor. Brian’s passion for Christ and his heart for others thrilled us because it was clear that God orchestrated our meeting. We learned that not only does Brian work at Mocha Jo’s, but he also serves as Director of The Den Youth Center, a Christian-based organization, housed above the café.

The really awesome thing?

A portion of Mocha Jo’s proceeds goes toward this fabulous ministry!

I’ll tell you more about The Den in a future post so I hope you’ll check back. Brian gave us a hands-on tour and I can’t wait to share what we learned.

As Beth and I spoke with Brian. I knew that being at Mocha Jo’s wasn’t just happenstance. The way that rainy Monday unfolded was a blessing all around, and God used Brian to minister to our hearts to share the love of Jesus.

We enjoyed our sandwiches, our gracious hosts, and the soothing atmosphere of this quaint café.

The one disappointment? Two hours went by way too fast!

I longed for more time to soak up the ambiance of this delightful treasure—a place that made you feel comfortably at home in a peaceful, sigh-worthy kind of way.

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Do you have a new discovery or a favorite place to hang out?

Blessings Always,