Cult-favorite coffee shop Dutch Bros opening first OC location this week

Noted for its inventive espresso concoctions and long lines snaking from its drive-through windows, Dutch Bros will open its first Orange County location in Fountain Valley’s Village Shopping Center on Friday, Feb. 9.

“I am so very excited Fountain Valley will welcome the first Dutch Bros for Southern California,” said Kim Constantine, Fountain Valley councilperson and former mayor. “While I haven’t yet indulged in their delicious offerings, I am really looking forward to doing so this week. I’ve been putting out information on social media for quite some time now, and can tell you this first location for Fountain Valley will be busy.”

For the uninitiated, Dutch Bros, conceived in 1992 by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma in Grants Pass, Ore., features an extensive menu of espresso drinks, teas, smoothies and other beverages, most of which can be customizable with an impressive list of syrups and milks.

Such brews as the Caramelizer, featuring espresso, chocolate milk, caramel sauce and whipped cream; the Double Torture, a double shot of espresso laced with vanilla syrup, chocolate milk and whipped cream; or the 9-1-1 that features a staggering six shots of espresso with Irish cream syrup and half and half have, in part, helped turn this onetime pushcart enterprise into a multimillion-dollar public company with approximately 500 stores across 12 states.

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For those who prefer their caffeine in classic form, mochas, lattes, cold brews, nitro and americanos can be found here. However, the chain does not sell drip-style coffee, primarily espresso-based drinks. Most of the offerings can be made hot, cold or blended. And similar to another popular drive-through chain, Dutch Bros. has if-you-know-you-know style of orders, like “mafia style,” which means extra sweet with two additional shots of espresso. The company also sells energy drinks in sundry flavors, sodas, shakes and more.

The limited snack menu includes muffin tops (hat tip to proselytizer Elaine Benes) in lemon poppyseed, chocolate chip and orange-cranberry flavors, as well as a granola bar.

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In addition to its expansive menu, Dutch Bros. baristas, known as “bro-istas,” are known for their friendly disposition and chummy connection with customers. Memorizing patron preferences, inquiring about family members, and even handing out free drinks to customers dealing with difficult lives have helped bring people back again and again.

The new 950-square foot Dutch Bros building with a double drive-through at the northeast corner of Magnolia Street and Talbert Avenue in Fountain Valley will be the first of two stores planned for Orange County. Later this year, Dutch Bros plans on opening a La Habra store; the project is still in its early stages.

Dutch Bros in Fountain Valley will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Find it: 17954 Magnolia St.., Fountain Valley