Z's Divine Espresso East

We were heading out of town in a midday stupor and Z's drive-thru was pretty perfect for what we needed. It's not going to have the aesthetics of downtown Lawrence, tucked into a strip mall, but it's a function over fashion kind of coffee shop.My wife ordered a chai latte, I got a cold brew, and both were really tasty. Cold brew is one of those you have to get right in a technical sense, because if it's mis-measured or mis-timed, you're looking at something flat or bitter. This was just right. I especially appreciated the drive-thru as we both had to get back to work, but also with Covid going on, it just made things that much easier. While the location here is kinda blah, it makes up for it with quick and easy service, and the fact that you can easily pop onto K-10 heading east, or head into Lawrence the other direction.

Seriously delicious mochas here. I rarely order a mocha, but any time I'm at Z's that's what I get. The drive through is convenient, but I like walking in to order because I like the environment. This is an easy place to sit and study. There's always music playing and it's usually just loud enough to create a conversation barrier between you and the next table.

I usually get my morning drip coffee here and it's reliably good. Staff are friendly and there's a frequent buyer drink card for coffees and espresso drinks. The drive-thru can be unpredictable in the AM (sometimes 1 car ahead and sometimes 6 cars) so leave enough time if you have to get somewhere after. Bagels are sometimes stale but better than no breakfast when in a hurry. Convenient location if you're headed to K-10.

It's all in the name. The flavor of Z's coffee is absolutely what they promise: Divine. Another wonderful thing: Z's East is all about LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION (honestly, I hate that expression, but when it comes to needing coffee in a quick, convenient manner, it seems to apply). You can hit Z's bleary eyed and bedraggled before you hit I-70 and if you are us, this is often as early as 6am. Thank you Z's for being open so dang early for us. They also have a drive-thru.I would easily give them five stars if not for one egregious error: they automatically cool your Americano down by adding COLD water instead of hot. CRIMINAL!!! Luckily this was noticed and corrected, but if you have new baristas working on your drink, you have to correct them/keep reminding them (I am not criticizing the staff for doing what they are told to do. I appeal to management: when people are ordering an Americano that is NOT iced, well, they typically want that shit hot, OK? This should be standard. Their current practice of adding cool water without asking seems to be unique to Z's, so I don't think I'm asking for the impossible here). One of the baristas explained that the reason the cold water is standard is because some people like to "gulp" their coffee. Excuse me, but that is just WRONG and I daresay one deserves to be left with a burnt throat for such behavior. Maybe that's extreme. How about this, how about these "big gulpers" be the ones to have to ASK for their damn cool water instead of the hot. Why should us civilized coffee sippers be the ones inconvenienced? Is gulping coffee some new trend I wasn't aware of? I am disturbed.

Enjoyed the coffee today. Got a specialty drink: Carmel and vanilla. Inside is quaint enough; driven by for years and just now made a stop. Will definitely be back

New owners, new staff, new rules means a new experience. In this case not a good one. I loved Z's but with the "z" gone from the shop it's lost that jena se qua, or as the French say "I don't know what"The friendly greetings and warm atmosphere have been replaced with the inefficiency and attitude. Prices have changed, policies have gotten stricter and waits longer. Don't you realize that people have to get to work in KC when they stop in to your shop in the morning? A coffee shop that has run out of fresh coffee twice (and offers Americano instead) annoys me.Long term with the Z being responsible for roasting as well, I'm fearing more shortcuts and cost saving methods.Buyer be aware, the Z's of the past is no more. I'm cashing in my punch cards now because I've seen that's the first thing to go with a new owner.

The east Lawrence Z's isn't quite on the same level as the other coffee shops in Lawrence. This is referring to the ambiance and prices. Seating is somewhat limited. Tons of parking outside since it sits on the corner of a large strip mall. Actually, they downsized over the years and lost at least a quarter of their former space. Music is always top notch in Z's. The Baristas are hit and miss. Usually pretty good but have witnessed a couple grouchy one's in the past. No biggie. Z's does roast their own beans and this is where they shine. The organic selections and espresso drinks are really good. The drips are top 5 in Lawrence. Just be careful because regardless of drink, they run really sweet at Z's. If u like super sweet, this is your spot. If not, just ask them to go easy on the syrups nd such. Very limited pastry selection. Sometimes u can get cookies but be careful there too. Sometimes stale and old tasting. Their really good when fresh. OK, my biggest beef is the price for a 12oz refill drip and a small cookie.........Almost $4 freaking dollars! Call me cheap but YIKES!. This wont stop me from coming back as I leave Lawrence on occassion. But it will dig into my lunch budget for the day....hee hee. I know this particular Z's get major props for their drive thru. Other than Scooters or Dunns, Im not sure Lawrence has coffee drive thru until Starbucks opens their new store on other side of town. Again, Z's has seen better days but definetly a good recommendation in Lawrence Kansas.

Poor customer service, we were the only customers inside. No hello, no good morning?? No thank you for coming in. Coffee is meh, not very robust.. Very disappointing.

We have been going to this location for the past 8 years and other location even longer. Since Lexie, Devin and others were let go and /or quit ...it's almost scary to go to get your morning cup of Joe. The new employees are rude /

cute place to hang out and chat or study, service was amazing! i forgot to ask for iced coffee and she made me another with no charge. definitely would come here more often because my coffee was amazing as well! thank youu!