S4:EP20
Guest: Kevin Shin & Jason Walker, North County Roastery
From: 129 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside, California 92054
Instagram: @north.county.roastery
The North County Roastery motto is “Strong & Bold.” After interviewing Kevin and Jason, I’d say that it is more of a state of mind than a direct reflection on every coffee offered. You’re just as likely to see light, fruit-forward Ethiopia coffees on the menu as you would balanced single-origin Peru featuring caramel, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Kevin’s passion for coffee began the way many coffee heads get their start. He tried a cup of craft coffee, and it was a revelation. He became “…one of those guys” that asks more questions than there is time to answer over a single cup of coffee.
I often find that opportunity comes both with sacrifice or condition. In my case, often self-imposed. In Kevin’s case, he had the opportunity to pursue his dream of opening a roastery if he opened and developed The Switchboard restaurant in collaboration with The Fin hotel first.
He got to work, but Covid-19 hit before either business could open. He put on blinders and pushed forward. The only way past the moment was through it.
Jason had a slower burn to his passion for coffee. Traveling to coffee-appreciating countries like Australia and living in areas that focused on other craft products, like wine, gave him the language and desire to find his own way to make a mark, but it took a few detours.
The world conspired to bring the two together to create some new history in a location already steeped in it. Ultimately, all of our journeys—be it in coffee, entrepreneurship, or passions—exist on fine slivers of interconnected thread stretching back into history.
The corner building featuring The Fin, The Switchboard, and North County Roastery opened as Hotel DeWitt in 1927. Later it was renamed The Dolphin Hotel and became a location of some ill-repute. The building has taken on yet another life. You’ll find North County Roastery, where Masters Automotive Supply once was on the north end of the building.
For more than 90 years, entrepreneurs have staked their claim on this corner. Without that history, we may not be able to be inspired by Kevin and Jason’s stories today. Enjoy the show.
FROM THE SHOW
The Cortadito is a Cuban variation on the Cortado—equal parts espresso and steamed milk—that substitutes heated sweetened condensed milk for steamed, lightly texturized milk. Fresh milk was not regularly available throughout Cuba, inspiring the innovation.
Earlier this week, I stopped at Acento Coffee Roasters in the Bay Park neighborhood of San Diego and enjoyed this cortado with almond milk. Almond milk can be a pain to create proper latte art with, making this a pretty impressive effort.
Follow @roastwestcoast on Instagram to see what we are drinking! Bradley’s House Sobriety Living Center is the goal of The Nowell Family Foundation. Inspired by late Sublime front man Bradley Nowell, the organization provides addiction recovery services to the music community through the combined strength of the industry, and those who have been touched by the power of music.
North County Roastery is working on a coffee blend, aptly called Bradley’s House Blend to help raise monies for the Foundation. I’ll share the news when the coffee is officially released. Learn more about TNFF fundraising efforts.If you’re interested in roasting, NCR will often invite guests in for a Roast-Along. Reach out directly to North County Roastery on Instagram!
NOT FROM THE SHOW
READ: Eater San Francisco shared the story of California Kahve’s—a coffee shop in a vintage camper—recent entrepreneurial challenges, and their move from San Francisco to Stinson Beach in Marin County. Read the article.
CONGRATS
Industry Partner Mostra Coffee’s Head Roaster, Nick Berardi, FREAKING WON the United States Roaster Championship in Boston at the Specialty Coffee Association convention this week. Use code: NICKWINS to get 15% off at Mostra Coffee until Sunday 4/17.
The Top 3 competitors were all from the West Coast! Check out all the winners here on Daily Coffee News.
LISTEN TO ROAST! WEST COAST ON THESE PLATFORMS
APPLE PODCASTS • SPOTIFY • ANCHOR.FM • GOOGLE PODCASTS • AMAZON MUSIC • THE COAST NEWS • TUNEIN RADIO • I HEART RADIO • POCKETCASTS • BREAKER • RADIO PUBLIC • OVERCAST • YOUTUBE • STITCHER
Thank you for reading. Roast! West Coast grows through word of mouth and our optional paid subscribers. Please consider sharing this post with someone who might appreciate it. Follow @RoastWestCoast on Instagram.
R!WC INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Camp Coffee Company is hiring a new Shift Manager. Details on the Coffee Jobs Thread.
Leap Coffee’s 6th anniversary means $6.00 off the purchase of 2 bags of coffee for you until 4/17. The online code will be: BDAY6
Click these R!WC Industry Partners links. Drink their coffees and whiskeys. Visit their cafes. Support local coffee shops. You won’t be disappointed.
Zumbar Coffee & Tea • First Light Coffee Whiskey • Leap Coffee • Steady State Roasting • CAFÉ LaTERRE • Mostra Coffee • Cape Horn Coffee Importers • Marea Coffee • Coffee Cycle • Camp Coffee Company • Ignite Coffee Company
TIP YOUR BARISTA
For every sticker sold, I will tip a local barista the proceeds.
Roast! - Kevin Shin & Jason Walker, North County Roastery