Brian is the barista who made our cappuccinos on Saturday at Booskerdoo Coffee and Bake Shop in A. Park. Paul Goldfinger photo. 12/17/16 ©
Blogfinger photo 12/17/16 ©
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
Booskerdoo has been open for two months at their Asbury Park location, 1321 Memorial Drive, at the intersection with Sunset Avenue. Not only do they roast and sell terrific coffee, but they have a free parking lot, table seating, a bakery on premises, and they are only a few minutes drive from Ocean Grove. (4 minutes as your car flies.)
This is the fourth location for this young business which was started in 2011 by a married couple from New York City. They are also located at Monmouth Beach, Long Branch, and Fair Haven.
Booskerdoo is an ambitious and excellent operation. The baristas get to work at a giant red Italian coffee machine. It’s amazing how complex those devices are, and the best ones come from Italy. In the back of the shop is a large bakery which looks as clean as an operating room.
The coffee is superb, based on the two cappuccino’s which Brian made us today. Booskerdoo sells a wide variety of coffees, and their goal, which is the ideal of all coffee lovers, is that you should consume their coffee within a day of roasting or close to that date. And, or course, you want to grind the beans right before brewing. In the back of the shop is a huge black roaster which looks about the size of a 747 engine.
We tried a single serving of “Caroline’s coffee crumb cake,” and it was delicious. We split it and we did not leave a single crumb. The staff is professional and friendly. Brian produced a heart on the surface of my drink, and he proudly showed it off to the cashier before handing it to me, whereupon I stirred the heart into oblivion. They also serve frittata egg sandwiches, muffins, and other items. I’m looking forward to trying some of their fresh roasted coffee beans.
After we got home, I realized that I was going topless; i.e. I left my Irish cap at the coffee shop. So I quickly returned, again parking without complications (what a treat,) and Brian, smiling, greeted me at the door holding my hat. I guessed that he might be Irish, and that he probably liked my cap from County Donegal. (It’s really warm, and I got it in the Irish store in Spring Lake—-it’s a great idea for a holiday gift.)
So give up your parking space in the Grove and go there to try the Booskerdoo experience. As for that strange name, it seems there are a few theories about it. I thought it might be an Australian boxing kangaroo, but it’s not. When you visit the shop, ask for an explanation of the name’s origin (s). The story of the name may or may not be believable, but it is fun to try and remember their name and how to spell it.
We will definitely go back and try some other coffee drinks. If Booskerdoo can produce an espresso like we had in Italy, then my quest for a fine local coffee shop will be over.
GERTRUDE LAWRENCE from The King and I. (Original Broadway cast 1951)