Sidecar Coffee is a locally owned Cedar Valley roaster and retailer that began operations in November 2012 when they opened their first roasting facility in historic downtown Cedar Falls, Iowa. The company embodies their motto "Coffee For the Good Life" and has grown to operate five cafe locations across Cedar Falls and Waterloo, along with a mobile coffee truck. In 2017, Sidecar relocated their roasting operations to Waterloo's fully renovated and LEED certified historic Wonder Bread Bakery, built in 1928. This move to the 325 Commercial Street facility was part of an urban redevelopment initiative and represents their commitment to community revitalization. The Wonder Bread building serves as both their production facility and a casual coffee bar where customers can observe the roasting operations through an open viewing area. Sidecar's coffee philosophy centers on carefully selecting special coffees from around the world and roasting them in small batches to maximize their potential. Their signature blends include the Sidecar Project Blend, Kick-Start Espresso, and Peru Special Dark. The company operates with a team of 35-40 dedicated professionals who share a passion for roasting, delivering, preparing, and serving coffee. The company has built strong community connections, offering wholesale services to restaurants, cafes, offices, schools, churches, and retail locations throughout Iowa. They provide competitive pricing with low minimum orders and free local delivery, supporting other local businesses while maintaining their commitment to freshness and quality. Sidecar Coffee also collaborates with local businesses, notably partnering with SingleSpeed Brewing Company on coffee-infused beer projects, including brown-and-coffee ales and oak-chipped imperial stouts featuring whiskey barrel-aged coffee. Their cafe locations offer full coffee service with fresh-baked treats, simple breakfast options, and merchandise, creating welcoming community spaces where coffee lovers can gather and connect.
2012
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Sidecar Coffee • Waterloo, IA
$14.99 · $1.25/oz
ALMOST FRENCH ROAST is Sidecar Coffee's darker house roast from Cedar Valley — dark, but not too dark. Smooth and bold without the bitter or burnt aftertaste of traditional overly dark French-style roasts.
Sidecar Coffee • Waterloo, IA
$16.99 · $1.42/oz
Costa Rica Las Lajas is Sidecar Coffee's single origin from Costa Rica, sourced from Don Sabino Micromill's father-son project and roasted in Iowa. Meticulous lots from simple conditions with care and attention in every batch.
Sidecar Coffee • Waterloo, IA
$14.99 · $1.25/oz
Mild • Smooth
DECAFFEINATED SIDECAR PROJECT BLEND is Sidecar Coffee's medium-roasted mountain water decaf from Iowa. Mild and smooth with citric acidity — a sweet afternoon or evening cup that pairs with their Project Blend or Almost French.
Sidecar Coffee • Waterloo, IA
$17.99 · $1.50/oz
Varieties
Blueberry • Cocoa • Amaretto • Cooked Grape
Ethiopia Guji is Sidecar Coffee's natural-process heirloom from Ethiopia's Guji, roasted in Iowa. Fresh blueberry, cocoa, amaretto, and cooked grape with winey acidity and fruit-like sweetness in the cup.
Sidecar Coffee • Waterloo, IA
$16.99 · $1.42/oz
Amaretto • Cooked Citrus Zest
Guatemala Huehuetenango is Sidecar Coffee's Bird Friendly Certified microlot from Guatemala, roasted in the Cedar Valley. Balanced amaretto with mellow cooked citrus zest and a mild fruit-like cup from ancestral producers.
Sidecar Coffee • Waterloo, IA
$14.99 · $1.25/oz
KICK-START ESPRESSO is Sidecar Coffee's flagship espresso blend of Guatemala Huehuetenango, Mexico Finca Zacamitla, and direct-trade El Salvador Finca La Joya. Built for morning shots from this Cedar Valley roaster.
Sidecar Coffee • Waterloo, IA
$16.99 · $1.42/oz
Mexico Special Dark is Sidecar Coffee's Special Dark Series single origin from Mexico, roasted a little darker at their Cedar Valley roastworks. A bold darker Mexican cup from this locally owned Iowa roaster.
Sidecar Coffee • Waterloo, IA
$14.99 · $1.25/oz
SIDECAR 'PROJECT' BLEND is Sidecar Coffee's signature, super drinkable house blend from Cedar Valley. A seasonal Project blend of South and Central American coffees that changes with the crop but stays awesome in the cup.