If you live in the area and don't know about Laughing Cat, you are truly missing out! These coffees are by FAR the best available in town. Also, having tried the really expensive coffees, I can tell you Laughing C.A.T.'s are right up there with them, BUT for a reasonable price. Mark is a special proprietor and will help you figure out which coffees you would like best. He explained to me why his coffees are better, because I was so curious about it. I'm glad we recently moved to Reno for a lot of reasons, but Laughing Cat is one of them!
In my opinion, Mark's coffee bean offerings are the best in the world. I was introduced to Laughing Cat by a friend while living in Reno, and would purchase exclusively LC. Since, I have lived in Boston and El Paso and I still purchase LC coffee via phone order. I have traveled the world, and purchased coffee from the fanciest most expensive roasters and am yet to find anything comparable, for my palette. It's not for everyone; I've shared with family and friends and have had mixed reviews - his beans are on the darker side and he doesn't try to extract any fancy fruity flavors like most the hipster roasters do. But the roaster, methods, and tactics he uses to roast (he will explain if you ask) separate his offerings for those who enjoy the strong, old world coffee flavor. Also, if you visit the store, discuss with him how to find the optimum flavor of a coffee for your palette based on the time between when the bean was roasted, and when you brew... He will explain the science behind the nitrogen release, and how the flavor profile changes over time... I thought it was nonsense, but I now aim to brew my coffee in the 2-4 week range from roast, and try to order accordingly.
Excellent coffee selections. Owner is also the roaster and can guide you if you have questions. Just really good stuff.
Also, if you use the Toddy cold brew system, he has replacement corks and filters for sale. So a one-stop coffee store.
While I lived in Reno, I regularly frequented Marks place, and now that I live in NJ, I find it essential to mail order Black Cat coffee. It's the best coffee on the planet, in my opinion. Service is great and the coffee never changes ... don't know how he does it, but I'm glad he does!!
The Laughing C A T is very local - I have been buying coffees and teas (C A T) with them for at least three decades. The coffee roasting and blending is on-site in the warehouse part with a retail store up front, so expect to look for it out of the hipper places in town. Mark has a great selection of coffees, always some standards and often very new and really unique styles as the market changes. The tea selection is seriously world class. Maybe over half of his business is repeat orders from all over North America from very satisfied customers. There are no overstuffed chairs, no pretentiousness, no espresso machine that I have seen and no bitter or “burnt” coffee. Just a great selection of coffees and teas at a fair price from a super long time, local, small business with great customer service and a very loyal fan base. Try it and you should be one also.
Ladies & Gentlemen! This place has the best quality coffee in town! it is affordable as well. The owner knows his coffee very well. Also, if you're cheap like me & you don't want to buy a grinder for your kitchen, he would grind the coffee for you, no extra cost for that.
I've been buying coffee from Mark for about 7 years. This guy KNOWs coffee better than most people k ow themselves. Definitely my favorite coffee roaster.
Best roaster in Reno owned by a super great guy. Love going by the shop for lively and intelligent conversation while Mark prepares my custom order. Can hardly wait to be allowed back inside when it is safe again. In the meantime, I really appreciate his pick up service.
