Caribou Coffee in Lorton, VA quenches thirsts of Fairfax South County locals, weary house-hunters, and neighborhood parents and kids lately with some healthy specials. A sign in the window of this Lorton Market Street business entices customers to try any of three different featured beverages on Mondays. And if you need some tips on what to order, you may find Dan and Faisal behind the counter, both ready with details about all the menu offerings. If you notice the daily quiz* on the overhead menu, and tell them the right answer, you'll get a few cents off the regular price of your order, too.
Once you have that order, you can get comfortable in the upholstered chairs near the fireplace (not needed for warmth this summer!), cozy up near the front windows, sit at the tall bistro tables along the side, or settle in at a table toward the back. That's also where this Caribou Coffee keeps its collection of toys and games for kids (and those young at heart), and the toys are free to use during your visit. Around the corner is is a second bulletin board with information about South County happenings and people.
If the weather is suitable and your coffee or food order is portable, sitting at the tables and chairs outside the storefront lets you watch Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) trains and shopping center pedestrains. (This can be interesting; a hair and nail salon and day spa is next door. The Shoppers grocery and Virginia ABC Store are a few doors down in the other direction!) Complimentary wi-fi for customers is another nice feature at this Lorton coffee shop.
On the day I visited this Lorton Caribou Coffee this week, my choice, after some counseling by Faisal, was a decaf, iced, Cold Press coffee with chocolate for some sweetness -- for $2 on Mondays. Yum. I was amused to find the caffeinated cousin of this beverage listed on the Caribou Coffee Web site, minus the chocolate flavoring, and I'm pleased to report that this beverage can be adapted into a surprisingly low-calorie treat. A small size Cold Press coffee, without whipped cream or flavoring, is just five (5) calories. (Presumably the decaf version is a similar calorie count, though I did add some skim milk.) The small iced mocha with skim milk tallies up at 150 calories with seven grams of protein. Compared to 300+ calorie frozen and blended drinks available from many coffee vendors in Northern Virginia, that's a pleasant option for people looking to keep diets skinny and their wallets fat!
* Besides seeking nutritional information on the Caribou Coffee Web site, you may want to scan it for the correct answer to the daily quiz before you order -- so you may get your discount at the register! If you visit this Caribou Coffee in Lorton, VA after perusing this article, please let them know South County REALTOR Lee Ellis tipped you off to some quiz answers! Then smile and enjoy! 
Caribou Coffee. 9425 Lorton Market Street. Tel. 703-372-1510. Lorton Marketplace shopping center near Shopper's Grocery, Glory Days grill and ABC store in Lorton, VA 22079.
Comments(2)