On South 7th Street, just south of Chase Field, lies an unexpected treasure in the Phoenix coffee landscape: The Coffee Builders. Amid its industrial surroundings, the café buzzes with energy on any given day, particularly on Saturdays, drawing crowds lured by the enticing aroma of coffee beans and food with an inventive twist. On a taste of az podcast, The Coffee Builders co-founder, Thomas Porter recently sat down to explore the inspiration for The Coffee Builders and the vision that brought it to life.
Porter and his business partner, Craig Suiter, own Porter Barn Wood, Porter Ironworks, and Our Block Co.—companies that focus on custom woodworking, metal fabrication, and handcrafted concrete for residential and commercial projects. Originally from Arizona, Porter’s career path has been far from linear. Before his woodworking days, he worked as a massage therapist, discovering woodworking as a hobby that led to the establishment of Porter Barn Wood about eight years ago. The leap into hospitality stemmed from a passion for food—and, naturally, coffee. As Porter explains, “We built the interiors of so many restaurants that it felt fitting. I’ve always dreamed of owning a restaurant. I believe everyone has a romantic notion of having a coffee shop,” adding with a smile, “If they say they haven’t, they’re lying.”
The Coffee Builders sits conveniently right in front of Porter Barn Wood’s showroom, a location Porter describes as ideal. “I wanted to step onto the other side of the fence and be the customer instead of just the provider of materials. It gave me a better understanding of how the industry works as a whole,” he shares.
In developing his dream coffee shop, Porter embarked on a research journey, visiting over 200 coffee shops across the U.S. “I was looking at what was working, what wasn’t, and even small details like how baristas interacted with the coffee machines,” he recalls. This meticulous attention to detail is evident in every corner of The Coffee Builders, from the menu to the customer service.
What emerged from those experiences is a carefully crafted menu of classic coffee, specialty drinks, and what Porter calls “luxury coffees.” One of those opulent offerings, the Fire & Ice Kentucky Forward, includes inventive ingredients like bourbon barrel-aged cold brew, Madagascar vanilla bean bourbon syrup, and a smoked wood topper. Another popular choice is The Slopes, which blends espresso with blueberry and butterfly pea flower, resulting in a visually stunning drink. Part of the menu shifts occasionally, embracing imaginative themes such as Star Wars and Harry Potter for whimsical flair. “We take the coffee side very seriously while having a lot of artistic fun with the drinks,” Porter explains. The café’s espresso blend, a mix of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and Brazilian beans, reflects the dedication to “luxury flavors,” while leaving plenty of room for experimentation.
The breakfast and lunch menu features a variety of options, from quiches and salads to lavashes and sandwiches, including the smørrebrød—a Danish open-faced rye bread (rugbrød)—that is generously topped with meats, spreads, fresh ingredients, and colorful garnishes. Another highlight is the deviled eggs, based on Porter’s grandmother’s recipe, but enhanced with champagne mustard and champagne vinegar, some with a touch of caviar for a luxurious twist. Additionally, there is a creation by Porter he calls Scotch Figs, Black Mission figs rehydrated in Scotch, filled with blue cheese, wrapped in smoked bacon, and drizzled with Arizona honey. As Porter says, “I love when someone brings something a little more elevated to the table—where the purity of each ingredient is obvious, and then there’s this ingredient I wasn’t expecting.”
Looking ahead, Porter envisions expanding his culinary endeavors. “I love coffee and food, so maybe a place that does coffee and breakfast in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, and transitions to something more elegant in the evening.”
Currently, a trip to The Coffee Builders wouldn’t be complete without checking out the showroom at Porter Barn Wood. One standout feature? A cabin from the 1760s that was reconstructed right within the space. “When you come in, it’s like taking a step into a different place,” says Porter. “It doesn’t feel like Arizona. It’s an escape.”
Whether sipping on a smoked specialty coffee or savoring Champagne Deviled Eggs topped with caviar, one thing is clear: Porter’s dedication to craftsmanship shines through in every detail. “When I created this [coffee] shop, I thought, let’s go luxury. It’s not that expensive to go luxury for breakfast. It might be $1 more for coffee than you’re used to spending, but if you can treat yourself to something really special in the morning, it’s worth it.”
written by: marci symington | photographed by: luke irvin
the coffee builders | 901 S 7th St Phoenix, AZ 85034
Be the first to comment