Cold Night Mojo 1/15/2018

Finding your MOJO...

For some, MOJO is a lucky charm carried in a small leather bag.  On a freezing January night in Minnesota our MOJO starts with mittens and a warm hat  followed by good coffee.

The absence of a pot of cold brew in the fridge was motivation enough to venture out into the cold, with mojo.

John suggested a late afternoon stop at Mojo Coffee Gallery on Sunday.  After savory scones and cranberry bread with coffee at the Matchbox and a flight of Sleepy V's donuts, also with coffee,  I vetoed his whiny request  for a 3rd C & C (caffeine and carbs) on Sunday.

My previous visit to this location was a while ago when it was the Mill City Cafe.  Cafes do come and go.  John had never been there so Monday evening was a good time to see what's up at Mojo.

We clearly were in the minority of people out and about.  Mojo had only 2 other people when we arrived, providing a good opportunity to peruse and chat...and eat and drink.   A few more people arrived over the next hour, but during a friendly staff chat the barista said the low temps was making a slow night.

We chose the Mojo Chili, a cold brew, and John chose a grapefruit sparkling water from the cooler claiming that the heavy caffeine Sunday had done him in.   Good cold brew...great chili...chicken chili with a nice degree of heat!  Most chili is simply bland...Mojo Chili caught your attention.  Thick, satisfying on such a cold night...and the bowl was more than enough for  both of us.  It's served with a nice pile of salty tortilla strip chips..I think I ate most of them without a moment of guilt about not sharing...it was my mojo.  

Surrounded by original pottery plus an assortment of 'antique' coffee pots.  I own a number of the same vintage.  Mine are 'classic,' not 'antique' because I am not 100, yet.

You can purchase pottery and other original art to take home or just enjoy looking them over while having coffee.   Tables and chairs were a classic mish mash and the decor had a few kitchy signs but overall Mojo has a very calming atmosphere and amazingly iwarm for a high-ceiling warehouse space with lots of windows on a frigid night.

The barista was a one-man show tonight...made the coffee, served the food, had conversations with folks coming and going, did the dishes, restocked...he had everything under control.

Mojo serves breakfast and lunch, too.   We'll venture over on a nice sunny day, bask in the warmth coming through the windows, try a few dishes...and tell you about it next time.

Located in the NE Arts District, voted #1 art district  in the nation, there are many galleries, studios and family-run businesses to visit and patronize.  Along with more than 80 artistis, Mojo is located in the California Building, one of the first 'art' buildings in Minneapolis, renting to artists since 1991.  Art matters.