There is a coffee and donut shop where customers can see the ocean by just turning around the corner from the store. Copper Top Coffee & Donuts has recently opened on Mission Boulevard, having originally been located in Hillcrest.
Donuts are served fresh to order, and customers can watch the entire process over the counter, from frying to decorating with toppings. This is what differentiates the café from other donut shops; warm and fresh donuts will make any day more special.
When Josh McCorkle, the proprietor, acquired a location in Hillcrest in 2017, he initially planned to open a drive-through coffee shop. However, he wanted to offer something more and decided to experiment with donuts.
“When I wanted to come up with a recipe for my donuts, I wanted it to be something that would remind you of your grandma’s recipe – very nostalgic and made you feel like you were at home,” said McCorkle. Therefore, he makes toppings like marshmallow and salted caramel from scratch.
A lot of tourists stepped into the Hillcrest café during the summer and wanted to see the donuts being made, prompting McCorkle to decide to create a new location with an open kitchen layout. Also, he chose a touristy area.
“Our donuts are kind of unique and novel, so when you’re on vacation, it’s fun to go get something different and fun,” he said.
McCorkle decided to join a new community in Pacific Beach. With the motto “community is our commitment,” he wanted to be a part of the community that he enjoys and lives in. “Our family, we all live here, and my son goes to school here,” noted McCorkle. He regards coffee as a community-based experience and is open to getting to know customers little by little, even if it’s just for 30 seconds a day.
The café offers 15 different kinds of donuts, including the signature The Copper Top – with salted caramel espresso glaze, maple frosting, and espresso grinds, and Dirt Pile – with homemade vanilla frosting and Oreo crumbles, which is the most popular one for kids. The café also serves its own coffee, roasted in Seattle – ensuring top quality.
As the community is important to the café, ongoing promotions are consistently offered for neighbors. There were promotions for local schools and medical centers in Hillcrest, and McCorkle plans to continue this tradition in the new community.
Why not treat yourself to a fresh donut for your snack of the day?
COPPER TOP COFFEE & DONUTS
Where: 4636 Mission Blvd.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Info: coppertopcoffee.com.
Promotion: If you mention the story in the Beach & Bay Press, you’ll receive a free donut.
