In the historic building, which was built in 1873 and once housed a furniture factory and undertaker's parlor, you can play cards or checkers while listening to music that can range from Cole Porter to Nirvana, depending on the tastes of the servers. In Gardnerville, Auntie M's Espresso is a cozy coffeehouse crammed with antique coffeepots and other knickknacks. Sippers can snack on cranberry-walnut cheesecake with a Snickers latte while they scour the local newspapers and bulletin board. Amid freshly baked muffins, pies, and cakes is a relaxed setting where you can kick back and plan your next hike or mountain-biking adventure. Phil Strohmaier, who owns the coffeehouse with his wife Rose, is a former farmer from California, and the decor has a farmhouse theme.
Coffee is roasted on-site daily.
Owner Kim Steenberg says the beans are tossed out if they've aged longer than two weeks. Owner Steve Stone says he never drank coffee before opening Cowboy Joe in July 1994. One of Stone's specialties is a Caramel Cow, made with espresso, steamed milk, caramel, chocolate, and whipped cream. The front windows are decorated by Northeastern Nevada Museum staff in return for free coffee. Cowboy Joe serves breakfast and luncheon sandwiches made on home-baked foccacia bread as well as desserts baked in local church kitchens.