Once again, we decided it is fall the moment local coffee shops drop their fall menus.
Despite a week of temperatures in the 90s, the Fall Coffee Review Team reconvened for a morning of autumnal treats
while exploring new coffee shops and hunting down the unofficial Fall Flavor of 2026.
This year, the team came from two newsrooms from the local media scene: The A-J and KTTZ. A-J reporters Alana Edgin and Mateo Rosiles, KTTZ's Samantha Larned and Brad Burt, and the A-J's fall intern Hailey Stromberg, tried three locations: Blue Bird Coffee, a mobile coffee truck, Kick'n Koffee, 3212 Woodrow Road, and Yellow City Grind, 6524 Slide Road.
Here are their thoughts, and what they crowned The Fall Drink.
Blue Bird Coffee
This robin's egg blue mobile coffee shop hit Lubbock streets in early April 2026 and quickly became a social media sensation with their canned coffee. While social media did not offer many details on how the shop came to be, Blue Bird Coffee does post a weekly schedule of where it will be on its social media pages.
Their first fall season menu featured flavors that could be made as a coffee, chai or matcha. The team tried all as iced drinks as-is while the temperature kept climbing. The review team tried:
- The Classic Pumpkin Spice.
- Pumpkin Cheesecake, which was a PSL with cheesecake cold foam.
- The Salted Maple, made with pure maple syrup, vanilla and salt.
- Cinnamon Roll Latte, with brown sugar, cinnamon and cream cheese cold foam.
- Banana Bread Latte, made with hazelnut, cinnamon, and banana cold foam.
- Caramel Apple Red Bull, a Red Bull drink with apple syrup and caramel drizzle.
Recommendation: The Salted Maple was voted the must-try, and the Fall Flavor of 2026. The Banana Bread earned a shout-out for this coffee shop as well.
Brad Burt: When you love coffee as much as I do and you’re dealing with so many flavors, fall or otherwise, the bar gets nudged up a little bit, and Blue Bird Coffee drinks were quite simply standard. The mobility of the shop’s food truck-style booth makes it great for a stop if, like many who were around us on the day of our quest, you’re a West End pedestrian shopper in need of a local caffeine boost.
They presented a full fall menu – like the Banana Bread and the Pumpkin Cheesecake, both of which I enjoyed insomuch as they balanced the autumnal flavor without going overly sweet – but they’re dealing with a stiff competition in terms of local Lubbock coffee this year.
Alana Edgin: Over the past few weeks, I noticed the little blue coffee trailer popping up all over social media. After seeing the fall menu offering, it sealed its place in the 2026 fall review. However, the menu mostly fell flat, having both the Official Fall Drink and some of the worst we tried for the review.
Starting with the best, the Salted Maple hit the fall theme perfectly. It was reminiscent of a maple leaf, how one would hope it tastes, with that strong maple note and a touch of salt. This was one of few drinks I tried where I immediately said, "This is delicious." The Banana Bread tasted like the name. The Cinnamon Roll had light cinnamon flavor, and I would recommend it as a dipping coffee.
As for the not so good, the Pumpkin Spice was lackluster, even for Pumpkin Spice. The addition of cheesecake foam for the Pumpkin Cheesecake only added a silky texture. And, while I thought the Caramel Apple Red Bull was okay, the rest of the team said it just tasted like Red Bull. I don't drink Red Bull, so I wouldn't know on that.
It might be odd for a place to have both the best and the worst drink, but it has happened before. In the 2024 review, Brewed Awakening, 1021 University Ave., was new to the review and had an excellent Brown Sugar Pumpkin Breve, but struggled on the rest. Brewed came back in the2025 review and showed just how much they've grown, now becoming a year-round favorite for the team. I hope this happens for Blue Bird as well.
Samantha Larned: Blue Bird Coffee had, to me, the least impressive fall menu. The Pumpkin Cheesecake and Banana Bread Latte were fun ideas that never felt like they fully committed to their inspirations, though the banana cold foam was a delightful touch. Even the Pumpkin Spice Latte was lacking in pumpkin flavor. The Cinnamon Roll Latte, however, did live up to its name, with a wonderful mix of coffee and cinnamon, to me this would be the perfect drink to have with a doughnut… or a cinnamon roll.
The hands-down, standout of Blue Bird’s seasonal items was the Salted Maple. Despite the menu description of “pure maple syrup,” the drink was crisp like a maple leaf, rather than sugary like the breakfast topping. Even with the strong flavors, the coffee still shone through. An incredibly unique drink that was worth the trip.
Mateo Rosiles: This was the one I was most eager to try on the day of the coffee tasting. I had seen the coffee shops on social media and tried multiple times but failed until this day. To say it fell flat wouldn't be accurate to me, but it might not be one I'll be coming back to every time I visit from Austin.
Let's start off with the letdowns for me — the Caramel Apple Red Bull and Pumpkin Cheesecake. The major letdown was the PSL. If you know you know me as a returning reader, I have made it my mission to find the perfect PSL that doesn't taste like a candle (If you know, you know). But this one lacked pumpkin flavor altogether, so I kind of wished it tasted like a candle.
Cinnamon Roll Latte lived up to its name and was yummy and would be a good coffee to pair with food or treats — not too sweet but had flavor. Now, I will say I had to do a double-take on our Fall Flavor of 2026 — Salted Maple, because it's a new flavor profile I have grown to love. It's different and gives you a flavor that isn't on most fall-flavor coffee menus.
Hailey Stromberg: I was so excited to finally try Blue Bird Coffee. I had seen their famous canned coffees and signature blue van all over social media, so my expectations were pretty high. I have to say I was a little disappointed.
Although Blue Bird had my favorite drink of the day, the Salted Maple Latte, it also had the worst drink of the day, the Pumpkin Spice Latte. If a classic PSL is what you are craving, I would stick to Starbucks.
But the Salted Maple Latte and the Banana Bread Latte definitely made up for it. The Salted Maple was the perfect fall drink. It had the perfect balance of sweetness and coffee flavor, making it perfect for anyone who is trying to get into the fall spirit. The Banana Bread is for my adventurous individuals who want something a little more exciting. This drink tasted like taking a bite of freshly baked banana bread. My only complaint is it had a little too much cinnamon for my taste, although, to be fair, all cinnamon is too much cinnamon for my taste.
Overall, Blue Bird Coffee is worth checking out for the experience alone. If you are looking for the novelty of a canned coffee, or the excitement of tracking down a bright blue van that moves to a different location every day, then Blue Bird Coffee is for you. If you give it a try, I would recommend skipping the Pumpkin Spice Latte and going with the Salted Maple Latte or Banana Bread Latte.
Kick'n Koffee
This coffee shop, sporting a kicking donkey on the logo, started as a trailer around August 2023. The first stand opened in 2024 in Wolfforth and moved the building to 8720 County Road 7100, across from Frenship High School, in 2025. The brand continued to grow into 2026, adding another stand at 3212 Woodrow Road in May 2026.
Kick'n Koffee launched their fall menu with a Y2K-themed twist, holla-ing back to the musical era. The team tried:
- Hollaback Girl: A huckleberry, blackberry and coconut drink that could be made with Red Bull, or as a lemonade or Italian Soda. The team tried it as an Italian soda.
- Pocketful of Sunshine: Cranberry, apple, and orange with Red Bull or Lemonade. The team tried it as a lemonade.
- Real Slim Shady: Cookie butter and white chocolate coffee.
- Bennie + The Jetts: English toffee, butter pecan and caramel coffee.
- Unwritten: Brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and pumpkin coffee.
Recommendation: This was a tough choice, as every drink here was a success. The team pared the favorites down to the Slim Shady for coffee and the Hollaback Girl in Italian Soda style for non-coffee.
3212 Woodrow Road, as seen on Sept. 11, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas." id="91781097007">
Burt: It wasn’t the most immediately fall-flavored, but between the variety in the menu and the pop song title drink names, Kick’n Koffee was easily the most fun stop of the day. Each drink had its own unique flavor direction, without being overly complicated. With triple-digit temperatures still hitting in the middle of September, I won’t turn down the refreshing sweet-and-sour in a lemonade like the Pocket Full of Sunshine, but the unique profile of berry flavors with an almost candy-like texture in the Holla Back Girl Italian soda helped Kick’n Koffee stand out among the local drink shops.
My pick for this shop actually went to the Slim Shady, a simpler vanilla coffee that lands the closest to a fall flavor that I can see myself picking up more regularly. While among the more common drinks from this shop, one can quickly begin to wonder if those other Slim Shadys are just imitating.
Edgin: When I first saw this menu, I couldn't help but smile seeing the songs of my childhood, so Kick'n Koffee already had major points for the nostalgia alone. Unwritten was practically my theme song. And, honestly, every drink here was a success. The Hollaback Girl and Pocketful of Sunshine are bright, refreshing and fruity drinks I would normally have on my desk. Bennie + The Jetts tasted like those Butterbeer drinks I would pick up on my weekly trips to Hastings (RIP).
For those who have followed our reviews for the past four years, you know I am not a coffee person. So, for me to like a coffee, it has to stand up and out. The Real Slim Shady definitely did just that, with enough sweet to cut through the bitterness of coffee. That cookie flavor comes through subtle, but is for sure present. Overall, despite the drive out there, Kick'n Koffee may just be my new favorite drink stand. I believe most of the review team would agree, while Kick'n didn't win the Fall Flavor, everyone should kick back with this growing group.
Larned: Kick’n Koffee was my favorite location of the day. Usually I find pumpkin spice flavors to be underwhelming, but Unwritten brought enough brown sugar and cinnamon to keep my interest and I would likely order it again. Similarly, the Real Slim Shady was what I always want out of an iced coffee: actual coffee flavor, a hint of vanilla, and sweet enough to take off the bite (but not enough to give me a headache).
But the non-coffees are where I really started to get excited. Pocket Full of Sunshine was a perfect lemonade. It was sweet and sour and somehow it did bring the feeling of a fall harvest. Based on the name and color, the Holla Back Girl Italian soda should have tasted like appropriately-early-2000s Lip Smackers, but it had too much flavor and depth for that. If you’re a fan of most pink beverages, you’ll probably like this one too. If you’re looking for a place to go with friends or family, Kick’n Koffee is the way to go.
Rosiles: I'd never heard of Kick'n Koffee before today, but I will absolutely stop by every time I am in town, even after the fall flavors are gone. I love the vibe it's going for and the variety of drinks it offers — something for the whole family.
Starting off simple and classic, Unwritten was a good basic coffee. It had a hint of fall and nostalgia, just like every time I hear the song. Bennie + The Jetts and Pocketful of Sunshine reminded me of candies like Smarties and Sweet Tarts, good but wouldn't be my go-to.
Real Slim Shady was what I want and need from an iced coffee. Sweet enough to cut the bitterness, but still let the coffee flavor come through with a hint of vanilla. Hollaback Girl as an Italian soda was amazing and definitely worth a try. Light, fizzy and definitely a great alternative if you want a pick-me-up but not craving a coffee.
Stromberg: I have never been to Kick'n Koffee before, and I have to say I am pleasantly surprised. Although it was quite a drive, the fall atmosphere made the trip worth it. The Y2K fall-themed menu gave the stand a cozy feel while adding a fun and playful twist. It felt completely different from any other fall-themed coffee menu I had seen in Lubbock.
My personal favorite was the Pocket Full of Sunshine, which was a lemonade with apple, cranberry, and orange. It was fruity and refreshing, but also perfect for fall. It is a great choice for those warm Lubbock fall days when you want something festive, but also refreshing. This is a great option for anyone who wants an autumnal drink without the heat of a traditional latte.
The overall favorite, though, was the Real Slim Shady, a cookie butter and vanilla latte. Even with the sweeter flavors, the coffee still stood out, which kept the drink from being overly sugary. The cookie butter added the perfect touch, making it feel festive without overpowering the drink.
Honestly, you could order anything on the fall menu and walk away satisfied. While Kick’n Koffee did not have my favorite drink of the day, it definitely had the best overall fall menu. Between the cozy atmosphere, fun theme, and creative flavors, it was the most memorable stop of the day.
Yellow City Grind
Yellow City Grind originated in Amarillo and expanded into Lubbock inside QuarterFour in December 2025. While people can order pumpkin and peppermint drinks year-round, the Lubbock location offered two special menus: one Fair-themed for September, and one classical fall menu. Customers can even order a pumpkin coffee flight.
For the first location for the review team, they tried:
- Spiced Apple Oat Latte, Fall menu.
- Apple Cider Donut Chai, September menu.
- The Banana Split, September menu.
- Funnel Cake Latte, September menu.
- Pumpkin Blondie Breve, Fall menu.
Recommendation: Apple Cider Donut Chai was the best, though the second place wildcard went to the Banana Split.
6524 Slide Road, as seen on Sept. 11, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas." id="91781096007">
Burt: I knew there would be a lot of milk, sugar, and ice with our pumpkin and spice, and Yellow City Grind was no exception. This shop carried the sweetest flight of typical fall coffee shop flavors, like the Apple Cider Donut Chai, which I enjoyed for its mix of apple and donut flavors despite not usually being a chai person; or the Spiced Caramel Apple, which did well to maintain the coffee flavor without being overbearingly sweet. Yellow City also had my only pumpkin preference for the day with the Pumpkin Blondie. While the cinnamon might be strong for some, the balance of pumpkin and coffee flavors was very comfortable for those who don’t generally go out of the way for sweeter cafe beverages.
Edgin: Yellow City Grind was the first spot on our coffee tour, due to the variety and closeness to our newsrooms. I will point out, it can be a challenge to find, as the shop is connected to QuarterFour but the entrance is on the side. Once everyone found their way in, we got to work trying both the fall and fair themed menus.
Personally, I loved the fair menu items more than the fall. A Banana Split with chocolate and dried strawberries wasn't necessarily what I expected to drink at 9 a.m., but I plan on returning just to get it for a date night. The Apple Cider Donut Chai was an immediate star with apple, cinnamon and chai that balanced sweet with the vibe of fall. The Funnel Cake, like most funnel cakes, simply existed with a sweet flavor and a nice entry into the category. We joked that this is the one to get if you want to tell your friends you can be spontaneous, while still staying in your safe zone.
As for the fall options, they were OK. The Spiced Apple Oat Latte had the caramel, but missed the apple. The Pumpkin Blondie Breve, which the barista said was pretty popular, had strong coffee and cinnamon, but lacked the pumpkin punch. Still, Yellow City offers pumpkin year round, so at least the PSL lovers can always get their fix here.
Larned: Yellow City Grind set the tone I would come to expect from the rest of the day: a mix of unique flavors, seasonal staples, and things that were, frankly, just a coffee. The Funnel Cake Latte found itself firmly in the third category. Tasty, but not particularly autumnal. For something stronger: the Spiced Caramel Apple. It was a little sweet for me, but if your idea of a seasonal beverage tastes like the inside of a Hobby Lobby, this is the drink for you.
I, however, think you’d be better off with what might have been my favorite drink of the day: Apple Cider Donut Chai. It lived up to every part of its name. The donut hits you first, followed by the crisp apple, and finally the chai lingers with spice at the end. If you’re a fan of apple cider, I would highly recommend it, even if chai isn’t your thing.
Rosiles: Being our first stop, it set the tone for the day, and I think it lived up to what we set out to achieve with our review — flavors for everyone. Spiced Apple Oat Latte and Pumpkin Blondie Breve were okay for me. Not something I would gravitate toward but a good beginner drink for those trying to embark on finding their fall flavor of the year.
The Banana Split was tasty, but I wouldn't get it if I wanted a coffee, maybe a sweet treat. The Funnel Cake Latte was OK but missed the mark on the flavor it was trying to achieve for me, but I would get it again.
Now what I am about to say may be controversial... I think the Apple Cider Donut Chai is an absolute contender against Alana's and my No. 1 Fall Flavor for the past 4 years — the Monomyth Apple Pie-der. To me, it tastes like fall in a cup, and I would absolutely get it when I visit Lubbock in the fall again.
Stromberg: Yellow City Grind was our first stop of the day, and it easily had the most extensive fall menu. There was just about every drink imaginable, from lattes and chais to smoothies and milkshakes. As much as I wished we could have tried everything, we had to narrow it down to five.
The standouts were the Spiced Caramel Apple Oatmilk Latte and the Apple Cider Donut Chai. I do have to preface this by saying I am not a fan of cinnamon in any way, shape, or form, so I was not expecting to enjoy many of these fall flavors. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. I normally do not like cinnamon or chai, yet I ended up actually enjoying the Apple Cider Donut Chai, which says a lot about how well the drink was crafted.
If you are looking for more of a sweet treat, I would recommend getting the Banana Split. The milkshake had a beautiful presentation with dried strawberries on top, and somehow it tasted better than it looked. I am a huge fan of bananas, so the combo of bananas and chocolate was right up my alley. The only downside of this drink is that it did not feel very fall-themed, so if you are looking for something that will put you in the seasonal spirit, I would choose one of the other options.
Overall, I think Yellow City Grind had the best variety of any menu that we had tried. With flavors like pumpkin, cinnamon, apple cider, funnel cake, and much more, there is truly something for everyone. With so many creative options to choose from, Yellow City Grind is an easy stop to recommend for anyone looking to get into the fall spirit.
Alana Edgin writes about business for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip? Contact her via email at aedgin@lubbockonline.com.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Where is best fall coffee, drink in Lubbock? Here are our thoughts
