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Dutch Bros Coffee first came to Fresno back in 2006, courtesy of franchise co-owners, Brent and Genesis Wilson. I remember hearing Dutch Bros Coffee advertised on the radio, but at the time, I was a pretty die-hard Starbucks drinker and wasn’t particularly tempted to change coffee shops. One weekday however, someone knocked on my office door and handed me a “Coffee Passport”. It was a little paper folder with stamp spaces that entitled me to multiple, significantly discounted drinks from Dutch Bros. My husband had also received a passport, and if I remember right – the first drink might have even been free. Our curiosity got the best of us, and next thing we knew, we were totally hooked on the creamy, smooth Dutch Bros drinks.
Dutch Bros has become so popular in the Fresno area, that their lines are almost always long now – and for good reason. Their menu of both espresso and non-espresso based drinks is extensive and highly customizable; ensuring every customer can find something to enjoy. Dutch Bros’ stamp cards also offer customers a free beverage of their choice for every ten drinks purchased – regardless of dollar amount spent (one up on Starbucks, who recently changed to a spending-based rewards model) and their prices are a tad lower than Starbucks in general, too.
The company is known for its friendly, energetic baristas who will almost always ask you, “So what are you up to today?”, happily hand your furry friends dog biscuits with whipped cream and your kids “whip sticks” (straws with whipped cream!). Many Fresnans become regulars at the stand nearest their home or work and find that their baristas quickly learn their favorite drink and at times, even have it ready when they pull up. Recent, massive increases in popularity prompted the Wilsons to institute a text-to-stand car side ordering service to help keep lines moving (similar to when In & Out has an employee stand at the car line to take your order before you even reach the speaker).
The Wilsons found great success with two initial locations, and have recently expanded twice. Their third location is just east of Fresno City College on Blackstone and McKinley, and just last month, their fourth location, formerly a Weinerschnitzel, located on Shaw and West became the first full espresso bar with indoor seating + drive-thru Dutch Bros to open in California. Both the McKinley and Blackstone, and Shaw and West locations are conveniently open 24 hours!
The Wilsons have established a solid presence in the local philanthropic scene by supporting numerous charitable causes. Their generosity has included countless coffee donations for school and non-profit functions as well as fundraisers and drives bringing in thousands upon thousands for Fresno Bully Rescue, Valley Children’s Hospital, and the Poverello House, just to name a few.
The entire Dutch Bros Coffee company also holds an annual fundraiser “Drink One for Dane” that raises funds for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) awareness and research, in honor of co-founder Dane Boersma, who started the coffee company with his brother, and sadly passed from the disease in 2009. If you’re a Dutch fan or have yet to try it, this coming Friday (May 6th) would be a great day to go, as it is 2016’s Drink One for Dane day and all proceeds will go toward the cause.
If you’ve yet to visit Dutch Bros, you should know they have multiple drink categories: Flavored, espresso drinks (hot and iced), Freezes (frozen, slushy-like coffee drinks), Frosts (non-caffeinated, milkshake-like drinks), Italian Sodas, Fruit Smoothies, Teas (hot and iced), and a private-label energy drink, Dutch Bros Blue Rebel™ (an energy drink similar to Red Bull, served over ice with flavored syrups added). For their full menu, click here.
Any drink can be customized using the following flavored Torani syrups or sauces:
- Almond Roca
- Blackberry
- Blue Raspberry
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon
- Caramel
- Cherry
- Chocolate
- Chocolate Macadamia Nut
- Cinnamon
- Coconut
- Banana
- Creme De Menthe
- English Toffee
- Hazelnut
- Irish Cream
- Kiwi
- Lime
- Almond
- Passion Fruit
- Peach
- Peppermint
- Pomegranate
- Raspberry
- Ruby Red Grapefruit
- Salted Caramel
- Strawberry
- Orange
- Vanilla
- Watermelon
- White Chocolate
Torani Sugar Free
- SF Caramel
- SF Chocolate
- SF Chocolate Macadamia Nut.
- SF Coconut
- SF Hazelnut
- SF Irish Cream
- SF Peppermint
- SF Raspberry
- SF Strawberry
- SF Vanilla
- SF White Chocolate
Or a custom milk choice:
- Nonfat
- Whole milk
- Kick Me Mix/ Half and Half
- 2% Milk
- Chocolate Blend
- Coconut
- Soy
- Almond
Some of the most popular drinks from the main Dutch Bros menu include the Annihilator, a creamy espresso, chocolate macadamia nut drink, and the Kicker, a silky Irish cream and espresso mix. My personal favorite is the Dutch Bros mochas, as they’re made with Dutch Bros special Chocolate Blend – which is essentially double chocolate milk, and so much smoother than any other mocha I’ve had (often made elsewhere using a powdered mocha mix). I love iced, non-fat mochas with crème de menthe syrup – they taste like an Andes mint! My husband likes Annihilator Freezes, with banana syrup added.
If you’re already a long time Dutch Bros fan, but want to branch out and try a new drink, you might enjoy something from Dutch’s “secret menu”. These flavors are mostly customer or barista invented, and not standard on the printed menu, however most baristas will know what they are (and if not, just let them know what to put in your drink and they’ll make it for you!):
The Cookie:
Chocolate macadamia nut with white chocolate. Tastes like a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie!
The Bob:
Chocolate, coconut with banana flavor.
French Toast:
White chocolate swirled together with brown sugar cinnamon.
The Cake Batter Frost:
Almond Roca and white chocolate in a frost.
The Orangesicle:
Orange and vanilla in a Frost, like your favorite childhood ice cream bar.
Shark Attack:
Blue raspberry, coconut and lime topped with a drizzle of pomegranate.
With a menu of nearly endless possibilities, friendly baristas and amazing, generous owners, it’s no wonder that Dutch Bros has become a phenomenon in Fresno. To keep up with all the local Dutch Bros news, like the Fresno Dutch Bros Facebook page or follow them on Twitter.
In honor of the Wilsons fourth location’s opening, and Drink One for Dane Day, I will be giving away a $20 Dutch Bros gift card to a lucky reader, so he/she can enjoy a few drinks on me!
Giveaway instructions:
- Leave us a comment on our Facebook page, or on our post for this article with your favorite Dutch Bros drink (or one you want to try!). (One entry)
- Share this post on Facebook (Second entry)
- Winner will be selected at random and announced on FresYes’s Facebook page on Tuesday, May 10th.
Good luck!
{Photos courtesy of Dutch Bro Fresno, used with permission}