Coffee is for catching up with friends, a quick caffeine fix or a study break.The beverage is more than just a drink. It can be a regular habit before an early class. It can be a first date.
Coffee offers a number of possibilities, and yet more often than not, we find ourselves just sticking to one: Starbucks. Dallas offers many alternatives to the behemoth, and one of these popular alternatives is Crooked Tree Coffeehouse.

The outside of this Uptown coffeehouse legitimately resembles a house and the indoor atmosphere is certainly homey.

Couches and tables are strewn across the small space, filling up what appears to be rooms in a house. Laptops, novels and newspapers provide  comfortable clutter as customers stretch out on sofas or cluster at small tables.

The crowd isn’t stifling as the environment is generally relaxed, which is great for writing papers or having a quiet conversation. However, this is only true if you can actually find a seat. The shop tends to get busy by noon, and because it is so tiny you may not be able to actually sit down.

Crooked Tree provides free wireless Internet when you buy a drink, so studying here is an easy option.

There are also plenty of outlets to plug in your laptop charger, so you can spend as long as you need to on your computer.

Besides the atmosphere, the coffeehouse really does have good coffee.
Prices are similar to most other coffee shops, including Starbucks. A latte will run about three dollars. The Crooked Tree offers a wide selection of drinks and also carries some food. The food is just average, however. It is probably safer to stick to coffee and other drinks.

Getting coffee here is more than just the in-and-out affair that a Starbucks run has become. Get your coffee in a mug instead of a plastic to-go cup, and sit down and enjoy the tiny house. It can be a little difficult to find parking on the street, but there is a parking lot near the shop if street parking is unavailable.

Crooked Tree also has live music on the weekends. Upcoming artists and bands include Enemies, Ottoman Turks, John Craigie and Sean Foster. For a complete list of who’s playing and when they will be in town, visit crookedtreecoffeehouse.com.

The coffeehouse is located at 2414 Routh St. It is open daily until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 12 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and until 9 p.m. on Sunday.