A Canadian Coffee Bar Marks A Big Anniversary

Anchor Coffee House makes the best Cortado in North America

You have to know how to find Anchor Coffee House. It sits on a side street in a hip neighborhood of Windsor, Ontario, across the river from Detroit, blending in with the houses down the block.

But when you get there, you find an atmosphere that makes you want to come back again and again. It is almost always filled with people from all kinds of backgrounds - mothers with children, students with laptops, friends meeting up. You hear people speaking English, French and Arabic, reflecting Windsor’s melting-pot population.

While you’re waiting line, you notice that they sell interesting merchandise, from coffee and coffee accessories to hoodies and locally made pottery. There is an entire wall of plants in eye catching containers.

Last Saturday, Anchor celebrated its 10th anniversary. That is a huge deal in the food world. Nine out of 10 businesses never get that far.

The journey has been a sometimes turbulent one for owners Kyle Bondy and his wife Rachel. They have seen the business grow and contract, dealt with the impact of Covid, and come out as beloved members of the coffee community.

I found Anchor at its original location in a strip mall across town. (That’s Kyle and Rachel outside of it.) I was introduced to it by Heidi Jacobs, a professor at the University of Windsor who is an award-winning author, skilled home cook and a fan of the Detroit Tigers. We met via Twitter, which was once a place you could make interesting connections and in my case, real life friends.

The best Cortado anywhere

I had a hot chocolate on my first visit. But I subsequently discovered that Anchor makes the best Cortado I’ve ever drunk. A Cortado is equal parts espresso and warm milk. It is not frothy, nor is it enormous. It is a short drink to which I add one sugar cube.

The one at Anchor somehow marries its two main ingredients into something smooth and sip-able, whether you ask for dairy or an alternative milk. It is a perfect accompaniment to Anchor’s baking, led by Rachel, which ranges from delicious cookies and pastries to cake. I had a vegan chocolate peppermint cookie there last month that was outstanding. I wish I’d gotten two.

If I lived in Windsor, I’d visit Anchor every week. In all my travels, it holds a spot among the best coffee bars I’ve ever visited. Congratulations to Kyle and Rachel on a decade of making customers feel welcome and happy.

Food News looks at emerging and small food places in Ann Arbor and elsewhere. If you have a favorite, email culinarywoman@gmail.com.