Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Java Kraze'd
Have a craving for coffee? Check out the new Java Kraze location in Bentonville for coffee, cinnamon rolls, sticky buns and kolaches
William Jones is pleased with the reception his coffee shop, Java Kraze, is receiving in Bentonville. The store sells coffee, tea, and espresso drinks as well as bakery items. “We have a bakery in house that makes cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, and kolaches every day, from scratch.” William continues, “We are a new business in an existing building and trying to let people know we are here and what we have to offer. We have some events coming up that we are excited about and are hopeful they will attract attention and get people to stop by and give us a try.” Previously Java Kraze was operated out of a concession trailer in Rogers that is used in the summer time to house Brain Freeze Sno & Whips.
When colder temperatures hit William decided he needed another business to keep him busy during the sno cone off-season and coffee seemed to be the perfect solution. With that thought, Java Kraze was born. Soon after he decided he wanted a permanent location and after much searching he found his first brick and mortar location at 1111 South Walton Blvd. in Bentonville. He explained, “We’re right on South Walton with the Walmart Home Office, the Bentonville Plaza and other executive centers around us. I’m the only drive thru coffee shop within 2 miles.” The drive thru was a big draw for choosing this building. While coffee and specialty drinks are a big part of the business, William knows that his coffee crazed customers want a sweet or savory option to pair with their java fix.
Rolled out daily are cinnamon rolls with apple and cinnamon topped with cream cheese frosting, sticky buns with caramel and nuts both inside and on top, and kolaches. William says, “We have our take on the kolache. It’s more than just dough wrapped around a smoked sausage link. We have a sausage gravy kolache. We have our country breakfast kolache with sausage gravy, eggs, cheddar cheese & bacon.” If you want to spice it up, every kolache has an option with jalapenos.
Don’t be fooled the kolache isn’t just for breakfast.
“We serve Airship Coffee that is roasted right here in Bentonville... We pair that with Ozark Mountain Creamery milk for our lattes. You can’t beat it.”
“We do kolaches for lunch,” William said. “It’s kind of like a hot pocket, but it’s our rendition of the kolache. Our dough wrapped around the filling, then baked and we grill it on the panini press before it goes out.” Interest in the Java Kraze kolache is growing and William is expanding his menu to include additional lunch options. Currently the menu includes two lunch kolache sandwiches with more in the works. “One is a Reuben. The other is our Get Right Kolache, which is the house specialty.” William explains, “We use fried pork loin with baby back rib meat still attached, bacon, cheeses, and a spicy honey mustard melted into it. We have a turkey bacon option, as well.” The reaction to the kolache in Bentonville has been gratifying for William. “Everyone that tries one comes back for another,” he said. Sweet and Savory pastries are a staple at Java Kraze , but it didn’t start with that.
No coffee shop would be complete without a great coffee. William has that covered. “We serve Airship Coffee that is roasted right here in Bentonville,” he says.
“We pair that with Ozark Mountain Creamery milk for our lattes. You can’t beat it. I’ll put my coffee up against anybody.” Java Kraze’s signature drink is the Kraze Blend. William says, “It is our rendition of Bullet Proof Coffee. We take our house coffee and blend it with coconut oil and grass-fed butter. It is awesome.”
As Java Kraze settles in to its new location, William is constantly adding to the menu of breakfast and lunch bakery items. Soon look for bubble tea with flavor bursting boba balls. “We are perfecting the recipes now,” he added. “Young folks love it.”
William wants area residents to know a couple of things about the new Java Kraze. “We have a great accessible location with a drive thru, and Java Kraze is locally sourced, from our coffee beans to our milk, we believe in community and sustainability.” Questions about this or other dining features? Contact Dave Woods at 479-571-6491 or dwoods@NWADG.com.