FLAGLive! February 19, 2026
Written by Gail G. Collins
A warm cup in a welcoming space. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the sweet scent of pastry, friends gathered to study or that quiet corner to catch up on some reading. The hiss and sputter of steam, cozy couches near a fire, the wave from a new acquaintance and the promise of all you crave. It’s the simple, beautiful things that draw us in.
A coffee shop meets the needs of a wide array of folks. It answers the highest calling as it sets an agenda for the day or helps close the loop. It’s the answer to the question, so yes, come on in.
Owner Catherine Chabot of Kickstand Kafe encourages us to visit. “How important is the support of small business in the local community. Several customers are here three to four days a week. Skiers during snow season stop in on the way up and back down the mountain. We invite people in—while our drive-thru is amazing—come in and enjoy the space.”
Kickstand has been around since 2009, and Chabot managed the shop before buying in with Guillermo Cortes in 2017. With a professional culinary background from the Bay Area’s California College of the Arts, she garnered early experience at Pump Jack Café, as a yacht company chef and in catering before moving on to Texas, Minnesota, and then, Flagstaff more than a dozen years ago.
“With three children in tow at that point, I threw in my hat at Kickstand,” she remembered. “It was a good fit family-wise.”
The espresso is illy, while Single Speed Coffee Roasters supplies the drip and cold brew. The signature Kickstand brewed drip blends the two with a shot of espresso. The standard sippers cover the range from a macchiato to a mocha and breve. Lattes are the top seller, and a well-trained staff delivers a proper steam.
Read more: Kickstand Kafe blends comfort, coffee and community in every cupAs far as specialty drinks, the Endo boasts dark chocolate and frosted mint mocha. The Marley blends hazelnut into a white chocolate latte. The Snowbunny combines coconut and a dark chocolate mocha. Nearly 20 syrups are on offer with sugar-free options.
Loose leaf specialty teas are a return to tradition with quality Adagio Teas sourced directly from artisan growers. The matcha latte, especially in seasonal varieties and a chai latte with creamy, warm spices are popular. The London Fog features Earl Grey with steamed milk and vanilla while the Fixie, a yerba matte and rooibos latte, adds cinnamon. To satisfy the range of tastes, hot chocolate, steamers, cucumber lemonade, spiced cider, fruit smoothies, and Lotus energy drinks are available. Add popping boba for fun.
Chabot didn’t create the initial food menus, but they have grown. Staples remained, such as pastries, muffins and New York-styled Fat Bagles, in support of other local enterprises, which are well suited to coffee. Scones and cookies are baked daily and flavors rotate.
For breakfast, Chabot added a burrito with potato, egg and cheese and choice of bacon, chorizo or calabacitas. It’s the top seller alongside the Big Kicker, a croissant stacked with sausage, bacon, green chilies, egg, cheddar and hash browns.
Lunch came later with equal success. Sandwiches, like the turkey, bacon and brie spread fig jam and arugula on toasted focaccia with a side salad or chips.
“We have a micro-kitchen, not full service, but you work with what you got,” said Chabot. She delivers with house made chicken salad, salsa, pickled onions, berry compote, dressings, veggie sautés and granola—made with pecans, almonds, pepitas—for the parfait. “We use local as much as we can.”
Kickstand Kafe has a longstanding presence in the community, located in the back yard of Flagstaff High School, but also supports the district, plus summer trail maintenance crews, Flagstaff Medical Center and more. The shop composts their grounds and contributes organic matter for NAU worm farms and public gardens.
Building on their local love and keeping it low key, Kickstand recently introduced a Kocktail element.
“We don’t want to change the vibe—we’re not a bar—but we offer drinks that complement the food, mimosas on a Sunday and a Happy Hour with a coffee kick,” Chabot explained.
Weekend hours run later, and plans for game nights and vinyl and wine nights are next. “People come in to work or study late in the day, and we want to keep the environment comfortable for everybody.”
The bike-themed coffee and food café is casual in wood and iron chairs in an enormous, airy space, fireplace cozy with a large patio. Watch for an inside upgrade as Kickstand Kafe moves forward in 2026. FLGLive!
