Calico Jack Coffee Roastery Named a Cleveland Magazine Best of Cleveland 2025 Reader Pick
CLEVELAND (Sept. 24, 2025) Calico Jack Coffee Roastery is proud to be recognized by Cleveland Magazine as one of its 2025 Best of Cleveland reader picks.
“This one hits deep for us. When we started Calico Jack Coffee Roastery, it wasn’t just about coffee. It was about resilience, family, and finding light in dark seasons. My uncle, Chris Barbian’s story started with fighting through cancer and choosing to chase this dream with his wife Charisse, myself (Austin Barbian), his son Christian, and daughter Carissa by his side.
We started by going to coffee shops during Chris’s immunotherapy appointments at Cleveland Clinic’s Seidman Cancer Center. We would walk to Little Italy or drive to another close shop and just learn more and more each time we went. A few months later we purchased a popcorn popper from a local goodwill and started roasting coffee for friends and family.
Today, being named Best Coffee Shop in Cleveland in Cleveland Magazine’s Best of Cleveland 2025 feels like more than an award. It’s a reminder of why we started and proof that love, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of great coffee can carry you through storms.
We can’t forget our incredible crew. From early mornings behind the bar to the last customer of the day, they pour their hearts into every cup. Their passion, laughter, and hard work turn this shop into a home and this win belongs just as much to them as it does to us.
From our family to our customers: thank you. Thank you for voting, for visiting, for cheering us on. You are the heart of Calico Jack, and together we’ll keep making every cup a treasure. Here’s to Cleveland, here’s to the journey, and here’s to tasting the treasure.” - Austin Barbian
Cleveland Magazine’s October “Best Of” issue features reader and editor picks on the best places in Northeast Ohio for food, drink, entertainment, shopping and more. Calico Jack Coffee Roastery was selected as a reader pick in the category of Independent Coffee Shop.
“This is one of my favorite issues to work on. We get to highlight Clevelanders who are passionate, determined and have tons of creativity as this year’s Best of Cleveland winners,” says Dillon Stewart, editor of Cleveland Magazine. “While our readers have selected an amazing group of longtime reader favorites, our editorial staff has also hand-picked 50+ winners in areas such as food, entertainment and shopping. All of this year’s picks showcase why being a Clevelander is the best.”
Calico Jack Coffee Roastery will be participating in Cleveland Magazine’s annual Best of Cleveland Party on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Great Lakes Science Center. In one of the most anticipated parties of the year, guests will enjoy food and drinks from more than 75 Best of Cleveland winners as well as live entertainment from local musicians and DJs.
This year’s party is proudly sponsored by Paul Davis Restoration, Akron Cleveland Association of Realtors, Bradley Stone, NOACC, University School, Pinecrest, Meaden & Moore and Cleveland’s Star 102. Visit clevelandmagazine.com/boc for more information and to purchase tickets.
Calico Jack Coffee Roastery is located at 8595 Mentor Ave. Mentor, Ohio 44060. We look forward to sharing this recognition with all of our patrons.
Cleveland Magazine is a city and regional publication that serves all of Northeast Ohio. The 53- year-old publication offers engaging and authoritative stories on dining, arts and entertainment, shopping, sports and civic issues affecting Clevelanders.