LIGHT BULB COFFEE: A SHINING ADDITION TO LA MESA’S DOWNTOWN VILLAGE

By Jillian Hymer

An "East County Eaters" review from East County Magazine

January 16, 2018 (La Mesa) -- Light Bulb Coffee is a bright new spot in La Mesa’s downtown village. Opened three months ago at 8138 La Mesa Blvd., the business is filling the shoes that Starbucks outgrew when it moved into an expanded location a couple of blocks.

Their menu holds classic coffees, lattes, and teas alongside a variety of healthy smoothies and specialty drinks, as well as a wide variety of breakfast and lunch food items.  There are several house specialties, such as Turkish Hazelnut, which was subtly sweet when I savored an iced version.  Our editor sampled a hot California Pistachio, which had a nutty and minty flavor.

The unusually broad array of menu choices include Acai bowls, a soup of the day, and paninis such as raspberry turkey, chicken arugula and roasted pepper. 

You'll also find pastries, including some gluten-free options. An almond croissant was light, fluffy and satisfying.

The interior is spacious and holds a contemporary feel with hardwood floors, brightly painted walls with art hung from local artists, and a big accent wall highlighting Light Bulb’s slogan “Great Ideas, Start With Good Coffee.”

If you wish to host an event, as a group of "coffee moms" has begun to do, Light Bulb Coffee will provide tastings of paninis for the occasion.

This is the owner’s first coffee shop, but he hopes to open another location soon.  

To learn more, you can visit Light Bulb Coffee’s website or check their Facebook page.