Chicago-based Intelligentsia Coffee is bringing a new location to Santa Monica. The brand plans to introduce its first drive-thru model at the forthcoming coffee bar at 3010 Pico Blvd, marking its first departure from classic coffee cafes.
The spot, which formerly housed a Weinerschnitzel, will offer a walk-up window and drive-thru. Although there will be no indoor seating, there will be a patio that will seat more than 40 people.
“This is a super important location for us. It will be our first drive-thru location with the concept of Intelligentsia, and I don’t know that there are many third-wave coffee businesses that have opened up drive-thru locations,” Lori Haughey, vice president of retail for Intelligentsia, told What Now Los Angeles. “We’re really going to learn a lot from this one and if all goes as planned, we’re going to look into leaning into the drive-thru concept as we continue to refine it for future opportunities both in and outside of L.A.”
This spot will mark the fifth location for the brand in Los Angeles, joining locations in Silver Lake, Venice, Hollywood and Pasadena. There are also three locations in Chicago, one in New York, two in Boston, one in Austin and four international locations in Korea.
The menu includes espresso and tea beverages, with signature items such as the Iced Angeleno featuring four shots of espresso shaken with milk and homemade vanilla syrup, and the Avena Latte, which includes oatmilk, simple syrup, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla and orange peel. The forthcoming Santa Monica location will also offer a kids’ menu with chocolate, strawberry, vanilla and honey steamers, as well as menu items for dogs.
As of now, there is no set opening timeline, as it will depend on final renovations and inspections.
