Killer Coffee

Two drinks explain Killer Coffee faster than any description of the room: The Winner and The Killer, both built on espresso and both available with or without the liqueur. The counter sits inside Tulalip Resort Casino north of Seattle, and it runs as a straightforward coffee shop by day and something more indulgent as the evening comes on.

Espresso by day, spiked coffee later

The beverage list is built around espresso comfort rather than a tasting-bar format. Espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, chai tea and Italian sodas make up the core, and beer, wine and coffee with liqueur extend it into the evening.

The two named signatures do the heavy lifting. The Winner blends espresso with Bailey's Irish Cream, Frangelico and Hershey's chocolate, landing on the chocolate-and-hazelnut side. The Killer goes to caramel, layering espresso with caramel, Irish Cream, coffee flavor and a caramel drizzle. Every specialty drink can be made without alcohol, so neither signature is limited to a night out. Tea is represented by chai.

A resort counter with a day-to-night rhythm

Setting shapes the visit. Killer Coffee belongs to the resort's dining lineup rather than to a neighborhood street, and its own description, traditional coffee shop goodness with a twist, fits a counter built for a fast morning cup, an afternoon pick-me-up or a more adventurous evening concoction.

That daypart shift is the defining trait: the same small counter moves from caffeine to beer, wine and liqueur-spiked coffee without changing rooms. Expect a broad-appeal resort coffee bar rather than a precision specialty lab. Staff know the drinks list well and will steer a first-timer between the two signatures, and there is usually something sweet sitting beside the register.

Order The Winner, or keep it to banana bread

For the most venue-specific order, take The Winner or The Killer. The Winner is the richer of the two, chocolate and hazelnut over espresso. The Killer is the caramel one. To stay entirely on the coffee-shop side, either can be made without alcohol, and the base list of espresso, latte, cappuccino, chai and Italian soda covers the rest.

Food is sweet and baked. Classic banana bread and a signature cannoli pie are the house names, with brownies and cookies filling out the counter. Cannoli pie is the most distinctive thing here, banana bread is the safe classic, and either works beside a spiked or unspiked espresso drink.