SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – It was a dream, years in the making, and now a mobile coffee truck is a reality in South Lake Tahoe. Sarah and Danell Tackitt wanted to have the first coffee trailer in the community, and that journey began when they found an old trailer in Las Vegas in June 2023, one that needed a lot of elbow grease and hard work to become ready for their business. The first part of that journey ended on May 9 when they opened Tahoe Mountain Grind Espresso Trailer and placed it inside the Tahoe Valley Campground in South Lake Tahoe.
Sarah and Danell met working in a side-by-side drive-through coffee business in 2002 in Roseville, California. They knew they always wanted their own coffee business, but it took working for Starbucks and Peet’s to perfect their skills and years of other jobs along the way to make the dream a reality.
The couple purchased some equipment from Glazed and Confused when they closed down, and put everything together to open a coffee trailer that will be embedded in the community and become a place for locals.
So far, the customer vibe has been great, said Sarah and Danell. Campers have been stopping by daily when they’re in town, and locals are starting to find them. They believe in community and great service.
“We’ll treat everyone as a best friend,” said the dynamic duo that is focusing on excellent customer service. They smile, are engaged with their customers, and turn out a great cup of coffee quickly. Sarah actually trains baristas at other establishments in town, and believes in being a team in Tahoe, where everyone helps each other. Nearby coffee shop Ernie’s has been a partner – they supply the girls with their ice, and Sarah and Danell display the Ernie’s QR code and recommend them often.
Tahoe Mountain Grind is open from 7 a.m. to noon, Thursday-Tuesday, in the Tahoe Valley Campground. Currently, they are near the office/Bare Necessities store, but will soon be moving closer to the front to make it easier for locals to stop by and grab a hand-crafted coffee or Italian soda. They serve Bare Roots Coffee and also have donuts, muffins (including gluten-free), croissants, bundt cakes, danishes, tea and hot chocolate. They also have logo wear and stickers.
Tahoe Valley Campground is located at the Y, 1175 Melba Dr., South Lake Tahoe. Drive through the entrance and pass by the building with directional signs above it, and the coffee trailer is on your left. Park there, or by Bare Necessities. There is outside seating.
When the trailer is closed, the message on the door has a great message – Out Enjoying Tahoe Time (it’s also what’s on the back of the hoodies they sell).
You can find Tahoe Mountain Grind on Facebook and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tahoemountaingrind_coffee/.
