Mr. Spots Chai Tea House
Political ReadingsThe Mystery of Mr. Spots Chai Tea House - Ballard, WA
When you first walk into this small shop in the heart of downtown Ballard you are overcome with the smell of different spices, burning teas and incense. You will notice a funky retro sitting area where you can do homework or just hang out by day, which is transformed into a live seating area for the stage by night. There is free live entertainment nightly. There is a small area north side of the shop consisting of shelves containing funky items, everything from candles and incense to their holders and seasonal tie-dye clothing.
Then there is the barista counter. The counter is three times the size of that in any conventional coffee shop, and even contains a seating area equipped with eloquently bizarre stools. Behind the counter are shelves galore of all types of spices. They are mostly purchased by people to make tea, but can be used for anything from lip balm to sensual massage oils, and are conveniently affordable.
First-time visitors should initiate themselves into the tea house by trying the house specialty -- a cup of chai tea. This chai’s signature flavor was patented by the company’s owner about 10 years ago when Morning Glory Chai was brought into the business world. While Morning Glory Chai can be purchased in hundreds of shops throughout Washington, Oregon, Georgia and Vermont, or ordered online and shipped to your front door by the postal service, it is still always made in Ballard by the one and only Mr. Spots Chai Tea House, open and running strong for nine years.
While your drink is being made it is satisfying to just stand back and watch people enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of the house. However, it may be worth your time to chat with one of the baristas working that day. You may be asked a question to ponder. The attitude and conversation is deep and intended to form a closer relationship between the house staff and customer. If you don’t strike up a conversation with anyone, you can always check your horoscope, posted daily on the receiving end of the counter.
Finally, the end result arrives. If you can get past the scorching temperature of the freshly brewed tea, it is recommended that your first sip be small as to adjust to the robust flavor of the combined spices. The first three ingredients in the chai are black tea, ginger and black pepper fresh enough to revitalize all your senses. The best part of the tea isn’t the exotic, wonderful taste, but rather the feeling you have after drinking the tea. The energy tonics and memory boosters will have you on your way to afternoon bliss.
You may also buy a half gallon at the chai house for $9 (plus a $1.50 deposit on the jug), or $18 for a gallon to take home for late-night chai parties.
With all of this information there is one big mystery left regarding Mr. Spot’s Chai Tea House: who is responsible for this original house of tea?
The owner of Morning Glory Chai seems to be the house’s big secret, as the staff will not even reveal if the entrepreneur is male or female. They refer to it in a spiritual state, sometimes saying he, sometimes saying she. Funk, one of the baristas, would not reveal the owner or why he could not share the information with me. He said that Mr. Spot’s Chai House is a place to come and hang out, and just be. When talking about the atmosphere of the house he said, “It’s a place that your parents would be cool with, and would probably come hang out at if they were still your age.”
Stop by Mr. Spots Chai Tea House at 5463 Leary Way in Seattle, or visit them online at www.chaihouse.com.
The chai house is open Mon-Thu 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sun 8 a.m.-8 p.m. They also hold events like open mics and musical perfrmances nearly every night of the week (see schedule below).
Mr. Spot’s Chai Tea House
JANUARY SCHEDULE
Free all-ages music
Call Mr. Spot’s Chai Tea for exact show times at (206) 297-CHAI
Fri 16 - Paradise With Pat Cook and friends, and Correo Aereo
Sat 17 - The Bond with Westward Expansion - Folk rock
Sun 18 - The Paul Fischer Trio - Trap jazz. 6-8 p.m.
Mon 19 - The Redux
Tue 20 - D.K. Brainard - Acoustic roots rock
Wed 21 - Moorea Malatt - Singer-songstress from Bellingham
Thu 22 - Scratching Post Open Mic. 8-10 p.m.
Fri 23 - Amy Denio - Solo art songstress with Myshkin out of Portland
Sat 24 - Djangomatics! – Django style jazz
Sun 25 - The Paul Fischer Trio - Trap jazz. 6-8 p.m.
Tue 27 - (speakeasy night)
Wed 28 - Neon Brown presents - Psycho Batshit
Thu 29 - Scratching Post Open Mic. 8-10 p.m.
Fri 30 - The Chicago 7 - Jazz
Sat 31 - Kaoss Night - Experimental avant garde