New Coffee Shop in Manahawkin

Post date: April 7, 2025

By Izzy Fischer

Yellow Dog Coffee Roasters is a newly opened coffee shop that seems to be making quite an impression in Manahawkin. The ambiance is cozy and welcoming, with a rustic charm that makes it a perfect spot to relax or catch up with friends. They also offer a variety of pastries to complement their coffee selection. Each month there are new specials. For example, for Valentine’s Day there are drinks under the category of anti Valentine’s Day. Left on Red, Unfollowed, and Shaken Ex-presso are the drinks available for this set of specials. There are many different options you can get at Yellow Dog like cold brew, nitro cold brew, iced or hot lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, and iced or hot chai lattes. There are also many flavor options available. 

All of the syrups are home made by the owner's wife, Caitlyn Smithman. I interviewed the owner Dave Smithman about Yellow Dog and his interest in coffee. His interest in coffee started from when he was a cop and he would grab a coffee while he was on night shift. He knew he wanted to turn his interest in coffee into a business when he would taste the coffee he bought and he knew he could make it better. He started out by roasting beans in a popcorn machine. He would make samples for family and friends. When I asked him if he faced any hardships while opening he said satisfying codes and permits was one of the hardest parts. I asked him how long it took for his business idea to come to life and he said it started off slow, but then began to take off. His hobby of roasting beans slowly started to become profitable. He started off by selling his beans online. I asked Dave what his favorite part about owning a business was and he said creating a welcoming environment for the community and getting good feedback from the customers. Dave always puts his customers first and makes sure they are satisfied when they come to visit Yellow Dog. Yellow Dog Coffee Roasters is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee, it's a community hang out where quality and passion for coffee come together. Next time you are in the area, make sure to stop by and experience the charm and coffees that Yellow Dog offers.