How does Darryl Elliott take his coffee?

How does Darryl Elliott take his coffee?

My Morning Cup features the coffee rituals that most of us have. People from all walks of life — from US senators to ballplayers, subway drivers to college professors — have submitted entries that will run most days.

Here, we reached Darryl Elliott, owner of Elliott Physical Therapy in Dorchester and North Attleboro, by e-mail.

Darryl Elliott, 48

Milton

Owner/physical therapist, Elliott Physical Therapy

Describe your coffee routine. Where do you frequent, what do you like?

Every morning my wife, Patti, and I drive our boys to school together. It puts us all in the car together for about 20 minutes before we start our days. Then we head to Lower Mills or Adams Corner in Dorchester for coffee. We are lucky to live so close to so many great local coffee spots: The Plate, FlatBlack, and Greenhills Irish Bakery. We try to support local small businesses.

Make or buy?

Buy every morning but Sunday.

If buy, where? What time? Do baristas know you?

My favorite is FlatBlack on Washington Street in Dorchester, right after drop off at 8 a.m. The barista is Jeff. Their coffee is amazing! But if you are looking for something to go with your coffee I have to recommend Greenhills Irish Bakery or The Plate. Their breakfast sandwiches are the best around.

What’s your order?

Medium, hot, black, dark roast of the day for me; a medium iced latte with whole milk for Patti.

How do you take it?

I drink my coffee black. I prefer a stronger coffee, wakes me up and gets me ready for my day.

Iced or hot?

Hot.

Alone or with company?

Unless we have morning meetings, Patti and I grab a coffee together before we head in to our Dorchester office. We just started a new physical therapy company last summer, Elliott Physical Therapy, so morning coffee is a must. Our days are long, but it is fun creating something new.

Where do you drink it? Seated or on the go?

On the go.

Any simultaneous noncaffeinated stimulation (newspaper, radio, cigarettes, etc.)?

Definitely with Matty in the morning.

How many more cups the rest of the day?

1 or 2.

What time will you drink your last cup?

I’m a very good sleeper, so really will have a coffee anytime, including after a late dinner.

What’s your stance on decaf?

Never heard of it!

When and why did you start drinking coffee?

Worked many hours in the restaurant business while going to Northeastern University studying to be a physical therapist. So coffee became a staple.

Describe the most memorable cup of coffee you’ve ever had.

I’m a huge college basketball fan, and for many years I would travel to the Final Four. I think it was 2004, the Final Four was in New Orleans. What a great city. Great music and amazing coffee. I had a café au lait with beignets at Café Du Monde. Hands down best coffee I have ever had.