{image1}Sometimes there's just not enough time in the morning to get the coffee maker dripping or find a parking spot at the nearest java joint. But if you must satisfy that early caffeine craving and the minute hand is moving too fast, there's always Jo To Go, 4115 N. 76th St. (near Appleton Avenue).

This drive-through espresso bar isn't new to the neighborhood, but its tiny size and limited locations (there are nine in Wisconsin) just might be keeping this convenient franchise hidden from Milwaukeeans.

Owner Sue McHugh and her six-person staff don't waste any time when dishing out the daily coffees, mochas, smoothies and bakery. And McHugh says the customers appreciate their time-saving service because they keep coming back.

"We've gotten real good feedback," says McHugh, who's been running the Milwaukee location since July 2002. "The customers are a lot of fun. They come through every day and you find out about their kids, and they tell you the good news and bad news."

But it's mainly a commuter store for those who don't take the freeway in to the city, she says. "We get a lot of the morning traffic, but we're open until 9 every night," McHugh adds.

McHugh is not kidding when she says, "every night." This experienced business owner (she was formerly had snowplowing/lawn care, school bus and rental property companies with her husband) keeps her shop open 365 days a year.

Even though it's not always easy to rise and shine and put on a happy face before 5:30 a.m., year-'round, McHugh and company take pride in their customer service and their products.

"We're really fast and really friendly," the West Allis native claims. "We're not crabby people here at all, which you can get at other establishments."

She also says their coffee is tastier than other local favorites.

"Our coffee is not bitter, it's not like Starbucks," McHugh says. "And we have a huge variety of drinks versus other places that have small amounts of syrups and things, we've got 56 flavors of syrup.

"We have lots of choices and wonderful smoothies. We've got bakery, and smaller packs for kids so they don't have to try and eat a whole muffin."

For those in the neighborhood and those who drive by, Jo To Go is a great convenience, says McHugh. And for those of you wishing there was one near you, "The franchise is always looking for more, they'd like to put up a bunch more in the city," McHugh says.

Jo To Go, (414) 535-7861, is open Monday-Friday, 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sunday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. The Web site is jotogo.com.