Rating Every On-Campus Coffee Shop
Which shop reigns supreme over the rest?
By: Karyna Cheung
Coffee: it’s colleges’ most quintessential drink. According to the National Coffee Association, 63% of Americans drink coffee daily, making it the most consumed beverage in the United States, excluding water. Most college students rely on their daily dose of caffeine to get through the day, but where is the best BU spot (that accepts dining points) to grab it?
Einstein Bros. Bagels: Located in the College of Arts and Sciences’ basement, Einstein Bros. offers convenience for students on the move. Be wary, though, if you’re looking for a quiet study spot, you might be out of luck; finding a seat is a challenge, and noise levels can be high. All that being said, they’re usually efficient, and their 16-ounce iced vanilla latte is relatively budget-friendly at $4.49. If you are looking for a drink to go with an Einstein bagel, go for it! Otherwise, the coffee leans towards the milky side and tends to be your average cuppa’ joe.
Law School Cafe: Located right by the George Sherman Union (GSU), The Law School Cafe is a great central spot if you’re looking for a quiet and spacious study environment. The coffee here is relatively expensive, at $5.09 for a 12-ounce drink, for the quality. I would not go back for a latte with minimal flavoring and a strong, bitter aftertaste, but it is a great spot for productivity.
Starbucks - Warren Towers: The Starbucks beneath Warren Towers is a relatively small and crowded spot, but it is impressively efficient. My 12-ounce tall coffee was $5.25, but was by far the best-made coffee among the bunch. There was a minimal aftertaste and a nice espresso-to-coffee-to-syrup ratio. Coupled with the great location, Warren Starbucks is a consistently safe, convenient bet.
Starbucks - Questrom: The best thing about Questrom’s Starbucks in comparison to its counterparts is the decor. This location best resembles an actual coffee shop where you could sit down to work. It’s not as convenient as Warren or the GSU for students in a rush, as you have to climb to the second floor to reach your coffee, but if you have a little extra time to spare, it’s worth the visit. The coffee was not brewed as well as Warren’s (there was a more pungent, bitter aftertaste, but it was minimal), although it wasn’t too far behind.
Starbucks - George Sherman Union: This Starbucks experience was underwhelming. Despite visiting during a slow period, my order came later than estimated on the Grubhub app, and the coffee was similarly disappointing. There was, confusingly, barely any coffee flavor at all. Although the actual flavor of the drink was decent, it didn’t quite qualify as “coffee” to me. The only advantage over Questrom or Warren is its later closing time, ideal for late-night library sessions.
Dunkin’ Donuts: Despite its status as Boston’s go-to coffee, there is only one official Dunkin’ on campus where dining points are accepted, and the location is subpar. Situated within Buick Street Market, StuVi I’s version of CityCo, it tends to only be convenient for those residents. Consequently, it is rarely crowded with ample seating. Priced at $3.89 for a 16-ounce iced drink, it’s the cheapest spot on campus and, personally speaking, well worth the cost. Their espresso was very different compared to Starbucks’, and the French vanilla syrup added a nice sweetness to the entire drink. However, the flavor may not suit everyone’s taste. It does remain a decent choice for those in the area or seeking a place to work.
Saxby’s: The newest on-campus addition, Saxby’s, is the most aesthetically pleasing of the coffee shops reviewed. It’s a great study spot and a convenient location to get your daily caffeine fix. All of that being said, Saxby’s is exceedingly slow and inefficient, with the longest waits that often go over estimated order completion times. It is not a good idea to come here if you have somewhere else to be in a tight timeframe. For a 16-ounce, $5.55 drink, there wasn’t very much flavoring in my vanilla latte at all besides coffee and milk, although the espresso was brewed nicely. In the end, the long wait times for orders make Saxby’s an inconvenient option for many students.
The Best Overall: Starbucks under Warren Towers had the best coffee and a great location to go along with it. While it might not be the ideal spot for extended study sessions, you can be sure to get the coffee that you need to survive the day.
Use these ratings as a guide to determine which spot aligns best with your coffee cravings!