March 18, 2009

How to choose a coffee shop

Choosing a coffee shop depends on a number of factors. Flavor, variety, ambience, convenience, and personal preferences. Actually, you probably have more than one favorite coffee house, depending on where you are, what time it is, and your mood.

Sometimes you just want to stop and go, to get your coffee quickly and cheaply. You want an honest brew at a good price, and it needs to be close by. If you're fortunate enough to have a Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donuts, you can grap a cup of coffee and go. You might be barely awake anyway, so it really doesn't matter whether you can get your favorite flavorings or frothy cream. A decent cup of coffee at just the right time goes a long way to covering other shortcomings.  A McDonald's coffee can fall in this category, too.

Other times when you are more relaxed and need the right

surroundings to spend with a newspaper or book or meet friends, you can't beat a local independent coffee house. Atmosphere and choice matter, and of course you want something comfortable and maybe a place to sit in the sun (or outdoors if the weather is right). It can be tough finding independent coffee houses now, because the large corporate stores seem to be everywhere. Look with When you have a little bit more time, and want to sit somewhere and chill with a newspaper or book, or maybe meet some friends, choose a local independent coffee house. Pick somewhere that offers a variety of coffee and tea, and has a warm and comfortable atmosphere. These places still exist, even though they have largely been pushed out of business by large corporate stores. Look for the areas in your community close to colleges and the arts, and that adds to the experience, too. The quality of the coffee may be as varied as the clientele, and the customer service will depend on the server. The cost will be a bit more than a donut store and tips will be expected.

Starbucks and Carribou Coffee are also options. When you prefer consistency and comformity over individuality, these will beat the independe coffee house. For example, if you have a business meeting, or have a particular concoction that you want done the same time, every time. There are also seasonal specials that you may crave and you know that when you duck into the corner Starbucks it will be there just like the Starbucks at the Target Store, or at the Harris Teeter, or the next corner. The coffee will be tasteful, but on the expensive side. And you won't get any of the magic of the small coffee house.

One of my favorite coffee houses is one close to the University. You enter through the back door. and the floors have been painted over and then worn down so you can see about five different colors showing through on the well-travelled areas. Plus, while you are enjoying your coffee you can also enjoy fresh baked goods and people watching, too. It's a great place to read a book. Wi-fi is not great but that's ok: the experience is being in the moment and enjoying the tastes, the aromas, and the surroundings, instead of absently wandering around the web.