If I don’t drink coffee before noon, I will enter a state of caffeine-deprived delirium. Worse, if I drink coffee I don’t enjoy, I become a human Yelp review no one asked for. I wouldn’t say I’m a stereotypical college student, but when it comes to my caffeine consumption, I plead the Fifth. Coming from New York City, a place where there is at least one Starbucks and one local coffee shop on every block, usually selling artisanal coffee and seasonal lattes (no wonder it’s called “the city that never sleeps”), Colgate University’s coffee selection has been an adjustment.
Not only was the coffee selection an adjustment, but losing the atmosphere of a coffee shop was difficult. Typically, when meeting with a friend, our local coffee shop was our go-to. However, since coming to Colgate, I haven’t been able to have those slow Saturday mornings with my friends, debriefing our weeks over a hot latte. So, naturally, I’ve been on a quest to find the best coffee spot on campus where I can once again chat with my friends about our lives. After trying campus coffee options from the coffee station at Frank Dining Hall, the O’Connor Campus Center (the Coop), Fojo Beans’ pop-up and Chobani at Hieber Café, I have found my favorite spot for a caffeine fix.
One popular place to get coffee is the Coop. They have flavored coffee options that change regularly, often depending on the season. In the fall, I got the pumpkin flavored coffee nearly every day, and they usually have a vanilla coffee, which is equally as good. Additionally, Fojo Beans has a stand at the Coop open 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from Tuesday through Friday. While they only have iced coffee, they also have lavender syrup — a huge plus for me. The only downsides are that they have limited hours and only carry half and half. However, you could just grab some almond milk from the Coop’s dining hall. Sadly, Fojo Beans is not included in the meal plan, meaning you have to pay or use your bonus dollars. The lack of espresso is a bit disheartening, especially for a latte lover like myself, but the atmosphere in Coop is unmatched. The fireplace, comfy chairs and warm lighting are perfect. The Coop reminds me most of my weekends spent at a local cafe in my neighborhood.
Now, there is an actual cafe on campus that I have yet to discuss. A lot of my friends tend to venture down to Chobani at Hieber Café for their coffee, but I don’t love it. While Chobani has similar coffee options compared to Frank’s coffee station, they are much less consistent, usually have long lines and, as previously mentioned, only have single shot lattes if you do not want to pay extra. Occasionally, the coffee has a slight burnt flavor, and their lattes are not as good as the ones from Frank’s coffee station. If you order an iced coffee, it is typically mostly ice, and I find their coffee to be weak. Worst of all, Chobani has cool lighting, the least comfortable chairs and is primarily a study spot — not ideal for a debrief. That being said, when I’m in the library studying during midterms or finals week, I am eternally grateful that I can easily obtain caffeine without needing to leave the library.
As far as taste goes, Frank’s coffee station may be the best place to get coffee on campus. Not only does Frank have the most consistent coffee, but they also have multiple flavor options. Unlike the Coop, the Frank coffee station has an espresso machine, and unlike Chobani, you can get a double shot latte without needing to pay extra for it. The only downside to the station is that it is not always open, unlike the other options on campus. Sadly, when it comes to atmosphere, Frank is still a dining hall, even if it has great tasting coffee. In a coffee shop, I feel more open to sharing every detail of my week with my friends; it’s quiet, cozy and comforting. Whereas when I’m in Frank, it’s often noisy and crowded: not the best spot for a good old-fashioned debrief. The coffee makes me feel at home, but the atmosphere does not.
All in all, my coffee rankings are as follows (from best to worst): Frank’s coffee station, the Coop’s dining hall, Fojo Beans at the Coop and then Chobani at Hieber Cafe. As a first-year, I’m open to changing my rankings as time goes on, but as a self-proclaimed coffee snob from the city, I doubt I will. While I am tempted to rank the Coop above Frank’s coffee station purely because of the immaculate vibes the Coop has to offer, I must refrain from doing so. After all, getting through a week without a good latte is simply unthinkable. So, my advice is next time you’re craving a latte, dirty chai or espresso shot, go to Frank’s coffee station. Though, if you’re like me, someone who could spend hours in a cafe reading, studying or talking with friends and are missing the atmosphere of a coffee shop, grab your coffee from Frank and bring it over to the Coop where you can enjoy it by the fireplace.
