Where else would I go to write a column about how fantastic Starbucks is than the excellent establishment itself?
I walked in, was greeted with a warm smile and the uniquely delicious smell of slightly burnt coffee combined with the sound of brewing coffee pots and lightly-playing hipster music.
I ordered my favorite winter drink (grande skinny vanilla latte) and began to write about how Starbucks is the best place to get coffee on campus.
To start off, Starbucks is much more than just a counter where you order a drink and wait in a disorganized mob until your drink is prepared. Yes, that does happen, but while you wait you can enjoy the unique culture that is Starbucks.
The fans of Starbucks make up a subculture of society and they even speak their own language. For example, someone says they want a grande skinny double vanilla pike stirred. Everyone around him or her perfectly understands that he or she wants a 16-ounce, non-fat, vanilla-flavored coffee with two shots of espresso stirred into it.
But wait! It's not just coffee.
If coffee isn't your thing, as many people do not like the caffeinated brew, feel free to choose from 24 different Tazo Tea options including chai tea, green tea, and pink passion tea. If none of those sound yummy, grab a cream-based frappuccino, which is basically a funky milkshake that can have coffee in it or not – it's up to the customer to add espresso or caffeine.
With all of this variety, it is hard not to find at least one drink to satisfy your taste buds.
If you're not thirsty, don't even get me started on how delicious the baked goods actually are.
Sitting in a glass case that is visible to everyone waiting in line, the treats are taunting your latest diet plan by making your mouth water. After that first bite into the marshmallow dream bar, cinnamon chip scone, morning bun, or one of the other 35 possible baked treats offered in Starbucks, you are not disappointed.
My favorite being the marshmallow dream bar: one bite into the not-too-gooey, crunchy rice krispy treat always puts a smile on my face, no matter what kind of day I'm having.
The environment of Starbucks is a perfect place for me to get work done and throughout the many hours I have spent here, I have noticed that many other people feel the same way.
There are consistently professors meeting up with students, people working on group projects, and students silently doing work on their own.
Hopefully one of the four large armchairs will be available to snuggle up in, but if not the chairs and tables are a viable option as well. The many individual round tables and bar stools are convenient for setting up a laptop, focusing and getting some work done, or for just gazing out the window and people watching.
Even though Starbucks doesn't take meal swipes or dining dollars, it really is worth the few extra bucks to sit in the soothing décor of Starbucks that provides a snug nook away from the chaos of your dorm or the Student Union.
As wonderful as the SU is, in Starbucks you don't need to be on constant watch of someone handing you a piece of paper you will never read or running into a classmate who you really don't want to talk to.
Here it is perfectly acceptable to plug in a pair of headphones and zone out when all you want is to enjoy your drink or snack in peace.
Next time you are craving something tasty and searching for an inviting place to enjoy it in, walk into Starbucks and join the unique community of coffee lovers already addicted to the culture and taste of the best place to get coffee on campus.
Email: rachel.kramer@ubspectrum.com
