As finals week approaches, students are not only studying, finishing papers, and stressing, but also ranking their favorite coffee shops on and near campus. Students picked their favorite shops based on taste, affordability, and accessibility.
Rowan University has six different options of coffee shops found on and adjacent to campus. Saxbys, Einstein Bros. Bagels, two on-campus Starbucks locations, Ry’s Bagels, Cream, and High Grounds Coffee Roasters.
Students were least likely to have tried Cream and Einstein Bros. Bagels. However, students, like Jayel DeTorres, a freshman electrical and computer engineering major, had both. DeTorres ranked the coffee shops from least favorite to favorite as follows: Starbucks, Cream, Ry’s Bagels, High Grounds Coffee Roasters, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Saxbys.
Like DeTorres, many students ranked Saxbys as their favorite coffee shop on campus. Riley Burns, a freshman early childhood education major, praised Saxbys because she says they consistently make good coffee.
“I put Saxbys as number one because they never miss,” Burns said. “It’s always so good, and they never mess up my coffee. It makes my days better.”
Burns ranked the rest of the shops as follows: Einstein Bro’s. Bagels, High Grounds Coffee Roasters, Starbucks, Cream, Ry’s Bagels, Saxbys. While she did not try Einstein Bro’s coffee, her opinion on their bagels makes her hesitant to try their coffee.
“My least favorite would be Einstein Bros because I had their bagel before, and I didn’t like it,” Burns said. “I’m never going back there again.”
Similar to Burns, freshman exercise science major Julia Pulos said Saxbys was her favorite. Despite never trying Einstein Bros. Bagels or Cream, Pulos gave specific reasons why she ranked the other shops the way she did.
“I’m going to put High Grounds next because I tried it, and it was kind of bitter, or too sweet. I couldn’t find the happy medium. And then I’m going to say Ry’s Bagels because it was good, but not a lot to choose from.” Pulos said.
She chose her favorite coffee shops due to exclusive flavors and consistent coffee.
“Second, I’m going to say Starbucks because it’s so good, and the seasonal drinks I really love,” Pulos said. “First, I’m going to go with my Saxby’s. I get it every day.”
Students picked their favorite spots also on affordability, and the ability to use dining dollars.
Kaycee Dupuys, a freshman psychology major, ranked the shops as follows: Einstein Bros. Bagels, Cream, High Grounds Coffee Roasters, Ry’s Bagels, Starbucks, and Saxbys. Dupuy based her favorites not just on taste, but also on the ability to use her dining dollars.
“Second, I’m going to do Starbucks because there’s a Starbucks right underneath my dorm, so I can get it, and it’s free,” Dupuys said. “And one, I’m going to go to Saxbys, because it’s free, and I get it every day, and they have ube, which is delicious.”
Where students choose to get their coffee from depends on their price range, accessibility, and taste. Whether they go to Saxbys, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Ry’s Bagels, Starbucks, Cream, or High Grounds Coffee Roasters, coffee is an option many students can agree helps get them through the end of the semester.
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