I'm writing a livejournal entry again. I feel very self-conscious about this. I have grown to appreciate internet anonymity a bit over the last year for some reason. Maybe I am less "public" now that I live in a city again. With that said, I will now write a review of coffee shops on University Way (The Ave) in Seattle's University District:
Herkimer is the best. It is cheap and reliably delicious drip coffee. Three times while in line the "drip" has run out and I've been offered an americano in its stead. I am honestly loyal to the drip and that's all. Also, cheap donuts around closing time (6). My only problem with Herkimer is that it is a longer walk for me, which, on rainy days, I don't like.
Moving down the Ave, there's Tully's. Tully's is not good nor is it cheap. It's singular redeeming factor is that it is open very early (6?) and is close(r) to home. The drip coffee is some of the worst coffee I've ever tasted.
Chaco Canyon is not on the Ave but it's close. I like Chaco's coffee since they started using Stumptown beans. I also like it because I get occasionally get free coffee there from generous friends. When I have to pay, it's expensive.
Starbucks (1) is just what you'd expect from any Starbucks, really: world music compilations that I feel dirty about liking, terrible coffee, and a lot of paraphernalia.
Sureshot is nice and the coffee is ok. The people who work there are nice and I appreciate that they are holding their own there next to the new Chase bank. Some of the furniture is ugly. I like that they have Ms. Pacman.
The cafe in University Bookstore is so-so as I remember. Haven't been there since I quit my job at the store in 2008. Word is they have Vita coffee these days, which is attractive.
Cafe on the Ave has very good coffee but it's expensive. There is a "manager's special" these days which makes a pastry and cup of drip more affordable but, despite the advertisement, this is something you have to request, even if the manager himself is taking your order. I like that Catherine is setting up shows here; there really needed to be an all ages space that integrates student culture with the non-university local music scene. I also appreciate how you can watch basketball there or sit outside on nice days.
Bulldog News has a coffee and pastry window that features a nice looking "OPEN" sign (even when closed). I used to really like Bulldog when I first moved to Seattle and it was probably the first place I ate a scone. However, after a while, I think either they stopped caring or I became pickier. I stopped going because the drip was consistently bitter and cold.
Starbucks (2): Never been there and assume it's like the other Starbucks two blocks up.
One block over is Allegro. I think Allegro has the best atmosphere of any coffee shop in Seattle, and is now, I think, the oldest coffee shop in Seattle. It's a good place to read or have a conversation or study. However, the coffee is just not that good. I don't know why, really. It tastes acidic and burned to me and the drip is almost unpalatable (not as bad as Tully's though).
Solstice is pretty nice inside. Years ago, I had some coffee there. It was unusual and kind of exotic/tasted "floral." I gave it another chance recently and found it gross. Seems like a better place for tea and games.
There are probably more coffee shops further south but I haven't been down there in a while.
Herkimer is the best. It is cheap and reliably delicious drip coffee. Three times while in line the "drip" has run out and I've been offered an americano in its stead. I am honestly loyal to the drip and that's all. Also, cheap donuts around closing time (6). My only problem with Herkimer is that it is a longer walk for me, which, on rainy days, I don't like.
Moving down the Ave, there's Tully's. Tully's is not good nor is it cheap. It's singular redeeming factor is that it is open very early (6?) and is close(r) to home. The drip coffee is some of the worst coffee I've ever tasted.
Chaco Canyon is not on the Ave but it's close. I like Chaco's coffee since they started using Stumptown beans. I also like it because I get occasionally get free coffee there from generous friends. When I have to pay, it's expensive.
Starbucks (1) is just what you'd expect from any Starbucks, really: world music compilations that I feel dirty about liking, terrible coffee, and a lot of paraphernalia.
Sureshot is nice and the coffee is ok. The people who work there are nice and I appreciate that they are holding their own there next to the new Chase bank. Some of the furniture is ugly. I like that they have Ms. Pacman.
The cafe in University Bookstore is so-so as I remember. Haven't been there since I quit my job at the store in 2008. Word is they have Vita coffee these days, which is attractive.
Cafe on the Ave has very good coffee but it's expensive. There is a "manager's special" these days which makes a pastry and cup of drip more affordable but, despite the advertisement, this is something you have to request, even if the manager himself is taking your order. I like that Catherine is setting up shows here; there really needed to be an all ages space that integrates student culture with the non-university local music scene. I also appreciate how you can watch basketball there or sit outside on nice days.
Bulldog News has a coffee and pastry window that features a nice looking "OPEN" sign (even when closed). I used to really like Bulldog when I first moved to Seattle and it was probably the first place I ate a scone. However, after a while, I think either they stopped caring or I became pickier. I stopped going because the drip was consistently bitter and cold.
Starbucks (2): Never been there and assume it's like the other Starbucks two blocks up.
One block over is Allegro. I think Allegro has the best atmosphere of any coffee shop in Seattle, and is now, I think, the oldest coffee shop in Seattle. It's a good place to read or have a conversation or study. However, the coffee is just not that good. I don't know why, really. It tastes acidic and burned to me and the drip is almost unpalatable (not as bad as Tully's though).
Solstice is pretty nice inside. Years ago, I had some coffee there. It was unusual and kind of exotic/tasted "floral." I gave it another chance recently and found it gross. Seems like a better place for tea and games.
There are probably more coffee shops further south but I haven't been down there in a while.