I’m pretty obsessed with local coffee shops everywhere I go. Don’t get me wrong here, sometimes I need the cup with the little green straw, but they are nearly ALWAYS better than the starbucks down the street. However, there’s one little local joint that takes the cake for me. I am a little bit biased because it’s located in my home away from home (Stephenville, TX, USA), but to be totally unbiased, here’s 5 reasons you should visit Beans and Franks instead of Starbucks next time you’re craving a good cup of joe.

1. Supporting local places is always a great thing to do.

Like I said, I love Starbucks, but they are a multi-million dollar chain that has a store every few blocks in almost every city in America. I applaud their success, but local shop owners need love, too. This is how they make their living. They’ve made their life by selling people great coffee with wonderful and friendly service. I don’t know the owners but I bet they have kids and a family and a life that they need a bit of money for- so why not help them out? Trust me, Starbucks has got it under control. Go help out the little guy from time to time.

2. Um, the obvious: COFFEE.

I love, love, love coffee. Absolutely adore coffee. I could drink multiple cups a day, but I restrain myself because I would get extra weird with all that caffeine. But seriously, Beans makes some really great coffee. They have just about everything Starbucks offers, only better. Their drip coffee flavors are to die for (southern pecan melts my heart), and those are only about $2 for a small cup. The Cool Bean is an iced coffee that tastes like the song “Don’t Stop Believing,” by Journey. One of my favorites though, is a creation called the Bearded Man. It’s sort of like a butterscotchy coffee with a little love mixed in (I am not sure exactly what’s in it). They also have your normal stuff: cappuccino, Americano, lattes and that sort of stuff that you can always add flavor to. It’s all delicious. The best part? They sell their drip coffee so you can make your own. Going home for the summer? Not to worry. Grab a bag (or K-Cups) of your favorite coffee to take home and reminisce with. You’ll be alright.

3. The food

Food is always good when you’re having coffee because it soaks up some of that caffeine so you don’t feel all shaky and weird. It’s in the name here: Beans and Franks. Coffee and hot dogs. Weird combo, until you just try one of their hot dogs. They also have a variety of baked potatoes, wraps and paninis that are amazing. My favorite thing is the sausage egg and cheese bagel in the morning. So simple, but it’s just the best thing with my coffee. I always wake up just a little earlier some days to go eat breakfast and get my coffee there. They also have gigantic cookies, muffins, and pastries that are yumm-o as well.

4. The atmosphere

You are almost ALWAYS going to run into a person you know at Beans. Either they work there, or they’re studying, or just having a nice little chat with someone. Even if you don’t know anyone there, it’s going to feel like you do because the staff is so friendly. It’s like a little café/home with the brick wall and fireplace, couches here and there, coffee cups lining the wall, and great music always playing in the background (seriously Beans, what’s the Pandora station? Because it’s perfect). I study there pretty frequently during school just because it’s a change of pace from the library. I get so sick of that place, and couches are way more comfortable than those awful chairs.

5. It’s closed on Sundays

My least favorite favorite thing about Beans. Closing on Sundays means that I can’t have a peaceful Sunday morning coffee break before or after church. Here’s the deal though, it’s about Jesus. I love that some places close on Sundays because I know that establishment respects the day of rest and worship (at least in my mind they do). That’s not the only reason I know this place loves Jesus though. Anytime you’re there, just look around. You are bound to find someone having their disciple meeting there. Their Bibles are out, and they are discussing God openly amongst every human there, and nobody has a problem with it. Isn’t that so comforting, given everything that’s going on in the world right now? That we even have that freedom here is so amazing, and to see college kids staying on track that way is so uplifting.

Beans and Franks has got it going on, y'all. If you’ve never been, you’re seriously missing out on some greatness. It’s right next to Barefoot right across from the Tarleton administration building. Go sit on a couch with a good friend, talk about Jesus (or whatever floats your boat), and have some damn good coffee.