Coffee: every college student's best friend. We are eternally grateful for our late-night study companion. What would we possibly do without that warm cup of caffeine-filled happiness? I, for one, would be at a loss. My late-night study buddy has gotten me through some tough times.
Of course, each person has their own preference on where to get their cup of caffeinated goodness. From options like Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Einstein's, Panera, and many more, there is bound to be a favorite for each and every coffee lover out there. Two of these options stand out more than any of the others when it comes to the everlasting argument of who brews the best cup, leading to a simple question: Starbucks, or Dunkin' Donuts?
Through most college campuses comes the familiar aroma of Starbucks—ah, the Holy Grail of coffee. My campus has three locations alone, making it easy for one to get their daily (or more than daily) caffeine fix. Perhaps the most popular of the coffee club, and for good reason, Starbucks tends to be a bit more of a convenient location, as there are about 12 of them within a 10-mile radius of the University of Akron's campus. Not to mention, can anybody perfect the pumpkin spice latte quite like they do? I think not.
Starbucks goes far beyond the standard coffee options, giving it a competitive edge against other options. The one and only flaw is one that can't really be changed, and that would be the prices. Realistically, the prices are understandable, but for the average college student, they are rather high. I mean, I may be ballin' on a budget, but that's not gonna stop me from getting my salted caramel mocha fix. I can fit it into my budget somehow. It's worth it. Let's be real.
Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks' top competitor, is no joke. Sure, their options aren't as broad, and it may be a more inconvenient stop as they don't appear as often on college campuses, but it is sometimes worth the trip. Their seasonal options, such as cookie dough and snickerdoodle swirl, are an interesting option if you want something beyond the typical pumpkin spice or peppermint mocha. Not to mention, their prices are much lower than Starbucks, making it a good option for us broke, Hot Pocket-eating college kids. And, I mean, they have donuts. What more could you want?
This great coffee debate may never end, because us caffeine addicts will always have our preferences. These things may never change. So, which do you prefer?