So Many Starbucks
Within a five-mile radius of University Prep, there are a total of 39 Starbucks according to Google Maps. To put that in perspective, a student could go to exactly one of those locations every day of UPrep’s 2023 second academic quarter. So, in terms of accessibility Starbucks takes the cake but do they really hold the title of tastiest drinks? To answer this question I went to five different locations in the greater Seattle area and tried out five drinks.
Commons Cafe
The Drink: Hot Chocolate
The Commons Cafe, located in the heart of UPrep, provides a classic and tasty hot chocolate with plenty of toppings. If you’re looking for something to keep you warm on your walk to the ULab this winter, I would highly recommend it.
Price: $2.85 (12oz)
Presentation: 3/10
Cozy factor: 8/10
The Experience
The entire staff is always prepped and ready with a funny joke or quick chat. As far as service goes, they might be the best you can get.
Coffeeholic House
The Drink: Creme Caramel Latte
As a person who doesn’t often drink coffee, Coffeeholic House in Greenwood provides a respectable drink. The caramel taste hit first, followed by a light coffee aftertaste, which I enjoyed. For those who like a darker blend, I would recommend something else. This drink tasted much more like caramel than coffee.
Price: $6.75 (16oz)
Presentation: 7/10
Cozy factor: 8/10
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Graphics: Sydney Woogerd[/caption]
The Experience
The cashier was considerate and provided me with a few of their seasonal drink options when I asked for guidance.
Atulea
The Drink: Matcha Latte
Atulea, located in Capitol Hill, is a great find for matcha lovers. The star of the show was the presentation: the latte foam in a heart shape, marked with matcha powder spelling out “Atulea”.
Price: $5.00 (16oz)
Presentation: 9.5/10
Cozy factor: 4/10
The Experience
The cashier was super sweet and helpful and the barista made my drink in what seemed to be double time.
Urban City Coffee
The Drink: White Chocolate Mocha
Urban City Coffee, located in Mountlake Terrace, was my personal favorite of the bunch. The drink itself had a pleasant coffee taste sweetened just enough by the white chocolate flavor. The balanced flavors made up for the presentation: a plain gray cup.
Price: $5.15 (16oz)
Presentation: 4.5/10
Cozy factor: 9/10
The Experience
around the shop for the drive-thru and zero parking. Despite this, they still managed to take my order and make my drink in less than five.
Starbucks
The Drink: Pumpkin Iced Chai
The Greenlake Starbucks, despite its popularity, turned out to have an average seasonal drink. The sweetness was significantly higher than all the other drinks I tried and the presentation was about what you would expect: a clear cup with a white logo.
Price: $6.56 (16oz)
Presentation: 6.5/10
Cozy factor: 5/10
The Experience
The service was quick but there was hardly any seating. If you’re looking for a place to study or hang out, this might not be it.
