Coffee in Portland means more than just a cup to wake you up in the morning, it’s an obsession. Campus has a few primary coffee shops frequently visited by students and faculty. From a barista’s perspective, here is where I go for what:

1.) Food – If I’m needing a little pick-me-up and something substantial to munch on, Starbucks is my first choice for variety and quantity of food. There are four kinds of bagels, two kinds of oatmeal, a bunch of sweet treats, and several types of sandwiches. Recently they’ve added even more sandwiches and salads. Starbucks can be a little spendy, but if you’re looking for lunch and coffee it’s definitely the place to go.

2.) Fancy drinks – For lattes, mochas, whipped cream and flavor, I almost always go to Seattle’s Best. Their syrups are more flavorful than sweet and I love some of the uncommon flavors. Their whipped cream is the best I’ve had, and they have coconut flavoring which I can’t find anywhere else.

3.) Brewed coffee – Looking for plain ol’ cup of joe? Definitely check-out Branford’s Bean in the library. They brew three delicious Stumptown Coffee roasts including an organic roast every day. They accept regular debit/credit, cash, and PSU Dining Dollars. My favorite is the Guatemalan Blend by far!

Where I go to jumpstart my day depends on what I’m looking for. Where is your favorite place to go on campus?