To Coffee or To Coffee

     When in the mood for that quick caffeine jolt Sonoma State students are faced with the unfortunate dilemma of deciding between Starbucks and Charlie Brown Cafe. Let's review the differences. Charlie Brown Cafe is conveniently located on campus, and if you have been studying at the library or have time to kill between classes its location is a big pro. Although Starbucks may be across the street, which come on I know our generation is lazy but I think we can make it across the street, it has the ease of a drive-through. No waiting in the never ending line squished in that awkward corner of Charlie Brown, just relax in your car, listen to music, and appreciate the shorter wait. Both locations have definite pros.

        Next, menu options. Charlie Brown obviously has a wider variety among their menu options, given that they serve not only coffee drinks but smoothies as well. Although if you are only interested in coffee type drinks, the menu at Starbucks has more to offer. For drinks each menu has its benefits, it just depends on what type of drink you are looking for. As far as food goes, both have a good amount of options depending on the time of day. If you are looking for a meal, Charlie Brown has more options such as a variety of sandwiches, wraps, and salads as well as chips, cookies, pastries, and bagels if you are looking for more of a snack. Starbucks has all kinds of pastries, however their options vary by day, location, time, and season. While writing this blog I took a break and went to the Starbucks across the street and they had tons of pastries making the decision between a croissant and a chocolate chunk cookie was pretty difficult. My friend had the same difficulty deciding between a parfait and a ham and Swiss sandwich. Although the over-pricing of the sandwich swayed her to go with the fruit and yogurt parfait.
       As far as pricing goes, they are about equally over priced. Whether you go to Starbucks or Charlie Browns you are being ripped off. Personally, I prefer Starbucks for a myriad of reasons. Firstly taste. Charlie Brown coffee drinks taste stronger, I do not know if they necessarily are stronger, but they do not blend their favors as smoothly as Starbucks does. Charlie Brown Cafe's drinks have very distinct tastes. I also prefer Starbucks because of their accommodation options. Given the recent discovery of an ulcer in my stomach lining, my diet has become very limited very quickly however due to their soy options there are still multiple drinks I can get at Starbucks. Thirdly, believe it or not all Starbucks locations are kept kosher, so I can drink them without my family nagging me. So next time that caffeine monkey jumps on your back where will it take you?