Where to Go for a “Cup o’ Joe”

By Britten Stark and Kaitlin Strohschein
There are many coffee shops on campus. Though Tully’s coffee seems to dominate the BCC landscape, there are other options available. There are several coffee shops that are labeled Tully’s (and one Starbucks), which simply serve that coffee. Don’t expect to use gift cards issued by either company on campus.
Unlike many traditional coffee shops, it is not considered inappropriate for students to study near these venues without making a purchase. Because many of BCC’s coffee shops are located in or near student lounges, some students find them convenient places to meet with friends or spend a few minutes studying between classes.
“Tully’s Coffee” L-Building Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Tall Brewed Coffee $1.60
“Tully’s Coffee” in the L-Building is much more than a coffee shop: it is also a great place for snacks. Throughout the day, there are fresh, custom-made sandwiches available here, and a soup of the day is also available. However, the snack food selection is less diverse than other places on campus. The non-coffee beverages are largely limited to a minimal selection of bottled drinks.
The many tables and decent lighting make this an excellent study area. Located on the first floor of the L-Building, it is close to many classrooms and the parking garage. The study area is open all day, but the shop is only open briefly in the middle of the day.
“Starbuck’s Coffee” C-Building Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Tall Brewed Coffee $1.60
This coffee shop, although it is not an official Starbucks franchise, serves Starbucks brand coffee. Because the shop has opened its semi-private atrium to non-customers as well, it may be a difficult place to find a chair. However, one can sip their coffee and study in the student lounge or cafeteria, located nearby. The area is a good place to chat with friends, but it may not be the best place to study because its noisy atmosphere may be bothersome.
Starbucks’ non-coffee options typically include food and smoothies. However, because this venue is not officially a Starbucks, its non-coffee options are more limited.
Cafeteria C-Building Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m Tall Brewed Coffee $1.18
The Tully’s coffee in the cafeteria is notably less expensive than any other coffee shop on campus. However, it is self-serve and is only available as standard brewed coffee. The cafeteria carries a much wider variety of fresh food options than any other venue on campus, and the bottled beverage selection here exceeds that of every other location on campus. Due to its variety of food and beverage options, the cafeteria is often busy. This is especially the case during lunch and dinner hours.
The cafeteria itself is a great place to meet people or hang out with friends. In the late afternoons, when it quiets down, it can be a decent place to study as well.
Coffee Vending Machine Pronto Cafe: Your corner coffeehouse C-building hours Tall Brewed Coffee $1.00
An inexpensive caffeine fix is just around the corner, literally. Nestled between the student lounge and the cafeteria, there is a vending machine that makes hot coffee at the push of a button. There are several coffee options available besides standard black coffee. In the same row of vending machines, there are energy drinks, cans of soda, and various sweet and salty snacks. These machines are a quick way to grab a snack, but their inventory is limited, full of preservatives and not always consistent. They take both cash and credit cards.