Welcome back to another edition of coffee chat. The weather is getting nicer, and getting an iced coffee—although always trendy—is more justified now. The coffee shop I went to this week matched those vibes: a true Swiss Army knife in all it has to offer. Here’s my breakdown.
Location: 8.5/10
As someone who lives fairly far east of campus, the Shooks Run location of Switchback Coffee Roasters is only a 15-minute walk from my house, making it a perfect option for some fresh air and coffee. But… if you’re on campus (especially west campus), it might be closer to a 30-minute walk. Still worth it for the brave, but I’ll dock a point for the inconvenience.
Vibe: 9.5/10
I call this place a Swiss-army knife because there’s something for everyone. There’s lots of outdoor seating if you want to soak in some sun, tables, area in the back to lock in and even “bar” seating where you can watch the baristas doing their craft. Plus, the cortado I ordered came on a fancy wooden tray with tonic water that the barista said “is for cleansing the palate,” so some bonus points are definitely deserved for being fancy.
Price: 7.5/10
The menu was on the pricier side. You’re not going to get as good a deal as, say, Story Coffee, but it’s also not going to break the bank. And, they had some solid-looking food options that would pair well for a nice breakfast.
Taste: 9.5/10
I think the fact that the cortado came on a wooden plate with tonic water might ha’ve biased my taste buds, but it was very, very solid. I also sipped an almond milk latte, which I highly recommend. They have seven to eight different roasts, so they clearly know their stuff. The only downside is they don’t have a traditional cold brew (rip).
Bottom Line
We’ve got a new number one in the rankings, as Switchback narrowly beats out Story. While Story Coffee has a special place in my heart, Switchback is a deserved new frontrunner. It’s got a vibe for everyone, is in a solid location, and clearly has its stuff down taste-wise. Taking recommendations for coffee shops to rank next.
Coffee Chat Current Rankings:
- Switchback Roasters: 35/40
- Story Coffee: 34.8/40
- Frankly Coffee: 28.5/40