Finding Campus Coffee Hotspots
By Alex March
Waking up for a 7:30 class is never fun, and staying awake through it all can be a daunting challenge. As if by some miracle, campus is full of places to grab a cup of coffee before that class at an ungodly hour. Stop by any of these locations for your morning caffeine fix.
Arsaga’s
Inside Law Library, Second Floor Lefler Law Building
7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., M-Th, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., F
Arsaga’s is a Fayetteville institution, serving up fresh, locally roasted coffee and espresso drinks. Lauren Struzik, sophomore English literature and European studies major and Arsaga’s employee, said the small batches of espresso make the difference. Since Arsaga’s is locally owned, Struzik said they can control everything, down to the temperature of the steamed milk.
When asked for a drink recommendation, Struzik said, “Definitely an iced Americano, room for cream, Irish cream syrup, and add half and half.”
The law library commons, with big windows looking out over the union mall, makes for a relaxing place to sit in between classes and sip on a handcrafted concoction.
Einstein Brothers Bagels
2nd Floor, Willard J. Walker Hall
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Weekdays
Einstein Brothers may be known for their fantastic bagels and sandwiches, but the coffee is up to the same high standards. Einstein offers hot and cold espresso drinks, as well as several roasts of coffee. Einstein Brothers has the best coffee deal on campus. If you buy a refillable Einstein Brothers travel mug, you can refill with brewed coffee on the cheap, and as many times as you like. At over $2.00 for a large cup of coffee at most coffee shops, the savings can stack up over the year.
Peet’s Coffee and Teas
Inside University Bookstore, Garland Center
7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Weekdays
Just across the street from Futrall, Maple Hill, Reid and the Quads, Peet’s Coffee and Teas is perfect for a quick stop before class. Peet’s brews all the classic espresso drinks, from lattes to americanos. If you need an extra boost in the morning, a macchiato, an espresso shot with a bit of milk foam, is a refreshing slap in the face. They also carry a large selection of teas, iced and hot. Peet’s provides a selection of pastries, scones and sandwiches. The location inside the Garland Center makes for a great place to sit and sip your coffee and look over your notes or read the paper.
Starbucks
Ground Floor, Brough Commons
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Weekdays
Starbucks is a perennial coffee favorite, but junior anthropology major Kaity Dye says the convenient location in the middle of campus makes the difference. “The apple cider is my fave,” Dye said. “I’m not a big coffee person, and it’s nice to have something hot on a cold morning.” Because of its accessible location, Starbucks can get crowded—especially when they roll out their popular seasonal drinks, like the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Even then, Dye said that the baristas work hard to make drinks and get people out the door.
RZ’s Coffee Shop
Arkansas Union
7:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. Weekdays
RZ’s brews organic, fair-trade cerftified Pura Vida brand coffees, espresso drinks and has a huge case full of bagels, cookies and sandwiches. RZ’s also hosts the Univeristy Programs Coffeehouse series, which includes student poetry slams and acoustic music performances. What makes RZ’s popular, though, is its late hours and proximity to the library. “It’s a great place to go get a drink before heading into the library for a few hours,” said junior geography major Ethan Hunter.
