Coffee buzz

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Whether its an 8 a.m. class or the 3 p.m. slump, nearly everybody needs some caffeine sometimes. And the range of offerings around campus is overwhelming.

Everybody knows Xando, the unavoidable campus centerpiece on 36th at Sansom. Meanwhile, Starbucks, on 34th andSansom, is arguably the most famous coffeeshop on earth. And Dunkin Donuts, Walnut near 36th, is highly popular as well.

Less-corporate options include colorful bohemian hangout The Comet on 41st at Sansom, locally-based chain Bucks County Coffee Co. on Sansom Row, and right down the street Avril 50, where you can wash down your self-serve roast with a literary journal or Israeli newspaper. The owner of Avril 50, by the way, is Yahya Khatibshahidi (G89). And dont forget Wawa, 24-hour source of a no-frills cuppa joe.

Hows a bleary-eyed student to choose? We asked folks where they prefer to fuel up when the urge hits.

TIM BANDEN, College 01
I like Bucks. Its quiet, its out of the way. Xandos a meeting place, not a coffee place. But you do go there? Reluctantly. Its a rendezvous point.

CRISTI ALBERINO, Education Ph.D.
Dunkin Donuts. Anywhere you go in America, its the best cup of coffee. And it only costs a dollar a cup, instead of four dollars.

DAN KIRK, College 01
As far as quality goes, I like the Starbucks. I dont go there as much as Id like, because its so out of the way.

LAURA SANDERS, Pennsylvania Book Center employee
Avril 50, because its not Starbucks. Whats wrong with Starbucks? They have too much money. Id rather give to somebody like [Avrils] John [sic], whos doing it all on his own support the little guy.

DARREN JASPAN, Arts & Sciences Masters
Im about to go into Bucks County for the first time. Starbucks is too expensive, and Xandos about the same. Plus other corporate globalization things.

DAVID HARRISON, Institute for Research in Cognitive Science Postdoc
I just moved here two days ago. There was a long line at Xando, so I came here to Avrils. You can serve yourself, and the coffees really good, so I think Ill keep coming here.

JEFF KOHL, College 01
Dunkin Donuts. Its right around the corner, and its on my way to class in the morning.

MAR SOCAS, Romance Languages Ph.D.
Xando. You have the outdoors and the indoors. You can choose where you want to sit. Not every place has that.

PATRICE CUCINELLO, College 01
Starbucks. Its quiet.

Sara Marcus