coffee survey

[jadelennox]

I'm just curious about cafes and why people go to the ones they do. No reason, just wondering.

[Poll #448097]

Comments

[siderea]

I basically don't hang out in Davis Square cafes any more. :(

There was always something wrong with whatever one I went too: The Someday too loud, the Diesel too crowded, Carberry's out of everything I wanted to eat, Dunkins' and ABP too uncomfortable, Starbucks, well, it's Starbucks.

And then I got into grad school in the Central^2 area, and haven't even tried to hang out in Davis since. :/

[ah42.livejournal.com]

I'd never even been in the Someday until fairly recently, and with the recent remodel at Diesel (are they done in back, or is there more work... flooring, decorations, etc?) my primary choice may actually change over the next few months.

But there's only one place to get a Rusty Slide.

[jadelennox]

Mmm, Rusty Slide...

[ah42.livejournal.com]

If you like them, you *have* to try one with Gingersnap Moleasses ice cream.

Trust me.

oh, and the back:

[jadelennox]

They're done; I went for the first time today and it was freaking ginormous. There's room in the back to spread out your papers and *work*.

Re: oh, and the back:

[ah42.livejournal.com]

Nonono, I know it's open back there, but the back half has a completely different atmosphere, and I wondered if they meant to decorate it some more to fit better with the front half.

[catalyst.livejournal.com]

     diesel has stylish teenage lesbians, expensive decor, uncomfortable stools, bad pastries, and mediocre coffee.

     someday has a motley (but not ugly!) crew, claustrophobic decor, several old couches, good tosci's pastries, and the best fucking coffee for a thousand miles in any direction (barring tosci's, which is of course the same stuff).

     there's just no comparison.

[catalyst.livejournal.com]

for a thousand miles in any direction
...especially if that direction is east.

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

one of the reasons i go to the diesel is because they have vietnamese coffee, and i don't like regular coffee/cappuccino/espresso/whathaveyou. altho recently i've started going to the someday more often, because they're not quite as crowded as the diesel. (even tho the diesel expanded into the back, it's STILL forkin' crowded.)

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

The types of stuff available on the food menu matter. I used to go to Diesel and Someday pretty equally, but realized that I had a large chance of wanting something meal-like at coffeehouses, which Diesel could do and Someday couldn't. And then I noticed that everyone I know goes to the Diesel and the music at Someday is usually some combination of too loud and not my style (mostly too loud), so I haven't been there in a while.

Oh, and there are other places and I have even on occasion been to them, but...why?

[catalyst.livejournal.com]

     diesel does have more food options, but what food someday has is always better. in particular, the toscanini's sandwiches they sell around lunch time are unspeakably good, if you've never tried one.

[nowalmart.livejournal.com]

I had a muffin at Someday that was one of the worst things I have ever had. It turned me off to it so much that I have not given them another chance.

I disagree about the food at Diesel. Since I do not drink anything hot nor anything caffeinated (yes, coffeeshops are all about the food for me), I find the pastries and cake much better at Diesel.

Now that I have a friend working at O'Naturals I might make my way down there more often. The muffin I had there was really good.

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Last time I was at Someday (yeah, it's been a while...) they didn't have sandwiches. Maybe it would be worth going again later.

I think I did like their pastries better than Diesel's...it's just that pastries are a relatively minor part of the selection process. Oh, and Diesel couldn't make an Italian soda to save its life, whereas Someday could.

[moireach.livejournal.com]

It really depends what I'm in the mood for: Diesel to read or talk (tho' I may be rethinking that), Starbucks if I really desperately want the fireplace vibe, au bon pain for dinner on the way home, Dunkin' Donuts to grab breakfast, etc. I haven't really warmed up to Someday (I kind of don't like the couches), but I may try it again.

[in-parentheses.livejournal.com]

Someday is closer to my house and to the T, has awesome scones (though I do love the mint brownies at Diesel), has my favorite hot chocolate in big mugs with shots of syrup, has big comfy couches, and is usually way less crowded than the Diesel.

The Diesel, on the other hand, often has several of my friends. So sometimes I go there just to see who's around.

[georgy.livejournal.com]

I haven't been to the newly expanded Diesel, but I usually go to True Grounds in Ball Sq. - partly b/c I'm friendly w/the owners, but also because of the free wi-fi, great sandwiches, awesome music, good vibe, comfy couches, etc. Also, while I love the Someday and have a biweekly games night there (mainly due to their late hours), it is a bit grungy sometimes. And Diesel is usually too crowded and scenester-y.

[moireach.livejournal.com]

Actually I've never been to O'Naturals -- is it any good?

[jadelennox]

I haven't been yet, either. I've heard great things.

[cutiebearkatie.livejournal.com]

The employees are always rather unfriendly at o'naturals.
Like they are put upone because they have to help you.

[bryghtrose.livejournal.com]

O'Naturals isn't any different (people wise) than Carberry's. Most of the staff is the same. The coffee and pastries are exactly the same (mmm...mohn flowers... :) ). Coffee prices have gone up maybe $0.10. I go there every morning for coffee on my way into work because it's the most convenient for me to get to. I was initially disappointed with the change because they didn't have whole milk for a week or so (and when I asked why I was told "It's not natural"). But that's changed, whole milk is back, and the pastries are as good as ever.

The food menu is going to be a *lot* different (soups, sandwiches, mac and cheese, pizza). They're doing extensive renovations to the kitchen area now, and the're only open during the morning (closing at noon). The seating will be the same, but they've added a kiddie play area, and some leather couches. I'm looking forward to trying the food once everything is done.

[stariel25]

I mainly go to True Grounds, but that technically isn't in Davis. I've been to Someday the most just because my roommie showed it to me and there's usually room.

[tekunokurato.livejournal.com]

The diesel has the best combination of open hours and atmosphere. Also, just a note about your survey--Diesel is larger than someday, even before the expansion, so it's bound to attract more people, hence the greater popularity in this survey. I don't think, therefore, that the results necessarily say anything about the quality of one versus the other.

[jadelennox]

No, I was just curious, since I'm a Dieseler, but I'm not that fond of their food. Also, it might just mean that more Dieselers keep journals on LJ. If I could conduct a poll of people via their Moleskines, I might get more Someday folks.

:)

[tekunokurato.livejournal.com]

Man, it'd be awesome to have my moleskine networked...

[tekunokurato.livejournal.com]

I wonder how many of us know each other by sight but have never spoken in person?

[jadelennox]

Oh, you're that guy! The guy who sits there and does that thing! *grin*

[tekunokurato.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm the dude with the red cross bag, for one.

[overstim.livejournal.com]

Diesel wouldn't be so busy, if every four-person booth wasn't occupied by ONE DAMN PERSON.

[tekunokurato.livejournal.com]

A lot of us sit together, actually. I suppose some people do mind sitting with someone they don't know, but you should never be afraid to ask.

[leighjen.livejournal.com]

The booths used to be the best outlet spot. So if you were doing work with papers and a computer, they were the best place to hang out since the other two outlets seem to always be near small tables with no room. But, yeah, ask. Most people are happy to share a booth, if the booth uses are compatible. Obviously if you are going to talk with your friend, you might not want to sit with a guy working on his dissertation.*

*You might not want to sit with that guy anyway. Dissertating people can be unpredictable and prone to fits of wailing and gnashing of teeth.

[sissychrissy1.livejournal.com]

Re: the "other" comment, I haven't yet been to O'Naturals, but I loved going to Carberry's (but usually on the go), especially for their iced chai. Does anyone have any opinion now that it's changed?

[simply-juniper.livejournal.com]

Not Davis, but I go to True Grounds. Previous to True Grounds I would go to Diesel. I still go there but never to sit and stay, I stay at True Grounds.

[jimganache.livejournal.com]

anna's taqueria.

[hyperliminal.livejournal.com]

For years I used to only ever go to the Someday because that's where all my friends were, but now everyone I used to know there has moved away and I realize that what my other friends had been saying all along was right: the atmosphere at Someday is great if you know the usual crowd, and pretty alienating if you don't. (And probably more alienating when you used to feel like it was your living-room-away-from-home, and now feel like a stranger, so that may not be true for everyone by any means.)

I used to find Diesel too bright to be enjoyable; now I find the Someday too dark.

The main downside to Diesel used to be the crowds; hopefully now that'll be less of an issue.

The main thing that first got me going to Diesel, though, was the food. Someday's just never been as good with the food end of things, which is fine, but I don't drink coffee so I tend mainly to go to cafes for either the company I'm with, or to eat. Even more so since I left Davis.

As for other places, if I still were in Davis I'd try O'Naturals, but it's never open when I'm up there.