The world can be divided into two groups of people: Those who drink coffee and those who don’t. I fall into the former category.
My mission was not impossible: Drive around Bakersfield and sample what the coffeehouses have to offer, and who stacks up against whom.
My credentials: I work at a Starbucks. Griping aside about evil corporations out to destroy the world, I love working there. Which means I’m biased. But I admit my bias, and will try my best to work around it.
My first visit was to the aforementioned Starbucks, located in the popular Marketplace shopping center. Kelley’s, the rival coffee shop across the way, has recently closed its doors, leaving Starbucks as the sole purveyor of caffeine to the feckless population.
But I digress. I ordered a tall latte, $2.30, that consummate, omnipresent espresso drink. It consists of an espresso shot, steamed milk and topped with foam. It was steaming hot, and the espresso tasted smoky, not bitter, always a plus. Of course it helped that it was pouring rain outside, and holding even a cup of warm urine would have helped at that point.
The best place to be in Starbucks is the fuzzy purple chairs in the corner, which are usually taken.
My next stop, this time on a beautifully sunny day, was at downtown Dagny’s, located on the corner of Eye and 21st streets. The interior of Dagny’s is open and sparsely furnished, with small tables and chairs spaced about. There were several people lounging about, with one person behind the counter, and no line.
I once again ordered a tall latte, this time priced at $2.75 – ouch! That is a lot for a measly 12 ounces. The latte was scalding hot, but once it cooled down it tasted quite good, with just the right amount of foam on top.
Dagny’s has the market on the downtown business crowd. There isn’t another dominant coffee stop in the vicinity. Unlike the hustle and bustle of Starbucks, Dagny’s has a more relaxed atmosphere. The pastry case could use some work, however. It was wiped out.
Next up was Supreme Bean, located down the street from Bakersfield College on Mount Vernon Avenue. It has a great location, handy for sleepy students on the way to class.
Out of all the coffeehouses, this one wins in homey atmosphere, which is very essential to a good coffeehouse. There are bookshelves in one corner (with real books!) and rocking chairs. Some of the tables have chess sets scattered around, and there are big comfy couches in another corner.
My tall latte, $2.50, was quite hot and tasted fresh. Not quite Starbucks standards, but close.
There are always students at Supreme Bean working, and it can be recommended as a fine meeting spot for study groups.
My next stop was through a drive-through at Java Jazz, located on 24th Street before the freeway. Java Jazz is small and purple, and one can’t go inside, just through the drive-through.
I am always wary of a drive-though anything. McDonald’s cornered this market years ago, and for greasy fries that can be mass-produced, it is OK, but espresso drinks that have to be made when you order?
I suppose it wouldn’t have been that bad, except that there were two cars in front of me, and a bit of a wait. As I feared, my drink was not that hot, though more than lukewarm, and the foam on top could have been more substantial. The espresso itself was not that bad.
Java Jazz was not created for atmosphere, but convenience, which it is, when things move fast. When I went through the new drive-through Starbucks in Rosedale, my drink there was quite lukewarm. There are still some kinks to be ironed out for drive-through espresso lanes.
My last stop was the newer Riveroaks Espresso Cafe, located right inside the BC cafeteria. The guy behind the counter said he had been there about six weeks, and that all his products were just as good as the coffeehouses. His claim turned out to be true. He took his time making the drink, but I was the only customer there, and the wait was worth it.
The single latte (same as a tall, 12 ounces) was only $1.75, as BC has to try and stay competitive with prices. It was steaming hot and the espresso was quite strong tasting. It had a different flavor from the other lattes.
So, preconceived, snooty notions about espresso should be disregarded. I assumed that the Riveroaks Espresso latte would be the worst, but it turned out to be second best. Starbucks was first, and Java Jazz was the worst. Dagny’s and Supreme Bean fall into the middle somewhere.