Cruising for Caffeine

My first idea was chocolate shakes.

Yes, I was going review chocolate shakes in the dead middle of winter. Though after a bizarre, inquisitive look from a waitress the first time I ordered one, accompanied by three feet of snow to shovel from my driveway, I decided a warm coffee house and some extra energy should be the topic of this week’s Chowdown Showdown.

In search of this energy, and a place to write, I set out for a café that offered everything I needed: coffee, food and access to the ever-necessary Internet.

, 1604 N. Bridge St.

While they claim that America runs on them, Dunkin Donuts in Yorkville leaves plenty to be desired. The latte I ordered was mediocre at best and slightly watery, with most of the extra sugar they added caked at the bottom of the cup as though it hadn’t been stirred. For a restaurant that prides itself on speed, their inefficient service, along with a number of employees seemingly unoccupied, made this the slowest restaurant of any I visited – and I was the first in line when I arrived. Although Dunkin Donuts also has a food selection available, their plastic chairs and sterile environment make this an uncomfortable place to stay for any length of time. If you desire fast coffee, I’d recommend a cheaper selection at any local gas station.

The Good: Nothing really.

The Bad: Disappointing coffee, slow service, uncomfortable environment, no internet.

, 1206 N Bridge St

Panera Bread, which doesn’t really claim to be a coffee shop in any way, has a large assortment of espresso drinks to combine with any of their delicious sandwiches, soups or pastries. The caramel latte I ordered was made quickly and delivered to my table where I had just sat down with my sandwich.

Panera provides free, fast Wi-Fi internet and doesn’t mind customers sitting for extended periods on their computers, although their internet login website recommends being courteous to other patrons during peak hours. The atmosphere at Panera is calm for working or reading while drinking their extremely sweet coffee, complete with whipped cream and a caramel design that could be seen if they didn’t put all their coffee in carryout cups.

The Good: Sweet lattes and delicious snack, free, fast internet.

The Bad: Espresso drinks may be slightly too expensive for frequent visits.

Village Grind Too, 202 E Countryside Pkwy

Tucked away in a small strip next to , the Village Grind Too offers a great atmosphere for sipping coffee and reading or meeting friends. This quaint little café has delicious coffee at a decent price and fresh bakery items and made-to-order sandwiches. The restaurant has a quiet, small-town feel and the service was fast and friendly. I ordered a café latte, with which they offer an assortment of added flavors. Yet, although they have great coffee, the lack of internet and (for this night owl) inconvenient hours make this a restaurant better suited for lunch or breakfast.

The Good: Excellent coffee, friendly service, peaceful atmosphere.

The Bad: No internet and closes at 4 p.m., thus not a convenient café for writing this article.

The Winner: Panera Bread. Although I would have loved to find a local café to settle down in for  coffee and a snack while working late into the night, Yorkville doesn’t seem to have one. The bustling Panera Bread offered great coffee, healthy food, and was the only place I could find that actually provided internet service.