Y’all, I have to come clean. I am running low on funds and time. Because of this fact, this is the last coffee shop review. I know, it’s sad. All four of you who read these must be really disappointed. All good things come to an end though, and this is that end.
Anyway, for our last review, I’m giving you insight on Arboretum Coffee. Arboretum is on 221 W Prospect Road #100. The parking is pretty inconvenient. They have four designated parking spots in the Prospect Station Apartments lot (right behind the coffee shop), but if those spots are full then you must park near the CSU Annual Trial Gardens or on Remington Street and walk over to Arboretum. Their business hours are from 7:00am-5:00pm Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Sundays. Their menu has prices ranging from $3.00 for a sparkling water to $12.25 for a Falafel Wrap.
Arboretum’s mission is to “build futures for refugees and immigrants through coffee.” With their paid apprenticeship program, immigrants and refugees are given the opportunity to gain workforce training, earn fair wages, and be a part of a good support system. They also have a little corner that sells jewelry made by a local CSU student.
Their black coffee is pretty good. It tastes well roasted and high quality. The iced latte was creamy and smooth and has a really good flavor. It tastes enough like caramel and still has a coffee flavor. The chai was really good. My friend got this chai and she is a regular of Bindle Coffee but she said that she likes Arboretum’s chai more.
Final Scores:
Ambiance 9/10: This place has such cottagecore vibes and is so cozy! It also is kinda fun because it’s a bit hard to get to so it really feels like the hidden gem it is.
Service 7/10: The people serving here have always been kind and helpful. Since most employees are from other countries, accents can add confusion, but they are very clear in their communication.
Variety 7/10: There’s a solid section of different drinks and food. There are options if you don’t like coffee and lots of tea.
Music 8/10: The music is so quiet that you barely even notice it. This makes for a great study environment and easy conversation.
Study potential 9/10: It’s usually pretty quiet at Arboretum and there are many places to work. There are comfy chairs, regular tables, a bar to sit at, and also a bigger table if you need to work on a group project. Personally, I get a lot done when I work at Arboretum.
Social potential 7/10: There are places where you can sit with friends and there are places to sit with a group if you want to. There’s also outdoor seating so if you want a place where you can sit and laugh loudly you can.
Arboretum has the usual milk substitutes as well as a gluten-free sweet bread and vegan food options. There is also a sugar-free vanilla syrup flavor.
Overall, I would give Arboretum a 9/10. It is for sure better than working at your kitchen table.
As this is the end of the coffee shop reviews, here are a few final thoughts:
In hindsight I would rate the Crooked Cup a bit higher than I did originally. Since it was the first coffee shop I went to, I didn’t really know what I was doing but now I would say the Cups Community Coffee and The Crooked Cup are very similar in the quality of their coffee and they are both quite good. A hot take is that I think the biggest reason that Alley Cat is so popular isn’t because of their coffee but because it is open late. I don’t mean that their coffee is bad, but I do think that if a few other places were open as late, it wouldn’t have as much business. With that being said, I have also noticed that the best places I’ve been to have the worst parking (Alley Cat included). Logically, that doesn’t really mean anything about their coffee, but it is a pattern.
I had a lot of fun doing this and I think that it has been a really fun thing to do with friends as well. So, I guess this series also serves as a hangout idea. Go review local places with your friends and explore different parts of town! Find out what else is better than your kitchen table.
