In any good research experiment, there is always a control to compare results to. Dunkin’ Donuts is a delicious, dominant coffee chain and is fairly familiar to the college students on campus. There is only one Dunkin’ Donuts, compared to the 5 different starbucks restaurants, on campus, but I find myself strangely compelled by the store. There’s a quietness to it, a sort of draw. And, of course, you can’t beat the tasty coffee for extremely low prices.

Over the years, Dunkin’ Donuts has grown to be a fan favorite, as they have made smart corporate decisions to keep up with their competitors, such as starbucks. They went from a donut and coffee shop to a fully fledged fast food store serving breakfast and lunch to hundreds. Anyone can vouche that Dunkin’ Donuts’ donuts are a 10 on the delicious scale, and their food, while inconsistent, is pleasurable to eat, but how does their coffee truly compare to others?

As someone who has been to Dunkin’ excessively, I have to admit, I am at least a little biased. I even use Dunkin’ coffee for my kuerig at home. But, if anything, it simply demonstrates how delicious and inviting the coffee is. The only problem that comes with Dunkin’ coffee is again the inconsistency of the drinks, especially if your order is complex with flavored cold foam, pumps of syrup, and a milk add-in. While it is definitely a pro that Dunkin’ has this wide range of options for customers to choose from, especially when it comes to vegan friendly options and teas for those who don’t choose to drink coffee, they tend to not follow exact formulas all the time and your drinks can end up tasting differently each time you go.

This general unreliability must be forgiven to an extent when taking into account the prices of the drinks. One medium coffee of their regular brew is a whoppingly small $1.89! This is the lowest price so far from the shops I have visited (besides the free coffee, of course). With the inclusion of add-in milk or flavoring, some drinks can range from 4-5 dollars, which is still minuscule compared to many other shops around. The food is similarly cheap, with breakfast items ranging between $1.39 and $5.00, making it a prime-time spot for college students.

In relation to location and ambiance of the one Dunkin’ close to campus, it is locates on W College Ave, across from the Hammond building. This makes it a little further of a walk for on-campus students, and may be out of the way for off-campus residents who reside further East, but is generally central relative to the entire community. Of course, as a chain restaurant, this Dunkin’ contains the same classic dark pink, orange, and brown color themes, yet this specific shop has spiced up the regular feel by adding lounging chairs and tables with pops of color to create a cozier environment for students to study.

Not the best, but not the worst. At the times I have visited, there are not many people and there are always seats available. Even if it is busy, there are only so many chairs so you’re guaranteed to have less quiet than some of the bigger coffee shops. It radiates warmth and is an inviting atmosphere, yet does not coincide with the idea of the perfect coffee shop for college studying.

Excellent to grab-and-go or sit-in, I definitely recommend this coffee shop to all students as a simple, cheap and yummy option. Sometimes, you just can’t beat the classics, and Dunkin’ Donuts will forever be a classic in my book. They are a master of fast-food coffee and a staple of any town, so I urge you to take a dive ito the world of Dunkin’ whenever you need a quick pick-me-up!