As the school year begins, I know that I’ll need to go somewhere to get my caffeine, and that place will likely be Biggby Coffee.
During my freshman year, I thought Starbucks was a good option, especially with it right on campus. Entering my third year at Ferris, I have found Biggby as the better one.
Starbucks is something that most people are super excited to have on campus, and I’m not disagreeing that they are good. I do, however, feel that Biggby is better.
To start, Biggby isn’t far from campus. Starbucks is on campus, but Biggby is a short walk across the street. As someone whose classes are in the Starr building most of the time, the walk there is the same. I might as well walk to the one that I prefer to go to.
Another thing I appreciate about Biggby is they let me use their app to get deals. One of the biggest shocks when I came to Ferris was that Starbucks wouldn’t let me use my points on the app to redeem my drinks, as their location chose not to honor the app. However, at Biggby, I can use my rewards and secret menu items to get what I want at their establishment.
I appreciate the variety of drinks that Biggby offers. Starbucks has a good array of drinks, but I can find the Biggby equivalent of almost every Starbucks drink, as well as a variety of others. I love the Caramel Frappuccino from Starbucks. Biggby has the same thing, except it’s a frozen Teddy Bear Latte.
Biggby has many more options for people looking for a pick-me-up that is not coffee. While Starbucks has its refreshers, teas and lemonades, Biggby has its Redbull Creme Freezes, standard Creme Freezes, teas, lemonades, multiple flavors of popping boba beverages and Magic Milk flavors.
Biggby also has more budget-friendly options. They have slightly lower prices, which is already a bonus, but my favorite part of the pricing at Biggby compared to Starbucks is their happy hour. On Tuesdays, I can go to Biggby between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and get whatever drink I want, for fifty percent off. As somebody who schedules a lot of their classes for Tuesdays and tends to get tired out around that time, happy hour at Biggby is amazing.
I love the atmosphere at Biggby. Don’t get me wrong, Starbucks doesn’t have a bad atmosphere, but it feels too much like the campus. I usually prefer to work on homework and other things without the feeling of campus atmosphere. That’s what I love about Biggby. It’s not directly on campus, so I feel more relaxed and have a better time getting homework done, as a result.
Biggby’s atmosphere has a more welcoming vibe. They have more color in their building than Starbucks, and I appreciate their open concept. I know Starbucks has to work with the space they were given, but it doesn’t change the fact that Biggby is more welcoming with its layout.
While I understand Starbucks’ reputation as an establishment, Biggby offers more at a better price. If I’m getting coffee this year, it will most likely be at Biggby, and I’m hoping that more people will do the same this year.