With the campus Dunkin’ location closed for renovations, students are being forced to sprint to Starbucks instead.
From iced lattes to caramel macchiatos, caffeine seekers are finding new favorites or hunting for the closest dupe to their Dunkin’ go-tos. While some are embracing the switch, others say it’s just not the same without their usual cup of Dunkin.
Gourmet Dining Services announced the closure on Aug. 21, which came as a surprise to some students. GDS told students to expect Dunkin’ to remain closed into autumn; however, the closure presented challenges to some students.
What was expected to be a routine stop for coffee or breakfast quickly turned into a scramble for alternatives for food and drinks.
Sophomore biology major Kevin Hannah said he’s worried about the student scramble.
“A very bad feeling, I have to say,” he said. “Whose manager do I have to talk to?”
“We’re so dependent on Dunkin; it should’ve been done over the summer,” added sophomore biology major Emily Rashka.
Daya Chacon, an undecided junior, is also an example of a student who runs on Dunkin’.
“I was counting on that six-dollar meal deal,” Chacon said. “I didn’t have breakfast on purpose at home because of it, [I thought] ‘Ok, first day, I’m going to get my six-dollar meal deal,’–just to see that it was closed,” Chacon said.
“It was probably one of the worst things that could ever happen at the time,” Chacon added.
Some students have turned to experimenting with Starbucks custom orders in hopes of finding a worthy stand-in. From swapping in syrups to experimenting with iced lattes, Eliana Introrella, an undecided freshman, said she’s found close enough “dupes” to get them through the semester.
“At Starbucks, I like the iced white mocha with sweet cream foam, and at Dunkin’, I get the French vanilla soy latte,” Intorella said. “They’re similar, I would say, but it’s not the same.”
Like Intorella, there are students who agree that while still good, Starbucks just doesn’t measure up to Dunkin’. Whether it's the price point, food options, or simply the taste, Chacon said they prefer Dunkin’ over Starbucks when given the choice.
“I’m a Dunkin’ girl all the way,” Chacon said. “I love my coffee, and Starbucks is a little too boujee for me.”
Chelsea Scott-Rodriguez is a writer for The Setonian’s Features section. She can be reached at chelsea.scottrodriguez@student.shu.edu.
