Is There a Common Ground?

Well, yes—the Connecticut coffee shop chain has two locations in the heart of campus. But with one sandwiched between Sweetgreen and the famed Ashley’s on a bustling York Street, and the other tucked away on Wall Street behind the back gate of Silliman, how much do they actually have in common? And, most importantly, which should be your go-to? 

Like most people, my caffeine habits during the academic year are questionably intense. If you don’t have some sort of caffeine dependency, well, I just don't believe you. For many campus coffee enthusiasts, Common Grounds is a popular stop, and I’d argue, for all the right reasons. 

Their small-sized coffee is beautifully generous, their pricing is reasonable enough to justify a daily visit (or two), and there’s always a quick turnaround compared to the dreadful queue at the Starbucks on Chapel Street. When you see someone walk into class with an unmarked coffee cup rattling with nugget ice, you know (almost) exactly where it came from. But do perfect things come in pairs or does one Common Grounds reign superior? 

To get to the bottom of this, I frequented the two locations, ordered the same items, and judged both on what I believe are three coffee shop essentials: caffeinating, chatting, and cramming. Here’s my rundown.

Caffeinating: 

Wall Street: 7/10 

This location has shorter lines, but a longer wait time with only one barista. Unlike the York Street location, the Wall Street location’s self-serve station is limited. If you’d like non-dairy options, you’ll  have to proclaim your lactose-phobia to the barista and take an additional charge. These are minor point deductions, but the real issue is the apparent inconsistency. Depending on the day, your iced coffee might be slightly watery, your latte bitter, or your chai latte missing some spice. You might leave wishing you’d just brought a thermos to the Silliman dining hall instead. Lastly, if you’re the type to obsess over finding the perfect pastry for your drink order, brace yourself for a modest selection: standard muffins, yogurts, and wraps, but none of York Street’s elaborate cake display.  

York Street: 9/10

If quality tops your coffee priorities, York Street is your go-to. Don’t be deterred by the ever-present line–it moves quickly! Here, the self-serve station is equipped with all you might need: Sweet N’ Low, brown, and Splenda sugars next to a row of almond, skim, cream, and whole milk pitchers. The bakery display is decked out with various crumb cake flavors, loaves, and even cheese cake cones and tiramisu squares. Chances are, this impressive selection has what you’re craving for your coffee-pastry pairings. 

Chatting: 

Wall Street: 6.5/10 

Wall Street’s biggest asset is size—well-spaced tables, plenty of seats, and an open floor layout. But that space comes at the cost of character. With two awkwardly-placed sofa chairs, blank light blue walls, and pale colored floor tiles, the decor is minimalist to a fault. Not exactly the ambiance you're looking for to chop it up with old friends. On top of that, the volume hovers at a stiff whisper-like level and it’s likely your conversations will outweigh the Norah Jones playlist in the background. 

York Street: 10/10

Now this is where York shines. Cozy tables, homey wood paneled floors, dim warm lighting, and a constant buzz of noise make it charmingly chaotic in the best possible way. Looking for coffee-chat central? York is your spot. 

Cramming:

Wall Street: 10/10

When it comes to study-a-bility, Wall Street wins by a landslide. You’ll find lots of groups working here and plenty of free tables in the spacious back-room. The low volume becomes a plus, and the extra space and bright natural light creates a relaxed mood. If productivity is your metric, this is your Common Ground.

York Street: 6/10 

This location has plenty of great things going for it. But a well-curated study environment is not one of them. Securing a seat is a risky bet in the narrow back-room. The walls are lined with bench seating, but chances are it’s completely claimed by the early birds and their bags. On multiple occasions, I’ve walked in to find the seating area full, considered the window-adjacent log stools (where uncomfortable eye contact with every York pedestrian is guaranteed), regained my sanity, and left to find a library. That haunting picture should be enough to tell you: York is likely not your study destination. 

The Verdict: 

When it comes to price points and lengthy drink menus, there’s lots of shared praise between the two locations. When it comes to the coffee shop essentials? Not so much. You can mark Wall Street as your destination for a quiet working scene, but York Street ultimately has more to offer: better coffee, better conversations.