On Monday October 19, I went to Union Coffee around 3 o’clock. It is located near SMU and parallel with SMU boulevard. The drive there is relatively easy, but parking is very scarce. Every spot designated for the shop was taken, so I drove around the block a few times until I decided to park in a spot for the shop next door. That did make me a little bit nervous, so hopefully that was acceptable. Upon walking in, I was welcomed by the barista. While deciding what to order, he asked me what my favorite band was, in which I responded with Bastille because that was the first group I could think of. After asking me if they sang Pompeii, he told me I had a great taste in music. So the service is friendly and they make you feel like you have been friends for life.

I decided to order an iced caramel latte, and after a short discussion of how caramel is pronounced, he made me a great cup of coffee. It had a fresh coffee taste and also had just enough milk and caramel flavor to keep it sweet enough.

Union Coffee is larger than I expected it to be, and there is even outdoor seating which is a prime spot when it is sunny. Outside in that area, there are cushy seats on a stone patio facing a fire place. I sat at a small table by the window looking out into the patio so I could study. It is a great study environment since many students are there for the purpose of studying and it is a relatively quiet place despite the great amount of people present. Union is open until 11, so, therefore, it is good for late night study sessions. This spot is pretty rad as well since there is a stage where events such as slam poetry occur. Right across from where you order, there is a shelf full of board games, and a little table layered with brochures about events around the city.

Overall I liked Union coffee. I enjoyed how friendly the service was and I thought my iced latte was superb. Normally, I go with a friend to get coffee, but this time I went alone since it was last minute, and I was nervous that I would feel unsafe, but I did not.