Coffee Craze
It's more than just coffee
by Erin Crider
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

Students stay up late and get up early in order to keep up with school and work. One way they manage to continue from day to day is by guzzling lots of caffeine. One preferred form of c affeine is coffee. Coffee shops have flooded the Houston area. Many have broken the Starbucks mold by cultivating their own unique personalities to attract new customers.

Espresso Exchange is a popular hangout with the campus crowd. Students break between classes in its comfortable atmosphere with cushy chairs and board games to take their minds off school. A new charity every month benefits from customers' tips.

Coffee Oasis, a chain operating in Pearland, Friendswood and Houston serves coffee lovers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu ranges from bagels to specialty sandwiches. The coffeehouse also draws an evening crowd with live bands and poetry readings on selected nights.

Like Coffee Oasis, Muddie Waters showcases local entertainment, such as bands and poetry readings. It also hosts a singles night and church gatherings. They also serve specialty ice creams. Events are posted monthly on a calendar in the shop.

Strand shoppers can enjoy a cuppa joe and a smoke at Java 213. The coffeehouse is decorated with abstract art. Be prepared to view the art through the haze from the smoke.

Espresso Exchange donates all tips to charities. Some local charities benefited by these tips are the YMCA and Bay Area Turning Point.

Nonsmokers on the Strand might prefer La Kings Coffee Shop. This antique- style shop provides customers with coffee, ice cream and meals. Most of the decorations and equipment inside come from the early 1900s.

Downtown Houston coffee drinkers can visit the Empire Cafe, located in the antique district of Westheimer. On a nice day the atmosphere outside on the patio is peaceful and is great for a cup of coffee and people watching.