Photo by: David Lorish
Coffee shops and college campuses seem to go hand in hand, but DU students know the options are limited around these parts.
If the quick fix is your thing there’s Starbucks on University Boulevard. If you are in for a longer bike ride or car trek, the indie coffee spot Stella’s is your digs. But, there’s a new option. University Groundz, located at 2423 University Blvd., moved into the DU neighborhood in late Februray and is just across the street from seven eleven, with a promise to finally unify the needs of coffee lovers and students alike with excellent roast and a comfortable environment to enjoy it in.
Groundz was opened by the husband and wife team of Tony and Angelina Solano, and if you visit you are likely to be welcomed by their warm smiles.
Unlike many independent coffee operations you won’t find descendent behaviors in the staff or have to deal with snooty coffee hipsters. Here, the independent factor is emphasized in their choice to roast Novo coffee and their dedication to the overall experience.
“We love coffee and always wanted to open our own shop, we drove up to the for lease sign on the old PC Express shop and knew we could make it our own,” Angelina said.
The quaint spot is lit dimly with ceiling fans and filled with glass tables and metal chairs. It is not exactly coffee shop norm and one feels a bit like they have met in the cross section of coffee spot, deli and owner Angelina’s living room. A small, electric, old-fashioned fire stove in the back left corner provides a cozy spot to camp out with a stack of class readings while enjoying a sweet treat or a necessary afternoon caffeine boost.
Like most spots around campus, Groundz has free WiFi, but the Solano’s promise their 40 MB broadband will blow all the others out of the water.
“We really are in it for the community, we feature art by DU students and want to make it the best experience we can,” Tony Solano said.
But in coffee, friendliness is not necessarily a deciding factor on where to sip. So where does Groundz stack up against their competition? Novo Coffee company was rated best of Westword 2009, and the Solano’s received their training at their primary location in the Denver Art Museum’s Hamilton building downtown. Angelina skillfully whips up a traditional macchiato, an espresso shot delicately delivered with a snuff of foamed milk atop for $2. Espresso shots must be timed perfectly and with keen eyes, Angelina makes her move to provide a tasty drink that is sure to satisfy the pallete of any espresso lover.
Sharing the menu with traditional espresso creations like the mocha, $3.50 for a 12 oz., and the Americano, $2.50 for 12 oz., are iced drinks. Steamers and Italian sodas range in price from $2 to $4.50. Black, green, white, lemongrass and ginger leaf teas by Teatulia aromatize the environment and provide patrons with less caffeinated options. The front case also offers mineral water, Martinelli’s apple juice, orange juice and Izze sparkling juice.
Groundz also is home to a host of affordable meal options and soon hope to expand to a full lunch menu and catering. Creations from Figaro’s bakery are delivered daily, including a sumptuously sweet sticky bun for $3, croissants stuffed with feta and spinach for $3.50 and brownies for $2. Breakfast burritos for $2 yield a satisfying experience with a hearty blend of potatoes, cheese, eggs and spicy green chili. Lunch burritos with beans cheese and chili are also available for $2 while a savory steak burrito is priced competitively at $3.25.
“It’s a really exciting experience to get to do this, we receive a lot of repeat customers and are enjoying the ride,” Angelina said.
Anyway you cut it, this place is an extremely comforting and accommodating environment where visitors will be met with quality and friendliness to match.
