Michaela Handke/ Winonan

Here in Winona we have six coffee shops, and the recent addition of Caribou Coffee has added an extra amount of competition to the coffee business. I did my best to go to each one and determine which shop serves the best coffee. Due to some confusion as to how late the Blue Heron was open, I only made it to five of them: Mugby Junction, Blooming Grounds, Acoustic Café, Starbucks and the new and exciting Caribou Coffee. They all had their good points, but overall I couldn’t choose between two establishments: Blooming Grounds and Caribou Coffee.

Blooming Grounds has a great study environment, you can grab a cup of coffee while you hit the books.  They often have entertainment, which makes it a great place to hangout with friends. I ordered a caramel latte, and it was very satisfying –  not too sugary to the point where I felt the need to ask my doctor to check my blood sugar but sugary enough my face wasn’t stuck in a wrinkled “ew” face. The environment was comfortable and inviting and the staff was also very friendly.

Caribou Coffee, though new to town, has already developed some loyal followers. As a first time visitor, I was very impressed with the Minnesota chain. The atmosphere was very comfortable but not as cozy as Blooming Grounds or some of the other local coffee shops. The drive-thru is a very convenient option for customers in a rush.  The staff was very perky and friendly, which had me already thinking about stopping by again. I ordered the Caramel High-Rise, and I was very pleased.

Many of the other coffee establishments in town are great as well, which made it hard to choose which was best. I have always been a fan of Mugby Junction’s cozy environment and great coffee, yet they don’t have as much space as other places in town or entertainment.

Acoustic Café has great food, yet the hazelnut cappuccino I had wasn’t all that amazing. I couldn’t taste any flavoring, because it just tasted like coffee with a little cream. The atmosphere, staff and food made me want to come back, but I won’t order the hazelnut cappuccino again.

The caramel latte I had at Starbucks was also very tasty, yet the atmosphere leaved much to be desired. There wasn’t much space, and it wasn’t inviting. The staff was nice, but not overly thrilled to be there. If you are looking for somewhere to just swing by and grab a coffee maybe this will work for you. There are several other places in town that have a drive-thru.

Overall, everyone has his or her own taste and routine. You just have to find a place that not only fits your schedule and convenience, but also has some mouthwatering treats inside.