Ampersand is closed, here are some local coffee shops for TCU students to explore

By Sarah Smith, Staff Writer

Published Sep 13, 2023

Ampersand’s second location will cater to the TCU community. Photo by Cristian Soto

Ampersand is closed for renovations and expansion, but there are other places for students to get a caffeine fix. Here are eight nearby options:

Starbucks

There are three options for TCU students to enjoy a cup of Starbucks coffee: the TCU Bookstore, University Park Village and Trinity Commons.

The Starbucks inside of the TCU Bookstore is located at 2950 W. Berry St. Inside, there are seating options if you choose to stay and enjoy your coffee in a quiet, calm environment. The Starbucks in University Park Village, located at 1620 S. University Drive, is a smaller location with not much seating inside. Anna Crone, a junior marketing major, said that the Starbucks in University Park Village is “great for mobile ordering and unusual to be out of stock of items.” This location is great for students who commute to campus as you can quickly pick up a hot beverage before class. The Starbucks in Trinity Commons, located at 3000 S. Hulen St., has indoor and outdoor seating.

Ascension

Ascension Coffee“The food is great and the coffee is really good,” said Olivia Chaveleh, a sophomore nursing major.

is spacious inside and offers indoor and outdoor seating options. Their coffee menu includes a plethora of options, tailoring to your specific coffee needs. Ascension Coffee also offers seasonal drinks, such as pumpkin spice lattes in the fall and other specialty coffee drinks. To complement the coffee, Ascension Coffee also offers a diverse food menu that includes breakfast pastries, salads, sandwiches and more. Only a two-minute drive from TCU’s campus, Ascension is a great option to combine a dining experience with a cup of coffee either alone or with friends.

Common Grounds

Common Grounds Alexandra Preusser

, located at 3110 Greene Ave., is unique in that every Sunday, they offer church services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to provide a safe space for people who are new to the Christian faith. To learn more, read the article written by

Sydnee Moody, a sophomore speech pathology major, said that Common Grounds is a quiet place with a great atmosphere and a diverse menu.

on TCU 360. The inside of the coffee shop is spacious with comfortable seating options for students and other community members. Common Grounds is within walking distance from TCU’s campus, as it is only two streets over from South University Drive. This is a great option for students wanting a more reserved environment to do homework, study or gather with friends while enjoying some coffee.

Avoca Coffee Roasters

Avoca Coffee Roasters is located at 1311 W. Magnolia Ave. and is about a 10-minute drive from TCU’s campus. There are tables inside along with couches for lounging. Outside seating is also available. The menu offers a variety of unique coffee blends, along with typical coffee drinks such as lattes, espresso and more. Maddie Adam, a sophomore biology major, said that she enjoys Avoca coffee and that it’s “usually busy but quiet.”

Dutch Bros

Dutch Bros Coffee is located at 2317 W. Berry St. and is about a five-minute drive from TCU’s campus. Although it’s common for people to visit this coffee shop through the drive-through, dine-in service is also available. Dutch Bros Coffee offers a wide variety of drinks, ranging from coffee to energy drinks to tea, all with unique flavor palates. Specialty drinks that vary with the season are also available here. With most service being conducted via the drive-through line, this location is great to grab a quick beverage. Alexa Kratochvil, a senior communication studies major, describes the staff at Dutch Bros Coffee as “really friendly and kind.” The Dutch Bros drive-through line is “easy to go through” quickly, and the “variety of options [on the menu]” is great, Abby Dorsky, a senior biology major, said.