Top Places to Visit Around Meramec
BY: LINDSEY UNNERSTALL
Staff
Whether it be a morning coffee, a midday chai latte, or an after school matcha, college students are all about a rewarding treat. With all the many places in Kirkwood near the Meramec campus, it can be difficult to decide where to go to get the best drink, for the best price, and most efficiency. Here’s a breakdown of the best 8 coffee and drink places near Meramec.
- 7 Brew
By popular opinion, 7 Brew hands down comes in first place. It’s only a mile from the school with a short 3 minute drive, and is drive-thru only so it is perfect for on-the-go coffee runs before class. It’s also one of the most affordable places for coffee, with a medium drink with customizations only costing about 4 dollars. Everyone there is super nice and it feels very community oriented even though there is no inside, with the only downside being they are usually very busy and the line gets extremely long so it can take a bit more time. They also do not have many food options and a pretty secret menu.
- Kaldi’s Coffee
Coming in at number two is Kaldi’s coffee. It’s only about 5 mins away from campus, and has a very large menu with tons of options for food and drink. There is no drive-thru, but the atmosphere is great for studying after class or meeting with friends, and they have online ordering to save time. The staff is super nice and the only negatives are the prices can be a bit higher, ranging from 6-7 dollars for a coffee, and the parking situation isn’t the easiest to navigate as it’s in the center of the Kirkwood Plaza.
- Dunkin’
Although it is a chain, Dunkin’ takes the number three spot on the list as it is a fan favorite and usually a pretty reliable go-to spot. It’s a mile away with pretty average prices nowadays, about 5-6 dollars per drink, and is both drive-thru accessible and has online ordering/pickup in store options for convenience. It’s a classic for when you need something quick and you want something familiar. However, the customer service can vary and they don’t have the best atmosphere or reputation out there. I wouldn’t even try asking for light ice, or you will get a less full cup as well!
- Teleo Coffee
Teleo is a nearby house turned coffee shop, and the vibes do everything they need to. It’s homey and cute, with exciting seasonal flavors and the college-coffee shop-studying aesthetic we all crave in community college. The people there are super nice and since it’s a local business it feels super friendly after you’ve been a few times. They are a bit overpriced for the portions you get and the parking sucks because it literally used to be a house, but if you’re willing to sacrifice those perks and head inside, it’s perfect for a break between classes. Beware though, this place is popular and is usually pretty packed, inside and out.
- Starbucks
Starbucks will always be one of the most dominant coffee shops in America, and in Kirkwood it’s no different. They have the following, a million different customizations you can make to create the perfect drink, and a pretty efficient drive-thru system. Although their reputation has fallen apart over the last few years making a lot of people leave them behind, they continue to be pretty convenient, especially for college students as our own cafeteria even serves Starbucks-branded coffee. They have a pretty good study space inside, but many of the local places offer the same drinks for the same high prices with better vibes and reputation.
- Pioneer Bakery and Cafe
Number six on the list goes to Pioneer Bakery and Cafe. This is definitely more of a place to go when you want to sit down and study or catch a bite to eat with a friend, but it’s for a good reason. They are more unknown in the area and a bit tricky to get to on Kirkwood Road, but the food is well worth it. They have tons of options for food and drinks and offer plenty of seating. The only thing that makes it more inconvenient is the lack of a drive-thru, so it’s not your best bet if you’re in a hurry.
- Panera
A tried-and-true St. Louis classic, Panera (or St. Louis Bread Company if you prefer that) makes the list because you really can’t go wrong with it. It’s got a drive-thru, the indoor study space, the average pricing, and the wide and ever changing menu. The only thing it really doesn’t have is a local, small-town feel that all of us young Gen-Z-ers crave. No one’s posting aesthetic coffee and study pics from inside Panera, that’s for sure.
- McDonald’s
Finally, this might be a little controversial, but we have McDonald’s at number eight. Although it may not be any of our first choice, you can’t beat the prices and if you want something simple and easy McDonald’s has it. They’re great if you’re in a rush, but like Starbucks their reputation is hitting the curb. There’s nothing homey and aesthetically pleasing about studying inside of a Mickey D’s, but if you’ve got class in 10 minutes and need a quick breakfast, it does the trick.
These 8 places are filled with local spots, chain restaurants, drive-thrus, indoor and outdoor seating, online ordering, and prices that can’t be beat. Although it is a pretty good list, it still feels like we need better places around here. Two honorable mentions that didn’t make the list because they aren’t at all in close proximity to Meramec are Scooter’s and Exit 11 Coffee. Both of these are student favorites and would do well in a location nearby campus. As for a Dutch Bros or a Swig for the area, we can keep wishing, and maybe one day we’ll get one or even a few more small local shops to add to the mix. But for now, let one of these 8 be your new coffee spot on the way to class.
