Like a lot of people, coffee is important to me. And at no time is it more important than when I am on my way to teaching my class (IAM-3060-D02, “Writing for Interactive Experiences”) at Middle Tennessee State University on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Below is an interactive map of my personal top three places to grab a cup, along with a description of each place.
Donut Country
There’s something about coffee from a proper doughnut shop like Donut Country Donut Country (1311 Memorial Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN) that exudes mid-20th-century warmth and wholesomeness. The coffee here is cheap and strong, which separates it from my other two top choices. Plus, as the name might indicate, Donut Country offers a pretty fantastic selection of donuts, just in case you’re hungry as well as groggy.
I went for the plain cake doughnut last time I was there, and the lady behind the counter complimented my choice. Plan doughnut, incidentally, is a great choice for those who like to dunk their doughnuts into their coffee, as God intended.
Cotti Coffee
Cotti Coffee (1513 E Main St A, Murfreesboro, TN 37130) is a brand new coffee spot located not far from the MTSU campus. I’ve only tried this place twice, but both times I was impressed at how bright and clean the place was and the friendliness of the service. Great place! A little on the pricey side, though.
I look forward to trying more of their unusual (at least to me) coffee offerings. The first time I went there I got something with coconut in it, which, may not be for everybody but was most definitely for me. If I’m feeling adventurous one day, I might order food, though I can’t remember if they had anything on the menu that jumped out at me.
Starbucks
What can you say about Starbucks (1611 Alumni Dr, Murfreesboro, TN 37132)? They’re everywhere, they’re always updating/messing with their menu, and they’re super-reliable when it comes to their coffee. Still, you gotta love the strong Wifi, and the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich is surprisingly edible. It’s also a nice place for when you want a little something extra, like pumpkin spice or mocha or something. (I’m sure I’m not telling you anything new when I describe a dang Starbucks.)
Anyway, this particular Starbucks location is located inside the James A. Walker Library on the MTSU campus, which means it tends to get real crowded between morning classes. That being said, it provides a nice Starbucks-y atmosphere.