With the rustle of the autumn wind and the beat of the marching band drums, Duck fans will head north to paint their territory yellow and green at Oregon State University’s Reser Stadium on Saturday. The Civil War game is the one time of year Ducks and Beaver fans join each other on the same turf to passionately cheer over a football game.
Amongst the mélange of flapping green, yellow, orange and black flags are some great Corvallis coffee shops. Football fans can enjoy a hot cup of joe before, during or after the game. The top three cafes serving rich-flavored coffee with heavenly pastries and breakfast entrees are The Beanery, New Morning Bakery and Sam’s Station.
The Beanery is a popular local hangout. People of all ages come for the live, mostly acoustic, music performed by local bands on Friday and Saturday nights. The Beanery’s friendly environment, with its subtle alternative background music, is a great place to catch up with friends. Customers can enjoy scrumptious pastries or creamy cheesecakes with a variety of teas or specialty coffee drinks while tapping their feet to the beat of the tunes.
“We have the best tea in the world,” enthusiastic employee Erika Elliott said.
An all-time favorite Beanery offering is the Sweet Bean. The ambrosial blend of espresso, chocolate and almond flavoring made my taste buds dance for joy. This specialty drink is definitely the best coffee beverage I have enjoyed.
Walking into New Morning Bakery is like walking into grandma’s kitchen. The shop has a variety of delicacies to meet the appetites of every family member. Unlike grandma’s, there is live music to enjoy, and every Saturday night, local bands perform a range of music from folk to bluegrass. The bakery serves an assortment of appetizing lunch foods, but make sure to leave room for their specialty desserts.
Duck and Beaver colors are not the only ones flooding the town; the colors from New Morning Bakery’s pastry case are equally bright. The fruity tarts amid chocolate desserts are like a display at a museum. The silky chocolate cakes are an escape from reality, making customers sit back and cherish the sweet delight, like kids with chocolate covering their faces.
To quench your thirst or awaken your palette, this cafe also offers many reasonably priced juices, coffees and teas, employee Jed VanHorn said. New Morning Bakery also has a pleasant environment, creating a great place to discuss the game with family and friends.
I always save the best for last. Sam’s Station adds a little bit of themselves to everything they make, and longtime customers can taste it in each bite. The owners perfect each dish to the fancy of each customer. The shop’s friendly and cozy ambiance has been a favorite with neighborhood customers for about a decade.
“The food is wonderful,” said Sam’s Station fan Tom Cooney. Cooney has frequented the establishment for several years. “It’s the eclectic humor and the familiarity that keeps me coming back,” he said. “It’s a neighborhood place.”
Bright artwork by local artists hangs from the walls, and classical music plays in the background to tune out the sound of the busy chefs in the back of the kitchen. Its family-style atmosphere attracts locals and anyone in the mood for home-cooked food or a place to meet up with friends.
If you are not a coffee lover, Sam’s Station squeezes only the best oranges for its orange juice or will brew up a hot cup of tea. Their excellent customer service shines through in the employees’ friendliness. The owners always invite a pleasant chat — about the Civil War game or anything else on your mind.
No matter who wins or loses this year, the Ducks and Beavers should be able to agree on the diverse and enjoyable coffee establishments in Corvallis.
Yvonne Radominski is a freelance writer for the Emerald.