Best Coffee Shop winner

Food Best Coffee Shop Cougar Grounds

By Megan Biasiolli | Photos by McKenzie Misiaszek

The smell of coffee consumes the entire south wing of the Hilton college. A line is almost out the door filled with those waiting for their mochas, matchas and smoothies. The chatter almost drowns out the soft music playing overhead.

The Coog Choose 2021 Best Coffee Shop winner Cougar Grounds is a University of Houston institution that has been in operation since 2008.

“Really that’s all it comes down to, good service and great coffee,” said general manager Sean Lawless.

Cougar Grounds customers are not surprised that the coffee shop was voted the best on campus. They praised the quality of the coffee, and said that it tastes better than Starbucks. The Cougar Grounds manager and employees were also unsurprised by this poll because they continuously strive to provide the best products and service to their customers.

Cougar Grounds is beloved by students for being a great place to meet with friends or to have an interview.

Accounting junior Lauren Morton has been working at Cougar Grounds since the end of September. Before she started working there she was a frequent customer, and she said her love for Cougar Grounds and for coffee in general was the reason she wanted to be one of their baristas.

“I would say Tuesday is our busiest day, because that’s when most people are on campus, but everyday there’s going to be students,” said Morton.

Accounting junior Betsy George has worked at Cougar Grounds since August. She said she wanted

to work at Cougar Grounds because it gave her a chance to interact with her peers and make coffee. Many customers ask George for a vanilla latte or a vanilla and cream ice charger.

“The best part of my day is working with my coworkers,” George said, “We all have different majors and are different ages, but when we come to work we’re one big family.”

Journalism junior Savannah Smithson first discovered Cougar Grounds through her Chi Omega sorority sisters. She said that there are usually two girls from Chi Omega in there at all times.

Smithson goes to Cougar grounds once or twice a week. She explains that the atmosphere is relaxing and she feels productive when she is in there studying. Her favorite drink to get is the iced caramel latte. She is not surprised that Cougar Grounds was voted Best Coffee Shop.

“It is the ultimate coffee shop vibe that is really great to do your homework in or get any work done,” Smithson said.

MIS and marketing junior Alizeh Haider first saw Cougar Grounds while walking by on her way to visit her friends in the dorm. She goes there two or three times a week and likes to get their caramel latte.

“It’s right in the middle of campus and it’s easy for all the freshmen to get to, that’s why it’s the best,” said Haider.

Cougar Grounds daily playlist depends on the baristas on shift. Students love the music choices.

“The day we were playing Taylor Swift and the Jonas Brothers someone came up saying ‘hey I just wanted you to know I was having a terrible day, but then I heard T Swift and now it’s better so thank you,’” said Morton. Morton said one of the best things about working at Cougar Grounds is the conversations she is able to have with her co-workers and her customers. Even when she’s not working, she still goes to Cougar Grounds to get her cup of coffee.

“While we’re on shift we’re also trying new things and testing out the drinks so that we know what we’re drinking is good, and so we know how to best recommend drinks to customers,” said Morton.

Currently, the Hilton college is under construction. The construction will relocate Cougar Grounds to a larger area in the college that will help them service more students.

If you’re looking for a fall flavor, they have you covered. Their fall special seasonal drinks include the pumpkin spice latte, brown sugar oat milk charger and seasonal tea such as the mango passion fruit tea. Cougar Grounds also has a loyalty program through the Clover app.

Every Monday they post an employee spotlight on their Instagram, @cougargrounds. Cougar Grounds is open Monday to Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are not open on the weekends.