Here's where to go for a cup of joe

I by Jessica Snow staff writer

It's Thursday, or maybe Friday, or maybe Saturday. Where will you go when you gt,t the munchies? It is almost inevitable after a night of board games, movies or whatever it is you do that you will find a designated driver and head for WaWa. Come on people, that French Vanilla/ Cappuccino/ Hot Chocolate machine is just that, a tired old machine in a convenience store. Our own Lancaster Avenue is filled with more interesting places to find coffee and snacks including The Gryphon, Brew Ha Ha! and the old standby: Starbucks.

These are no places for dark, melancholy artists to brood. They are quite a variety of classy little spots to talk to friends, read or just consume mass quantities of caffeine.

The Gryphon at 105 W. Lancaster Ave., next to the Wayne Theater, features a mural on a wall visible outside the naked back windows, art for sale on the walls and a bookcase that includes "Girlfriends Talk About Men," "Bram Stoker's Dracula" and "My Life with Darwin."

The Gryphon is owned by Rich Mattis, 34, and attracts a crowd between 18 and 34 years old. It is open until 11 p.m. every night. It has a full line of coffee shop staples ranging from $1.50 single espressos to $3.35 for a "huge" cappuccino, latte or mocha. More interesting drinks include a "Sledgehammer", which is $1.88, and a French press served in a nifty little gadget that lets the customer chose the strength of their coffee.

Saturday piano and flute lessons at The Gryphon are advertised on a bulletin board that boasts information about yoga and creative writing instruction in the area, condos for sale, youth sports league registration and artists and photographers for hire.

A Ithough its 163 E. Lancaster Ave. location is only the second Brew Ha Ha! in Pennsylvania, there are many in Delaware. An employee commented, "We may not be well known in Pennsylvania. yet, but in Delaware it's like there's a Brew Ha Ha! on every comer."

The logo describes Brew Ha Ha! as an "Espresso Cafe newsstand," which is exactly what is found there. The racks of magazines outdo most drugstores in the area especially since drugstores haven't had bottomless cups of coffee, the way Brew Ha Ha! does, since the 1950s. The customer gets $.50 off an espresso with the purchase of a magazine. Gift merchandise, such as mugs and tee shirts, are also available in store.

The crowd at Brew Ha Ha! ranges from 25 to 55 years old with morning and lunch being the busiest times. This could have something to do with the bagels from The Bagel Factory and the salads and sandwiches served all day. Soup is also available, but usually sells out at lunch.

A bulletin board decorates the walls at Brew Ha Ha! with much the same information found at the Gryphon, but these walls feature painted panels, not framed art. There is also a comfortable couch set up as opposed to just tables and chairs.

The Brew Ha Ha! is open until 7 p.m. most nights, 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Both The Gryphon and Brew Ha Ha! have tons of muffins, cookies and other treats for late-night cravings. Several Cabrini students work at local coffee shops, but neither The Gryphon nor the Brew Ha Ha! are presently hiring.

So the next time someone calls for a WaWa run, consider breaking the monotony. If The Gryphon or Brew Ha Ha! are not your style, there is always Starbucks. The Lancaster Ave. location is open until 10 p.m. on weeknights, 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9 p.m. on Sunday.

For brewing, not brooding, purposes only, The features a cheery atmosphere and plenty of literature.