What’s Up with Seventh Street Café?
As many Bucknellians know, the University went through a change in dining provider services this past year. After a long process with an outside consulting firm, the transition from Parkhurst to Chartwells was made in July. Many changes were implemented across campus, affecting available food options and pricing.
Despite the fresh interior and differences to the menu, it is still a well-utilized space for students to have meetings, do work or to just take a break from classes. The new Seventh Street Café menu offers basic coffee drinks and limited non-coffee options, such as chai and matcha tea. With classic cups of coffee and iced lattes, Seventh Street is still a go-to place for many Bucknellians to get their daily caffeine-fix. Many non-drink items were added, such as tiramisu cups and pistachio croissants, on top of the sushi and sandwich options that were there before!
Where did our options go?
Once known for its milkshakes and customizable drinks, Seventh Street Café’s menu under the new provider has cut back on the options. There are no longer any specialty tea drinks offered, such as chai lattes or matcha lattes, disappointing many who are not fans of coffee. Additionally, for those who want a non-caffeinated iced beverage, there are no refreshers to be found. Lastly, and possibly most importantly, they now only offer chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and Oreo milkshakes instead of the fun, specialty shakes that used to be a Bucknell staple (RIP chocolate pb milkshakes).
What we ordered:
We ordered an iced caramel latte and an iced mocha! The iced caramel latte was good, hitting the spot without being overly sweet. On the other hand, the iced mocha was just okay due to the overpowering milk and chocolate tastes. Additionally, we ordered a pistachio croissant and a tiramisu. While these foods will not be winning any culinary awards, they are nice options for a quick snack or an on-campus sweet treat! Pro tip: ask them to heat up the pastries!
Overall we give this a 3.2 out of 5 stars. While the options are limited, the drinks are dependable and reasonably priced. The location of Seventh Street Café makes it a great option for any Bucknellian who needs a quick drink on campus.
Flavor: The iced mocha had a large amount of chocolate syrup that wasn’t too sweet. However, it did add a chalky feeling, leaving an interesting aftertaste that isn’t ideal. The coffee taste was not strong, and there was almost a stronger milk taste, making it more like a chocolate protein shake with some espresso.
Fun: Seventh Street is a classic study space and hang-out spot for Bucknell students. It is always nice to grab a drink and enter a more chill space without having to step foot off campus. Just like any dining option at Bucknell, you are sure to run into lots of people you know from students to professors, so make sure you are in a social mood or have your noise cancelling headphones with you when you sit down here!
Fame: Being the only café-like spot on campus, Seventh Street is well-known by students, faculty, staff and locals alike. With its downhill location close to the ELC and by many dorms, the café is frequented by many every day, whether it be between classes, for meetings or study time. At peak times, there may be a line for your drink, but overall you can stay make your visit as long or as short as you want.
Funds: With both the iced caramel latte and iced mocha coming around to $5 each, we would say these reflect your average cost for a cup of coffee. While it doesn’t offer a fancy drink or the cheapest coffee in town, Seventh Street Café would be a good choice for students on campus who are looking for a nearby boost of caffeine. With different size options, add-ons and alternatives, the price may vary but overall would not be detrimental to your Dining Dollars.