I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m picky about my coffee. I like to taste coffee. Sometimes I add soymilk, and sometimes I drink it straight up black. No matter how I order it, this particular beverage is a big part of my day.
Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts have their own rivalry story, and I’m not about to dive into that controversy. Instead, I’ll compare two local coffee places, right on Deering Ave. near the Portland USM campus: Star East Cafe and Big Sky Bread Company. Star East is primarily a restaurant specializing in Arabic cuisine. Big Sky is primarily a bakery. But both offer breakfast and coffee.
I’ve been to Star East twice and had not-so-pleasant experiences both times. The first time I checked the place out, I simply asked if they had soymilk and got a haughty “no” from the less than friendly girl behind the counter. When I decided to give it a second chance, I got my coffee black and also ordered a breakfast sandwich. I usually like Coffee By Design, the local company that provides Star East’s house blend, but Star East’s coffee tasted weird, and I couldn’t finish it.
Big Sky is a great place and I have been there many times. When you open the door you are carried in by the delicious smell of freshly baking bread and a warm greeting from the friendly staff behind the counter. They have a wide range of fresh baked goods like cinnamon buns, scones and even homemade granola.
Big Sky’s self-serve coffee station comes stocked with freshly made Jim’s Organic (they usually have a decaf, a flavor and a dark brew) and plenty of milk, cream and soymilk. They don’t have an espresso machine, which means no fancy lattes, but the coffee is fresh and flavorful. Just when you think you are done experiencing Big Sky, a sample of freshly baked bread is waiting for you when you pay for your coffee. What a treat!
Both the Star East Cafe and Big Sky Bread Company have other things going for them than what they offer for coffee and breakfast. However, first impressions are first impressions, and Star East didn’t cut it by a long shot. It might be a good place if you are interested in trying falafel or okra stew, but it’s no coffee shop. Big Sky Bread Company takes the cake.