Battle of the Grounds

The Koffee Kat awaits your arrival.

It’s eight in the morning. The alarm clock didn’t go off and you’re late for class. If this sounds like a typical Monday for you, one option could be to head downtown for some fresh grounds. Coffee grounds, that is. Now the only choice in front of you is where to go…Coffee Camp, or Koffee Kat?

Both shops are located in downtown Plattsburgh in the vicinity of the bars. Their names sound eerily similar, and both stores offer indoor/outdoor seating. However, appearances can be deceiving, especially in the world of coffee. So where do I go to get a good cup of Java, you ask?

First, let’s start with the Koffee Kat, located at 130 Margaret Street. It’s much smaller than Coffee Camp. Actually, it’s not even half as big. The inside seating capacity is about a dozen. The theme of the store is simple…you guessed it…cats! Both the iced and the hot Cappuccino drinks are excellent, and the coffee is impressive as well. And if you are looking for a little snack to curb your hunger until lunchtime, this is the place to go. Koffee Kat boasts a variety of fresh muffins and bagels, not to mention there are always some tasty pies, cakes, biscotti, and homemade cookies in the display case at the counter.

Coffee Camp, located at 78 Margaret Street, also has an interesting hook. Adirondack chairs await you in front of the store, while inside the “camp” theme is maintained. A full-size canoe strung with white Christmas lights sits high above the patrons of the store. Chessboards sit atop the wooden tables, and a comfy sofa waits in the storefront window, beckoning for you to grab a magazine and your favorite cup-of-Joe. Coffee Camp has an incredible variety of grounds from hazelnut to French vanilla, to things you probably never knew existed, like Union Falls blend, Whiteface Mountain blend, cherry, coconut, and raspberry. And if you want some grounds to bring home to the family, you can purchase any of about two dozen flavors, all for $8.99 a pound. If you’re looking to spend a little more, you can buy a really exotic Hawaiian blend for $18.99 a pound. However, the cappuccino is almost unpleasantly bitter, not to mention that there was only about eight ounces of fluid in a 12-ounce cup. The rest was foam. And the bagels and muffins weren’t displayed in a nice case as they were in the Koffee Kat. All of the food was wrapped in cellophane, just sitting on the counter. Presentation is a key part of business, as is taste. On the upside, if you want a great cup of coffee (French Vanilla is highly recommended) you can’t beat the Coffee Camp.

Both shops are identical in price. If you want a single shot cappuccino, expect to see $4 come out of your wallet. If you want a double shot, say good-bye to that five-dollar bill. A cup of coffee runs between $1.50 (for a small) and $3, sometimes a little more if you want something unusual.

Overall both shops have a lot to offer: setting, ambiance, good grounds, and in the case of the Koffee Kat, a variety of tasty foods. Whether you like cats, camp, or coffee, both stores are highly recommended.

What’s your favorite kind of Java? E-mail us.