On both ends of Highline’s campus stands an option for student coffee. The Fireside Bistro, which has been open since fall 2021, in Building 8; and Ground to Tree Coffee, which just recently opened in fall 2023, in Building 29.

Now that the newest addition, Ground to Tree Coffee, has been operating for five months a check-in to see how each is serving students’ needs is in order. With both coffee shops now operating simultaneously, how well does each fare for students?

Before the analysis comes the backstory. Fireside Bistro’s progress was teased via its Instagram account that unveiled items and partnerships leading up to its grand opening. After a month of teasers, testing, and a short opening delay, the bistro finally opened its doors to the Student Union Building’s second floor on Oct. 18, 2021.

In the heart of campus, Fireside Bistro operates under the Hospitality and Tourism Department at Highline. Students enrolled in the HOST internship program can work as baristas for credits or pay. The bistro features locally-owned-and-operated Alki Bakery and Martin Henry Coffee for its pastries and espresso, respectively.

“I can get a lot of experience, especially in customer service here,” said Ellie Popo, a worker at the Fireside Bistro as part of the HOST program. “You can have a lot of choices on where you go like hotels, events, food and service sectors, and tourism.”

Most days, the bistro is bustling with the activity of students lining up, waiting, consuming, and studying. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming with its lighting and student-selected music illuminating the dining rooms. The quantity and variety of seats, while small, makes sure everyone can find the right spot for their comfort needs.

Farther away on campus, however, lies the recently-opened Ground to Tree Coffee. Behind a door in the center of Building 29, this shop has greater variety in its drink and item offerings beyond just coffee. Pretzels, smoothies, and additional pastries are all exclusives to this spot.

Like the Fireside Bistro, Ground to Tree Coffee is also operated by HOST. Students in the same hospitality pathway also work there as baristas and shift supervisors, according to Micala Nitz.

Despite this relation, however, Ground to Tree Coffee sources its espresso from Grounds for Change, another local coffee roaster in Kitsap County with similar ethical practices.

“The coworkers are very kind to me, and so is the supervisor,” says Momoka Mizutani, a barista at Ground to Tree Coffee. The smaller working space and quicker operations allow more interaction and bonds between workers. “This is my first time working a part-time job, so I’m really happy to be here.”

Ground to Tree Coffee’s entrance is easy to miss, only being signaled by a sign on its entrance door, but finding and entering it will lead one to a world of immersion. A comfortable atmosphere mostly occupied by a barista stand with a multitude of machines and flavors.

Despite its small space, Ground to Tree takes advantage of its location between classes to serve the studious. Students purchasing drinks can take them to the large study area on the first or second floor of the building. Students with classes in the same building can also stop by for coffee before, between, or after said classes.

The Fireside Bistro also takes advantage of space in the Student Union Building while having its own large dining room. However, with large lines and popularity amongst students, the “good spots” are taken quickly during peak hours. Thus, studying can be overwhelming here compared to there.

For their catalog of items, Fireside Bistro sticks true to its name with primarily for-here pastries and coffees. The environment welcomes one to stay for a drink and catch up with friends or work in comfort. The coffee can be taken to-go, of course, but the inviting atmosphere and extras offered behind the counter establish a clear restaurant theme.

While Ground to Tree offers similar items, the small space and snack rack create a contrasting grab-and-go mood. Snacks are offered in travel-size bags, and to-go bags are provided for pastries by default. Two folding tables are present, but the rest of the strip is reserved for a line.

Ultimately, both excel at meeting different needs in their respective departments. One might prefer the wide space of the Fireside Bistro, while others might prefer the grab-and-go quickness of Ground to Tree Coffee. Thanks to their management under the same program, both offer the best quality they can give in their fields.

So which one reigns supremes? The answer lies within the audience now to choose by preference, or even try both. With twice as many options for a caffeine fix, it only means more variety for students on campus – present and future.