Everyone loves a good cup of coffee. Thankfully, downtown Troy has much to offer in that department with multiple staple cafes housed throughout its streets. A small group of members of The Polytechnic checked out the following coffee shops: Jacob Alejandro, Stacks Espresso Bar, Little Pecks, and Manory’s. While sipping on their drinks, there were a few factors we kept in mind: price point, range of options, flavor, speed of service, and general environment.
Jacob Alejandro offered a decent selection of drinks. The menu was not overwhelming yet offered several interesting flavors. The service was polite and quick; we received our drinks shortly after ordering. While the coffees were delicious, the syrups could have been stronger in flavor. In addition to the coffees, a chai latte was ordered, and it had a much stronger flavor. Jacob Alejandro was somewhat expensive, with the standard size being about $7. The shop had an open atmosphere with the coffee bar in the middle and tables and couches surrounding it. The building also had large front windows facing the street that provided lots of sunlight. With some fun music in the background, it was a great place sitting down and chatting at a table.
While not typically considered a coffee shop, Manory’s had a wide range of coffee options that are enjoyed by many. All of said options can fit on about two pages of the menu, but they pack a lot into a small paragraph. The list of syrups contains both classics like chocolate and caramel as well as some uncommon ones like amaretto and English toffee. These syrups were easy to taste in their lattes without being overly sweet, with even simple drinks like the Real Maple latte being a favorite. Their coffee was not overly expensive, costing you at worst $9 for a rather large drink. Being a popular diner, Manory’s can often be quite busy, leading to variable service speed that leans towards the slower side during the rush. Nonetheless, it does make the location a great place to hang out and chat with friends.
Right away, Stacks Espresso had more of a minimalist aesthetic than the rest of the shops visited. Customers were busy at work with headphones, laptops, and of course a coffee in hand. People arrived in groups, but chatter was kept at a minimum as friends studied beside each other. The service was polite and speedy; however, the drinks were not the best. The coffees were lacking in flavor as even the sweeter syrups tasted a bit bland and lacked individuality. It was difficult to taste the difference between each of our drinks. However, given the decent pricing and soothing environment, Stacks is still worth the visit if you’re looking for a study spot with some caffeine. Its location is also convenient, being right across the street from the winter farmers market—an ideal spot to grab a latte before roaming the stalls.
Little Pecks served a variety of coffee and tea as well as breakfast and lunch options. The cafe’s ambiance captured classic millennial vibes with brick walls, string lights, and large plants surrounding its seating. This created the perfect place to share a brunch date with friends or get some light homework done. Little Pecks would not typically be a place to grab a quick cup of coffee while on the go. The service was a bit slower than the other shops we visited—but the coffee was worth the wait. Plus, customers enjoyed lively chatter while their drinks brewed. Its overall atmosphere was more laidback than Jacob Alejandro while having a cozier feel than Stacks, making it a great balance between the two.
Overall, there were two spots that truly stole the show. For a nice, casual hangout on the weekends with friends and a delicious, large drink, Manory’s was certainly the top pick. For a cozy, quiet study spot with a creativity-inspiring vibe, Little Pecks became our number one choice. Every coffee shop served a different customer, and we settled on which ones felt made for us. We hope you go try them out and find the one made for you, too.
