Ponder; an authentic take on college coffee shops

As soon as I entered the shop, I was welcomed by the faint smell of roasted coffee and fresh air. Imagine taking a breath of fresh air but indoors. That is what my instant reaction when taking my first step into the door. The atmosphere was inviting with black and wood statement furniture and greenery throughout. Soft, melodic music with lo-fi beats played in the background along with the soft murmurs of the patrons. Students sat around drinking coffee and doing homework, their tables full of food and assignments. There are two locations, but I chose the one on 1027 S Franklin St.

The service was stellar, and I asked a lot of questions regarding coffee that were answered patiently and with a smile. I ordered a 12 oz Salted Caramel latte that cost $4.00. It was decorated with a leaf foam design and topped with a few shakes of salt to set it off. The first taste was bitter and earthy followed by a sweet hint of caramel. After taking the last sip, the last bits of salt touch the palate with the remaining sweetness.

My coffee was followed by the Beesly sandwich. Its namesake, Pam Beasley from the Office definitely came through in the sandwich. The understated tartness yet sweetness of the lemon basil mayo, to the smokiness of the turkey. The bread was well toasted and crunchy, and the flavors all created a complex work of art in your mouth. The sandwich also comes with tomato, ham, cheddar, and lettuce on multi- grain toasted bread. Yet, I got it without the ham because I’m not a fan of pork overall. The sandwich came up to $7.50 and was well worth its price. The only bad part was that there was not enough of it! I wanted two more. I would say that it was one of the best sandwiches I had; I give it a 9/10.

After sitting for a few hours, I was moved to purchase the strawberries and cream waffle. The waffle is topped with sweet strawberries, house-made mascarpone whipped cream, and syrup. I tasted each aspect separately to really understand the flavors before combining them. The strawberries tasted freshly picked and saccharine with minimal tartness. The whipped cream was light, airy, and tangy with a hint of sweet. The syrup tasted understated so not to overwhelm the palate with the syrup and whipped cream sweetness. The waffle itself lacked in sweetness, making room for the other toppings that excelled in the sweetness aspect.

The waffle cost $8.00 and was well worth its price. They sold it $2 off after 6pm, which pushed me to purchase it more.

Ponder’s mission is to provide a memorable experience and that it just what I had. Their coffee is a small rebellion, a tiny protest to the passive acceptance of detachment and mediocrity, as stated on their website. Eating here not only inspired me to drink coffee more, but to also utilize it as my new study space. This place made me want to be more attached to the business itself, and even my own life.

Some of the other perks is that the parking was fair, and it was also walking distance from where I live on campus (about 15 minutes). Overall, I would give my experience, the food, and the atmosphere 4/4 stars as far as any coffee shop I have been to in the city and otherwise.