By Stella Keeney
Copy Editor
Some may debate which coffee chain dominates the autumn drink market, but Washington College students can now celebrate the season with new menus from both Starbucks and Dunkin’.
Hodson Hall Commons’ Java George serves a limited Starbucks menu on campus, with the option for students to use dining dollars. For off-campus coffee runs, Chestertown’s Starbucks and Dunkin’ are located at 504 Washington Ave. and 715 Washington Ave., respectively.
The Dunkin’ menu dropped Aug. 19, and Starbucks was quick to follow with their menu available as of Aug. 25.
Starbucks’ newest beverages include an iced pumpkin cream shaken espresso; iced pumpkin cream matcha; iced chaider; pumpkin spice chai; iced banana bread latte; and iced banana bread chai. New food items include a hedgehog cake pop and chicken bacon protein pocket.
The list of returning favorites consists of the classic pumpkin spice latte, hot or iced; pecan crunch latte, hot or iced; pecan cortado; pumpkin cream cold brew; pumpkin spice chai; iced pumpkin cream chai; pumpkin spice frappuccino; and from the bakery, the pumpkin cream cheese muffin.
“I really like when they change the menu to seasonal things. All their pumpkin drinks are very good. They have a very good mix of pumpkin and cinnamon. It feels very autumn-y,” sophomore August Hohenadel said.
A dunkalatte is a standard latte made with coffeemilk; a coffee-based syrup blended with whole milk.
The only familiar drink from previous years is the pumpkin spice signature latte.
From the food menu returns the pumpkin donut, munchkins and muffin; chipotle hash brown wake up wrap; chipotle loaded hash browns; maple sugar snackin’ bacon; maple sugar bacon breakfast sandwich; snackin’ bacon; and wake up wrap.
“My opinion is that Dunkin’ is better than Starbucks any day…I grew up with Dunkin’ and their fall menus always hit the spot for me…I should perchance give Starbucks a chance on their menu but as of right now, Dunkin’ has my full heart,” sophomore Michelle Ayala said.
Both menus heavily feature pumpkin spice, but having other options available can be nice. Beverages that rely on pecan or tiramisu set the lists apart from each other and create opportunities to try something new.
This year’s fall menus seem longer than ever, and that is because they are. Both Starbucks’ and Dunkin’s have the largest fall launches in their respective companies’ history. But quantity doesn’t always mean quality.
“I truly think that there is nothing wrong with the classics. However, I think we need to veer more towards cinnamon and brown sugar flavors for fall in addition to pumpkin products,” sophomore Michaela Osei said.
Pricing is another evolving aspect of these menus. Dunkin’s iced pumpkin spice signature latte starts at $5.29, and Starbucks’ iced pumpkin spice latte starts at $6.25. Affordability is a definite consideration for the average student. However, those with dining dollars from the College’s meal plans can use them to pay for Starbucks drinks at Java George in Hodson Hall Commons.
WC doesn’t have to wait for sweater weather to begin — these seasonal menus have kicked off the autumn season early. The Starbucks and Dunkin’ fall menus will be available as long as supplies last or until early Nov. when their respective holiday menus will take the stage.
Photo Caption: Starbucks’ menu features a pumpkin cream espresso.
Photo by Myla Harrell