Glossy-petite cakes, muffins, bagels and wraps are overflowing from the glass case at Babycakes Muffin Co. This shop is different from the others in Marquette, as it has more of a “suburban vibe.” It’s the kind of place your mom would stop by before your little sister’s soccer game and you’d get a donut for agreeing to sit in a rec field for over an hour. 

The prices here are variable, as they pride themselves on serving their unlimited refill free-trade organic drip coffee at just $1.50 a cup. 

Just because a coffee shop offers their brewed beans for a suspiciously low price does not mean it’s going to taste like tar. one of the best coffee I’ve ever had has been from quirky, unassuming shops that have cheap prices; however, this shop is not one of them.

The espresso tastes burnt, with a lack of alternative milk options and with it retailing at double the price of the drip coffee, I was disappointed. 

I am not picky about the gluten and dairy-free choices that are made available. It’s not a trend Marquette has caught onto yet, and while I may yearn for a city that offers them, the fruit cup was satisfying enough. 

Perhaps I am just bitter that I cannot partake in this gluten haven, but this isn’t about muffins; this is about leading the amazing students of NMU to the best caffeine suppliers in town. 

There is also incredibly limited space to study, which is what we all should be doing during our rarified moments not spent organizing extracurricular activities. If I need to bunker down and spend 45-uninterrupted minutes color coding and organizing my Google Drive, this is not the place I would pick. By no means was my experience completely negative. The staff was kind and lively, and I enjoyed seeing a different side of the Marquette coffee crowd. Located on 223 W. Washington St., this muffin utopia is waiting for your visit.

Just maybe don’t tell them I sent you. What’s the next best place for your espresso fix? That’s for me to know and you to find out.