UIC Convenient Stores – Morgan Street Station

A lifetime ago I was an adjunct instructor here, and two lifetimes ago I was a student and then a graduate student here. Currently my Chief of Staff is a gradual student and adjunct so I occasionally find myself hanging around in old haunts I barely recognize. This area was once a student cafeteria, with surly full time unionized workers who hate students, serving surly food that also hated students. The food service has since been privatized, this area is split between a convenience mart and Au Bön Pain, both are marginally better in terms of food quality, the customer service in Morgan Street Station is a marked improvement. My guess is the young lady working today is actually a student, but at any rate, she was pleasant and helpful. There are cafes all over campus now, but they only are open during peak student periods, so often this is the only place open for coffee. The coffee is not great, and they won’t let you put it in your own cup (apparently they haven’t yet heard about this protect-​the-​environment movement), but right now, Friday summer afternoon, it’s the only game in town. A little tangential irony, the last time I was getting some work done here, I was a Sociology instructor and Curtis Granderson was one of my students. Now, the new baseball stadium is named after him for his generous donation. Lots of important people graduated from what used to be University of Illinois Circle Campus, but he was probably the greatest athlete. I’m a bit surprised he had a major league career after eating at the cafeteria down here, but maybe, sometimes, what doesn’t kill you does make you stronger.

Does anyone really care about one of the many little convenient stores on the UIC campus? Probably not. However, I have a very important story to tell about this one. For it was at this location that I encountered the coffee I COULD NOT BEAT.
I pride myself on my coffee drinking abilities. I love coffee and I’m unapologetic about it. It’s my life source. I’ve never met a cup of coffee I couldn’t consume. You name it I’ve had it. Plain coffee to coffee flavored gum. Love it.
One day during break from one of my classes I realized I needed a cup of coffee. I was falling asleep all over my desk again. Oh Hell, even if I wasn’t falling asleep I’d still need my caffeine goodness. So I hippity hop to the little convenience mart across the street to get my fix. I put 5 Mini-​Moo creams in my medium sized cup. Those Moos didn’t make a dent. The coffee barely turned a dark caramel. «Ahhh…The coffee that refuses to be tamed,» I thought. No matter. I’ve never met a cup I couldn’t beat.
I’ll spare everyone the gory details. This cup kicked my ass. It burned a hole through my stomach. I spent half my day in the bathroom nursing my wounded pride and cowering in shame (and pain).
So that’s that. This convenient mart also has shit loads of candy, chips, soups, sushi, muffins, cup cakes, gum, and whatever else depraved college minds may desire. Including, the Unbeatable Cup.