Frugal Foodie: Influx is European-inspired gourmet café and more

With classes back in full swing, everybody needs to get up, get moving, and energize those long hauls into the night.

You could either stop by Starbucks, where you can enjoy a more expensive cup of coffee or venture to a local coffeehouse.

Influx, which is located just a few blocks away from the City College campus on the corner of 20th and Broadway, is a café that offers a great atmosphere. They also have another cafe located in Little Italy, on the corner of India and West Fir streets.

With a long couch and a multitude of tables, the café is a comfy place to study and socialize. The contrast of whites and vibrant reds give it an interesting color scheme without being too distracting.

If you’re looking for some food for while you study, Influx has a wide array of sandwiches, salads, soups, and pastries to choose from.

Yogurt is a personal favorite of mine and Influx serves a good helping with a nice smooth flavor at $6.25. The size of the helping is plenty and you can choose to top the yogurt with fresh fruit and granola.

They also serve oatmeal, granola, and fruit bowls for those looking for breakfast food at anytime of the day.

Most of the cafe’s sandwiches are $6.50, which is slightly on the high side but the size and flavor makes up for it. With a selection that includes feta, turkey, ham and even tofu sandwiches, they have something for everyone.

I went with a tuna sandwich and was surprised with what I received. Personally, I am used to tuna being mixed with relish and mayonnaise, but at Influx they go all the way by mixing the white albacore tuna with red onions, capers, basil, garlic and kalamata olives topped with sliced red onions, tomatoes, and a mix of crisp greens. My sandwich was brought to me on a baked roll, however they also serve their sandwiches on focaccia bread.

Influx serves a multitude of pastries from danishes and cinnamon rolls, to cupcakes and muffins.

The speed of the service is quick and outstanding. My iced mocha was done before I could find a seat.

A mocha goes for $3.95, which might seem expensive until you compare it to a slightly smaller Starbucks mocha that costs well over $4. With drinks that come in a larger size than most chain coffee houses, and a well rounded bold flavor, Influx makes a really good cup of coffee.

Stop by Influx for your next study session, or check them out online at influxcafe.com.

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Frugal Foodie: Influx is European-inspired gourmet café and more