The Verdict is In: Courthouse Coffee is a Crime
Whatever your business at court, trying to find good coffee can be a buzzkill.
Reporting by arjun ram srivatsa, Allie Miller, Lindsy Long, Eileen Grench, & Aisha Hassan.
The Manhattan Supreme Court is no stranger to the spotlight. Situated near bustling Chinatown and trendy TriBeCa, both tourist hotspots, the courthouse has hosted notorious and high-profile cases. Countless viewers the world over have also tuned in when the trial courts were regularly featured on NBC’s hit show, Law & Order.
There’s just one problem: Justice may be served, but according those who work there, a good cup of coffee is not.
From jurors to lawyers and maintenance workers, courtgoers agree that the coffee from the cafeteria should be avoided. Robert Graham has been a court officer at the Manhattan State Supreme Courts for 28 years, and he said that doubts around the quality of the water is a longstanding courthouse rumor and possibly responsible for the unpleasant taste. In addition, Graham said, “I don’t think they wash the urn.”
Aman Hamidi, 52, runs a popular coffee cart nearby the Criminal Court. Courthouse employees prefer his special brew.
There is a scientific explanation behind why people feel so strongly about their coffee. Dr. Frank Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, says: “This is caffeine dependence. When people get used to the effects of caffeine on a daily basis, if they don’t have caffeine in the morning, they may feel tired, sleepy, not energetic. When people form certain habits and they are devoid of these stimulants, then they will feel upset and not in a good mood…Caffeine does have this chemical property of increasing mood and being an anti-depressant.”
With justice on the line, a rush of courtgoers are willing to venture outside. Vendors are waiting and ready to capitalize on their caffeine cravings.
Fighting off competition from chains such as Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, three food carts have strategically placed themselves around the blocks that encompass the Manhattan State Supreme Courts. If you find yourself at one of these carts, Aman Hamidi, Naveed Hamidi (Aman’s son), and Hasib Amini will be the ones serving your morning cup. Click the pins on the map to find images of coffee vendors in and around the courthouses.
What makes a good cup of Joe?
Dr. Hu says, “The amount of caffeine can make a big difference. If watered down coffee is too diluted, you might get a very small amount of caffeine and people might think this is not good coffee.”
Jay Naseri, another coffee cart vendor — who is friends with both Aman and Naveed Hamidi — takes us through the secrets to a great brew.
However, it’s not always about the quality of the drink. Many of these carts are longstanding members of the courthouse area — Aman Hamidi has been in the same spot for twenty seven years — and many customers return because of relationships built with the vendors.
When asked why he bought Aman Hamidi’s coffee, Peter Kougasian, Bureau Chief in the Trial Division in the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor and member of the City Bar since 1985, typed this:
Sometimes it’s not about the coffee; it’s about the connection, loyalty, and habit. The coffee in the courthouse does have some fans.
Maybe the verdict is still out . The next time you find yourself at 100 Centre Street, try the coffee and you be the judge.
