I am considering buying an espresso machine for my dorm room next year, yes my dorm room. My college's coffee shop is disgusting. They use pre-ground Folgers for the espresso, among many other things. I've been a barista for two years and know the difference between a really good latte and one that tastes like mud, so quality is important to me. What is a good, relatively inexpensive (less than dollarsignr300) espresso machine with a steaming wand that I could buy?
Answer
There are a few really inexpensive (under dollarsignr100) espresso machines that use pump . They all have some pros and cons - you can read about that here:
http://www.espresso-machines-and-coffee-makers.com/inexpensive-espresso-machines.html
With your budget, I would recommend that you get one of the lower end Gaggia machine. Gaggia Carezza is a good starter espresso machine and you can get it for around dollarsignr200:
http://www.espresso-machines-and-coffee-makers.com/gaggia-carezza.html
Finally, do not forget that you will need a good burr grinder. Without a good grinder you cannot really make good espresso. Since the burr grinders are quite expensive, I think that the best options for you is either a good manual grinder (like Zassenhaus) or Breville Ikon or Capresso Infinity:
http://www.espresso-machines-and-coffee-makers.com/capresso-infinity-burr-grinder.html
Hope this helps.

I am considering buying an espresso machine for my dorm room next year, yes my dorm room. My college's coffee shop is disgusting. They use pre-ground Folgers for the espresso, among many other things. I've been a barista for two years and know the difference between a really good latte and one that tastes like mud, so quality is important to me. What is a good, relatively inexpensive (less than dollarsignr300) espresso machine with a steaming wand that I could buy?
Answer
There are a few really inexpensive (under dollarsignr100)
espresso machines that use pump . They all have some pros and
cons - you can read about that here:
http://www.espresso-machines-and-coffee-makers.com/inexpensive-espresso-machines.html
With your budget, I would recommend that you get one of the
lower end Gaggia machine. Gaggia Carezza is a good starter
espresso machine and you can get it for around dollarsignr200:
http://www.espresso-machines-and-coffee-makers.com/gaggia-carezza.html
Finally, do not forget that you will need a good burr grinder.
Without a good grinder you cannot really make good espresso.
Since the burr grinders are quite expensive, I think that the
best options for you is either a good manual grinder (like
Zassenhaus) or Breville Ikon or Capresso Infinity:
http://www.espresso-machines-and-coffee-makers.com/capresso-infinity-burr-grinder.html
Hope this helps.