Why I gave up Starbucks
I got hooked on Starbucks in Seattle more than a decade ago. It was the social thing to do. It became an occupational necessity, then an unbreakable habit. I put up with the “corporate social responsibility” mumbo-jumbo, which the company leavened with an occasional bone to conservatives. As I’ve confessed to you before, I’m not a morning person–and those caramel macchiatos have powered me through many an a.m. The taste and the buzz outweighed the conservative guilt.
Over the past weeks, however, Starbucks has left an increasingly bad taste.
David Boaz wrote of the company’s ridiculous policy barring gift card purchasers from customizing personalized cards with the phrase “Laissez Faire.”
Then there’s the price. A grande caramel macchiato puts you out $5. Two or three of those a week adds up. And in these times, every penny counts.
Lots of other consumers are coming to the same conclusion. Starbucks’ profits are down 28 percent.
So this weekend, I quit cold turkey.
I’m done.
I’ve always liked Dunkin’ Donuts coffee better, anyway. And as unapologetic supporters of immigration enforcement, they deserve your business and mine so much more.
Dunkin’: Tastes good, cheaper, and good for national security. Drink up!
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- Bloodthirsty Liberal » Cruel Crullers
- Give Up Starbucks for Dunkin Donuts? | Careful Thought
- Dave Lucas' Notes » Monday Night Musings
- The snob blogs are just figuring out: Starbucks sucks! | The TIW Blog
- Coffee « Out West
- Nightly Ramble: Guam, cold retribution,”Reason”, and the lack of it’s namesake, and more | BitsBlog
- DD versus THD | BitsBlog
- Michelle Malkin » More folks swearing off Starbucks
- Below The Beltway » Blog Archive » Of Politics And Coffee
- For Michelle Malkin, it’s time to hate the donuts. « Matzo Ball Coup
- Michelle Malkin » The keffiyeh kerfuffle
- Malkinitis | BY THE BAYOU
- The Pop View » Do not worship false dichotomies
- The right and the left converge at Starbucks « Boondoggle
- The Coveted Palme D’Haire, 2008 - Voting « The Poor Man Institute
- weekly (weekly) « Come Sit Awhile
- Starbucks: A Defense « Slow Stagger
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Categories: Dunkin Donuts
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Peets. I like Peets. No Dunkin Donuts where I live…
Well, yes, there’s that.
Rusty, remember when Krispy Kreme tried to make a go of it in MA? They’re all gone now. The one closest to my house opened literally next to a Dunkin’ Donuts. Not a bright move.
Thanks for the tip on Starbuncks. Way over priced. Caffeine is my drug of choice,sorry. Dunkin’s is available in the store and it is as good as the donut shop.
TostaCaffe
University Place and Tacoma, Washington.
With locations at 40th & Bridgeport and Freighthouse Square.
Just searched the DD site for a store near “95054.” Nothing. Nada. Zilch. I live in on of the most populated areas of the US right outside of what could be described as the most expensive housing market in all of America (San Jose, CA) and there is not a single Dunkin’ Donuts near me.
Tells you something, doesn’t it?
Denny’s and Dunkin’ Donuts have always had real coffee and better coffee than Starhumps.
It’s funny because I quit them (Starbucks) this morning for a little different reason.. I’m not kidding, same day as Michelle, & I had no idea of course that she was going to do this story.
I couldn’t stand that they always correct me because I say I want a “medium” coffee, by repeating back to me that I want a “grande” coffee.
I always say the same thing; “Well if that’s medium, then Yes.”
One time I got so aggravated with it, I said to the clerk. “In the United States, we speak english. I don’t want to learn another language just to get through buying a coffee when I’m half asleep. Ok?”
They are of course trying to “globalize” everyone.
But like Michelle has aptly pointed out, this company is lib central.. The other day I saw that Teen Pregnancy advocating movie Juno proudly & dutifully displayed on their counter. Buying my coffee there that day made me feel like what Jane Fonda SHOULD have felt like when she was practically pole dancing on that NVA anti-aircraft gun..
~Dan Lee
Dave, I have one too and it’s one of the things I’d save if my house was on fire. Where do you get your K-Cups from? I found out over the weekend that Amazon sells two 25cup boxes for $20 and they have almost all of the brands/flavors except for the real seasonal stuff.
How about standing back in the box on the midwatch? Coffee is a requirement for success.
My fellow Submarine Warfare officers will understand.
I once went to Starbucks and got a large (whatever!) cappucchino, and what they do is put the same amount of coffee as in a small, but add more foam.
Like hell I am going to pay for foam. Complained to the home office and got some free coffee coupons.
This is the choice brew of limousine liberals.
I wish thre was a Dunkin Donuts shop on the “Ave” at University of Washington…I guess I’ll just have to make do with Diet Pepsi…grrr
We took delivery on five pounds of Dunkin today. Order online. Chock Full O Nuts from Safeway in between orders. Life is fair.
Mrs. Olson…..lol..Libocrat…we used to tell that joke in 6th grade….made Inga Olsen turn blue with embarassment….it was our job to make her turn blue.
I’m leaving California for Dunkin’ Donuts country.
I’m betting if Obama ordered one of those he would be called elitist.
I go to Starbucks when I work away from my house office. I go to the market next door and bring in food and beverages. After buying one cup of iced tea, i just use one of their big tables for wiFi.
One thing i notice about the North Berkeley Starbucks is that the “baristas” there try to be these sage-type storytellers. But they suck at it. Especially the young ones who think I want to hear about the bagel they ate for breakfast.
When I am held hostage to a bad story I reciprocate with one of my own stories.
Since I am there for a couple of hours (lots of food to finish), I mosey up to the bad storyteller when there isn’t much of a crowd and say “Ya know….that bagel story you told me reminds of the time i went to the beach and dug clams all day….” which proceeds to make their hair stand on end.
There is another chain in town….Peets (clever name huh? Steep spelled backwards. Just about as backwards as the schmoes they have working there.)
Talk about snobby joe. The help stands on a platform ABOVE YOU. And the crews in Berkeley behave as if they are curing cancer or rescuing you from yourself.
There is this whole Zen thing going on with the tea selections. Tea makes me pee mostly. But in BerkoJerkoville, there is a tea to even help you run better Xerox copies for heaven sakes.
You don’t make tea anymore…you infuse. What a loada ca-ca.
Both Steep and Barchuncks charge up the forbidden zone for anything they sell. They charge so much that 5 years ago when the MSM was saying inflation is under control I would just remember the pricey menu at those two joints.
When I was in the sixth grade we went to Joaquin’s Diner across the street from my school and bought a cup of mud in a cream colored shaving type mug for a nickel. Free refills. Wired for basketball practice. “Hi Mom! Not hungry!”
Bear1909 out.
Only drink Starbucks in very rare, emergency situations.
Dunkin donuts coffee is good.
I refuse to drink Starbucks because of their anti small independent business owner actions.
With respect, that’s what a capuccino is. However, I agree that *$ makes a crappy capuccino. Last time I ordered one the girl had to ask someone how to make it. I knew I was in trouble then.
Ok, this puzzles me.
Why are people incapable of MAKING THEIR OWN FREAKING COFFEE!!!????
Trust me, I need a good cup o’ joe in the AM; I currently work 2 jobs, and the 1st has me up at 3:45 every AM, but I have my machine set to make me a great cup to take with me!
I personally think that Gevalia’s whole beans ( traditional type) makes a cup that is unmatched in aroma and flavor.
Guys, you don’t have to get coffee out, try doing it yourself!!
Welcome to the dark side. I never left DD. Always better tasting without that splash of pretentiousness that SB adds to their beans
I don’t frequent starbucks because they don’t have a simple coffee line and a foofy line. I just want a cup of joe and don’t want to wait for someone to make up their mind on the 10 additives to their concoction.
And by the way, Times are good. Gas is a bit more, but so, we’re not pinching pennies or not going out. Sheesh, people would like to think they are in soup lines or something.
Ya Know? I’m really proud of this post. Just got done reading through all the comments and not one bit of partisan nastiness from one side to the other. Seems like coffee brings the world together. Proud of you guys and gals! Gratz!
DoP
There’s no Dunkin’s within 10 miles of me-I don’t drive-and 3 ‘Bucks and a Panera right near my job.
Yes- Starbucks is leftist and expensive-but my husband and I are too deeply entrenched in our “addictions” to stop now.
Chai Tea Frappachinos-um um good!
Sorry Michelle.*grin*
I like Peets!
Darn-I own stock in SBs but have not been happy w/CO. policy for awhile-guess I’ll have to sell.
Dunkin Dounuts supports border emforcement?
#125
DD’s special forces coffee commandos have the ability to stay up all night patrolling our borders.
A large Turbo Hot, with cream and extra sugar, my coffee of choice at Dunk is $2.68 compared to $5 at Starbucks.
I’ll take Dunk and pass on the snotty service and atrocious music.
And I like my coffee like I like my women, strong, hot, creamy and sweet.
I was in the airport waiting on a flight a few weeks ago. Had a choice between Starbucks or Burger King for a cup of coffee. I’m a tight wad so I went Burger King. I was sitting in the commons area with my fellow travelers and I overheard the couple next to me. The woman was ranting about how ridiculous gas prices are. The lady was drinking Starbucks. I couldn’t help but ask the lady, “What is more ridiculous, the $4 20oz cup of coffee your drinking that just gives you a short term rush and makes you pee or $3.50 for a gallon of gas that can amazingly propel a 4000lb car for 20 miles?” Her husband got it; she had a wonderful look of “duh” about her.
I do “guerilla Starbucks” here in the SF Bay Area. I refuse to order their silly sizes, and insist on a “medium” coffee with no additives. They usually try to argue but I will have none of it. Medium is between small and large and it’s not rocket science. I don’t have any alternative here, as I am there at 5:45 a.m. At least they’re open.
But I won’t play the game.
Never mind the Java, try Dunkin’s White Hot Chocolate…YUMMY
Try Caribou Coffee if you get a chance. Very, very good coffee. And they have that nice Amy’s Blend every year.
I like them better then Starbuck’s because I pretty much only drink decaf, and they have a MUCH better assortment.
Never drank SB because it is too “in”. The price is too high and DD has better coffee.
I quit coffee cold turkey. Have you people noticed I am not my usual, loving self? LOL
And the liberals say we cannot adapt.
WTG Michelle!
I do like a Caramel Frappuccino once in a while, but I go to Starbucks so seldom that I don’t feel too guilty. I buy almost all of my coffee at Wawa. That’s very cool about Dunkin’ though.
I’m shocked that you’d give Starbucks anything more than a pinto bean with two worm holes in it!
DAWG!
Didn’t I tell you before that nothing that comes from Washington State is worth anything? For a very long time I’ve said that we should jettison Washinton State along with California…
… Washington State is a bastion of left-wing freaks! WE DON’T NEED STARBUCKS! We don’t need freaking Microsoft either.
I’m so disappointed in you… patronizing an organization like Starbucks! Anyhow, I’m glad you’re starting to come out of the wilderness.
42 oz bag of Eight O’clock Coffee is $10.88 at Sam’s. Boca Java sends coffee to the troops, Green Beans Coffee had cafe’s at both Bahgram and Camps Phoenix and Egger when I was in Afghanistan and Starbucks sent the troops some free coffee while I was there too.
Go to the Dunkin’ Donuts website and order direct. I subscribe and they automatically send me five pounds of fresh roasted beans every six weeks. You can set it up however you like.
Besides, it’s where the cops hang out
I’m torn. I don’t like paying their prices but I like their coffee, so I I only go once in awhile. Dunkin Donuts rocks and I think McD’s new coffee is just as good. My overall favorite is Tim Hortons, but you only get that if you border with Canada. We did have a Starbucks from Texas send us over 80 bags while I was in Iraq last year. After we found a grinder we were in business! Thank you Starbucks in Katy Texas!
sorry, “say no to star bucks” I can not do. It is right around the corner…I mean very close. I go so often that I get freebies all the time and I like the coffee.
No DD’s here in the People’s Republic of Santa Cruz, darn it. Even Starbucks only has a few locations in the whole county.
SC hates chains.
I grew up in New England, and therefore on Dunkin Donuts coffee.
Starbucks was about 1/2 mile from my house and with no Dunkin Donuts in site I switched.
That all changed 3 months ago when Dunkin Donuts opened a store approx 1 mile from me.
Starbucks has been building a store in the same strip mall as DD so it will be intresting to see what happens when it opens.
Never had it, never will. Couldn’t even bring myself to order anything with such fruit-cake candyA$$ names as they have. By the way, who can complain about the price of gas when one cup of this stuff costs more than a gallon of gas? I like my $$$ running my V8, not in coffee. It is called coffee, and that is all that it is. BTW, coffee is best if you just quit it like I did, anyway.
BTW,
Ref comment 134, please don’t over-generalize WA State. Regardless of the high percentage of nuts, concentrated in two counties that manage to control the politics of the state, it is the best of the 46 states I have traveled in, and hands down the best state that I have lived in.
I gave up Starbucks about three years ago at about the same time I gave up the New York Times. In both cases I was tired of paying for an overpriced product with a very elitist, smug aura about it. And from the price of ther stocks , I see I have suceeded in bringing both to their knees. Now I drink home brewed coffee while reading MM, a much more satisfying experience.
Barnie’s Coffe and Tea. They’re in my home state, Florida. I have to get some every time I go home because they’re not available out here on the left coast.
They beat Starbucks into the dirt. Always better, and a tremendous variety of actual flavors, if you like, not just syrups. ewww.
We have Peet’s Coffee here in CA (Bay Area). It’s pretty good. But mostly, I brew my own coffee at home. It’s a lot cheaper and in a lot of ways more convenient. Then again, Mickey D’s has pretty good tasting coffee and it’s cheap.
As others have alluded to, it’s the gourmet/fancy drinks, like your caramel Macchiato Michelle, that is really expensive. If you need that caffeine boost, then you’re better off with just the plain brewed coffee. It’s cheaper, gives you the caffeine, and it’s actually healthier than those sugar laden mixed coffee drinks.
I sent Starbucks a email a few weeks ago, to tell them why I didn’t go there; The worst regular coffee on the planet.
When I want a cup of coffee, it just plain black. And nowhere is it worse than at Starbucks.
To be fair Mookie, anywhere commercial real estate is for sale in MA already HAS a Dunkin Donuts. I pass at least 4 on my way to work, and I probably missed one.
Cafe bustelo in the morning. Always.
Maybe a verona or sumatra in the afternoon.
I don’t buy machia…whatevers
Ok, I don’t drink them. I have bought them for the wife.
I’ve lived in Massachusetts my entire life. I love DD! Can’t make it through the day with at least two large coffees, cream no sugar.
I’ve never been a fan of Starbucks, I always thought the coffee was too bitter.
If memory serves, DD was recently repurchased by an American company, in 2005 I think, and they are now headquartered in the Randolph MA area.
Also, DD ground, whole bean, and flavored coffee is now available in supermarkets….At least it is on the East coast….
Interestingly enough, the French company who formerly owned DD was Pernod Ricard….
Sound familiar? “Absolut-ly”….
DD is close by, but the SB is closer to work – saves gas and stress in traffic.
Also, I need the busy-ness in SB to help me concentrate on writing my next book. DD just does not have the movement for me.
However, I will make a point to stop by more often and get a sugar-high.
Now, this is the truth. The first time I ever walked inside a Starbucks shop, I thought a cat had gotten inside and peed somewhere. Every time I walk past their stores, all I can smell is cat pee! I’m serious!
I sent a note last Fall to DunkinDonuts asking about their use of illegals in their stores….never heard anything back. The Manassas, VA DD still features ESL staff.
No Dunkin Donuts in LA? That is outragous.
Coffee roll and a small iced coffee from the Dunkin…doesn’t get any better than that!
I’m in Mass. Only a few miles from Dunkin’ Donuts University! And you can’t swing a dead cat by the tail without hitting one. Starbucks too are moving in with a vengeance.
But like other posters as I’ve had to cut back, the coffees were one of the first things to go.
I brew mine at home in an old pyrex percolator (1 of 3 in various sizes that I own) and the coffee is spectacular.
I always start my day with a home brew of 8 O’Clock, but DD is the best. On the highway, we have a drivethru DD and RIGHT NEXT DOOR is a DD/BR. It kills me when I go to Memphis because the only DD in TN is in Jackson – a little far to go for a coffee.
We are NOT in tough times. Don’t listen to the whiners driving around in their Escalades and Yukons drinking their $5 cup of coffee or $2 bottle of water complaining about the price of gas!
Today’s make or break for either the Hildebeest or Obobomama, and I’m posting about coffee! Oh well…
I always thought that I was the only one frustrated by the barista (whatever the h*** that means) who would correct me about coffee sizes. Allow me to submit a transcipt of a recent Starbucks experience (I exaggerate only slightly).
ME: a large black coffee, to go.
BARISTA: You mean a vente (whatever the flavor of the day is)? Do you want room for cream?
ME: a large black coffee, to go.
BARISTA (turning to another moron): Vente (flavor) – pause – (turns back to me) – Room for cream?
ME: a large BLACK coffee, to go!
BARISTA (to moron): Vente (flavor)
MORON (to barista): Room for cream?
ME: A LARGE BLACK COFFEE TO GO!!
MORON: Vente (flavor)no room, got it…To go?
BARISTA: To go – (turns to me) – Right?
ME: Is there a Dunkin Donuts around here?
MORON: Due north on Hainesville road, tuen left at second light.
I long ago quit calling Starbucks “Starbucks” and have ever since referred to it as “Fivebucks.”
Not a bad cup of joe and I don’t do any of the fancy fu-fu stuff.
Thing is, they’re everywhere, like Walgreen’s, so they’re convenient. I prefer the local joints and only use Fivebucks as a last resort.
I will never pay big $$ for a cup of coffee.
Large pot of water.
#10 can of brandless coffee.
Bring water, 5gal, to boil.
Dump in two #10 cans of coffee.
Boil and return after you remember it is boiling.
Take off the burner/heat source (have used the exhaust of M-1 tank on reforger and other places. Yeah I just gave up my age.)
Let rest for ten minutes.
Dip canteen cup and start the day. Should be around stand to.
brushman,
ROFLMAO, not fair. I can picture the moron and I don’t go into those places but only had green beans in Afghanistan.
Caffiene’s bad for you.
I quit all caffiene but iced tea at lunch. Soon I will quit that.
It’s not really because of the health reasons. It’s the cost. People tell you to quit smoking (I did that too 5 years ago) because of the money you’ll save.
I say quit the coffee for the same reason.
There’s a stove-top percolator in the kitcken ever since I cleaned out the outomatic drip one day and mouse turds came out!! We drink Hills Brothers when my supply of Monks’ blend runs out. (grown in the Philippines and processed by trapist monks in Bukidnon). Doing my part to support small economies…
I gave up Starbucks long ago. $2.00 bucks for even a drip coffee? Ridiculous. I brew my coffee at home for a about 10 cents a cup, and the caffeine in it works just as well. You can pay too much for anything.
We still have Chock-Full-of-Nuts here in SC. After visiting Seattle which is a spectacular city< you can keep Starbucks.
Bout ten years ago or so a friend and I went to SB to see what all the fuss was about. Walked in: “ooohhh” cool decorating, nice jazzy music. Then two small cups of coffee that tasted (to us) like roasted cat hair and split a little dessert thingy, total almost ten bucks. Were we shocked. Haven’t been in a Bucks since. I look in as I pass by sipping the tasty gas-station $1.50 cappuccino. Still nicely decorated inside I see.
Starbucks has been off of path for many a moon now. Total expenditures there on the behalf of me and family total less than 200 bucks ever, Total.
I wish it had been less, so to make up for that amount I have donated to several Republican campaigns already this year.
I urge you folks to pick consevative campaigns and donate to them, not to starbucks.
The conservatives certainly need the funds more than they do.
Ezpat,
Just one of the many uses for an M1’s engine. Makes for good shaving water, too.
Juan Valdez le gustaria decir: Aqui, en las Colinas de Colombia, la tierra de los Paisas, cultivamos las mejores semillas de café en todo el mundo!. Sin embargo, una empresa en los E.E.U.U. cobra demasiado por una simple taza de café. Totalmente locos!!!, especialmente, sin son los traidores liberals.”
Juan Valdez- Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia.
Rio
Semper Fi!
Socialism is the philosophy of failure,
the creed of ignorance and preaching of envy;
its inherent virtue is the equal distribution of misery.
My two cents. Yes, SB is pricey. Have made my own at home for a long time. Buy SB House Blend regular and no lead. Whole beans when I’m ambitious. I don’t drink a lot of coffee. Two mugs of regular in the morning, if I get bored, two mugs of no lead in the afternoon. It’s never tasted burnt and I like my coffee strong. Don’t know what the SB stores do around the country, but I don’t remember it tasting burnt at our local SBs. My local Southern Colorado Safeway just put Dunkin Donuts coffee with their SB and other brands. If I remember correctly, it’s a smaller bag and about the same $ as SB, about 9 bucks a bag. Can’t remember if I ever had a cup of Dunkin’s. There’s no longer Dunkin Donut stores in Colorado according to a friend. Strange times, these…
What? Doesn’t anybody remember good ol’ Folgers? Two cups in the morning, one w/ breakfast and one on the way to work! Iced tea all morning and ice water the rest of the day!
Honestly, I used to like Starbuck’s A LOT………until – here in Japan – I discovered the privately-owned, “Ma-and-Pa” coffee shopand how much better their coffee is. Starbuck’s: too institutional (though not terrible); Mom-and-Dad Coffee Shop: WONDEFULLY delicious and diverse.
I respect Ms. Malkin’s decision top avoid Starbuck’s, and support Dunkin’ Donuts. I support Dunkin’ Donuts, too, but for a different reason: they prepare VERY delicious doughnuts (but their coffee pretty-much is terrible).
Lastly, please do not think me un-American, or anti-American for saying so, because I love the US of A, and my wife wants to become a citizen (she’s from Korea), but if you want a really, REALLY good cup of coffee? Leave the USA. American Coffee stinks to high heaven!!!! Too many chemicals, additives, preservatives, et. al. ad. nauseum! If you want good, good coffee, try to buy direct from the country of production, or go across the border to Mexico (and, the further South of the Border, the better). Try it once, and you’ll never, EVER go back to American-made coffee.
Dunkin Doughnuts/Krispy Kreme ‘coffee’, UGH!
Try Caribou Coffee, if they’ve got a shop near you.
Caribou Coffee is the best but Dunkin is WAY better then Starbucks.
I’m a frequent customer of Dunkin’s Coffee since we don’t have a Caribou anywhere around here.
I truly feel for you. Not only does Caribou have better coffee, but the store ambiance is much more inviting that a Starbucks store.
I moved from Minnesota and Caribou is the one thing I miss the most. Even Dunn Brothers is a vast improvement over Starbucks