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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Bring back Chock Full o’ Nuts!
sniff, no dunkin within 40 miles of me, but, starbucks did give me a freebie today.
i have no choice, well no choice thats any good.
And that guy who started Starbucks sold the Sonics to an OKC guy who wants to move them to Oklahoma! Reason enough to switch. OK, your reasons are probably better.
I hate coffee. I’d go to Starbucks and get a chai tea. But at $4.01 for a venti, I don’t go there anymore. Now, I buy my chai at Costco and save tons of money. Plus, it tastes better.
I still drink Community Coffee…. my momma was from Louisiana, you always drank what momma drank! Dad could find it easily in Philly at the A&P
I wish I could quit coffee altogether.
And their donuts are FANTASTIC still after all these years…
They support the troops, so they have my support.
Or you could order yourself some bocajava and support the troops at the same time!
Well, I don’t drink coffee, but in Chicagoland, Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins Ice Cream are together and BR makes the best ice cream cakes! I am glad to see that they are worth supporting.
Man…Now I want a donut.
Never understood why one would pay $5 for a cup of coffee, anyway, when you can do the same thing at home with some flavored creamer…
If only Dunkin’ Donuts made milkshakes.
It’ still round here and Philly, and it’s still terrible tasting. Although interesting fact about Chock Full o’ Nuts is that it was the first company to use a jingle in a commercial.
There isn’t one in my area, but I do have a Krispy Kreme close, and their coffee is pretty good, too.
Given how things are expensive these days, I’ve even cut out Dunkin Ds (not just the coffee, but the food as well). I also did this because my doctor told me that less of me would be a good thing (and he’s right, of course, I feel better much lighter). Anyhow, since saving money depends on finding substitutes, you’d be surprised how far a jar of instant coffee goes at the office. If you can’t drink that, buy a thermos and brew up your office coffee at home and tank up before you shove off. Also, teabags are great to keep on hand. I *think* it gives you a bigger caffeine bang, and besides, iced tea was cool way before iced coffee was invented. I’d come in with some Long Island iced tea takes here, but I’m … *out*
That reminds me of a joke!!!
Remember the old Folgers commercials with Mrs.Olson?
JOKE: What does Mr Olson do when he comes home from work???
answer; MOUNTAIN GROWN
I just keep it simple at Starbucks - “Give me a large coffee.” I don’t buy into the whole tall/grande/venti mumbo jumbo. They have a small cup, they have a medium cup, and they have a large cup. I like the large cup full of their strong coffee and this only sets me back just under $2. Add enough splenda and cream and it tastes like you’re drinking one of those fancy $5 concoctions.
Wish we had a choice in our neck of the woods. We are so small we don’t even rate a Starbucks in this little burg all we rate is a Moxie Java. We do have 3 locations on base to get the foo foo coffees from Moxie. If you want doughnuts you go to Wal-Mart, Albertsons, or Paul’s Market (the down side at Paul’s is they cater to illegal invaders so we don’t go there). We will be departing on our Spring vacation next week and I will make it a point to support Dunkin Donuts where ever I find one.
Alas…we have no Dunkin’ Donuts here in Los Angeles.
However, we do have Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf…which is actually cheaper and tastes better than Starbucks.
Not to mention they send regular coffee donations to Soldier’s Angels.
I find it hard to believe you are not a morning person Michelle. Two little ones tend to make you one, especcially if they are in school.
I’m more conventional, I take my coffee straight black, I brew it at home in the morning and bring a thermos to work. When I go to Star Bucks once in a while I look at it as a treat not gospel.
UA–Peet’s is good too, if you’re in California. They seem relatively apolitical despite starting out bear Berkeley.
The pretentiousness of Starbucks is what makes me avoid them.
That and the fact that I haven’t really had much coffee since the last time I was out to sea.
I dont know what this makes me, but…i’m more of a Gevalia person. Got hooked when they had a promotion going with a solid price, and i’ve been with them ever since. French Roast, Dark Roast, and the occassional box of Earl Grey tea.
But in the morning, ANY coffee will do!
Alas…we have no Dunkin’ Donuts here in Los Angeles.
Not too far Mr.A
310-534-9610
22510 Crenshaw Blvd
Torrance,CA
I never was a coffee drinker. Loved the smell, but not the taste. Can’t protect my PBF from hippie free-lovin’ chemicals if I drank coffee.
But when I lived in Az, I would bike to school past a Dunkin Donut and stop in for a large Coke and a chocolate croissant. Man, that was heaven.
I never could get into Starbucks:
1. The price is outrageous. It never made sense to see my cup filling on one side while having to practically open a vein on the other side. And they have the nerve to put a tip-jar on the counter. Yeah, right.
2. I never could get into the pretentious terminology:
- “I want a ‘large.’”
- “Oh, you mean a ‘Grande.’”
- “No, a LARGE.”
- “Yeah, a ‘Grande.’”
- “Just give me the biggest one ya got, OK?!?”
3. Every time I see a Starbucks, I can’t help but to remember the original “Battlestar Galactica” TV series, in which the main character by the same name, when confronted by a bunch of Cylons, whips out … a blow-dryer.
As to the properties of coffee itself, as a minimum pot-a-day drinker (usually two), coffee lost its effectiveness as a stimulant a long time ago. I can drink a full pot right before going to bed.
But its diuretic qualities remain undiminished…
I was at a labor arbitration hearing last week and the union guys all came to the hearing clutching Starbucks lattes and caramel something or other and the management guys were all clutching Shell Gas station coffee cups. How the times have changed. I sure know one thing: Neither Obama ever bought a cup of Shell Gas Station coffee.
A note on the bocajava….beware the maple bacon flavored coffee at all cost!!! It may be the wrost coffee I’ve ever had.
Growing up in Massachusetts, having a one hour commute to my high school, and having extracirrucular activities until up to 10pm, I was a Dunkin addict. I had at least three large french vanilla regulars a day.
But I switched to Starbucks in DC (although I prefer Au Bon Pain if I can get it).
It’s a matter of quality. D+D stopped brewing flavored beans. Instead, they add syrup to flavor the coffee. This is unacceptable. And undrinkable.
My youngest daughter is hooked on Starbucks. She cann’t make it pass one without stoppping in. I like Dunkin Doughnuts. Nothing like a good cup of hard core caffine and a sugar buzz to get your day going.
I started drinking coffee less than a year ago, in my forties. I have not, nor will I step foot in a Starbucks. I’m quite sure that Jesus Obama is a Starbucks man. I’d bet on it. Jihad Jim McDermott is definately a Starbuckser. It’s friggin coffee for Gods sake, it isn’t some manufactured concoction with a patent. I like my coffee much like I love our military.
STRONG.
Oh, BTW, do liberals all drink their coffee….ERRRR…….black.
I quit ‘Starbucks’ years ago. Their coffee went bad years ago when they started over-roasting their beans (using high temperature) to shorten the roasting time. I got mine from local roasters that slow-roasted. Much better flavor.
Then when Howard Schultz became the Chairman of the Board of a dot com where I was working, I decided I didn’t like Starbucks as a company either.
I used to decaffeinate for one month about every 6 months or so. Over a year ago I did my month, then it stretched into two, three, until a year went by.
I got a little caffeine from occasional hot chocolates, but didn’t miss the coffee or the caffeine if I didn’t get any at all. Feels much better.
A little tip. If you quit caffeine cold turkey, plan on getting small doses every other day for the first week. It usually prevents the headaches.
Caffeine seems to stay in your system for about two weeks, so the benefits of decaffeinating don’t start until then.
Now when I happen to have an espresso drink or two it affects my sleep, my ability to relax and my ability to concentrate.
So, as a former espresso junkie (grande raspberry mocha daily), I can say I’m better off without it.
it was never starbucks that drove me away…it was always its clientele.
old stupid hippies, young stupid yuppies, and airhead teeny boppers. no thanks.
Oh man…I was a TOTAL Peet’s junkie when I lived in up in Oakland. Their Sumatra is like rocket fuel.
Actually, they have a retail store here in Studio City, but it’s on Ventura Blvd. and the parking lot is a major pain to get in/out of.
Plus, I like Coffee Bean’s pastries better and their staff is always friendly and very fast.
Starbucks is also a long-time supporter of Planned Parenthood.
Starbucks, why can’t I quit you?
I save by just getting their good, strong coffee once in awhile. Here in weird Portland there are actually smaller coffee chains that out-snob Starbucks’ snobbery, if you can believe it.
How about some of Justice Alito’s blend?
Just don’t drink it out of a styrofoam cup. The styrofoam leeches into the coffee. Bring your own container, like a thermos bottle, and transfer the coffee over, if it is given to you in a styrofoam cup.
For my fellow left coasters, they sell Dunkin Donuts coffee now in Ralph’s.
Craig, Thanks for the heads up, next time I’m in Torrence I’ll look ‘em up….
The ones that bill themselves as “fair trade” are the worst.
#3 AlohaGuy
I LIKE the fact that the Sonics are coming here, to Oklahoma City. But, I’ve never even seen the inside of a Starbucks. I could never see the sense in spending $5 for a cup of coffee. I just brew my own when I wake up.
Hmmm…I was unaware of that one.
Though, being a valley-dweller, it might as well be on the other side of the moon for me.
Thanks for the tip though….much appreciated.
carig and Ugly American
In Torrance these guys are pretty good
19150 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance, CA 90503
carig = craig (not enough coffee yet!)
I have 4 that are in school, and I’m still not much of a morning person either. My kids are pretty good about eating their own breakfast, and I get up to make sure lunches are all together (making them for the 2 youngest), and usually, they are on time for school. Usually.
I live on my own brewed Member’s Mark Fair Trade French Roast beans with some froo-froo flavored creamer and a touch of sugar. Yum, and it only costs me about $13.00 every 6 weeks.
I’ve never been in a Starbucks, so I don’t know what all the fuss is about. For my coffee, I have a coffee maker right in my kitchen - make my own all the time. Heck, I can even choose what kind of coffee to make, how strong to make it, and how much coffee to make.
I’ve been making my own for a year now, but I always preferred DD over Starbucks’s tree bark.
$5.00 for a cup of coffee??
I’m eagerly awaiting the two closest ones to me to reopen, they’ve been closed for what seems like 2 months for reconstruction. Could have rebuilt the entire building at the speed they’re going right now. /sigh
AlohaGuy: You’d think with LA’s car-culture, there’d be more coffee drive-thru’s in the city.
It’s a real pain to find parking at some of these coffee places during peak morning hours.
I still find it odd that there are more Krispy Kremes in LA now than Dunkin Donuts. What’s up with that!
It’s nice to see a company with real social responsibility!
One more reason to eschew Starbucks, and my list is quite long already. I’m no “PC Princess”, though I am a believer in the power of the private, individual protest.
Mostly, I think Starbucks coffee tastes burnt. I can burn my own coffee at home for far less money.
Here in the People’s Republic of Hawaii there is a Starbucks on every corner it seems.
I went inside once to try the coffee, but was unable to obtain a co-signer.
I went in a SB a few weeks ago, upon seeing the stack of NYT papers up front I just turned and left, not going to support the enemy one bit anymore.
Michelle, please don’t “in these times” us! While I imagine it costs a few more dollars to fill up as you chauffeur your kids around the ‘burbs, I suspect a car and driver comes for you when you need to get to a TV studio. Are your ad clicks down here or at HA? Is your column income down in line with declining newspaper sales? I suspect not; nor am I being Obama. I mean not am I being bitter. In fact I’m not doing so bad myself, and neither are my two cubicle neighbors, both of whom are doing their part on the buying side of the bump in home sales Prince William County, VA is seeing. Leave it to the liberal MSM to talk the economy (up last quarter, only a small amount, but up, not the negative growth that defines a recession) into Great Depression II: Bushdunit. I feel for everyone who loses a job or faces really debilitating costs, but most of us needn’t make a rainy day out of a few clouds.
Yeah…but even some of the Krispy Kremes have closed down over recent years.
We used to have three here in the SF Valley where as now there is only the one in Burbank.
Now, most Angelenos just pick up ‘em up at the grocery store.
I’m glad I drink tea. A cup in the morning at 10 cents a teabag & that’s for the better stuff, not primo organic etc etc, but good drinkable tea.
I like Starbucks frappuccino but I agree with Michelle: it is costly habit and Dunkin’ Donut’s policies sound better. However, do they have Frappuccino or something similar?
No, not really. I still am not used to getting up early with my son. Thankfully, my son seems to have inherited my love of sleep and often sleeps later than I do!
Actually, Alterra Coffee here in Milwaukee is good. A little liberal, yeah. But not as bad a Starbucks. At least Alterra doesn’t put stupid quotes on its cups (or at least they didn’t when I went last).
I don’t have a problem with the concept of fair trade or local business. If you get a product from someone, you should pay for it fairly. It’s not right to get coffee on the cheap from some farmer in a developing nation and then sell it for 10x the cost.
And if a local business provides a product similar (or better) to that of a national chain, supporting the local economy.
Yeah - I know. There I go soundling like a liberal again.
Actually, if I must be classified, I tend to fit into the “Crunchy Conservative” pigeonhole…
I never understood the alleged appeal of Starbucks. Drinking their burnt swill is like swallowing road tar.It takes about a half tanker truck of cream to make it drinkable.I’m kind of partial to Burger King’s BK Joe.It has a slight caramel-like flavor and ,of course, is reasonably priced.
I started buying D&D at the store for home use after i read where they support our country and our military…something libs wouldn’t understand…loyalty and dedication.
#53 said:
Now, that’s funny.
Isn’t McDonalds supposed to be the next specialty coffee king? I thought they were going to start aggressively going after this market?
#60 said:
Amen.
Starbucks and Dunkin see very little of me; usually when I’m on vacation and touring. I make coffee in the evening and set the timer. When I get up the coffee is just ready (usually “lite” or “hazelnut”). On the way to work, I have a travel cup. Sorry, those companies and their prices just don’t do anything for me. I’m a straight black coffee drinker anyway. That I learned years ago, out in the woods.
Starbucks got me hooked on strong, dark coffee. But I have no allegiance to them. In fact everything from the price to the snobbery drives me away.
I’m afraid I’ve turned into a coffee snob at home. I like only dark roasts. I use the best coffee brewer you can find: the Bodum Santos Vacuum coffee maker. OMG! They don’t make the electric anymore??? Oh well, you can still get the stovetop one.
Couple that with a Kitchen Aid burr grinder and its beans to cup in 10 minutes. Fresh grinding is a key to good taste. So far, I haven’t seen Dunkin’ beans. Maybe I go to the wrong shops.
If I can buy coffee from a farmer in a developing nation and charge 1 trillion times more than I paid for it, so be it.
Socialism, like liberalism is a disease.
Capitalism is the cure.
Salamat po, Michelle! You have just put the final nail in the coffin on my one stock that used to be the leader in my portfolio.
Don’t get me wrong. Your points are spot-on but their stock just kept going through the roof. And I kept holding it, even after I concluded the same thing. Selling a cup of hot milk for $5.00 was, in the long run, not a viable business model.
But, rather than selling when I reached that epiphany, I held on to my stock thinking others would continue to be gullible. Now, Michelle has exposed the emperor and I am stuck with a stock that may never get back to my purchase price.
Mahal kita, Michelle, but you are bad news for my investments!
finally… something i can get behind.
donuts and coffee. if only all political movements required this little effort and personal sacrifice.
Don’t worry Hangfire. Problems in the sub-prime coffee market are to blame, but I believe Hillary has a plan to make a cappucino available to everyone. Obama has known for 20 years that their coffee is undrinkable, but he could no more throw a Starbucks under the bus than he could his grandmother, Rev. Wright or a $100 ham. McCain only drinks Café con crema para la Raza.
Here in MA, there’s a Dunks on every corner. In the five mile radius around my house, there are 56 Dunkin’ Donuts. Their coffee is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
Consumers Report agrees that Starbucks is bitter. They say Burger King’s is like dish water and Mickey D’s is great. I find Dunkin’ best to my taste and eschew the tasty donuts for my own home baked carrot cakes and shoo fly pies. Krispy King and Costco baked goods have way too much sugar for my taste.
Around here in Palm Beach, DD and Baskin Robbins are often combined.
Read somewhere that if for some reason we had an OPEC-like stoppage of coffee availability, Americans would be quickly quite constipated.
Then there’s brew your own. I’m using Melitta in a French Press. Thought Gevalia rotted.
For a minute there, I thought you were going to say, “on the bridge of a destroyer, standing the midwatch.”
Just getting the coffee in the cup is a bonus. Forget adding all of the extra “geedunk” to it.
My fellow surface guys will understand.
Dunks has the Coffee Coolatta. Really, really, good.
If someone really wants to try the coffee and can’t find it in their area, let me know.
Klaatu - the glass Bodum not only makes great coffee, but the stovetop is fun for the kids to watch as the liquid goes from chamber to chamber.
I never buy coffee unless I’m on the road for business and don’t have to pay out of my own pocket. It doesn’t matter how much money you make. $5 is preposterous and Starbucks is over-roasted and over-rated.
Starbucks tastes burnt because like all junkies, coffee drinkers need to constantly “up the dose”. If you drink 5-10 cups of coffee per day you need very strong tasting
jetfuelcoffee. Starbucks caters to the coffee junky’s need for a proper fix.I gave up Starbucks about a month ago, although I cheated here recently in a pinch. It saves me a good chunk of change through out the month
I also cut back on gas expenses from $20’s a week to $10.
My reasoning is purely an economical one.
All this to save for a down payment on a gas guzzling vehicle.
I still have an Exxon insulated mug from the 80s in the trunk of my car (not the same car!). I think it cost .99 back then and entitled you to cheap refills forever. I guess the management guys were funding their IRAs with the savings, they don’t have a union pension…
I make it at home now, usually Folgers, but I sure wish CFoN would do a run with cans that include the little measuring cup — I’m down to my last one!
I recall too, my first introduction to Starbucks, the Sheraton I was staying at had a little bag of it next to the in-room coffee maker. Terrible stuff, I headed down to the restaurant to get real coffee and met one of my associates on the way, same reason. Turns out that’s all they had there too, so we got in the car and went to find a Dunkin Donuts
Actually, the longer you roast it, the lower the dose.
But no question theirs tastes burned.
Yesss! I’ll never forget my first trip to New England. Bleary eyed - getting off a 0500 flight from Dulles to Green Field. The first thing I see coming out of the gate was a Dunkin’ Doughnuts. And the beautiful ‘barista’ asked me how I wanted my coffee (black, sweet, or blond - c’mon c’mon make up yer mind) love at first sip.
There is also a dunkin donuts on Western just north of the 405 Freeway exit at the shopping center on the corner of 182 and Western in Gardena, just north of Torrance.
There is a dirty little secret. For about a buck and a quarter, you can get a cappacino (spelling?) at those do it yourself machines at every quick stop gas and go kind of place in the country. I was a road warrier and for years got great coffee at all the truck stops at the do it yourself machines.
What Howard Schultze should do is a send a SBUX card w/ “Laissez Faire” emblazened on it to Glen Beck, O’Reilley, Michelle, El Rushbo and the lot…
Sorry, I’m still going to Starbucks. It’s the only place when I can go and not be assaulted by spanish. There are no signs in spanish and no spanish speaking employees to mess up my order.
JSRagman, sorry, not a navy guy, but I understand the “standing the midwatch”. There has been many days when coffee kept one going…sometimes for 30+ hours. Sometimes, it came so strong, we used to say that “you could float a battleship on it”.
I must admit I really like the $tarbucks coffee, somewhat addicted to it. I drink my coffee black and buy their beans, grind it, and make it at home.
The only time I buy coffee at Starbucks is when I am out of town on expenses hehe. If I go through the drive through and buy my beans there they comp a coffee drink!
However, on general principles I guess I should not buy anything from them. Ok, I am going back to buying beans from a local coffeehouse just because of MM’s post!
Enough with this lazy Mexico border enforcement - national security argument. I mean, if national security is at stake, how come we never hear anything about a border fence with Canada?
I loved the Coolatta. Then I realized it had more Calories than the donuts.
Well, TOS, Canadians aren’t running across the border illegally in droves.
Amen. Coffee (really bad coffee) is what makes Navy ships run. Well, cigarettes, too. An added benefit of coffee is that a fresh pot effectively masks some of the various shipboard odors for a little while, especially during the mid-watch.
Our coffee makers were wired for uninterrupted operation during GQ or BECCE’s, too.
Too Bad DD is no where near where I live in Murrieta/Temecula CA. I would love to try it. We have a Starbucks on every corner and don’t care to drink their overpriced joe.
If I could get a drive-thru Dunkin Donuts franchise I bet it would give Starbucks a run for it money. What do you think?
A friend of mine knew someone who worked for a coffee bean distributor that distributed coffee for both Dunkin and Starbucks, and according to him, Dunkin Donuts buys higher quality beans. For starbucks, it’s all about image; you can get much better coffee elsewhere.
Yes, please. Oh, wait, coffee? Oh - dark and strong, please.
There are myriad coffee options in the Seattle area, and most are good, if not very good. Drive-thru coffee stands abound, and most do it cheaply and quickly. My wife and I both drink 16 oz. coffees for just $5 combined. On top of that, “our” barista knows exactly what we like, and doesn’t even have to ask.
Starbucks is rotgut compared to the Folgers I brew chez moi.
But hold the donuts.
I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve never run into that in Seattle, but if I did, you can bet I wouldn’t go back.
my promise that the wife and I will not be back in any Starbucks - ever They just opened a brand new Dunkin donuts several miles from us and, handily enough, pass right by them on the way to work
That says something, doesn’t it?
We don’t have any DD’s here in Iowa, but we do have two Starbucks withing six blocks of each other.
Frankly, having had their coffee, I’d rather go to a Quik Star and get theirs. Cheaper ($1.29 for the largest they got) and tastes immeasurably better, and no pretentious snobbery.
There aren’t very many D&D’s near my route; luckily, I have been able to get my favorite dark stuff under any ‘big M’ I drive past.
Unfortunately, my employer’s president (who doesn’t drink coffee at all) chose to override the ‘coffee committee’ and select Starbucks as our coffee provider here at the office. Now, don’t get all excited, people — it’s NOT a perk (pardon the pun); remember that Starbucks makes it’s product so popular based on all the froo-froo dressings that can be applied; NO ONE actually drinks it STRAIGHT… that is, except for us here at work. We have to water it down so we don’t die by mid-day.
Wish it could be reserved strictly for waterboarding (’buck’s-boarding?) at Gitmo.
I’ll stick with my Keurig single cup brewer & the huge variety of coffees available for it.
I find Starbucks overpriced for what I consider a bitter cup of coffee.
I tend to buy A&P’s columbian unground. Not bad at all for the money, even though it’s about 20% more expensive this year.
But my favorite will always be Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. But since the Japanese found out about it, it runs around $50 per pound. Too rich for me…
I like my coffee like my women, light and sweet.
For a plain old cup of coffee? Oh yeah! Dunkin Donuts over Starbucks anyday. Besides, did you ever taste a plain old cup of coffee at Starbucks? They strip car paint with that stuff. I gave up Starbucks long ago when I was tired of paying $5 for a cup of steamed non-fat milk.
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.