"Starbacks", as my Grandpa calls it, is probably the most disappointing coffee place I know. Every time I expect my coffee to not taste like burnt beans, and every time, without fail, it does.
I'm not really sure how this trendy chain has managed to stay in business. Perhaps it is the place's two comfy couches, or the various "Starbacks" memorabilia available for purchase at 600% retail value. Still, it could be the cool lighting, the indie music, and the perfect coffee-sipping atmosphere created by the combo.
However, the bottom line remains. Their coffee is bad. Maybe I am simply incapable of making a good drink choice, but I have been sorely disappointed nearly every time I have made a purchase there. (Well, I take that back. Twice, perhaps, three times I have purchased the "marshmallow dream bar", and that has been fairly decent.)
Is it supposed to taste like they burnt the coffee? I'm kind of confused. Still, I might dislike "Starbacks" so much because I've had good coffee before. I have a friend who is addicted to coffee. She makes good coffee. It's nothing fancy, and surprise! It doesn't taste like it's been burnt.
And that's just coffee, how about tea?
A couple years ago I went to Taylor's Bakery and Gourmet Coffee with my Mom. We told the owner we weren't big coffee drinkers and asked if she could recommend something to us. We told her we liked sweet stuff, and in about 1.5 minutes she handed us a hot cup of the most delicious beverage I have ever tasted. Spiced Chai latte. I almost died. It smells and tastes exactly like the holidays. The flavors of cinnamon, pumpkin, and other delicious, and very secret, spices are perfectly blended with the richness of steamed milk to make this incredible drink. (I highly recommend it.)
About a year later I was at "Starbacks" with some friends trying to decide what to order when I remembered the Spiced Chai latte. I said, "I'd like a tall spiced chai latte." Their response, "A what?" They didn't even know that I was asking for, and apparently I didn't know what I was asking for either, because when I tasted what they had decided to make I was horrified. Terrible. Disgusting. I think I drank about half of it, and that was only because I couldn't see it wasted.
But, really, why I am complaining? If I don't like it, I don't have to go there, right? Well, sort of. Two words: Gift cards. It's hard for me to turn down something when it's free, but "Starbacks" has only succeeded in disappointing me time and again. Perhaps I can "re-gift" them. If not, just like their beans, I'll just have to light a match, and watch them burn.
1 comment:
I remember your grandfather calling it Starbacks. I had no idea why he said it that way. Haha. CeeCee, you really don't like to do things just because they're trendy, including Starbacks. I agree with you, though, Starbacks is nothing special. When I go there I get the shaken iced tea with green tea and unsweetened. It's overpriced, but it's at least enjoyable.
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