Is Starbucks premium anymore or has it become downscale?

[Anonymous]

The workers look unhappy. It appears they're just pushing a button to make most drinks or using concentrates then filling with water and ice. Store interiors are cold and sterile, lacking any cozy upscale coffee shop vibe. Always seeing a dozen mobile app slushy or icy drinks half melted at the pick-up counter grosses me out. Trash bins seem to always be overflowing. Their bakery items are full of junk like corn syrup, canola and palm oil. Luckily the locations we visit most often don't have homeless issues, but many locations do. And yet, the prices are astronomical and the locations always seem busy.

[Anonymous]

Sums it up pretty nicely. Unfortunately, it's reliably the only coffee store around so it keeps trucking along.

[Anonymous]

It is no longer considered upscale, it's become another fast food joint, just for coffee. The workers don't steam milk properly and the drinks are heavily sugared.

Upscale coffee nowadays is a local coffee joint that carefully tests/adjusts its machinery for espresso beans, ensures fresh beans, and particularly important, the baristas actually know how to properly steam milk. They also tend to make their own syrups and the drinks are not overly sweet if a flavored variety is ordered.

[Anonymous]

Funny story, does anyone remember when a short cup was actually a normal cup of coffee rather than a tall? There was no venti back then.

That was when it first became popular and my local starbucks barista used to make fresh vanilla flavored whipped cream which was just lightly sweet and divine.

[Anonymous]

It's been downscale since at least 2015.

[Anonymous]

It has become ridiculous and irrelevant due to its political stance. I haven't gone there in a decade nor do my friends

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's been considered premium since the early 2000s. The indie boutique coffee shops are always the premium one. Starbucks made a splash when they arrived on the scene but once you started seeing them inside Targets, that's when you know they aren't premium but another equivalent of any fast food joint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is no longer considered upscale, it's become another fast food joint, just for coffee. The workers don't steam milk properly and the drinks are heavily sugared.

Upscale coffee nowadays is a local coffee joint that carefully tests/adjusts its machinery for espresso beans, ensures fresh beans, and particularly important, the baristas actually know how to properly steam milk. They also tend to make their own syrups and the drinks are not overly sweet if a flavored variety is ordered.

This. Starbucks is gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's been considered premium since the early 2000s. The indie boutique coffee shops are always the premium one. Starbucks made a splash when they arrived on the scene but once you started seeing them inside Targets, that's when you know they aren't premium but another equivalent of any fast food joint.

Also meant to add that their coffee became unreliable. I've had plenty of bad coffee and cappuccinos from Starbucks when I was going in there regularly enough, and which is why I stopped about 10 years ago. You really are throwing away money on coffee from Starbucks versus making it at home. A daily habit adds up.

[Anonymous]

I'd call it the lowest level of premium. Like it's not mcdonalds, but these days there are so many artisanal and wonderful local coffee shops that I'd consider much higher premium.

I hate their coffee but love the frapps. I also had the shaken oat cinnamon apple thing for xmas and it was delightful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It has become ridiculous and irrelevant due to its political stance. I haven't gone there in a decade nor do my friends

And i will always be a customer.

You just told us you are a racist, homophobic POS. And your friends must be stupid.

Shame on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd call it the lowest level of premium. Like it's not mcdonalds, but these days there are so many artisanal and wonderful local coffee shops that I'd consider much higher premium.

I hate their coffee but love the frapps. I also had the shaken oat cinnamon apple thing for xmas and it was delightful.

The thing is, I hear great things about McDonald's coffee!

[Anonymous]

OP what is wrong with you?

Who wakes up in the morning and thinks like this?

Starbucks is crying all the way to the bank.

Most of them are crowded daily. You are saying all the people that go there are trashy?

Bible thumpers always the same critical jerks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd call it the lowest level of premium. Like it's not mcdonalds, but these days there are so many artisanal and wonderful local coffee shops that I'd consider much higher premium.

I hate their coffee but love the frapps. I also had the shaken oat cinnamon apple thing for xmas and it was delightful.

The thing is, I hear great things about McDonald's coffee!

It's actually not bad haha. And cheaper, so honestly I'd pref mcD over starbucks. But there is no way anyone would think mcD is premium or upscale

[Anonymous]

Downscale. Disgusting cups of corn syrup designed to make us all diabetic. No thanks