Haven't been to Starbucks in many years, not even at the airport. Use a K-cup machine at home with ground Peet's coffee bought in a bag in sale from the grocery. United Club and Polaris lounges both have good Illy coffee. Work has a fancy automated coffee machine which grinds the coffee beans and brews 1 cup after you press go.

I've never thought Starbucks coffee tasted good. But the experience of going to one used to be nice and comfortable. Now it really does seem dirty and depressing (I feel the same way about Panera!)

downscale

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

This ^^ is not hyperbole.

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.

Where? Where are there "so many artisanal and wonderful" coffee shops?

Anonymous wrote:

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

The grossest part of Starbucks is that it seems most orders are not coffee or cappuccinos — they are gigantic venti and trenti slushes and those Frappuccino ice cream shakes. It’s astonishing so many adults eat that crap every day.

I don't know if it was ever upscale (because I've never been upscale), but I think that was kind of its original hook when it became nationally popular. You could get all kinds of different coffee drinks with flavors and adjustments, not just "regular coffee." That also made it feel expensive compared to a plain coffee from Dunkin.

I agree that "fancy" coffee these days is locally roasted with different options for origins, roast, etc. I had a bit of a heart attack last year when I went to a new-ish local place for the first time, ordered a latte, and it was over $7. Also had a plain brewed coffee the other day that was $4. Whew, this is why I make it at home mostly.

Anonymous wrote: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.

It has always been like this. There has never been any "cosy upscale coffee shop vibe" at Starbucks. In fact there used to be coffee shops like that in the 90s, other coffee shops, and Starbucks pushed them all out of business.

It’s mop water

When have you seen a premium experience parked in every strip mall and grocery store you lay eyes on? It’s like McDonald’s, appeals to the masses.

Very downscale. It is basically McDonalds.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

McDonald's is also crowded daily. The Chick-fil-A near me always has a line. Doesn't make either of them high-class. Likewise, Starbucks is a fast-food joint that is a quantity > quality type of establishment. Yes, of course, they make bank, just like any other fast food chain becuase that's what sells in this country. We are a fast-food, low quality, high fat, low standards type of place. We eat it up - both high and low class.

So yes, OP, Starbucks is pure trash but Americans love it that way

To be sure, this is hardly an American phenomenon but a human one. It's no different anywhere else.

Except maybe Iceland. There's no Starbucks in Iceland. Or McDonald's...

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

The grossest part of Starbucks is that it seems most orders are not coffee or cappuccinos — they are gigantic venti and trenti slushes and those Frappuccino ice cream shakes. It’s astonishing so many adults eat that crap every day.

Anonymous wrote: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.

And venti means 20... Is the cup 20 ounces or wut.

The airport locations are especially gross.

Anonymous wrote: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.

McDonald's is also crowded daily. The Chick-fil-A near me always has a line. Doesn't make either of them high-class. Likewise, Starbucks is a fast-food joint that is a quantity > quality type of establishment. Yes, of course, they make bank, just like any other fast food chain becuase that's what sells in this country. We are a fast-food, low quality, high fat, low standards type of place. We eat it up - both high and low class.

So yes, OP, Starbucks is pure trash but Americans love it that way