Euphoriajunkie17 Senior Member Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Huntington, WV Expertise: Pro Barista
Posted Sun May 23, 2004, 1:05pm Subject: People Against Starbucks
If you think Starbucks is too expensive, overrated, or just plain nasty, give me your feedback. I work in a coffee shop, and I get feedback all the time about how we kick Starbucks in the face.
Posted Sun May 23, 2004, 1:59pm Subject: Re: People Against Starbucks
Before inciting others to rehash (and rebash) Starbucks, I suggest reviewing the ample threads on this subject (search +starbucks +bashing). As a small sample, consider "I REALLY should know better...". My favorite pick among them is the cruelly hilarious Star-Schmucks parody (adult language).
expobar Senior Member Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 3,003 Location: .
Posted Sun May 23, 2004, 2:00pm Subject: Re: People Against Starbucks
we all hate starbucks here, because its not fresh, its overroasted, they now use superautomatics which give out an 11 second shot, they mass steam their milk, etc.
but they do have some of the nicest baristi in the world (probably because they dont have to care about how well the baristi can make espressos)
brentling Senior Member Joined: 25 Sep 2002 Posts: 907 Location: By the beach in Auckland, NZ - turn right you can't miss me Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: wega, fiorenzato Grinder: Growing collection of... Drip: yes people call me that... Roaster: collection building...
Posted Sun May 23, 2004, 2:09pm Subject: Re: People Against Starbucks
I am not against Starbucks - don't like it, but not against it. Starbucks was a part of my discovering good coffee, and it was better than I had had previously. I now roast my own (actually my wife roasts, I am allowed to clean up after).
Starbucks is an important part of the coffee scene, and should be respected for what they have done, irrespective of personal opinions on how they make their coffee, after all they sell heaps of it!
There is an interesting article in the NZ Herald at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3567948 that addresses this also. I am in Auckland, and have never seen to many people in the Starbucks in either Parnell (Where I work) or Ponsonby. Both these places have top cafes etc.
MOSFET Senior Member Joined: 31 Dec 2003 Posts: 376 Location: Long Island, NY Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Linea Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Hoover Drip: Post-nasal Roaster: Perdue Oven-Stuffer
Posted Sun May 23, 2004, 3:47pm Subject: Re: People Against Starbucks
expobar Said:
we all hate starbucks here, because its not fresh, its overroasted, they now use superautomatics which give out an 11 second shot, they mass steam their milk, etc.
but they do have some of the nicest baristi in the world (probably because they dont have to care about how well the baristi can make espressos)
There's actually a mix of people on this forum, some who genuinely hate, others who like, and still others who are indifferent. Once in a while I crave the flavor of the long-roast provided by their beans. A burnt flavor sometimes hits the spot. But to contrast and to try and experience all types, I just tried my first Vivace roast (Dolce) and very much enjoyed it, but you have to be in the mood for either taste and process them quite differently to optimize their respective flavors. I agree however, that the super autos are unquestionably inferior, but results are good enough for the masses and apparently good for Starbucks' bottom line. It's a free country after all. Barista niceness is probably quite random in any cafe.
steven_meyer Senior Member Joined: 19 Jul 2003 Posts: 250 Location: San Bruno Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: ECM Giotto Grinder: mahlkonig vario Roaster: Gene Cafe
Posted Sun May 23, 2004, 3:56pm Subject: Re: People Against Starbucks
Maybe you should worry less about Starbucks quality, or lack there of, and concentrate on turning out a good product at your coffee house. Some of the worse crap I've ever tasted has come from independent coffee Establishments. You know the ones that always complain about and compare themselves with Starbucks.
Posted Sun May 23, 2004, 5:32pm Subject: Re: People Against Starbucks
Euphoriajunkie17 Said:
If you think Starbucks is too expensive, overrated, or just plain nasty, give me your feedback. I work in a coffee shop, and I get feedback all the time about how we kick Starbucks in the face.
expobar Senior Member Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 3,003 Location: .
Posted Sun May 23, 2004, 6:26pm Subject: Re: People Against Starbucks
steven_meyer Said:
Maybe you should worry less about Starbucks quality, or lack there of, and concentrate on turning out a good product at your coffee house. Some of the worse crap I've ever tasted has come from independent coffee Establishments. You know the ones that always complain about and compare themselves with Starbucks.
Damn straight (sorry for the language, it's necessary) Theres a local coffee chain called MJ java, and they, simply put, are some of the worst coffee. They have one of those "Friends don't let friends drink starbucks" stickers. The store, first off, is messy. Not messy as in not organized (which i like sometimes) but messy as in dirty, dirty tables when there is only one customer there, not busy at all. And second off, the coffee isnt good. I had a cup of Harar there, and first thing i said, as well as my folgers drinking parents was "I roast better harar than this" It was crap, i'd probably rather drink starbucks, and MJ ROASTS THEIR OWN COFFEE!
Makes me angry. Luckily, starbucks hasn't invaded nebraska like it has the rest of the nation. And luckily, we have plenty of good coffee shops here so we can avoid those that ARE here.
Starbucks is fine, if you feel like having a mediochre coffee. You can obviously do better, but you can definitely do MUCH MUCH worse. Pretty much, my feeling is, if someone has a "Friends dont let friends drink starbucks" sticker at their store, its probably not much better than starbucks, because they are comparing themselves to starbucks.
I will say though that starbucks espresso sucks. Their espresso products are average, but their espresso is bad. BAD.
Posted Sun May 30, 2004, 9:06pm Subject: Re: People Against Starbucks
steven_meyer Said:
Maybe you should worry less about Starbucks quality, or lack there of, and concentrate on turning out a good product at your coffee house. Some of the worse crap I've ever tasted has come from independent coffee Establishments. You know the ones that always complain about and compare themselves with Starbucks.
Hear, hear! This is my first post on the site, just discovered it today. Since I assume most of the members are fans of a little quality and variety, and not fans of, say, McDonald's coffee, give Starbucks a break! They have done more to bring good coffee products to the masses than any other company. Yes, there is always something better, but I'm doubting seriously that it exists in what's-his-face's independent shop.
For those of you that are where I am - not roasting my own (yet), but needing something good - try Alterra Coffee, a Milwaukee local chain that you can also order from online. You find the best stuff in the weirdest places. Visit them when in the area.
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