Is it Rocket Fuel, or is it Coffee?
Written: Nov 25 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: delicious, wickedly strong coffee; many flavors to choose from; open very early
Cons: expensive; refills are not free; pastries leave a lot to be desired
The Bottom Line: Definitely go for Peet's. The coffee is perfect in almost every way: strength, flavor, consistency, and aroma. However it is not so perfect in price.
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| irbykb's Full Review: Peet's Coffee & Tea |
Peet's is a very "San Francisco" establishment. Or should I say 'anti-establishment', as every Starbucks-loathing San Franciscan who admonishes the megacorporation that is Starbucks, is drinking or will drink a cup of Peet's. They are located almost as ubiquitously as Starbucks, especially in the financial district. Unfortunately I have to hike a couple of miles (or drive several blocks, a much more California thing to do) to hit my local Peet's, which is up on Market in the Castro.
It's Beauty Lies in it's Strength
There is a very fine line between coffee that is so strong it makes you super sick, and coffee so strong it makes you a super-hero. And by golly, Peet's really knows how to walk that tightrope. Many coffeehouses try to copy Peet's by making really really strong coffee. But nobody gets it quite as right as Peet's.
The rumors are true. A small 12 oz. cup of coffee is a whopping $1.35. A medium 16 oz. cup is $1.55. Don't ask me how much a large is, because if I had ever bought and drank one, my heart would have beat right out of my chest and hopped down the street, rendering me unable to type and relay you this review. And heaven help you should you need a refill, you will have to pay full price over again. But on the bright side, after you decide that its ridiculous to pay full price over again, you will walk down the street and within 15 minutes know that you didn't really need another refill, it was the "creeper" blend that creeps up on you after you think it hasn't worked!
Espressos, Lattes, and Mochas are a plenty. A small latte or mocha is in a 12 oz. cup and already has 2 shots. So no paying for extra shot in a 12 oz. latte. Yeehaw! The mochas here are also divine, as are the white chocolate mochas.
They do have chai, but its too homemade tasting for me. I know that sounds horrible, but its true. The chais are very earthy and spicy, not really sugary syrupy the way they make at Starbucks. Okay, shoot me, I go to Starbucks sometimes. Sheesh! Pricing is not that great either on the lattes et al. $2.35 for small, $2.75 for medium, and again I never order a large latte or mocha. For one, they have to have like 600 calories. And for two, I prefer my heart to stay inside my body, thank you.
Beans, Beans, they're good for your... oh wait, no they're not.
Peet's roasts the best coffee beans ever. My favorite flavors are Arabian Mocha Java and Holiday Blend ($12.99 per pound each). Expensive, yes. Absolutely the best coffee I have ever smelled or tasted, a resounding YES. There are lots of other good flavors as well. And seeing how the holiday blend only comes out once a year, I guess I should start trying them. I've had the House Blend, and the Major Dickason's, but I can't seem to shake my craving for Arabian Mocha Java.
The only thing I warn against at Peet's are the pastries. They just don't do it for me. Sure if I'm starving to death I'll go for a butter croissant. But what with the pastry shop Sweet Inspirations a couple of doors down, I have no use for Peet's pastries.
All in all, if you can make it into a Peet's coffee, you will not be sorry. If you can't, they have an online store.
Enjoy!
2003
irbykb
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
irbykb
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Member: katie
Location: San Francisco, CA
Reviews written: 82
Trusted by: 45 members
About Me:
Only the soul that loves is truly happy. -Goethe
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