Coffee is a controversial subject, especially when you're talking about Starbucks Coffee. I have searched high and low for a flavorful, strong coffee and Starbucks is one of the few places to satisfy me. While some dark roasts just taste burnt, Starbucks is so full of rich aroma that I practically get caffeine high just walking inside the place!

While some people may say that Starbucks is nothing but a big corporate chain trying to push the local coffee shops out of business, I believe that Starbucks may just have a better coffee. I also have a choice. If I want flavored coffee, I can go to the local shop and if I want a dark roast, I go to Starbucks. And a regular cup of coffee at Starbucks really isn't that much more than any other shop around town offers. With Starbucks, I know that I'll get consistency. I know what to expect there and now I know what I like and I can get that same dark roast at any major city across the country. Now that's comforting.

The iced coffee at Starbucks is superb, at just the right strength so that ice cubes don't water it down. I also particularly enjoy their "café mocha", iced or hot, which along with a great caffeine buzz, also satisfies my chocolate cravings. Any of their iced drinks make for a wonderful summertime treat, but sometimes their hot drinks can be rather hot, so be careful! For anyone who isn't a coffee lover, they have a great selection of teas (hot chai is really good!!) and hot chocolate will satisfy the kid in anyone!

Starbucks will custom make any drink for you, so if you like a plain, black cup of coffee, you got it. If you're into the double iced grande, non-fat, sugarfree vanilla caramel macchiato, no problem! These people are the experts, don't be afraid to ask for what you want!!

If you are concerned about watching what you eat, they have all the nutritional information available, at the store or on-line. With a selection of milks ranging from whole to non-fat, they also offer soy and organic milks as well. For a little bit of flavor, you can add a flavored syrup shot to your latte (or coffee, whatever you want, pretty much). They do have two sugarfree syrups- hazelnut and vanilla. I've tried both and although the sugarfree vanilla takes a little getting used to, it's not bad. The hazelnut, however... I'd avoid it.

Unlike Dunkin' Donuts or Tim Horton's, Starbucks does not make regular coffee orders- you add your own cream, milk, sugar, sweetener, whatever, unless you are at a Starbucks drive-thru.

As well as providing great coffee and coffee alternatives, Starbucks offers a limited choice of pastries, my favortie being their seasonal Summer Fruit Cobbler... I could eat those until the cows come home! Otherwise, don't expect to get a full meal here, you'll end up disappointed.

The ambiance at a Starbucks location is, from my experience, one that is very relaxed and comfortable. They always seem to have the comfyest sofas and chairs. I wrote to them once and asked who the manufacturer was, but they said they were not allowed to tell me (bizarre). They always have good music and it's usually available for sale too. I've bought a few cool CDs at my Starbucks, they are definitely on the top of my favorites list.

Bottom line:
You pay for what you get and I think you get a lot at Starbucks. I wish there were more drive-thrus, as I don't always have time to hang out at a coffee shop, but still going inside, hearing great music, smelling the fresh roasted coffee brewing- it really gets my day off to a good start!



Recommended: Yes

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