McDonalds Vs Starbucks...ding ding

[MacDougalbry]

Originally Posted by Got Miikka?

Just reminded me of another tune for the Worst Song thread

I'm all over the blueberry scone, 10000 calories but goddamn is it ever good (gotta have enough blueberries and icing on it tho - unfortunate lack of consistency in this department by the Starbucks pastry crew)

Gotta say, the pastries they get in Vancouver must be made somewhere else, because they taste way better. ( The blueberry scone and the oat nut fudge bar, in particular.)

[Marv]

^^^ The pastries on the West Coast are definately better. When we lived on Vancouver Island, we found they were actually way better than what we get here in Alberta. First discovered the oat fudge bar there, now they've made it to Alberta, praise the lord. But my weakness is a soy tazo chai and an oat fudge bar for breakfast.... yum.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Marv

As for the taste of the coffee, it is an aquired taste. But at the same time, the brewed coffee changes all the time and we have coffees from all over the world and the different regions have specific flavours.

I'm not attacking you--but this really isn't the issue. Pretty much every coffee shop uses high quality beans--there's something about Starbucks' preparation protocol that just doesn't result in a good cup of coffee. If, as you say, it's an "acquired taste"--then people are acquiring a very mediocre taste. Really good coffee shouldn't taste bitter and burnt at all--but Starbucks' invariably does, regardless of the bean. Since you work there, maybe if you report this to the ownership, something can be done!

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Got Miikka?

Timmy Ho's I enjoy too. I was on Timmy's the summer I did electrostatic painting. Large/extra large double double every morning. I still have it every so often (ie when I feel like braving the breadline queue in Gulf Canada Square - yikes) but I can say this: 10 pounds dropped since I stopped having it daily.

It's amazing what skipping the 18% MF cream will do for you, eh?

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Slava

Great minds think alike!!! We also have the same machine in our office (and I also have one at home). I have broken my addiction to Tim Hortons now and I make it to the office about 20 minutes faster as a result!

Okay, next time I'm in Calgary I can stop in for a capp. Good to know.

Of course, feel free to do the same. We can talk business.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by MacDougalbry

Just want to be sure that we are talking about their breakfast sandwiches and not their regular sandwiches... generally I like their regular sandwiches. As for the breakfast sandwich, I had the plain sausage and egg one and it was almost identical to the thing that Tim Hortons sells except it wasn't as fresh (if you can imagine that is possible.)

I would be happier if they would just bring back the cheese scone.

Yup, we're talking about the same thing. Maybe the kind I'm having is the only good one. It's a reduced fat Turket, cheese and bacon. I really like it, and many of the people I work with do too. It is a pretty standard sloppy breakfast sandwhich, but tastes good to me
Even better though, is a steamrollers breakfast wrap. That thing is the most addictive breakfast food out there. yummee!!!

[Marv]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

I'm not attacking you--but this really isn't the issue. Pretty much every coffee shop uses high quality beans--there's something about Starbucks' preparation protocol that just doesn't result in a good cup of coffee. If, as you say, it's an "acquired taste"--then people are acquiring a very mediocre taste. Really good coffee shouldn't taste bitter and burnt at all--but Starbucks' invariably does, regardless of the bean. Since you work there, maybe if you report this to the ownership, something can be done!

Have to disagree here. Maybe it's simply the fact I work there and drink the stuff all day long, but there is a definate taste difference from one bean to the next. For example, the Latin American coffees have a distinct citrusy flavour while Asia Pacific coffees have a definate "earthy" taste (which means they taste like dirt - not my favourite). Tim Horton's swill is by far a worse cup of coffee. Most store brands taste bland in comparison to Starbucks. But again, I drink it all the time and can't stomach anything else. But I understand where you're coming from: when I started at Starbucks, I could only handle the mildest of coffee blends and felt everything else was too strong and bitter. But the stuff grows on you the more you drink it and you definately gain a taste for the different blends and appreciate how good a cup of coffee can taste.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Got Miikka?

Just reminded me of another tune for the Worst Song thread

10 Points for cross-threadage action.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Marv

Have to disagree here. Maybe it's simply the fact I work there and drink the stuff all day long, but there is a definate taste difference from one bean to the next. For example, the Latin American coffees have a distinct citrusy flavour while Asia Pacific coffees have a definate "earthy" taste (which means they taste like dirt - not my favourite). Tim Horton's swill is by far a worse cup of coffee. Most store brands taste bland in comparison to Starbucks. But again, I drink it all the time and can't stomach anything else. But I understand where you're coming from: when I started at Starbucks, I could only handle the mildest of coffee blends and felt everything else was too strong and bitter. But the stuff grows on you the more you drink it and you definately gain a taste for the different blends and appreciate how good a cup of coffee can taste.

Again, I'm not questioning the quality of the beans. I buy my coffee from a local roaster in Philadelphia--and I'm pretty choosy when it comes to the old coffee bean. I agree that Tim Hortons is swill--so is McDonald's. I just think for the price, Starbucks should be a whole lot better than it is--especially the espresso, which is something that takes a little artistry to make. BTW, I've worked as a "barista" myself at an independent coffee shop many years ago, so I know a little about coffee.

My guess is that the quality of the brewing may not be consistent from one Starbucks store to another. I have no doubt you brew a great cup, but my experience with Starbucks has been very bad. Coffee shouldn't taste bitter. If it does, you're brewing it wrong.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Okay, next time I'm in Calgary I can stop in for a capp. Good to know.

Of course, feel free to do the same. We can talk business.

Absolutely! I'll buy you lunch...but only at Flamescentral!! I want to make an Edmonton fan as comfortable as possible .