Some coffee fans get grim delight in Starbucks woes

[CountryWolf07]

See? Even Dasher likes Starbucks

This made me giggle.

I love Starbucks, but I don't go as often anymore. I also love small coffee shops, they're the best kind, I think. But however, coffee is coffee to me. I don't have any near me, but when I am at Mike's 20 miles away, there are quite a few, so we always go and grab a cup.

[CathyBogart]

I love Starbucks, and it's the only place near me that brews fresh coffee every half an hour. If I go to the two mom and pop shops nearby, I get stale coffee unless it's 7am. Not cool to me, because I AM picky about my coffee.

[jennielynn1970]

I see your point with the coffee. I'm not a fan of coffee, but if I were, I'd want it fresh and not stale.

I like chai, but I'll make my own at home and take it with me if I want it at school. OR I'll buy Pacific Chai powder and make it at school. I've had chai at different places (mom and pop shops and chains) and was never thrilled with it. Always too sweet. Always too fake. When I make it at home, I can regulate how long I steep the chai and how much milk and sugar I add. Maybe if I made decent coffee at home I'd like it. I love the smell, but coffee itself just seems to upset my stomach.

I do like the house latte at Panera. It's mostly milk, has maybe a shot of espresso in it, not sure what exactly is in it, but like I said, mostly milk. And honey. If I have anything other than tea there, that's what I get. I've taken to making my own paninis at home as well. I can put on what I want, and it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.

I guess what a lot of it comes down to is really quality of what we want and quality of service. If the one of the local mom and pop places doesn't suit me, I can always find another one. The Lehigh Valley has a ton of options, thankfully. That may not be the case in other areas I guess.

I am still a fan of a really good diner though, lol. My favorite here was just renovated and made into a regular restaurant. It ticks me off. It was the best place to go at 2am to get breakfast or whatever you were hungry for. Are diners as prevalent in other places as well?? We have a TON of diners in the Lehigh Valley.

[Medusa]

I am still a fan of a really good diner though, lol. My favorite here was just renovated and made into a regular restaurant. It ticks me off. It was the best place to go at 2am to get breakfast or whatever you were hungry for. Are diners as prevalent in other places as well?? We have a TON of diners in the Lehigh Valley.

We had a great diner in the town where I grew up in PA. I think it's still there. My best friend and I would order hot roast beef sandwiches w/real mashed potatoes, pile on the salt and pepper and play the table side juke box. My selections were always "Dream On Little Dreamer" by Perry Como and "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers. What bittersweet memories! Good grief, am I old!

[jennielynn1970]

We had a great diner in the town where I grew up in PA. I think it's still there.

Where did you grow up in PA??

[shepgirl]

Not a big coffeedrinker so it won't affect me, but I always preferred the small cafes which offer a bit more in the way of hospitality. Cozier for chats also.

[Catty1]

I like the smaller ones...here they are busy, so you don't get stale coffee.

Ironically - if some of the mom and pop cafes got busier, the coffee would be fresher. Egg and chicken...

[Medusa]

Where did you grow up in PA??

McKeesport, which is about 40 min. south of Pittsburgh.

[CathyBogart]

Psst...their mint chocolate chip frappucino is like a junior mint in liquid form. TASTY!

[caseysmom]

I love Starbucks, and it's the only place near me that brews fresh coffee every half an hour. If I go to the two mom and pop shops nearby, I get stale coffee unless it's 7am. Not cool to me, because I AM picky about my coffee.

Me too I can't stand coffee thats been sitting. Starbucks beats anything else around here.