How do you ask for coffee?

[backstept]

what the hell is a venti?

*googles*

hmm . . . if it's a large, why not just say large?


I used to like my coffee fairly beige, but now I like it dark. I stopped using creamer once I read the ingredients . . . I mean 'corn syrup solids' doesn't sound very good . . .

 

[ManOnTheWave]

I say, " cappuccino."

 

[ThankQ]

what the hell is a venti?

*googles*

hmm . . . if it's a large, why not just say large?


I used to like my coffee fairly beige, but now I like it dark. I stopped using creamer once I read the ingredients . . . I mean 'corn syrup solids' doesn't sound very good . . .

"Large" isn't pretentious enough. In fact, "large" is kind of the opposite of pretentious.

I had a funny experience on Friday. I met someone at a Schlotzsky's (I'd never been to one before), for an informal business meeting. I went up to the counter and ordered a cup of coffee. When I tell you how much they charged me, you won't believe it. I was floored. It simply blew my mind how much they charged me for a cup of coffee.

$ .59

AND free refills.

Now, if you're going to pay $5.25, fuck it. Say "venti". You've earned it.

Wifi and $ .59 coffee. ThankQ has discovered a new place to hang out on computer work days.

 

[Skywalker]

Very politely.

 

[Amaris]

what the hell is a venti?

*googles*

hmm . . . if it's a large, why not just say large?


I used to like my coffee fairly beige, but now I like it dark. I stopped using creamer once I read the ingredients . . . I mean 'corn syrup solids' doesn't sound very good . . .

"Large" isn't pretentious enough. In fact, "large" is kind of the opposite of pretentious.

I had a funny experience on Friday. I met someone at a Schlotzsky's (I'd never been to one before), for an informal business meeting. I went up to the counter and ordered a cup of coffee. When I tell you how much they charged me, you won't believe it. I was floored. It simply blew my mind how much they charged me for a cup of coffee.

$ .59

AND free refills.

Now, if you're going to pay $5.25, fuck it. Say "venti". You've earned it.

Wifi and $ .59 coffee. ThankQ has discovered a new place to hang out on computer work days.

I have a love affair with Schlotzsky's Deli. We have one near the interstate across town, and once in a blue moon, I'll go over there and order a sandwich and coffee. It's a couple of dollars, and the sandwich is delicious. The coffee is top notch, and you can't beat the price or the atmosphere that comes with it.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Ask?!

I like how the coffee makes her hair go back up into "the bun"

Strong stuff that replicated caffeine.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

I drink coffee every single day of my life, but most days it's either at home or at work and I don't have to ask for it at all - I've either made it myself or one of my coworkers has, and it's sitting there ready to pour.

However, I do go to Kaladi Brothers (Anchorage's best coffee house - Starbucks blows chunks) about once a week and I get the same thing every time:

"Could I please get a Grande Latte Kaladi?"

 

[Gov Kodos]

While maligned by Wonder Woman fans, Piccoult's run brought humor back to the book (possibly why it's maligned) and comes close to how I feel about fancy, shmancy coffee shops.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Starbucks pretty much failed in Aus. The only thing worth gong to them for IMHO was the American style air conditioning (ie you freeze to death which is fine in 100 degree temps), the couches and the green tea smoothies. Last time I went there it seemed the prices had been lowered to just above Aus coffee prices rather than several dollars above which is what they were originally.

This is what coffees look like here so you can see why the huge vats never went over well. Someone referred to Starbucks style as hot milk shakes, lol.

If I buy a coffee it usually looks like this:

 

[TorontoTrekker]

I have a love affair with Schlotzsky's Deli. We have one near the interstate across town, and once in a blue moon, I'll go over there and order a sandwich and coffee. It's a couple of dollars, and the sandwich is delicious. The coffee is top notch, and you can't beat the price or the atmosphere that comes with it.

I vaguely recall that there used to be a Schlotzsky's in downtown Toronto, back when I was in university. I rather enjoyed their sandwiches. I don't think we have them any more, though. (Though it might have been in Ottawa - I did three work terms there. We're talking a little over 20 years ago, so I don't really recall.)

As for coffee, I generally just ask for a grande bold. On those rare occasions when I feel like treating myself to something fancier, it'll be "grande, lactose-free gingerbread latte, no whip." (Or whatever the seasonal special latte happens to be.) The first time, I left off the "no whip" part, and the barista asked me if I wanted whipped cream. I said, "Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of having it made with lactose-free milk?" Apparently there are people who order the lactose-free milk for dietary reasons, but then add the whipped cream anyway. ( Just get skim, then, and leave the Lactaid for those of us who are actually lactose-intolerant.)

On those even rarer occasions when I find myself in a Tim Hortons instead of Starbucks, I order a "large regular". I used to order an extra large, but they changed their cup sizes a week or so ago, and now an extra large is 24 ounces. (Does the fact that I don't order a "double-double" make me a bad Canadian? )

 

[Amaris]

A bad Canadian? They don't exist. Oh, sure, there are rumors, but I usually chalk that up to Percodan addicts and people who watch "Barney Miller" with the sound turned all the way down.

 

[Itisnotlogical]

I typically make my own coffee. I am beholden to no man! Or woman, or 'barista' as I hear they're called

 

[Gov Kodos]

I typically make my own coffee. I am beholden to no man! Or woman, or 'barista' as I hear they're called

Barista, same folk who as janitors call themselves waste disposal engineers. Your a frigging waiter, get the damn coffee.

 

[Itisnotlogical]

I typically make my own coffee. I am beholden to no man! Or woman, or 'barista' as I hear they're called

Barista, same folk who as janitors call themselves waste disposal engineers. Your a frigging waiter, get the damn coffee.

Yeah, I never really understood the whole terminology thing. It's a large coffee with whipped cream and chocolate in it, not a frappalotte chappucinoculatto or whatever. Although I will gladly consume either.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Starbucks pretty much failed in Aus. The only thing worth gong to them for IMHO was the American style air conditioning (ie you freeze to death which is fine in 100 degree temps), the couches and the green tea smoothies. Last time I went there it seemed the prices had been lowered to just above Aus coffee prices rather than several dollars above which is what they were originally.

In truth, I am baffled as to why Starbucks did so well here in the US. I think their coffee tastes WAY over-roasted. I really cannot recall a good cup of coffee I have ever received at a Starbucks. Without variation, I walk out of there feeling like a chump who was WAY overcharged for something that was godawful, based purely on a name brand. The best I have ever done at a Starbucks was 'marginal'...but I can get marginal in my own kitchen in a can marked 'Folgers'..and even that does not taste over-roasted and bitter like the coffee you get at Starbucks.

For the 15 years I was gone from Anchorage, I was non-stop jonesing for Kaladi Brothers -a much better coffee that never tastes over-roasted and bitter. Needless to say, Starbucks does not do well in Anchorage. Not in a town like this, where there is actual GOOD coffee around.

 

[Gov Kodos]

I used to work in the North End of Boston, very Italian neighborhood. When you could run across the street to Cafe Vittoria for coffee and pastry there was simply no need for a Starbucks or any other such place.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

I used to work in the North End of Boston, very Italian neighborhood. When you could run across the street to Cafe Vittoria for coffee and pastry there was simply no need for a Starbucks or any other such place.

Exactly.

You don't see many Starbucks in Italy either...and the ones you do see? All of them are in tourist sections and are frequented by American tourists. The same American tourists, I suspect, who eat at McDonalds in Italy.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Well Australia doesn't generally do chain coffee, chain restuarants.. sure we have a few of them but that's it. So coffee is usually from an individually owned cafe. As to the over roasted, that's what they are like here, very burnt tasting. I remember I bought a few when they came here because I thought it must have been a bad day but they were all really really horrible.

 

[ThankQ]

I used to work in the North End of Boston, very Italian neighborhood. When you could run across the street to Cafe Vittoria for coffee and pastry there was simply no need for a Starbucks or any other such place.

Exactly.

You don't see many Starbucks in Italy either...and the ones you do see? All of them are in tourist sections and are frequented by American tourists. The same American tourists, I suspect, who eat at McDonalds in Italy.

I'm going to Boston for the first time next week for a quick 3-day convention. When we go out to eat, I just KNOW the people I'm with will want to eat at TGI Fridays and Applebees.

 

[clint g]

Well...it usually goes like this for me.....

Me: "Can I have a cup of coffee with cream, no sugar"
Employee: "Milk and sugar?"
Me: "No, cream with NO sugar"
Employee: "Milk and sugar?"
Me: "Fuck it"

Starbucks pretty much failed in Aus. The only thing worth gong to them for IMHO was the American style air conditioning (ie you freeze to death which is fine in 100 degree temps), the couches and the green tea smoothies. Last time I went there it seemed the prices had been lowered to just above Aus coffee prices rather than several dollars above which is what they were originally.

In truth, I am baffled as to why Starbucks did so well here in the US. I think their coffee tastes WAY over-roasted. I really cannot recall a good cup of coffee I have ever received at a Starbucks. Without variation, I walk out of there feeling like a chump who was WAY overcharged for something that was godawful, based purely on a name brand. The best I have ever done at a Starbucks was 'marginal'...but I can get marginal in my own kitchen in a can marked 'Folgers'..and even that does not taste over-roasted and bitter like the coffee you get at Starbucks.

For the 15 years I was gone from Anchorage, I was non-stop jonesing for Kaladi Brothers -a much better coffee that never tastes over-roasted and bitter. Needless to say, Starbucks does not do well in Anchorage. Not in a town like this, where there is actual GOOD coffee around.

Starbucks has been very successful in New York City for one primary reason. It's convenient. Now, I for one hate Starbucks coffee. It tastes like ass. Additionally, it is wayyyyyy overpriced. What it does offer however is a warm place to wait at when you're meeting up with people. In a place that is so dependent on mass transit, having a place to simply sit down and wait for others is important. Now are there other great coffee places around? There certainly is, but very few of these places have the means to seat large amounts of people or provide things like free wifi.