Starbucks used to be the benchmark darling of the coffee world but now has slunk into a back alley where mainstream-boring and lousy drinks hang out.
The whole beans for home consumption are still good, as their darker beans have more kick than almost anyone else's (not surprisingly, blond or light-medium seems what Canadians prefer), but the competition is fierce, and easily as good or better elsewhere.
But their darkest roasts are both bitter and burnt! How this continues I don't know, but certain people must like them.
I no longer go there for a latte or for much of anything.
Some time ago I learned a lot from employees and observation about how they operate:
Early on they started playing games with mostly ignorant customers by not selling the full shot of espresso! They'd pull the 2-spout shot but only serve up half of it for a short or tall! The other they dumped out (duh!), and if we wanted the full shot, we'd have to pay more for the 'extra shot', or order the more expensive 'grande' or 'vente' sizes!
When I asked the Starbuck's VP of Sales and Marketing about this practice in person one day at a branch in the Philippines, he sheepishly said something super lame that lacked substance, but it's obviously a slick marketing strategy designed to pad the bottom line for the larger drinks. Oh yes, none of the good stand-alone coffee shops in Canada or Asia that I know of play this silly game!
As well, around 2006 they replaced their great manual machines with automatics that couldn't pull a decent shot even after repeated attempts. Sad business practices, and not 'fair trade' at all!
Their pastries and sandwiches are generally not very exciting either (some have odd textures and flavours), and yet, oddly enough, are outstripped by those in Asia!
Starbucks in Calgary, Alberta, Canada?
On 4th Street SW, check out The Purple Perk or Phil & Sebastian first!
On or near 17th Ave. SW, Cafe Beano, Analog Coffee or Philosafy first!
In Market Mall, south of the food court check out Deville first! You get a free drink with every bag of whole beans.
In Chinook Mall, head far north and check out Phil & Sebastian's or Nordstrom's Ebar first!
They ALL are much better!
Starbucks in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada?
On 104th Street downtown, check out Credo first! Yummy.
On 124th Street in Westmount, check out Duchess Bake Shop first! Great baking and super high-end chocolate.
On 109th Street near High Level bridge, Transcend Coffee.
On the funky eastern side of Whyte Avenue, Remedy. Their curry lunches are very good also.
Each much better!
Too bad, Starbucks, but you've sold out by going soft, ripping off your customer base, and becoming exceedingly commercial.
How commercial?
Anyone can buy ground (!) Starbucks coffee beside Nescafe, Nabob and Folger's drek in many supermarkets now.
Chasing the buck more than ever is the star of their show! read more
