Do you prefer Local Shops? Chains like Starbucks? Or Something at home?

Which of these do you prefer? I personally enjoy going to a Local Shop. Not a huge Starbucks fan.

Permalink Reply by MIXFITS RADIO on January 3, 2009 at 9:04pm: I love local coffee shops, I support local , family owned shops. what few thee are left, here or when I visit my hometown. We got a starbucks recently and everyone ohhs and ahhs about them. Can't say I agree! Buying off the shelf, Dunkin Wins. Order online Jamaican Blue , a fav sinc my teens. I would buy more local if the choice is there. I wont buy crap coffee just because it's local and I wont buy chain because evrryone says it's quality. Local First but if the quality is not there, I go elsewhere.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by SassySweetBren on January 3, 2009 at 9:12pm: I probably shouldn't answer since I always drink my coffee at home unless I am out having lunch or dinner.

It is surprising how many restaurants in Birmingham have great coffee. There is a company called Royal Cup who only sells to restaurants and the coffee is excellent. When I worked at a high end restaurant, I used to buy bags of it from there.

Junko, you are a girl after my own heart.

Nothing like it. Not Starbucks or any other.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Greg De Santis on March 20, 2009 at 3:25am: I prefer home brewing. I buy my own bags of beans of different varieties and grind them daily and brew the strength to my liking. If I am out on the town had no other choice and I am with family, then I would go to either Dunkin Donuts or McDonald's for a large cup for everyone.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lee (Robzilla) Naramore on April 3, 2009 at 4:43am: I make coffee at home but when my wallet allows I get a French Vanilla cappacino from the local "Qwik-E Mart".; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dmitri on April 3, 2009 at 4:45am: I prefer making mine at home. That way I'm sure to get it the exact way I want it :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Trustin33 on April 3, 2009 at 9:36am: Starbucks!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kildar on April 3, 2009 at 9:45am: I go to the local shoppe Brewed Awakenings...I don't only go there for the coffee but also for the atmosphere. I brew alot of coffee right here at the house. I also drink alot of sweet tea nd numerous energy drinks...Caffeine is prevalent in my system...lol; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Don on April 5, 2009 at 4:42pm: I've been laid-off for about two years now. Can't really afford to go out for coffee. I have a few coffee makers but prefer to use my Bunn. I either brew Gevalia Imported or Maxwell House. I drink it strong, and I drink it often!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andrew on April 6, 2009 at 2:29am: Wisconsin is lucky, we have Alterra, small chain of local owners. Great coffee, great atmosphere, and without the Starbucks hipster crap and high prices.

When will they learn a Large is a Large?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Antonio on April 11, 2009 at 11:30am: I kind-of prefer the local shop, but I do like all three. There's a shop nearby me that has excellent coffee (voted best in the city by the Chicago Tribune in 2007), friendly staff, and even live music! Great place, whether you're just going in and out, or if you hang out inside. Then there's Starbucks. I only have one thing I like from this place: Carmel Macchiato (Venti). To me, their lattes taste bland, and their mochas taste sickeningly sweet and chocolatey. It's that, their silly coffee lingo (I'm not learning a second language just to order coffee), and the price of their coffees that drive me away from them. Then there's what I make at home. I can usually make my own latte with my trust old Mr. Coffee machine, or something similar to the caramel macchiato (but without the caramel, I don't have any) with my espresso machine.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by David Langer on November 9, 2009 at 2:49pm: The best is the home made, but there is a nice small café just about 150 meters far from my place, and they are making great stuff. I'd never go to Starbucks.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by beavis5551 on November 10, 2009 at 2:53am: I have a rather good coffee maker at home so I of course most of the time go with homebrew espresso.
When on the road I rather stop at local stores because they are much much more common here in Germany than Starbucks and also more affordable (as good as Starbucks may be but I can't afford to pay 3,50€ for a big cup of coffee all the time).

But I totally avoid most Truckstops / TA's in Germany because the coffee is hilarious overpriced and tastes like someone mistook the coffeemaker for the outhouse.

just my european two cents on that.; ▶ Reply to This