Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts (or other) - Our Country is Divided...is RallyPoint, too?

LTC Jason Strickland — Sat, 30 May 2015 08:21:45 -0400

This country is divided between many categories: Democrats and Republicans, rural vs. urban, toilet paper roll up or down, and now we can find out how we differ on the coffee scene. Vote below and sound off to see if our RP members align with the rest of the country.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/05/29/map-the-east-coast-runs-on-dunkin-but-everyone-else-prefers-starbucks/?postshare= [login to see] 886022

Map: How coffee splits the United States in half

It's easy to have strong feelings about the coffee shops near our homes

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 30 at 2015 8:23 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Sat, 30 May 2015 08:23:46 -0400

As I sit here, at this very moment, sipping on my Dunkin Donuts coffee, I cast my vote for them. No doubt they have better coffee than Starbucks.

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made May 30 at 2015 8:35 AM

SP5 Joel O'Brien — Sat, 30 May 2015 08:35:27 -0400

I don't get take-out cawfee all that often but I do like a cuppa Dunkin!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 30 at 2015 8:40 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 30 May 2015 08:40:54 -0400

I just had DD and it was a bit expensive for the quality of product they offer. This is only my opinion. I just purchase two Boston cream filled donuts of which were at room temperature. The DD of ten years ago is not the same as it is now. They have changed their image. Star Bucks does have some products I rather enjoy like their ice tea. I can drink that all day. Maybe I am cheap but their prices could be cheaper due to the quality of their products do not warrant a high price. Far SB's coffee goes, its like nasty %^&t water not that I know what nasty %^&t water taste like.

Response by PO3 David Fries made May 30 at 2015 8:41 AM

PO3 David Fries — Sat, 30 May 2015 08:41:01 -0400

Dunkin hands down.

Response by PO3 David Fries made May 30 at 2015 8:47 AM

PO3 David Fries — Sat, 30 May 2015 08:47:07 -0400

That being said, all win over putting MRE instant coffee in your lip like dip because you're in the field and too busy/lazy to warm up water to put it in.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 30 at 2015 8:58 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 30 May 2015 08:58:20 -0400

My wife likes starbucks, but honestly Dunkins is just better. And $ for $, I cannot justify $7 for a cup of coffee. I buy a can that lasts a month for work, and I drink 1-2 POTS a day.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 9:04 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 May 2015 09:04:25 -0400

Before moving from Kansas I would have voted for Starbucks. Now that I'm in Michigan, I've taken a liking to Tim' Horton's.

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made May 30 at 2015 9:08 AM

SSG Kenneth Lanning — Sat, 30 May 2015 09:08:10 -0400

Tully's or Pegasus...being from Seattle, I'll be the first to say Seattle's Best is one of Seattle's WORST...want to know if someone is an out-of-towner in Seattle? Ask them what coffee shop they frequent...if it's some off-the-wall name, they're a local...if you've heard the name, they haven't been there long (or aren't an afficianado)

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made May 30 at 2015 9:12 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Sat, 30 May 2015 09:12:50 -0400

I like me a good microbrewery. I am not a coffee drinker....but I can drink me some good Micro Brew!!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 9:13 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 May 2015 09:13:55 -0400

I buy the government blend at the commissary

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made May 30 at 2015 9:43 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Sat, 30 May 2015 09:43:46 -0400

One item of particular annoyance - I love Dunkin' Donuts coffee and see adds for them all the time. However, I don't believe that there is one within 500 miles of me.....

I do buy their packaged whole bean coffee at the grocery store whenever available.

Response by CPT Laurie H. made May 30 at 2015 9:47 AM

CPT Laurie H. — Sat, 30 May 2015 09:47:29 -0400

Dunkin, obviously.
I will admit, however, that the best coffee I've ever had was from Sheetz. Yes, the gas station.

Response by SPC Don Stringer made May 30 at 2015 10:03 AM

SPC Don Stringer — Sat, 30 May 2015 10:03:06 -0400

A pound of premium coffee beans runs around 10 dollars. A good coffee maker and a grinder and you can make the best coffee right at home. Why pay 7 dollars a cup for some awful smelling, horrible tasting Starbucks?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 10:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 May 2015 10:27:58 -0400

Dunkin Donuts hands down. That's just because I can't find a Green Bean anywhere. Gotta love the quad mocha with 2 additional shots of espresso before a mission....

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 10:36 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 May 2015 10:36:46 -0400

Up here in Minnesota, we have Caribou Coffee. Far and away superior to any of those other choices.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made May 30 at 2015 10:41 AM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Sat, 30 May 2015 10:41:40 -0400

How DARE you leave out KRISPY KREME !?!

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made May 30 at 2015 11:12 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Sat, 30 May 2015 11:12:15 -0400

Krispy Kreme, accompanied by a few fresh, hot donuts!

Response by CMSgt Mike Esser made May 30 at 2015 11:17 AM

CMSgt Mike Esser — Sat, 30 May 2015 11:17:53 -0400

It boils down to this, do you want equal outcome or equal opportunity. If ya don't earn it ya don't deserve it.......,medals, rank, cell phones name it, it all aapplies.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made May 30 at 2015 11:31 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Sat, 30 May 2015 11:31:05 -0400

I have to be honest with you LTC Jason Strickland, I'm the guy who gets dragged to these places by my wife, I sit there while she orders some foo-foo thing, and as the person behind the counter looks at me, I politely say "large black coffee." I am a simple man. ;)

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 12:09 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 May 2015 12:09:29 -0400

Both expensive so not worth it to me

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 30 at 2015 1:10 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 30 May 2015 13:10:20 -0400

Starbucks is just another installment of that famous tale "The Emporer's New Suit of Clothes". People seem reluctant to say what they really think for fear of being out of step with popular opinion. However, that has never stopped me so I'll say it: "Bad beans burnt".

Starbucks relies on French roast coffee. The French are famous for taking the cheapest, poorest food and usually make some delicious. In the case of coffee, they failed. They roast beans until they are fairly burnt to cover up the poor quality.

Now I'll admit that I'm something of a coffee snob tempered by the fact that I served in the Army and like "Cowboy Coffee": Coffee you could float a horseshoe in. However, at my age, the acid can be a killer so I prefer Kona coffee. I can make it as strong as I like without fearing the acid. (Koa Plantation is my source of choice). I buy whole beans and grind them myself (coffee begins to degrade as soon as it is ground.) ...and I use a French Press and filtered water.

On the road, I look for Seven-Eleven. Surprisingly to some, they are famous for good coffee.

I hear good things about McDonalds' coffee but stay away for fear of succumbing to a Big Mac-attack...

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made May 30 at 2015 1:12 PM

SGT Lawrence Corser — Sat, 30 May 2015 13:12:23 -0400

I like Tim Hortens here in Michigan but out of the rest dunkin is pretty good.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made May 30 at 2015 4:19 PM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Sat, 30 May 2015 16:19:41 -0400

The thing about Starbucks is, walking through an airport and there is a Starbucks every 200 feet. Standing on a street corner in front of Starbucks looking at a Starbucks across the street. I'm ok with their coffee just not there over saturation of stores.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 30 at 2015 8:34 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 30 May 2015 20:34:57 -0400

Starbucks all the way. Retired off USS Arkansas CGN-41 Bremerton, WA!

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made May 31 at 2015 12:14 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Sun, 31 May 2015 12:14:14 -0400

Sorry, I usually don't drink coffee anymore, but when I did, I usually preferred a small company in Omaha called Scooters. They had awesome coffee and I loved their Cafe' Breve's. When I lived in Seattle, I did like Seattle's Best. Never been a huge Starbucks fan and don't think I ever had Dunkin' Donuts or Dutch Bros coffee. Now I just drink hot Spark in the morning or herbal tea.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 3:00 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 15:00:19 -0400

I go to DD but I cannot tell you which one, because you do not have the proper security clearance. I wear a fake nose to throw people off.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 31 at 2015 3:00 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 31 May 2015 15:00:40 -0400

This just came to me and I had to share it on this discussion thread...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC2DpGaykaI

Seems that Starbucks coffee is the product of GMO

Neil Young + Promise Of The Real - A Rock Star Bucks A Coffee Shop (Official Music Video)

Official Music Video for "A Rock Star Bucks A Coffee Shop" by Neil Young + Promise Of The Real from the upcoming New album 'The Monsanto Years' Available on ...

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made May 31 at 2015 3:43 PM

MSgt Jim Wolverton — Sun, 31 May 2015 15:43:54 -0400

My Moka pot!

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 4:40 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 16:40:48 -0400

I cast my vote, now make me my doppio con panna! ;-)

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 6:45 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2015 18:45:26 -0400

I have failed you, LTC Jason Strickland, I don't drink coffee! My daddy always told me it stunts your growth! ;)

Response by PO3 David Miller made May 31 at 2015 6:54 PM

PO3 David Miller — Sun, 31 May 2015 18:54:10 -0400

Half of the time Dunkin, and Starbucks coffee is way overbrewed. I will take my home French Pressed coffee any day of the week over those.

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made Jun 1 at 2015 8:51 AM

CSM Michael Lynch — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 08:51:42 -0400

I grew up in the Northeast so you can see why I am selecting Dunkin Donuts and nothing goes better with a cup of their Joe than a vanilla or chocolate cream filled donut(ok maybe 2 of them).

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 3:23 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 03:23:02 -0400

Dunkin is the worst swill I've ever tasted and Starbucks can't make a cup that isn't bitter. I'll take Community Coffee from down home in south Louisiana any day of the week.

Response by CW2 John Brookins made Jun 5 at 2015 9:14 PM

CW2 John Brookins — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 21:14:57 -0400

I've never had a bad cup of coffee and DD. Plus the smell is great. Starbucks is ...meh. What I really want is just a regular non-bitter coffee.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Jun 6 at 2015 7:29 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 07:29:33 -0400

If they had a Peet's, that's what I'd vote for. Great coffee on the west coast.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Jul 4 at 2015 10:54 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 10:54:24 -0400

Dunkin' Donuts dominated this discussion - no doubt!

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Jul 12 at 2015 9:09 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 09:09:22 -0400

An old Jody is relevant for this discussion:
"They say that in the Army, the coffee's mighty fine;
It looks like muddy water and tastes like turpentine!"

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Oct 5 at 2015 10:48 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 22:48:45 -0400

Starbucks...I would vote for Seattle's best, but there are none around here...or any where close to me.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jun 12 at 2018 11:51 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 11:51:54 -0400

Never go to coffee shops for high priced brew. Make at home and a large insulated cup is better and saves money. Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts coffee for home brewing are just so so and expensive unless on sale. Our favorites are Caribou Coffee or New England Coffee Roasters for day to day brewing. Buy certain blends or varieties online for weekends.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 12:11 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 12:11:56 -0400

The only time I haven't brewed my own is when in the field or travelling. In those cases, I take whatever the mess sergeant puts on the chow truck … or McDonalds has to put in my travel mug. I've never been in a Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts … or even heard of Seattle's Best and Dutch Bros. Waste of money … IMV.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 12:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 12:25:58 -0400

Dunkin Donuts! Hands down! Actually I like truck stop coffee better than both. DD and SB are way overpriced!!!

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Jun 12 at 2018 1:37 PM

MSgt Stephen Council — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 13:37:22 -0400

Kaladi Brothers Coffee in Anchorage...there is even a store in Seattle now. If you want to be a barista for them, you have to pay to take their three day class, only then can you go on the list to be hired when there is an opening. They source their beans from "bird safe" harvesters and pride themselves on the quality and uniformity of their product. You will get the same quality EVERY time you walk in the place.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 2:24 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 14:24:04 -0400

What this is a Military site, I am sure at least over 30% if not more have deployed to area conflicts in the middle East. So why is Green Bean not on here, just like if you had energy drinks you should have RPITZ, just saying....

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 12 at 2018 2:47 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 14:47:38 -0400

Caribou Coffee

Response by SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson made Aug 6 at 2018 7:04 PM

SP5 Geoffrey Vannerson — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 19:04:51 -0400

Folders from my house. $6 per lb and all the caffeine my heart can handle. Oh and I never mess up my order!

Response by Maj John Bell made May 21 at 2019 8:40 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 21 May 2019 20:40:10 -0400

I come from a town so small that if you want to buy a cup of coffee in the morning, the you get it at the gas station, the grocery store, or drive 11 miles to the next town where there's a McDonald's.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Jun 4 at 2019 6:13 PM

LTC Jason Strickland — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 18:13:36 -0400

This survey is still open...looking for responses from our coffee aficionados on RallyPoint. Surprised to see that "Other" is winning after 4 years!

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Aug 25 at 2019 9:43 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 09:43:43 -0400

"Other" seems to be in the lead by a LONG shot.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2019 6:21 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 18:21:57 -0400

Is it divided - or does it offer more opportunities?

Response by SP5 Charles Gould made Aug 29 at 2019 10:06 PM

SP5 Charles Gould — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 22:06:46 -0400

Went for the first time to a Starbucks just outside Philly recently. I asked fir a cup of coffee and a muffin. You would think that I was speaking Martian! The kid with the beck tat and nose ring looked dumbfounded. Did I want iced coffee? Ok, maybe that needs to be ruled-our verbally in these places. I said just a cup of hit coffee. He then asked me what kind did I want? Hot, I said. He pointed to a huge fru-fru menu overhead. What did they do to screw-up COFFEE for God's sake! What, do they think thwy are making gold from beans? How would you like it? Hot, black coffee, kid. In a cup. Get it? Will that be a Grande, sir? I walked out. They have officially f'd up coffee. I make "Cowboy Coffee" at home. Best, smoothest cup of Joe ever. These new pretentious BS coffee places won't see my money - ever! Coffee! How the hell do you mess-up coffee?
And WHY?

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 31 at 2019 10:41 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 22:41:37 -0400

LTC Jason Strickland Retired from the Navy on Ships Out of Bremerton, WA. I'd Shoot Up Starbucks Intravenously If I Could.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 13 at 2021 10:55 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 10:55:22 -0500

Dunkin' Donuts is okay. So is McDonalds and 7/11. Actually, 7/11 is my preferred choice when on the road. Starbucks? Bad beans burnt. I can't imagine why anyone would drink that swill except that it is overpriced and they believe that it "must" be good at that price. My favorite is "Other", Hawaiian (not just a blend, but pure Kona coffee) from the Koa Plantation. I can brew it strong, strong enough to float a horseshoe, without suffering acid reflux. Yes, it's expensive, but unlike Starbucks, it's worth it...

https://www.koacoffee.com/

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2021 1:04 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 13:04:36 -0500

I mainly drink tea.