Observant. Nice.

Yes, it's actually the intent in the Peet's store design. They get their coffee, they get their information, they go. It's even directly stated in one of the training sessions.

I don't really consider myself a coffee snob. I'm likely to drink what is available to get my coffee fix, whether it be Starbucks or ::shudder:: 7-11. Given the choice, however, I want the best flavor I can get and that means Peet's. I'm fortunate enough to live next door to one so this isn't a problem. When I am away from home though, I still drink coffee, I just don't enjoy it as much.

Starbucks is good at what they do, which is really all about specialty drinks. I have had many a fine pumpkin latte in my day. I think they excel at that sort of thing. But, I'm not really into those drinks. I just want a good, pure, cup of coffee, and in that regard, Peet's is the best I've found. The flavor nuances and subtleties are something that I can't get anywhere else. And for all their spiffy concoctions, Starbucks is pretty inferior when it comes to a simple, good-tasting cup of coffee.

Oh come on - no one is going to comment on that post by Strangler. That was hilarious! ;)

It was once said that Starbucks is not in the business of selling coffee, they're in the business of selling milk.

Smart woman, your wife.

His post was brilliant, yet, frighteningly... close to the truth when it comes to espresso purists. Vacuum cleaners are great for cleaning grinders and espresso machines - I would imagine a mini-vac would be great for personal machines.

On a side note, I did go through the Starbucks drive through that's a block away from our old Starbucks, BTD. And I got a cup of coffee - which, like I said, is about all I can get from them - well, maybe iced coffee and tea. Sure, specialty coffee drinks are what they do best, but I'm still unconvinced on the quality.

I'll still go there, simply because it's convenient. And Peet's won't be getting drive-thrus any time soon... Actually, a Peet's drive-thru would really make life awesome for me...

My problem with Peets is twofold.

1. It smells more strongly of coffee than is my general experience with coffee shops and I hate the smell of coffee (before you ask I'm only ever in there when Lani is getting some).

2. At least for the few shops that seem to be the only ones where we end up there not only isn't room for lounging (a reasonable business decision) but there generally isn't room for the people in there ordering. The one on Lakeshore in Oakland is about 4 miles deep but only 18 inches wide. You literally (literally used metaphorically) have to crowd surf to get from the door to the back of the line and then again to get from the register to the condiments bar. And there's only 15 people in there.

Amusing aside.....

A friend of mine is in marketing. A few years back he was working with Burger King. While driving around with an executive VP ultra-mucky muck for the company they decided on a whim to hit In-and-out for lunch. The VP had never been to one and thought he should try it given that BK was getting killed anytime an In-and-out opened near them.

When the VP commented how good the burger was my friend inquired why BK, the much larger company, could not make a burger as good or better. In short his reply was that In-and-out really cares about their food. BK on the other hand is really more of a real estate company than a food store.

I go to Starbucks because it is the McDonald's of coffee spots, you fall over one every other block. I also go because my boss is addicted and I pick up a drink for her when I am on the way in to the office.

I'm primarily a tea drinker myself, I like the chai latte from Starbucks, but I drink not too many of them, even with non-fat milk, too much sugar for me (see the calorie counts for SB drinks on their site, it's horrifying and as bad as McDonalds burgers in comparison)

I feel SB pretty much burns the beans, but I felt that way about Peets, too (used to be our office coffee many moons ago). I'm not a coffee snob, I drink it rarely, enjoy a good latte or cappuccino every so often. My little stovetop bialetti uses Illy decaf.