Starbucks...the choice of champions

[Boost]

I remember the several forum get together we had at Starbucks in Little America. The most memorable being the time we meet with dk and his wife there before Christmas. Between dk and I, we must have consumed about 6 or 8 peppermint mocha lattes in an hour or so period. I still remember feeling the hair on my arms grow!

[DoctorP]

Of course now if you say meet at Starbucks, it would take you an hour to sort out which one you are all going to!

[Boost]

Of course now if you say meet at Starbucks, it would take you an hour to sort out which one you are all going to!

LoL, I can only see the confusion now. You know, for as small as Okinawa is, it sure can be complicated to navigate sometimes!

[Tempestuous]

We have the same problem here too.

One in the grocery store, with a sit down cafe & all and one that you could jay walk to coming up across the intersection.

Getting crazy!

I do have to say,the SB's there make's a more reliable cup of good coffee. Here you risk wasting your money majority of the time at one of ours.

Do you find you prefer the coffee at one place over the others?

[DoctorP]

I like my own coffee to be honest. My mother in law has several friends who run coffee shops in the mainland and she is constantly sending me different blends to try out. I just can't see paying $5 for coffee!

[dk]

I like my own coffee to be honest. My mother in law has several friends who run coffee shops in the mainland and she is constantly sending me different blends to try out. I just can't see paying $5 for coffee!
Coffee's coffee to me. I just enjoy going to starbucks on occasion just to get out. It's more the experience of having a menu with omg different kinds of coffee to choose from that makes it appealing to me.

But I probably only pay for coffee three of four times a year.

[Tempestuous]

You know, I am finding more and more I can make a pretty good comparison of our store bought fav's.
Can even satisfy coffee snob friends with my blends.

Look forward to the day I can run my own shop. Preferably one not containing the words Star or Bucks :)

[P_chan]

I can't stand starbucks. Honestly I don't see why everyone likes it so much. I got a hot chocolate from their once and even that tastes horrible. I do think it's funny that all the majority of people at starbucks are american. Now we have three starbucks within a 2 block span of each other, and one is open until 2am I think? I think thats going a little overboard.

[TheNoNamedOne]

I can't stand starbucks. Honestly I don't see why everyone likes it so much.

I feel the same Pchan. I have slowly grown to not like it within the last few years. Once something starts to look like the McDonalds of something (popping up everywhere) it turns me off. Multinational Corporations have made the mom and pop stores with character quickly approaching the thing of the past.

Brand name appeal for quality is something I can respect. Brand name appeal for status I cannot. Something tells me that Starbucks appeal is more to do with the latter since local mom and pops coffee/teahouses can make a great brew.

[Tempestuous]

Yes, there are some great places that make a far better brew!!

We know people that turn their nose up at the idea of getting coffee somewhere besides SB's.(just ridiculous!)

We enjoy finding and trying new places. Some are dives that serve bitter or burnt brew but many are pretty stinking good.

Heard there was a blind taste test McD's coffee beat out SB's. Kind of made me laugh.

[heather]

i love starbucks now that i have been stationed here. My girls friends and i go out to coffee night atleast once a week and it is so relaxing. i would not know what to do if i did not have starbucks.

[Muku]

I'm with Doc P here, my brother in law owns a coffee company here in Okinawa. There is always plenty of fresh "real" coffee here at home, not all that flavored stuff that they pass out at Starbucks.

I think it's the "image" that attracts people, not the flavor and imo not the price either.

[dk]

I don't know. Maybe image attracts other people, but it's never been the top selling point for me for food/drinks.

For me, I never really cared one way or the other about starbucks until that drivethrough opened. I've always LIKED starbucks, but it wasn't a place I'd go every week or even every month. But now that that drivethrough opened up, it's just extremely convenient for me to drop by and pick up a sandwich and a coffee frappacino (sp?) on my way to work. And they're fast. I like fast service.

[Tempestuous]

I don't know if it is image alone, I think atmosphere has something to do with it there. I know we used to really enjoy going to the Mihama Sb's just to sit and talk.
I have yet to find a replica at our current location....they all have freaks hanging out and they close a 9 or 10 pm (the NERVE!!!!) My girl friend and will go and sit outside now that it's nice....last time we sat there until after 1 in the dark watching cars drive by and talking.

time before that (diff store) we had to wait til they closed and have one of the workers walk us out as there was a freak sitting there watching us the whole time we were there.
When we went up to ask the worker to walk us out he asked if that weird guy that was sitting across the store watchin us was still outside pacing. So it wasn't just in our imaginations.

[P_chan]

It sure is the image! Me and my buddy always laugh at all the americans outside starbucks. I always tell him "oh look at them so sophisticated and intelligent sitting here talking about politics sipping my starbucks." I'm sure not all people are like that but that is the vibe that I get whenever I see people at starbucks. I'd rather sit on the beach and drink a beer, thats more relaxing!

[roxy_skyy]

It sure is the image! Me and my buddy always laugh at all the americans outside starbucks. I always tell him "oh look at them so sophisticated and intelligent sitting here talking about politics sipping my starbucks." I'm sure not all people are like that but that is the vibe that I get whenever I see people at starbucks. I'd rather sit on the beach and drink a beer, thats more relaxing!

I don't see it that way. I mean yeah, most people who go are labeled that way, but I enjoy Starbucks when it's cold here, grabbing a Tazo Chai and sitting a bundled with my friends outside watching the lights on the ferris wheel change. Plus it's just a common place, everyone knows Starbucks in Mihama (American Village). So you meet up there with friends who are busy, and most of my friends live near by and it's just nice to meet up once a week, sip on something warm and discuss our week at work or girl talk. I enjoy it. I'm definitely not sophisticated and politics are something I'm not into discussing when I want to relax. During the summers though you'll hardly ever find me there, unless it's dusk and I can grab one and sit on the beach and watch the sunset (only because I don't like to drink and drive) :D

[dk]

You drink Chai? Dirty hippy! :D

[roxy_skyy]

You drink Chai? Dirty hippy! :D

IT TASTES LIKE PUMPKIN PIE!!!!

...but during the summers I like Green Tea Frappacinos (yum)

plus, hippies smell funny kinda the way I'd imagine you to smell. LOL

[dk]

Hahaha, well, I'm a dirty hippy too, so I'm allowed to smell a little funny. :p

[P_chan]

it all tastes like dirt to me, even the hot chocolate. I've gotta have flavor!

[dk]

Dude! Hot chocolate has flavor! It tastes like chocolate!

[P_chan]

Yeah chocolate with farts in it. The only thing I ever liked from starbucks was peppermint hot chocolate.

[roxy_skyy]

Yeah chocolate with farts in it. The only thing I ever liked from starbucks was peppermint hot chocolate.


LMAO!!! So you've tasted farts, eh?

[P_chan]

It's a long story.

[Tempestuous]

You drink Chai? Dirty hippy! :D

Whats wrong with Chai?!?! (Yummy with espresso & vanilla, too!!! )

And what have you got against hippies?!?!?!? :)

[Tempestuous]

The only thing I ever liked from starbucks was peppermint hot chocolate.

The peppermint mocha there (not the same here) is pretty good.
I never had just a peppermint hot chocolate though.

[Boost]

And what have you got against hippies?!?!?!? :)

Hippies = BAD! Nuff said. :)

The peppermint mocha was fantastic there! Have had it a few times since we've been back in the states and for seem reason, they just can't make it the same.

[Tempestuous]

Hippies = BAD! Nuff said. :)

The peppermint mocha was fantastic there! Have had it a few times since we've been back in the states and for seem reason, they just can't make it the same.

ERRRRR, I will kick you in the shin!!!

I like being me, and if that means I'm a hippy then so be it!....I will stop shaving today if you like :ohmy: You know since hippies like things au natural. :D

[Boost]

ERRRRR, I will kick you in the shin!!!

I like being me, and if that means I'm a hippy then so be it!....I will stop shaving today if you like :ohmy: You know since hippies like things au natural. :D

:scared: Gonna be sleeping in seperate beds then! My hairy a** legs are enough to deal with let alone 2 sets!

[Tempestuous]

:scared: Gonna be sleeping in seperate beds then! My hairy a** legs are enough to deal with let alone 2 sets!

LoL, thought that might send your eyes buggin. :)
I will admit- I have some hippy-ish beliefs but I am by no means a total hippy!!!

[roxy_skyy]

LoL, thought that might send your eyes buggin. :)
I will admit- I have some hippy-ish beliefs but I am by no means a total hippy!!!

Hippies scare me....:(

[thistle]

yeah, the tazo chai is the best!

I never get their cappucino anymore, nothing but foam in there!
There have been times when it felt so light, I felt like going back and
asking if they actually put any coffee in there:)

But I have no complaints really about Starbucks, you want to taste
disgusting coffee, you should go to my home country, Scotland:eek:

[socalheart]

I stopped going to Starbucks regularly a couple a couple years ago, but returned the other day. I can't drink anything with caffeine or milk, so my choices are limited there. I did enjoy their Double Squeeze fruit drink when they had it though. Now, they have a decent fruity ice tea sans caffeine. I used to like the Tazo Chai Latte thingy, but would always get sick from it. I do enjoy the hot chocolate though in the winter. Hippies also scare me. :crying:

[Boost]

I've backed off of the Star Bucks recently being I can get 2 Java Monster drinks for the price of 1 SB coffee and in my opinion, the Java Monsters taste better and give a better buzz! There is a local coffee shop we like but they seem to be dropping in quality. :crying: Plus the girl who took our order today looked like a clown with the makeup she was wearing.

[Tempestuous]

Plus the girl who took our order today looked like a clown with the makeup she was wearing.


That's putting it nicely!!! I thought she looked like a FREAK!!!!

I am pretty open minded- but THAT, that was WAY over the top.

[IndyGal]

Okay all I have to say right now is dang you Starbucks!:cursing: (yes DK I just read the forum rules and looked how nice I toned it down :D) Anywho, haven't even walked into a Starbucks in such a long time. So my neighbor says hey you want to go over a sit and chat in Starbucks? I think why the heck not some adult conversation will be good. :) This is at around six this evening. I ordered a vente size and oh my gosh it still has its grip on me!

[socalheart]

I ordered a vente size and oh my gosh it still has its grip on me!

At least it didn't make you grip the edge of the toilet. heh.

[IndyGal]

ha, ha true, very true. I know eventually I will be able to go to sleep and don't have to worry about a hangover either.

[dk]

I ordered a vente size and oh my gosh it still has its grip on me!
Amateur. :p

I can go through a whole pot of coffee myself. :thumbup1:

[IndyGal]

ha, ha. I drink coffee in the mornings at home (a must) and I have had it after dinner when we have been out. It has not had this much effect on me so not sure what the deal is. :confused: Maybe just a "lightweight" handling my caffeine this evening. :)

[DoctorP]

I can drink a pot of coffee and go right to sleep...caffeine has no effect on me.

[IndyGal]

I just remember the first time my son tried coffee. He has always seen my husband and I drinking it and had been begging for us to let him try it. So one Sunday morning before heading out to brunch, we did. He drank one mug of it. My son is not much of a talker, but I am telling you on the way to brunch we couldn't get him to stop talking! :) My husband and I just laughed about it. Anyway he actually likes the taste of it. I never did as a teenager.

[dk]

I can drink a pot of coffee and go right to sleep...caffeine has no effect on me.
Caffiene doesn't do all that much to me. It'll occasionally give me that extra lil' kick in the pants in the morning to wake me up, but unless I drink a whole pot I really probably won't notice much at all. But man, if I go through a pot, my hands get the shakes bad! :ohmy:
I just remember the first time my son tried coffee. He has always seen my husband and I drinking it and had been begging for us to let him try it. So one Sunday morning before heading out to brunch, we did. He drank one mug of it. My son is not much of a talker, but I am telling you on the way to brunch we couldn't get him to stop talking! :) My husband and I just laughed about it. Anyway he actually likes the taste of it. I never did as a teenager.
Heh, I started young on coffee too. I think I've always liked it.

[Tempestuous]

I can drink a pot of coffee and go right to sleep...caffeine has no effect on me.

That's when I told Boost we had a problem!!!
When we would drink coffee at 10pm and go to bed with no issue.

[Tempestuous]

ha, ha. I drink coffee in the mornings at home (a must) and I have had it after dinner when we have been out. It has not had this much effect on me so not sure what the deal is. :confused: Maybe just a "lightweight" handling my caffeine this evening. :)

I notice a bigger effect if I drink it in the early evening.

If I drink in close to bed, it doesn't seem to take effect in my system & create an issue. But if I drink at say 7pm.....bedtime is usually waaaaaay late.


(on average caffeine effects last 5-8hrs and for sensitive people it can last 12hrs!)

[Brett23iu]

well if anyone wants to give info on some better coffe places I am all ears cause right now all I know of is starbucks

[heather]

If i go and get a drink of coffee at starbucks i too can go right to sleep no matter how much i drink. And i too would like to know if there is any other better coffee places.

[P_chan]

I posted a thread on a funny coffee story here:

http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=893

Thought it was funny that someone would drink that much caffeine and be amazed at the side effects. The icing on the cake is that now she is scared of coffee lol. Stupid girl:thumbdown:

[Oceandreamer]

Now that Oki is so up and coming that we actually have three Starbucks-we should have a 'during the day light hours' get together.

Coffee any one?

[Jrocka83]

Now that Oki is so up and coming that we actually have three Starbucks-we should have a 'during the day light hours' get together.

Coffee any one?

There is actually 6 that I know of(not including bases), in Nishihara, Yomitan, and Kokusai-dori. I don't know if there are any up north in Nago or not, maybe someone from camp sausage would know.

[Jrocka83]

**** starbucks and their overpriced coffee :thumbdown:

and go to a japanese diner and pay the same for a cup of plain black coffee:thumbdown:

[Jrocka83]

How about buy a coffee pot or espresso machine and make youe own damn frap,latte or whatever ...**** i don't even drink coffee beer , water and liqueur:thumbup:

Yah if you got a couple of grand to cough up for a expresso machine... a coffee pot sounds fine:D

[Carl]

Yah if you got a couple of grand to cough up for a expresso machine... a coffee pot sounds fine:D

Expresso machines are like $50. They even sell one at the Foster PX (I think the one they have is more than $50 though...maybe closer to $90).

[Jrocka83]

Expresso machines are like $50. They even sell one at the Foster PX (I think the one they have is more than $50 though...maybe closer to $90).

Those machines suck.. me personally if I am going to buy a expresso machine, I am going to buy a real one.

[Richard Burns]

Georgia coffee FTW!

[proudtobnotpc]

**** starbucks and their overpriced coffee :thumbdown:

this message has been o proved by Proud :w00t: