Shocking News: Petkal is Switching the Dark Side !

[PetKal]

After some ten odd years of being a very regular Starbucks' customer, I am switching back to The Second Cup coffee shop chain.
The reason is very simple: my daily Starbucks latte has become practically undrinkable ever since the company has dropped their manual espresso machines. The new automatic contraptions simply don't cut it. So much for Starbucks' efforts to reduce their cost of operations.

The Second Cup espresso shots are vigorously flavourful, and consistently so owing to an apparently well managed operation, reflected in good espresso machine maintenance and staff training. The shop cleanliness, staff presentability and decor/ambiance is significantly better.

Go Second Cup, go !

[Travisj]

Wasn’t really expecting this to be about coffee, haha. Sorry to hear about your Starbucks.

[Flo]

I have an old percolator( circa 1963) that I use for my coffee.....haven't tasted anything better yet;)

[timbernet]

I was expecting this to be about Nikon :-D

Personally - nothing beats a homemade cup of coffee :-D

[cosworth]

Wow, I half expected a switch to Timmy Ho's but then, they don't sell that highbrow brew.

[carianoff]

At least you didn't say Tim Hortons. The worst Canuck invasion of the US ever.

[PetKal]

Wow, I half expected a switch to Timmy Ho's but then, they don't sell that highbrow brew.

You meany.:evil:

[Woolburr]

Wow, I half expected a switch to Timmy Ho's but then, they don't sell that highbrow brew.

But they do have the donuts...Pete is just full of surprises.:lol::lol:

[PetKal]

At least you didn't say Tim Hortons. The worst Canuck invasion of the US ever.

Oh yeah ? What about Celine Dion ?;)

[carianoff]

Oh yeah ? What about Celine Dion ?;)

Tim Hortons tastes much more bitter.

[Mike McCusker]

Petkal,

There are some things in life that are completely unacceptable, one of which is tinkering with a man's latte. I applaud you for your decision and will join you in any campaign you instigate to extract revenge on those who have trifled with you.

Mike

[timbernet]

Oh yeah ? What about Celine Dion ?;)

AHHHHHH! *covers ears*

[Woolburr]

Oh yeah ? What about Celine Dion ?;)

Fortunately, Rush is able to drown her out!:cool:

[theague]

Yeah cause starbucks is really going to notice two people that stop drinking their coffee... :rolleyes:

Go to Vancouver sometime, there are starbucks on opposite corners from each other on Robson street. Robeson? i forget how it's spelled. Howard Shultz sat on that corner one day in his store and watched people, he observed that they would NOT cross the street to alter their daily walk/commute. His solution was to put another one on their side of the street and it worked. lol I've always thought that was funny so I felt like sharing it.

I for one, hate Howard for selling the Sonics to that stupid buffooon from Oklahoma City. Now we're going to lose our team. :(

[PetKal]

Fortunately, Rush is able to drown her out!:cool:
:lol:
Thanx for support y'all !

[carianoff]

Hell, even McDonalds can compete with Starbucks now. At least for simple joe. My father loves the fact that its only 60 cents there senior discount. He swears it tastes every bit as good as SB.

[cosworth]

Robson & Thurlow in Vancouver. A Starbucks across the street from a Starbucks. The land of gore-tex, lululemon and lattes can be hard to live in sometimes.

[cosworth]

1 in 4 fast food dollars in Canada is spent at Tim Hortons. World domination is at hand. Soon 1 in 4 American children will be named Gordie and they will all want to put peanut butter on toast. Beware.

[theague]

Hell, even McDonalds can compete with Starbucks now. At least for simple joe. My father loves the fact that its only 60 cents there senior discount. He swears it tastes every bit as good as SB.
I know a guy that has a McD cup from about 20 years ago. It was some special that as long as you had the cup you could get a free cup of coffee anytime... He brings it in to local McD's and most times they don't know what it is and look at him crazy. They have to end up getting a manager to know wth is going on. LOL He loves his McD's coffee. :confused:

Robson & Thurlow in Vancouver. A Starbucks across the street from a Starbucks. The land of gore-tex, lululemon and lattes can be hard to live in sometimes.

lol thanks for the clarification Cos..

[condyk]

... my daily Starbucks latte has become practically undrinkable ever since the company has dropped their manual espresso machines.

Second Cup espresso shots are vigorously flavourful, and consistently so owing to an apparently well managed operation, reflected in good espresso machine maintenance and staff training.

Well done ... ya see the big chains feel that their USP is 'a place to be/to meet/to chat and spend time' and so they focus on minimal standards of brew and service as they see the punters as a captive audience.

That is fine for 'the great unwashed' who pay the bills and don't appreciate good coffee ... so for those who do then we vote with our feet. Soon these brand shops will be general cafe/meeting places and a new breed of 'choice coffee shop' will start to grow. It's back to the old days.

I recommend the Nespresso machines for those who want the finest coffee in a clean, fuss free and contemporary machine that is easy to operate.

[theague]

1 in 4 fast food dollars in Canada is spent at Tim Hortons. World domination is at hand. Soon 1 in 4 American children will be named Gordie and they will all want to put peanut butter on toast. Beware.

I PUT PEANUT BUTTER ON TOAST!!!! Does this mean Canada is influencing me!?

TH will never take over Dunkin Donuts, at least not in the NE.

[cosworth]

Resistance is futile eh.

[Grace]

Hoser

[PetKal]

Resistance is futile eh.

You do remember Club Med coffee, eh Jason ? Now, that stuff was the deadliest swill a sober person could imagine.
(Granted, their 'house wine' was unmitigated garbage too, but that's a different subject.)

[T.D.]

After some ten odd years of being a very regular Starbucks' customer, I am switching back to The Second Cup coffee shop chain.
The reason is very simple: my daily Starbucks latte has become practically undrinkable ever since the company has dropped their manual espresso machines. The new automatic contraptions simply don't cut it. So much for Starbucks' efforts to reduce their cost of operations.

The Second Cup espresso shots are vigorously flavourful, and consistently so owing to an apparently well managed operation, reflected in good espresso machine maintenance and staff training. The shop cleanliness, staff presentability and decor/ambiance is significantly better.

Go Second Cup, go !

I'm not fond of the "auto-version" of their coffee either. I much prefer the more local Dutch Bros (http://www.dutchbros.com/flash/). chain. An American Classic! I'm there daily.

[cosworth]

Club Med coffee was vile. Their magums of Moet? A little better. I loved watching it get poured down an ice sculpture, over some hot girls chest and into a guy's mouth. Man I sold lots of those "shots"...

[Karl C]

...want to put peanut butter on toast.

And the problem with this is, what?

[PetKal]

Club Med coffee was vile. Their magums of Moet? A little better. I loved watching it get poured down an ice sculpture, over some hot girls chest and into a guy's mouth. Man I sold lots of those "shots"...

I am only familiar with a local brand (forgot the name) they used to be serving in Mexican resorts. Baaaaad.:(

[Woolburr]

Doesn't everyone put peanut butter on toast?

[DDA]

Doesn't everyone put peanut butter on toast?

Peanut butter on toast? :rolleyes:

That's a crime!

In fact, peanut butter is a crime :evil:

[Permagrin]

http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108896146-S.jpg


*shakes head and walks out the door*

[T.D.]

http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/108896146-S.jpg


*shakes head and walks out the door*

Ahh crap! I was hoping she wouldn't find this thread....:rolleyes: The Starbucks Queen will not be pleased.

[PetKal]

Ahh crap! I was hoping she wouldn't find this thread....:rolleyes: The Starbucks Queen will not be pleased.

Hey, maybe her fave Starbucks shop still manages to purvey good espresso/latte ?

[Pete]

Phew.. Thought for a minute that you were swapping over to tea then!

[GilesGuthrie]

You know, there are people I know who simply cannot accept that I don't like Starbucks' coffee. It's odd that people should have such a strong opinion about whether my opinion of a brand of coffee is suitable.

[Woolburr]

Peanut butter on toast? :rolleyes:

That's a crime!

In fact, peanut butter is a crime :evil:

Perhaps you just have never had good peanut butter.

[carianoff]

ProTip: Jiff is not peanut butter.

I like crushed peanuts with salt added. Thats real peanut butter.

[Flo]

My DIL has SB's whenever she can get it..yet they can't afford gas in their vehicle:rolleyes: Insane.

[JWright]

I'm a retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer and as such I consider myself somewhat of a coffee expert. Starbucks' plain black coffee is worse than anything I drank in 20+ years in the Navy...

[cosworth]

I get a lot of funny looks when travelling in the USA asking for peanut butter to put on my toast (breakfast).

[Travisj]

I get a lot of funny looks when travelling in the USA asking for peanut butter to put on my toast (breakfast).


Try out in the mid west

[DDA]

Perhaps you just have never had good peanut butter.

I just hate it. As I hate coke (or Pepsi, no discrimination there ;-))

Nutella on a toast is another story though... :cool:

[Gujustud]

I'm all about my XL double double at timmy hos.

And I still can't find banana jam anywhere.

[forno]

After some ten odd years of being a very regular Starbucks' customer, I am switching back to The Second Cup coffee shop chain.
The reason is very simple: my daily Starbucks latte has become practically undrinkable ever since the company has dropped their manual espresso machines. The new automatic contraptions simply don't cut it. So much for Starbucks' efforts to reduce their cost of operations.

The Second Cup espresso shots are vigorously flavourful, and consistently so owing to an apparently well managed operation, reflected in good espresso machine maintenance and staff training. The shop cleanliness, staff presentability and decor/ambiance is significantly better.

Go Second Cup, go !

Petkal for prez:cool:

Why is it so hard to achieve the standards you describe:rolleyes:

[PetKal]

I'm a retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer and as such I consider myself somewhat of a coffee expert. Starbucks' plain black coffee is worse than anything I drank in 20+ years in the Navy...
Huh, that's bad.

[wu_wei0]

I'm a retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer and as such I consider myself somewhat of a coffee expert. Starbucks' plain black coffee is worse than anything I drank in 20+ years in the Navy...I bet you never drank Woolburr's coffee!:lol:

Although, I do agree SB is plain Nasty! (don't tell my sis that I said that)

[PetKal]

Why is it so hard to achieve the standards you describe:rolleyes:

How hard is it to turn the TV off when nobody's watching ?
How many car drivers give (properly) a right hand turn signal ?

Very simple actions, yet most don't seem able to do it.
;)

[forno]

How hard is it to turn the TV off when nobody's watching ?
How many car drivers give (properly) a right hand turn signal ?

Very simple actions, yet most don't seem able to do it.
;)


Indeed, I think its time for a coffee:D

So, my coffee is mad, I get back to my desk start drinking. No sugar, I asked for half a sugar, its written on the cup, but it aint in the coffee:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[SoccerRef]

At least you didn't say Tim Hortons. The worst Canuck invasion of the US ever.

AMEN!!! I am a coffee drinker and have been for years. Tim Horton's opened right on my way to work and I decided to "try 'em out". The coffee was so darn hot, I waited until I got to the office (about 4 minutes later) to try my first swig. I nearly gagged.

Everyone always spoke so highly of it, that I assumed I got an old bad cup, so I went back the next day, went in, and saw with my own two eyes that the coffee had just finished brewing. Still nearly gagged.

Can't say I have ever finished a cup and I can't place what is wrong with it, but it is HORRIBLE!!


Go to Vancouver sometime, there are starbucks on opposite corners from each other on Robson street. Robeson? i forget how it's spelled. Howard Shultz sat on that corner one day in his store and watched people, he observed that they would NOT cross the street to alter their daily walk/commute. His solution was to put another one on their side of the street and it worked. lol I've always thought that was funny so I felt like sharing it.


Most of the fast food chains have the same thing in the big cities... there has been two McDs directly across the street from each other since before SB came into existence! It wasn't Shultz's idea...

Heck even Victoria's Secret has two stores in the same mall, one on the first floor and one on the second floor. Don't want people to have to carry that heavy lingerie up a flight of stairs!

Are we lazy consumers? or what!


You know, there are people I know who simply cannot accept that I don't like Starbucks' coffee. It's odd that people should have such a strong opinion about whether my opinion of a brand of coffee is suitable.

I hear you. I don't like SB either, they over-roast their beans and their coffee always tastes burnt. I prefer Caribou Coffee. Unfortunately there aren't anywhere near as many of those... I pass 2 starbucks in the three "Non-Highway" miles I drive to work everyday. Tim Horton's and McDs are the only other two restaurants I pass where I can drive through and get a cup o joe!

[the_incubus]

Buuut...but...but that means you'll lose the status symbol of buying over priced coffee! :)

Im a member of the Dunkin donuts nation.

[PetKal]

Im a member of the Dunkin donuts nation.

Yup, I seem to remember seeing you dressed in your tribe's traditional costume. I do respect all of our first (native) nations customs, the Hurons in particular. The Oneida too.

[timbernet]

Doesn't everyone put peanut butter on toast?

I do!

Peanut butter on toast? :rolleyes:

That's a crime!

In fact, peanut butter is a crime :evil:

I have found, from visiting with multiple exchange students, that outside North America peanut butter is not well liked... Then those darn Aussies have their "vegimitekillya" :rolleyes:

ProTip: Jiff is not peanut butter.

I like crushed peanuts with salt added. Thats real peanut butter.

Oh yeah! I get Adam's PB - crunchy style - it is the real thing. It is a pain when you first get it, but it is worth it.

I get a lot of funny looks when travelling in the USA asking for peanut butter to put on my toast (breakfast).

Odd - I am West Coast (Oregon) and PB on toast isn't uncommon at cafes...

[forno]

Peanut butter on toast = yum
Vegiemite on toast = yum

[liquidhands]

Peanut butter rules... starbucks is the devil.

[the_incubus]

Yup, I seem to remember seeing you dressed in your tribe's traditional costume. I do respect all of our first (native) nations customs, the Hurons in particular. The Oneida too.

i do not know what you're talking about good sir. :D

[PetKal]

i do not know what you're talking about good sir. :D

Your old avatar ?

[Tom W]

I still use my 1985 Mr. Coffee machine. Coffee's coffee - I only drink it for the caffeine!

As for peanuts, they're best when they're boiled.

[PetKal]

I still use my 1985 Mr. Coffee machine. Coffee's coffee - I only drink it for the caffeine!

As for peanuts, they're best when they're boiled.

Definitions of "finer things in life" apparently do vary somewhat.;)

[Tom W]

Definitions of "finer things in life" apparently do vary somewhat.;)

Well, coffee serves a purpose, but if I want flavor, I'll drink iced tea.

Now, if you want to discuss the finer things in life, it might involve single malts aged 12+ years.

[forno]

Well, coffee serves a purpose, but if I want flavor, I'll drink iced tea.




You're doing it wrong:lol::lol:

[cosworth]

Hoser


http://kflood.net/imgs/blog/hoser.jpg

[the_incubus]

Well, coffee serves a purpose, but if I want flavor, I'll drink iced tea.

Now, if you want to discuss the finer things in life, it might involve single malts aged 12+ years.

and some good cigars.

[carianoff]

Vegiemite on toast = yum

Can you get that in the states? I've always wanted to try it.

[timbernet]

Can you get that in the states? I've always wanted to try it.

I think some of the import stores carry it - Google around :-D

I have tried it... never doing that again!

[the_incubus]

Can you get that in the states? I've always wanted to try it.

nope its illegal.:D (not actually illegal, but it should be)

edit: hmmm this is interesting. I just looked it up and there apparently was a ban on bringing it into the states.

[Grace]

http://kflood.net/imgs/blog/hoser.jpg


I can see it!!!!!!!!!!!

[breal101]

nope its illegal.:D (not actually illegal, but it should be)

edit: hmmm this is interesting. I just looked it up and there apparently was a ban on bringing it into the states.

That stuff looks like something a sheep dropped. There are good import laws, a ban on vegemite and nukes is a good idea. Cuban cigars, not so much.

[::John::]

That stuff looks like something a sheep dropped. There are good import laws, a ban on vegemite and nukes is a good idea. Cuban cigars, not so much.

An American friend was visiting and staying in my home. The next morning, I caught him spluttering.

"How can you eat that sh!t?" he asked.

I looked at his toast.

"By only putting a little bit on - for flavour - not a lot like you would with a jam (jelly)".

He learned to like it.

I sent him a squeeze tube of it - the parcel arrived in Seattle with everything except the Vegemite. I can only hope the 'creature' who removed it from the parcel (without leaving any note to say why it was removed) has gagged on it.

[carianoff]

U.S. ban rumor

In October 2006, the Melbourne newspaper, the Herald Sun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herald_Sun) incorrectly reported that Vegemite had been banned in the United States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States), and that the U.S. Customs Service (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Customs_Service) had gone so far as to search Australians (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia) entering the country for Vegemite. The origin of the story appears to have been an anecdote from a traveler who claimed to have been searched, and a spokesperson for Kraft Foods who made a misinformed comment to reporters. The story led to some anti-American comments in blogs and newspapers. The Herald Sun blamed the U.S. President for the ban, and encouraged readers to post comments on its website and send emails to the White House.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_Drug_Administration) later stated that although it is technically illegal in the U.S. to add folate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folate) to food products other than bread or cereal, there were no plans to investigate whether Vegemite contains folate, to subject it to an import ban, or to have it withdrawn from U.S. supermarket shelves. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Customs_and_Border_Protection) also tried to dispel the rumour, stating on its website that "there is no known prohibition on the importation of Vegemite" and "there is no official policy within CBP targeting Vegemite for interception".[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegemite#_note-cbp-rumor) The story of the "ban" later took on the status of urban legend (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_legend).[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegemite#_note-snopes) While Vegemite has never been abundant in the U.S., it can still be purchased at some stores that stock imported foods.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegemite#_note-aap-2)

Oh right we're talking about coffee...

[greg20d]

I make my coffee at home
once a month I might do starbucks etc.
I just cant see paying $4 for a cup of bad coffee

[rklepper]

I much prefer Caribou Coffee to Starbuck's anytime.

[JimAskew]

I much prefer Caribou Coffee to Starbuck's anytime.

I'm with you Doc...great coffee with no politics attached :)

[Karl C]

Coffee? Blech. If I want to drink something that will corrode internal organs, I'll stick with Coke. :lol:

Hot chocolate on a cold winter day? That's the ticket! ;)

[SoccerRef]

I much prefer Caribou Coffee to Starbuck's anytime.

AMEN!! I just wish there were more of 'em. There was a real nice one nearby, but the location sucked and they ultimately closed it. Seems me and about 4 of my buddies couldn't keep the place in business...

[kenwood33]

i did not know second cup is considered the dark side, i thought its the other way around.

[PetKal]

i did not know second cup is considered the dark side, i thought its the other way around.

All coffee is on the dark side.;)

[BottomBracket]

After some ten odd years of being a very regular Starbucks' customer, I am switching back to The Second Cup coffee shop chain.
The reason is very simple: my daily Starbucks latte has become practically undrinkable ever since the company has dropped their manual espresso machines. The new automatic contraptions simply don't cut it. So much for Starbucks' efforts to reduce their cost of operations.

The Second Cup espresso shots are vigorously flavourful, and consistently so owing to an apparently well managed operation, reflected in good espresso machine maintenance and staff training. The shop cleanliness, staff presentability and decor/ambiance is significantly better.

Go Second Cup, go !

You went to Starbucks for espresso?:shock:Best to roast your own beans and pull the shot thyself, my good caffeinated friend.

[PetKal]

You went to Starbucks for espresso?:(:( Best to roast your own beans and pull the shot thyself, my good caffeinated friend.

No, not espresso.........I order and drink espresso coffee only when in Italy.;)
Starbucks used to be my daily latte purveyor (2 espresso shots in it though).

[JWright]

How hard is it to turn the TV off when nobody's watching ?
How many car drivers give (properly) a right hand turn signal ?

Very simple actions, yet most don't seem able to do it.
;)

Most drivers around here don't seem able to use the turn signals the car came with...