Starbucks V Dunkin' Donuts
After watching the Food Network special last night about the "Java Giants" of these two companies, I wanted to know which one you prefer?
Actually, we don't have any more Dunkin' Donuts where I am, but even the new coffee blend from Starbucks tastes like jet fuel to me. I still prefer the good, old-fashioned brown water (call me crazy) that you can get at places like Perkins, IHOP, Village Inn and other places that serve cold pancakes and individual servings of SMuckers grape jelly.
So, which one is better, and why? Or is there, like me, a third option that you prefer?
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32 Comments:
I prefer Starbucks.
ccbweb at 11:10AM on 04/15/08
I think if I had to choose between the two I'd stop drinking coffee!
huney_bumper at 11:15AM on 04/15/08
Dunkin Donuts fueled my undergraduate days and will always have a special place in my heart. Starbucks is just gross. I prefer homemade any day :)
bitchincamero at 11:16AM on 04/15/08
Neither.
LoCo at 11:39AM on 04/15/08
Neither - No coffee in my world.
izatryt at 11:47AM on 04/15/08
I never go to either, so that makes me the 3rd neither in a row!
I do love coffee, but don't frequent coffee shops. If I went to a donut shop, I'd buy a dozen and eat them all, so I don't go.
Thanks loads! Now I want a donut!
PerkyMac at 11:51AM on 04/15/08
I had the same problem mac, they have just opened a Krispy Kreme near me, the dozen disappeared very quickly.
TheManchesterKitchen at 11:54AM on 04/15/08
;-O ;-D...........you talkin' a me chest, or is it chen???? haha
PerkyMac at 12:01PM on 04/15/08
.......and Krispy Kreme! You're trying to make me cry and that's just downright mean!
Perky here, sobbing.
Time to go make my Asparagus with Fried Egg and Parmesan. That will make me feel better. Have you thought of any food that might make you feel better Traveller? I'm going to keep talking to you to let you know you're thought of and loved.
PerkyMac at 12:04PM on 04/15/08
I know I'm in the minority but I love Sbux. ((Shrugs)) I generally get a cappuccino or a bold brew. I don't get the whipped up frappiano drinks.
When I moved, my new roommate didn't have a coffee pot so I stopped at Dunkin. I got a large coffee. My heart felt like it was going to blow right out of my chest. They say DD coffee is hyper caffeinated... I tend to believe that's true! If they didn't keep coffee on the burner so long, I might go there more often.
chiff0nade at 12:09PM on 04/15/08
The only reason I ever really visit DD is for the bagels. As far as coffee goes, there is a local chain of convenience stores called Royal Farm that out does any of the national chains. I usually go about 7Am when the coffee is always fresh.
RichardCrystal at 12:19PM on 04/15/08
It depends on what beverage I am in the mood for:
Regular/Iced Coffee? I'm all about DD or PureBread-they know what they're doing.
For Frapps and Lattes-Starbucks, hands down. I used to be a barista for Starbucks. I had fun making my own beverages. People would also order my concoctions vs what was on the menu. Cracked me up.
Butrflygirly at 12:25PM on 04/15/08
I'd also like to point out that DD tastes better in Boston. I swear this is true. Must be the high traffic.
bitchincamero at 12:26PM on 04/15/08
I don't drink hot coffee, only iced. Both are all right.
I grew up on pure Kona and blue mountain coffees. Those were the only two coffees my mother would drink. We drink Kona coffee at home, since we always have an excess supply even though we make batches of iced coffee throughout the year.
Cassaendra at 12:32PM on 04/15/08
Any coffee shop that has a high turn over is going to be better. The place where I work (independant store) brews fresh every 90 min. After that time period it goes down the drain! Customers may have to wait 4 min (exact time) for their coffee, but no one has complained because the coffee is always fresh!
huney_bumper at 12:32PM on 04/15/08
Its Manc' actually Perky :-)
Has anyone tried that new Starbucks smooth and welcoming brew? Been trying to find out if us Brits' will be getting it no, no news as of yet.
TheManchesterKitchen at 12:41PM on 04/15/08
I used to buy a plain latte (usually, with a double shot of espresso) at Starbucks pretty much every day before work when I worked at the office (AND lived in a city). Now that I work from home and am perfectly capable of making a nice cup of latte myself, it seems silly to go to a coffee shop for coffee. But if I happen to crave coffee while outside, I would rather go to Starbucks than to DD - old habits die hard.
Oh and I agree with you guys - Krispy Kreme, they are evil! I don't normally crave doughnuts (honestly, I don't really like doughnuts all that much at all), but KK to me were like potato crisps to some - if I happened to have one, I simply had to have another one. Evil, evil KKD!!!
brooke29 at 12:42PM on 04/15/08
@Cassaendra: "I grew up on pure Kona and blue mountain coffees." Wow. So jealous. Kona is my fav coffee...That's what I get when I go to PureBread. Good stuff.
@traveller: Thank you for posting this thread. It's perfect for my final project in one of my master's class. i wanted to post something along these lines re: the two coffee joints. I am researching their differences in strategies and such (getting a degree in Management). I wanted to incorporate people's preferences as well.
So unhappy/happy-KK stores were closed around me...:(
Butrflygirly at 12:58PM on 04/15/08
@Butrfligirly: if you want more information, I conducted an independent study using both of them as examples for my International Business masters. I can certanly pass along what I have. Mine was one the various international strategies that quick service restuarants have used when expanding into other areas, why they worked or why they didn't and how to mitigate potential issues that may arise after going into a new market internationally.
For a start, though, try the following (if you havent' already):
www.brandweek.com
www.qsr.com
www.food-business-review.com
www.brandcurve.com
:)
Traveller at 1:12PM on 04/15/08
@Traveller: Thank you very much! I was aware of two of the four sites listed. I will look into the others. Any help provided is greatly appreciated. Next two weeks are going to be brutal.
Pardon the pun: but thank god for coffee (and Sugarfree Red Bull)..:)
Butrflygirly at 1:21PM on 04/15/08
DD Medium Iced Caramel Latte...skim, no whip. Ahhhh.
Starbucks sucks.
The end.
ChelleyD01 at 1:32PM on 04/15/08
I don't go to either consistently, but I love the iced coffee at Dunkin Donuts.
mrsbao at 1:38PM on 04/15/08
I'll take dd.
I wish they still sold the ridiculously big ice coffees for under 1.50, though. That was the best road trip bargain out there and had enough caffeine and sugar to get me good and wired for a long drive. It still packs that punch but unfortunately it went through "starbucks inflation" (the same way that the $1 canned iced coffee you used to see at every bodega suddenly lost their shelf space to 6 oz "frappachinos" at twice the price). ok, that's enough ranting for today....
sloppy at 3:24PM on 04/15/08
If I have to choose between the two, then it's Dunkin Donuts. Otherwise, the Green Mountain stuff that I can get 20 oz of for $.77 at the Mobile station will suffice if I don't have time to make it at home.
Amandarama at 4:12PM on 04/15/08
We have many more Dunkin' Donuts shops than Starbucks around here (I'm a New England girl), and that's fine by me. I like Starbucks for their lattes, but when it comes to just regular coffee, Dunkin's always tastes better.
poke87 at 4:17PM on 04/15/08
I don't drink coffee but will often suggest Starbucks as a place to meet up with friends - the atmosphere is much nicer, and I like some of their coffee cakes and other treats, as well as their hot apple cider drink and their peppermint hot chocolate.
woodenspoon at 4:37PM on 04/15/08
Dunkin Donuts.....regular....to go......
onepercent99 at 9:20PM on 04/15/08
I prefer Starbucks. DD coffee just tastes sour and under-roasted to me.
Bakerloo Line at 10:30AM on 04/16/08
Drink one 12 oz mug of Joe each morning. Grind and brew it myself. Nice and fresh. Yet to find any shop that does it better!
Colorado Jim at 2:28PM on 04/16/08
Starbucks.
I don't hate them at all.
Generally, I prefer small independent businesses over chains. Unfortunately many of the little coffee shops have breakfast/lunch only hours and often the coffee is really hit or miss.
My Starbucks habit has definitely tapered off. It used to be a daily habit, now it's about twice a month or so.
I tried DD coffee for the first time last week and it was pretty weak. The cashier/order taker was also pretty grouchy.
I have to say, I've never encountered a grouchy Starbucks counter person.
wookie at 3:32PM on 04/16/08
I don't love either one. If I HAD to choose, I'd say Dunkin Donuts -- Starbucks coffee just tastes burned to me. But I'm staging a one-woman boycott of both in my neighborhood (Cobble Hill, Brooklyn) because I want the chains to go away leave us alone! (Um, except for Trader Joe's, opneing a few blocks away... they are welcome any time!)
CookiePie at 3:43PM on 04/16/08
I used to hate Starbucks' coffee until a barista friend of mine suggested the mild blend. Their house blend is a bold coffee that's been roasted for much longer and actually has less caffeine than the mild blend in addition to a very bitter, harsh taste.
It doesn't taste remotely of jet fuel, I promise; it's very delicious. And you get more caffeine in the mornings (which is what I really need in a coffee...)! Just ask for a "tall mild" or "grande mild" or whatever when you go in.
The best part? Most people don't know to ask for mild, so they usually don't have a pot already brewed. Which means that you get a super fresh, just for you cup of coffee. :-)
sheeats at 3:44PM on 04/16/08