Starbucks - Seattle, WA Review

To the Point

I wish I kept track of the number of Starbucks we have been to since we left Massachusetts. The number might have made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Needless to say it is my favorite place to get coffee. We go out of our way to find one.

A Closer Look

Starbucks stores come in many varieties. Some are drive through; some do not have that convenient amenity. Some have generous parking lots; some have none. Some have many tables; some just a couple with a counter. Some have overstuffed chairs and sofas; some have tall wood tables and stools. We came across one in our travels that was just a walk up and drive through place. There was no place to go inside. That was a new one for me.

Airports are one place where you will certainly find a Starbucks stand with fewer products served and no merchandise that is available elsewhere. Some are clean and some are not. Some require a key to use the restroom; some have restrooms open to the public.

Beverages and food are ordered at the cash register. All the specialty coffees are picked up at the end of the counter. Most of the staff I have encountered is very pleasant. I get the feeling for the most part that Starbucks is a fun place to work and it shows.

When I first started drinking Starbucks coffee I found it strong. I now prefer it to any other. My husband (hannasdad) had given up coffee but is now drinking either decaf or half and half preferably from Starbucks.

Tip: Rather than getting and paying for an iced latte because you want espresso, get an Americana which has a shot of espresso in it but not steamed milk. You are paying for hot milk in ice when you get an iced latte.

There are about 35 varieties of coffee that can be seen at their website-www.starbucks.com if you want to browse. Their coffee comes in mild, smooth and both blends.

In addition to their brewed coffee, they sell Tazo tea, various Frappuccinos, (Frappuccino is a Starbucks trademark.) iced coffees, espressos, lattes and their classic favorites such as chocolate milk, peppermint hot chocolate.

You can add various syrups to anything including sugar free and flavored syrups as well as whipped cream. Their coffees come in 3 sizes, tall, venti and grande. You do not have to use these terms. I have found that they respond to small, medium and large as well!

Now to the Frappuccinos. On this trip I have become addicted to them. They have no coffee in them. I started with light Chai Tea Frappuccino which at $4.55 for a large is pricey. Light means they use non fat milk thus fewer calories.

They last me a long time especially if I get whipped cream. (I know – kind of defeats the light.) I tried the Orange Cream Frappuccinos. My husband doesn’t like sweet drinks but he will share this with me saying that it tastes just like a creamsicle. I am well aware that you can buy similar at fast food chains (I saw something similar in the window of Jack in the Box.) but somehow I just feel better buying from Starbucks.

A Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino Blended Cream is also one of my favorites. This one is made of rich chocolate, chocolate chips and milk blended with ice, topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. However it has a whopping 740 calories, 250 of which are fat; 28 grams of fat; 109 carbohydrates; and 88 grams of sugar.

My most recent food purchase was a spinach and feta cheese croissant. It was very good and at $1.95 didn’t break the bank.

Jo's Viewpoint

I like it!