What do you like most about Starbucks?

• I'm an Indonesian and I need to get some information about Starbucks from all over the world. 1. Do you like the coffee? The atmosphere? The service? (is there any exceptional service you've experienced in Starbucks?) The cakes? The fact that it's a classy place for drinking your coffee? Or other reasons? 2. What do you think about the price? 3. Where is your favorite Starbucks located and why? (please include your experience too) ^^ Thank you in advance! ~Ming~

• Answer:

  1(a). The coffee is average. Actually, a lot of the time it tastes burnt. I've found smaller, independently owned coffee shops to have much better flavour to their coffee, and more consistency with each drink that they make. Starbucks' tea drinks are pretty bad. I always avoid them. 1(b). The atmosphere is nice. I like the music, the decor, the lightning. I like the little things that can be bought, coffee related items, music, gifts, etc. Some Starbucks are too small, though, which is uncomfortable Also, Starbucks used to be a more inviting place to go to before every teenager in the country decided it was "the" place to hang out. Now there's no peace to be found in most of them. 1(c). Service varies depending on which Starbucks I go to. Usually it's good - the employees seem to work toward being friendly, and are often quick to fix mistakes they've made, and quick to recommend drinks and flavours. However, often the people who work there are rushed, and quality can suffer. Once my order was completely forgotten, and after waiting 10 minutes, I had to go ask for my drink again, and nobody knew who I was or what I had ordered. Another time, I was given the wrong drink entirely. Consistency in how drinks are made changes a lot, too, especially when they're busy. The very last one I got was really weak and bland, which was disappointing, since I didn't notice until I was halfway home with it, so I couldn't get it fixed. It's somewhat understandable though, as I'm sure it's hard to keep up with the demands of such long lines. 1(d). I can't say a lot about the cakes because I don't eat desserts. They do seem to have a nice variety, though, and it's cute that they have seasonal items depending on what holidays are near. 2. The prices are too high. I can go to the local independently owned coffee shop and get drinks for almost a dollar less, the drinks taste better, and the people know me by name, so it's a more personal experience. 3. I don't know that I have a favourite. I can think of a few that I definitely don't like going to, but there aren't any that stand out as exceptional in comparison with others. The Starbucks on the Belmont Shore in Long Beach, CA, was quite nice - roomy, relaxing, friendly people - but I think it stands out more because of it's location than anything else. It's right in the middle of a fun litle shopping and dining area, and you can sit right at the window and watch people walking up and down the street.