Well, duh, everybody knows it should be eaten raw.
I tried the thing with the bigger cup during my visit to the Starbucks knockoff we had on campus (you know, “We proudly serve Starbucks coffee!”), and they said they could do it, but they would have to charge me the price of the bigger cup because they decide that the people selling the stuff aren’t ripping them off by stealing cups or something. I have also had this kind of thing happen at fast food joints, and just try to get anything but a miniscule little “I’m too much of a sissy to buy a $3.50 soda at the movies” water cup next time you go. At one theater by my house, you get a little plastic dixie cup number that they tell you to fill at the drinking fountain, because they can’t route potable water back by the food because somebody might not drink Pepsi-swill if they had a choice.
Yikes. Hijack much? Anyway, is it standard practice at Starbucks to charge by the actual amount of coffee and not the cup size? Also, what would happen if I followed the Car Guys’ advice and just asked for two bucks worth?
So curious…
Tenebras
Sing it brother (sister?)!
That’s why I buy from vending machines. Tastes better than Starbucks, too. And you get those neat paper cups with the poker hands on them.
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What I don’t get is the whole price stucture.
1.50 for a shot of espresso
2.50 for a shot of espresso and steamed milk
3.50 for a shot of espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate.
I wonder how much money I could save just ordering each one individually.
This seems as good a place as any to ask an impolitical (hell, maybe even heretical) question. See, I really don’t much care for coffee. Even if it’s hidden behind milk and flavorings. So, if I’m out with other people, and they decide they want coffee, and the nearest place is a Starbucks, what are my chances of getting something else to drink? Is it possible to buy a soda or a cup of cocoa or tea or something?
I haven’t seen a Starbucks in these parts yet, and the cafes that serve the coffee drinks here always have other drinks on the menu. But I’m sure Starbucks is coming here as everywhere else in time (eventually they’ll open a shop on Mount Fucking Everest) so I’d like to be prepared.
The pricing scheme makes a small amount of sense, though it is rather inflated. (To be honest, I wouldn’t buy anything execpt plain coffee if I didn’t have my discount) A double espresso, a.k.a a doppio, is $1.75. I’m going by memory here, not having the menu in front of me. A kid’s glass of cold milk is a dollar, but as I recall the prices for steamed milk are a bit higher. Not sure what we charge for the mocha.
It’s a little more clear when you look at things like frappuccinos and plain lattes. A tall/small latte (one shot and steamed milk) is $2.50. Adding an espresso shot is fifty-five cents, making a double tall/small latte $3.05, same price as a grande/medium latte (two shots and steamed milk). Likewise, the various kinds of frappuccinos scale up by what we add to them.
If you really like espresso drinks, it might be better in the long run to get your own espresso machine and learn to make them the way you like them. (Disclaimer: I am not implying you should or shouldn’t buy a Starbucks espresso machine, nor Starbucks espresso to go in them. I haven’t shopped around, I don’t know where the best deals are)
As for non-coffee drinks: Yes, we have them, and we don’t look at you funny when you order them. At my store, you can get hot tea of several varieties, iced tea, chai, apple cider, caramel apple cider, steamed milk (especially good with vanilla syrup in it, I drink these all the time), cold milk, bottled soda, bottled Odwalla juice, bottled tea, bottled water, free ice water for the asking, Tazoberry blended juice/tea drinks (tastes like a raspberry smoothie, almost), hot chocolate, chocolate milk, white hot chocolate (another personal favorite) … there’s probably more, but that’s all I can think of off the top of my head.
Disclaimer added after preview: These are the prices at a store that is not only in a yuppie town but right next to a major university. Your mileage and prices may vary. Please drink responsibly.
Oy, Guinastasia! You know I love ya, but would you please quit it with the endless customerssuck prostelytizing? You wonder why none of us posted the link? Well, I am only speaking for myself, here, but I wouldn’t post the link because I don’t find it very impressive. I have looked at the board many times at your request, but what I see is mostly standard-issue complaints, with little compelling discussion or debate. It’s not that I am unsympathetic–just the opposite. I worked in retail (including the coffee biz) for a long time. But I don’t know why I would take time away from the SDMB to read a far less interesting board. If you enjoy it, fine. I’m sure there are others that are grateful that you pointed it out to them. But please, I beg of you, stop with the arm-twisting!
Exactly how hot does chocolate have to be before it becomes white hot?
Tenebras
I’ve heard all about Starbucks, but I’ve never seen one. I live in Australia. While Starbucks, Inc. have seen fit to bless our country with 10 stores, none of those stores are in my state.
This has never bothered me. I lead an otherwise fulfilled life, and have not missed the presence of Starbucks.
Reading this thread, I decided to hit the website and see the “menu” for myself. Pfff. Who ever heard of coffee on a menu - I mean, what’s to decide? Instant or brewed. Decaf or regular. White or black. I figure it’s got to be good for a laugh. And then I read this:
Caramel Apple Cider
Hot apple cider with creamy caramel, cinnamon and whipped cream
Oh my GOD! I’ve GOT to have me one of these!! Argh!! I’ve never before tried anything like it, but if I don’t get one, I’m going to go crazy!!
Two things are stopping me from hotfooting it to Sydney - first, I can’t drive, and second, it probably costs more than any bank would loan me now that the Australian dollar is worth less than a politician’s election promises, but if I ever get to see a Starbucks - and I am sure I will - then I’m going to hock the house and get one. It sounds so GOOD! Oh boy! 
Two questions: What the hell is a Frappachino? and Where do Tazoberrys grow?