Originally Posted by
tonypct
DD is crap. When I go into Starbucks, I pretty much know what to expect.
When I go into a DD, I have no idea what I'm going to get.
BTW, I agree with Bamavol, I am not at all impressed with Ritazza.
And I have no problem supporting local, mom-and-pop stores of any kind. But they open and close too frequently.
I only buy one drink from DD and that's iced coffee. Since much of the flavor comes from the cream and splenda, I control that. So far, I haven't had a problem with product varying from store to store. I do find that home-brewed DD coffee is always weaker than what I buy already brewed.
It's not just Ritazza. I'm not impressed with a single cup of coffee I've found in the UK. I'm sure that includes a dozen places or more - from trolleys on trains to motorway rest areas to chain and one-off coffee shops and the bilgewater they serve in the plants I visit is beneath contempt.
I'd love a Mom 'n Pop. We've had a couple here but they haven't worked out. There was a small chain in Tracy CA when I lived there (The Roasted Bean perhaps?) that we frequented and loved. Maybe after I retire, I'll give it a go.