"If I was on the road and wanted a coffee I would not hesitate to stop at Mcdonalds if no better choices(and IMO starbucks is not a better option)were available."

Are you talking about Americano here or are you one of those people who don't realize that at a real cup is made via expresso, not drip?

"And I am no less confused as to why a coffee snob would patronise Starbucks!"

It's good coffee and you know what you're getting. It's one of the reasons for McDonald's success. They are extremely consistent. I know what I'll get (at least coffee wise) at a Starbucks. Plenty of people complain that their coffee has a burnt taste, but they just do a darker roast than most people are used to. It's much akin to how people complain and call Guinness too heavy without realizing that it is light beer.

In terms of the McD's coffee, I've had it. It's not good and not bad. It's sort of like one of those CBS comedy shows where they've audience tested each joke so that they don't offend anyone with anything. In the end, you get a generic product that people like, but really doesn't have a lot of character. It's a decent cup given what McDonalds is, but I wouldn't rave about it.