I generally like Starbucks, but only because there's always one (or more) nearby, and they are reasonably consistent. I spent some time working in Seattle (where there were nine Starbucks within two miles of my hotel and 396 within 50 miles), and found that I actually preferred Tully's lattes to Starbucks. A good latte needs no sweetener, and Starbucks usually do.

I am not a "shop local or else" fanatic--I shop at Whole Foods and Barnes & Noble regularly--but I prefer a good local coffee bar when I can find one. In Pasadena, Jones Coffee Roasters on South Raymond and Equator in Mills Alley make a good latte; in Nashville, Sam & Zoe's is my usual stop on the way from the airport after a redeye. I'd also like to give a ^ to Late for the Train Coffee in Flagstaff, AZ--I've stopped there on a couple of cross-country drives. They make a great breve latte.