Ringing up a short Starbucks drink
 

A previous thread about Starbucks abroad got me thinking more about my preferred drinks: doppio macchiato and double-short cappuccino.

At times, when I attempt to order an 8oz drink, I'll get a cashier who claims that there's no "short" key on the register, at which point I'll just get a doppio and add my own milk. This is despite the fact that they do have short cups available for espresso and kids' drinks.

I've found this to be the case mainly at non-standalone counters (like at the airport or Target).

Is there a "standard" keyboard layout for these registers, and if so, how can I tell the cashier to properly ring up a short drink if they claim no "short" key?

I used to order a short cappuccino when I was travelling in the US (the other versions are all too milky for my European taste buds). But the last time I was over I was told they couldn't sell "short" versions anymore. I had to buy a "Tall" that was only filled two-thirds with milk and foam :rolleyes:

By the way, there's an interesting article on Slate on the elusive short cappuccino, entitled: "Starbucks Economics - Solving the mystery of the elusive "short" cappuccino."

Essentially it says that Starbucks has made the short cappuccino invisible because the margins are unacceptably low. However, if you ask for one the baristas will comply without batting an eye.

See http://www.slate.com/id/2133754/

I don't really have an issue with the baristas at standalone stores. The issue with ringing up a short occurs with the licensed stores, like ones you would see in a grocery store, bookstore, or airport.

That said, my workaround in those situations would be to order a doppio and add my own half-and-half or milk at the self-serve station.

Starbucks has their own customer forum where you can bring this up. You'll probably get better answers than on here.

The rare time I have to visit a Starbucks in the absence of something else I try the same.

I also suggest ordering an extra shot or two may help (and thereby also increasing the cost)

I have also tried asking for a child size cappucino.

This is what I do, only I order iced. I refuse to pay $1.35 extra for some milk when I really only need an ounce or two (or less if I use half & half).

Starbucks Supersizes!
 

Just announced: "Starbucks Corp will roll out its biggest drink size yet -- the 31-ounce "Trenta" -- in all of its U.S. coffee shops by May 3, the company said Sunday".

Fortunately this will only be for iced drinks (iced coffee, iced tea, etc). I can't imagine drinking a 31-ounce hot coffee drink. Anyone for 31 shots of espresso? :D

I think Joe Satriani might be willing to take you up on that. He apparently drinks an ungodly amount of espresso in one sitting.

That will depend on the system they use. If I recall what my wife said correctly (don't tell her if I don't), the licensee stores have the ability to roll out different registers per license. So Target and Barnes & Noble will have different layouts. That is supposed to change eventually, but currently Starbucks is rolling out a new Point Of Sales system to all their corporate stores with new onscreen systems and the ability to pay using your cellphone.

My approach to getting cafe latte from Starbucks in the US is to ask for a double shot in a "tall" (or whatever their smallest cup is) and then only add milk to a the level of one-third of the cup (it's still always served too hot however). I get some strange looks occasionally but it's the only way I can get a decent cafe latte as opposed to a hot coffee milkshake.

It's interesting that the smallest sized Starbucks cup in the US is the largest available in Australia!