What I really long for is the coffee at the old CROUS (student restaurant) café in Strasbourg. They used an old-fashioned French roast with a tiny bit of chicory, and it had the most wonderful flavour - especially as a noisette or an allongé.

Strange how memories like this persist. That's 15 years ago now!

Also I'm surprised how many people love Peet's. If you're in SF, Philz is the place to go.

I find that McD's do a very acceptable coffee in the UK and easily found near my natural habitat of motorways.

Sensible price and of course every 7th cup is free!

I remember years ago when McD's would put Coffee Pots on the counter for free refills if you had a McD's cup. Sales guys would get a cup in the morning and fill it up all day from McD's to McD's.

Lately, have been flying through Denver - United Terminal. There is ONE Starbucks a haul down toward the commuter gates. The main event area is Caribou Coffee. So I've been laying off the Starbucks and doing Caribou. I enjoy the atmosphere and coffee at most Caribou Coffee locations. They have closed a bunch in the Midwest and consolidated their ops toward Minneapolis and Denver.

When I'm in Michigan, I've been hitting Biggby Coffee locations. Not bad!
Of course, when in SanFran or Seattle, I usually do Peets.
In London? I'm a Cafe Nero fan. Go figure.

I guess my loyalty is fickle lately. Getting older I suppose.

Now, The S.O.? She's a SBUX FREAK x 2 squared! HOWEVER - She does not drink coffee. She must have a SBUX Hot Chocolate, no Whip no Foam EXTRA Hot, twice a day. Breakfast and afternoon break. Stay out of her way when she's in pursuit of a SBUX. She knows the locations from Honolulu to Istanbul (that I still call Constantinople - I refuse to believe the Eastern Roman empire ever fell! ;) ) . But seriously, she's a fanatic over their hot chocolate. Yep. Welcome to my world.

Just wanted to share a tip: I've recently switched to tea at home - I only drink coffee when crossing time zones. It's great for when I need to stay up until the local bedtime. I've found if I fly to say, Paris, have a shot or two of espresso and go to bed around 10 local time, I vastly reduce my jet lag.

I hate Starbucks and will go without rather than buy SB coffee.

Also is it just me or is Starbucks outside America better?

I went on a walking tour in Paris that met outside a starbucks, and ended up buying an espresso shot since I didn't want to wander too far. It seemed a lot better than what I've had at home the few times I've gone to Starbucks.

I frequent the Starbucks near Paddington Station in London (since I stay at the Novotel near there often) and a few in Paris. I don't really recall the Coffee or Espresso being any better than stateside. Maybe it's because in London I try and get to a Cafe Nero when I can for something different and in Paris I just go to one of about a dozen cafes that I like.

Based on this, I think mentally I am prepared for foreign cafe coffee to "taste better" to me. Whether or not it ACTUALLY does is another matter. My brain is programmed to expect better coffee in Europe.

YET, the Starbucks in London always seem packed compared to Cafe Nero. The Londoners must think that Starbucks is better. More brain programming.

You can't be a profit in your own land.

Now, for a REAL kick in the head, I prefer Cuban Coffee in Miami Beach. Yowza. That stuff would wake the dead.

Since I don't travel for work anymore, and our office has a half-time (7:30-12:30) barista and coffee bar, I just get my coffee at work. I'm a one-or-two cappuccinos-a-day kinda guy. :)

ISTR that Starbucks switched to a darker roast in the UK a few years ago now. It certainly tastes better (and some of the single origin ones are actively quite pleasant).

I definitely agree on Caffe Nero - and it's pleasing to see the chain grow.

However, bear in mind that the most popular coffee chain the UK is Costa. They have, to my taste, a fairly insipid and bland espresso blend - but that seems to be the secret of its success - it pleases a mass market that just isn't into the bitterness of an Italian-style espresso. It's done well with its locations, too - in a lot of smaller towns, or out-of-town retail park or supermarket outlets. There's even a drive-through near us (very much a rarity in this part of the world).

I noticed the other day that the Starbucks next to King's Cross station has done a tie-in with the fast food chain Pod. Will be interesting to see if that trial goes anywhere...

I may have posted this earlier, but lately when I'm in Chicago, I seek out "Lavazza" Coffee Shops. When I make Espresso at home, I frequently use Lavazza, so I enjoy this taste.

BTW, and FYI, a Starbucks Manager told me yesterday that there is less Caffeine in their Espresso then in their Coffee. I was going to switch to a "Misto" which is steamed milk and Coffee to cut back on Caffeine a tad, but she insisted that the a Latte would be less Caffeine, either 1/2 Caf or Regular. I was surprised. I always thought that Espresso had more Caffeine than Coffee.

When I'm in France, I always order a Cafe au Lait which is a Misto. In Italy I usually order a Cafe Misto. So I thought I'd start this at Starbucks Stateside. Then I find out that there is less octane in Starbucks Espresso. Back to Latte Land for me. ;)

Now, the S.O., she's hooked on Starbucks Hot Chocolate. She does not drink Coffee, but twice a day stops in to Starbucks for their Hot Chocolate. She insists it is the best worldwide. She seeks out Starbucks from Istanbul to Indonesia just for their Hot Chocolate. I find this interesting. Me? I'd go with a local shop to see if there is a better alternative. You never know.