Getting fed up with many aspects of Starbucks just to try to get a cup of black coffee that doesn't taste like dark water.

Anyone know of a reliable place to pop in and get a good to-go cup of strong black coffee without all the hassle? Someone at work mentioned Dunkin Donuts.

I'm in the DFW area, so any ubiquitous chain will work.

Feel like I've turned into that crotchety old fart, .....ing about the customized-orderers, the lazy drive-thru patrons blocking the parking lots, etc.

I love the SBUX app - preorder coffee and fetch it easily.
Peet's coffee is good.
But I only get this when on holiday. When at home, I just use my coffee machine. I'm surprised that your work doesn't have coffee machine.

Will have to try the pre-order on the app. Catch is trying to fight through the congestion to get into one of the many open parking spaces the drive-thru folks are blocking.

Don't know of a Peet's nearby but will check.

I always have at least one cup at home while getting ready, but stopping for coffee is a habit to break up the day a bit after the whirlwind of trying to get two small children ready and out the door to school.

That crap at work is the colored water I'm trying to avoid.

The Metroplex is a big area, there are quite a few independent places. I am not a Starbucks fan so I look for theses places too.

Saxbys - Allen
Astoria Cafe - Addison
Nerdvana -Frisco
Pearl Cup - Richardson
Cultivar - 3 locations
Biggbys- Allen

And a mighty fine list here.

https://www.yelp.com/list/21-good-in...e-shops-dallas

7Eleven coffee is surprisingly good.

It sure is reasonably good and if you have their mobile app then it works as a punchcard where and you can add it to your Apple Wallet if you have an iPhone.

Buy any six beverage that come in a cup and get the 7th free.

I'd say if you're tired of SBUX, then I'd say to look for a local non-chain coffee shop if it's close to you and/or worth the trip.

Color me another closet 7E coffee fan. Thanks for the tip on the app. ^

I'm a huge DD fan, their regular coffee is very consistent and I love their flavored coffees too (I know flavored coffee is not everyone's thing).

You're welcome.

Get off my lawn!!! LOL just kidding

I feel that way too

like another poster said, I use my coffee maker and at the office we have free coffee in the pantry so I seldom use SBUX. I used to go a couple of times a day until they priced me out of the market as $2.06 for a tall just isn't worth what I'm getting in return.

I do have the app loaded with some cash for when I am traveling though and their coffee is the same as all the other chains. DD is ok but the difference to me is minimal. Actually DD coffee is too hot for me; I can never drink their coffee until I'm 10 minutes down the road

I'm not sure what chains are around DFW but around here its SBUX, DD, or Peets

Around LAX I'll add Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

So maybe some DFW area FT'ers can direct you to something more local but all in all, get a good coffee maker for home and or work and you should be happy.

Yeah. It's called your kitchen. The folks there always know how you like your coffee, and it can be made so that it's available to you at EXACTLY the same time every day. No lines. If there's a custom order, it's only because you placed it. And it's amazingly cheaper than Starbucks.

You're welcome.

I forgot about 7-11

I like the coffee, the price is reasonable

It's just going into 7-11's that I hate

After reading OP response, I wondered if it was possible to return home Inbetween school drop off and work. Otherwise why not bring a thermos of coffee and have other relaxation moment before work?

I'm very happy with my home coffeemaker - mind you I only got one this year after 2 decades of buying coffee at local cafes etc. I'm very late. But I'm thrilled to do it. I'll still buy coffee on holiday.

There is a cost and environmental savings. I own SBUX stock as stock and part of DIA etf. Better financial return.

But let's also remember OP and that the request is for coffee shop alternatives, not a lifestyle alternative :-)

Yum yum

When SBux fiddled with their rewards program, I felt marginalized and switched to DD. And I was pretty happy until they up-charged me sixty cents for the almond milk in my free beverage. I have decided that half the time I am buying coffee just to earn points (sound familiar FTers?) and not because I want/need one. I have about $15 combined on both cards and haven't been to either in a month. Like Horse, I'll keep a balance on each for travel but no longer make a special trip at lunch or stop in on the weekends unless I simply must have a coffee. I love DD iced coffee and don't think there is a better chain version. But my loyalty was answered with disdain so I have a Keurig in my office and the company stocks k-cups in the break room and that's where most of what I drink comes from.

And don't get me started on drive-throughs. I won't go through one unless a passenger insists. My knees are shot but they still work well enough to get me from the car to the counter and back.

Oh yeah, I have no idea what independents exist in the DFW area but look for one. Almost always better than the chains until I moved here. We have a couple. One refuses to sell dark roast so I won't patronize, The other is excellent but usually crammed with diners and more of a sit-down breakfast place even though "Coffee Shop" is part of the name. Great coffee though. I wish you better luck.

A friend of mine who is a 'no fuss black coffee' drinker says that McDonalds do a decent cup.