Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks?

Dunkin Donuts is pure heaven in a cup. Starbucks doesn't even come close.

In fact, all other coffee is pretty damn disappointing.

I'd take almost any other coffee option over Starbucks, including the Holiday gas station.

I put in a vote for Caribou.  Regional but huge in MN due to their hq being here.     Love their coffee! 

I usually just hit 7-11 or Green Valley (gas station), since it's cheap and I can walk next door from my office.

If I want something nice, Pete's>Coffee Bean>Starbucks.

But, speak to me about the loyalty program?  I have one close to my new office, so I may go there if the perks (no pun intended) are worth it.

How does My Starbucks Rewards work?

It’s as easy as registering a loaded Starbucks Card. This will automatically enter you into the Welcome level of the program, which means you’ll receive a free beverage on your birthday. 

Once you have visited and used your card five times (which earns you 5 Stars), you will move into our Green level, where you will receive the following benefits:

• All Welcome level benefits
• Free select syrups and milk options such as soy
• Free refills on brewed or iced coffee or tea during the same store visit
• Free tall (12 fl oz) beverage with one pound of whole bean coffee purchase
• Special exclusive offers and coupons (If you want to receive everything, please make sure you opt-in to Starbucks emails)

After you earn 30 Stars in 12 months (25 additional Stars after initially qualifying for Green level), you will qualify for the Gold level.  At this level you earn the following benefits:

• All Welcome and Green level benefits
• A personalized card (unavailable in stores) and Welcome Packet
• The ability to earn a free drink after every 15 Stars.

Wawa coffee. Always hot, always ready. I use it at home too, in the french press. 

And they have better food selections besides DD or Starbucks.

Heck, I'm in.  I probably frequent Starbucks enough to already have it, if I cared to sign up.  I may even ask the wife if we signed up years ago and forgot.  Never used the card, so we probably don't have anything.

I texted the wife and she told me just to download the app.  They have one???

Sure enough.  I feel all pleased with myself and all tech savvy and such.  I can pay with my phone now, loaded it up with 25 bucks (for starters) and need to start earning my "stars"!  Can't wait!

That's marketing at its best.  I'm EXCITED to spend money Starbucks...  Great.

BTW, I make better espresso and coffee at home, so I usually do that and put it in a travel mug for the trip.  But there is that occasional time out on the road, when I want something and the stores is the only option.

There coffee is ok.  But their straight up espresso shots?  Nasty. 

To do that, I go to my fancy schmancy local place called Samba Latte...  yum

Fine, just make it worse for me. Actually it could be worse; at least there's a really good espresso shop about an hour from here. The best beans I can get are Westrock Coffee at Wally World. They have DD, but I didn't care for it. (I know, blasphemy, but I really didn't care for it)

And WaWa? Seriously Gearboy? What I would give for WaWa coffee again! I've not had it since 1991.

As for this thread: I don't care for Starbucks bagged stuff, and I'll take their shops only if there's nothing better. Where I live right now there's only two truck stops and a Mc D's. The only DD or Starbucks is two hours away. I can get their bagged stuff at Wally World, but I don't like it as much as others'. I'm contemplating just buying the beans the espresso shop uses; it's some custom-roasted specialty bean that's freaking awesome for espresso, but I don't know what it'll be like as coffee.

x1million for Wawa.  their pumpkin coffee they have right now?   YES YES YES.

and IF i get starbucks, never EVER pikes place.  blech.

I voted for Tim Hortons.  I live in Alaska and when I drive to the lower 48 or to mainland AK, I greatly look forward to a stop at every Hortons that I come across.  Outstanding doughnuts and great coffee, that is so much better than Starbucks. 

Oh you definitely are missing out. http://www.wawa.com

Based in PA, stores in eastern PA, NJ, MD, DE, VA, and now FL. Where I live is the boundary area of Sheetz (based in Pittsburgh) and WaWa (based outside Philly). Sheetz is definitely second rate compared to Wawa (except for the Sheetz cinnamon rolls).