Favorite Coffee Chains
I love coffee, and I prefer to make it on my own in a French press. However, if I am hard-pressed for time, I have a few preferences which guide me to certain coffee chains. Here are some of Jonah Engler‘s favorite chains for when I need a quick cup of joe!
Dunkin’ (hands down the Jonah Engler choice for the common brands)
While I find the coffee can be watered down depending on the barista, I love the variety of flavor options. A huge bonus is a fact that I can opt for a sugar-free flavor addition if I don’t want such a sweet drink. Dunkin’ is excellent because there are few curated drinks on the menu so that you can order coffee to your exact specifications. Like Starbucks, it’s famous around the States, so it’s convenient and easy to find. Another huge plus is that the prices are more reasonable than other coffee chains. My go-to order is a sugar-free hazelnut iced coffee with skim milk and light ice. Talk about a complicated order.
Starbucks
I don’t love Starbucks coffee. I really don’t. The coffee, without any syrupy additions, tastes burnt. The beans aren’t quality, and the final product is overpriced. But, the one thing I love about Starbucks is its convenience. I can find a Starbucks on almost every street corner where I live. I can also order ahead of time online with an easy-to-use app. It is a very convenient option when I am in a rush and need a quick pick me up. My favorite drink is the “Cinnamon Dolce Latte.” It has such a warm, autumnal taste. It’s the perfect drink for the fall when it gets cold outside.
Tim Horton’s
Timmies is famous for being Canadian. After all, it was created by Canadian hockey star Tim Horton. But few people know there are shops in the US too. Timmies is often thought of as a donut shop. I don’t like their coffee; the taste is not great, and it’s not full-bodied enough for my liking. But, if I have a sweet tooth, I will go to Tim Horton’s for an “Iced Capp.” It’s very sweet, very creamy, and very slushy. An iced cap is a frozen cappuccino drink made with cream (although you can opt for milk), resulting in a coffee I would drink for dessert rather than for the caffeine. You will get double the energy in comparison to a regular coffee because it will come with a significant sugar high, followed by a steep sugar crash. You’ve been warned.
Peets Coffee
Peet’s coffee is quality coffee. I drink the coffee black because it tastes good on its own. Their espresso beverages are delicious too. They brew their coffee every 30 minutes, so it tastes fresh every time I go. I really can’t complain about any drink on the menu. It’s just good coffee.
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
My favorite thing about this shop is the ice. I love the ice. It’s not cubed, it’s not crushed, it’s somewhere in between. When I go to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, I drink without straw because the ice is small enough that it doesn’t give you brain freeze and you can bite with ease, but large enough that the drink isn’t grainy or slushy. My favorite drink is the iced vanilla latte — the vanilla flavor doesn’t taste so synthetic, so it’s more subtle than a vanilla latte at Starbucks. The coffee there is easy to drink, easy to enjoy, and one of my favorites.
Coffee to close
So, there you have it! If I had to choose one chain to go to, it would probably be Dunkin’ because of the prices, the choices, and the convenience. But, new chains are opening up daily and I, for one, am excited to try them all!
Thanks,
