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I was going to let this slide but it seems to be a problem that just keeps getting worse now that we're getting into a time of year with cooler temps. It's about convenience store coffee and other hot drinks. See, my "go to" stop in the morning is a QT store. For those that don't have a QT the place has kind of a buffet for drinks. There are at least half a dozen machines pumping out various coffee styles and hot chocolates. There are at least 10 varieties of iced tea to choose from and I won't even get into the options for fountain sodas, ice drinks and other stuff. I mean, there's more than 20' of wall space on each side of the store dedicated to beverage options!
For most of the year all these options aren't a problem but now that more people seem to be drinking hot drinks I'm seeing a trend. I'm seeing more and more people come in and spend what seems like 15 minutes "fixing" their coffee or hot chocolate. They'll pump in a full shot of Hazelnut flavor, half a shot of Vanilla, two shots of Caramel, add 2oz of Cappuccino, add another half a pump of Pumpkin, draw out a little Espresso, throw in 1 sugar, 2 sweet and Low and top the whole thing with Mocha Frappe something or other.
Then they'll taste it.
Then they'll toss it all out and start over.
Meanwhile, all I want is my damned iced tea and I can't get to it because Barista Bob needs the whole ****ing counter to play Coffee Alchemist! He's running back and forth so much I can't even get down the aisle!
I just take my coffee plain and black. I’m not sure if it is because I prefer the taste that way or I am just too lazy to put all the other crap in it.
Coffee and Irish cream........make it @ home, no need to mix with the riff-raff!
I was going to let this slide but it seems to be a problem that just keeps getting worse now that we're getting into a time of year with cooler temps. It's about convenience store coffee and other hot drinks. See, my "go to" stop in the morning is a QT store. For those that don't have a QT the place has kind of a buffet for drinks. There are at least half a dozen machines pumping out various coffee styles and hot chocolates. There are at least 10 varieties of iced tea to choose from and I won't even get into the options for fountain sodas, ice drinks and other stuff. I mean, there's more than 20' of wall space on each side of the store dedicated to beverage options!
For most of the year all these options aren't a problem but now that more people seem to be drinking hot drinks I'm seeing a trend. I'm seeing more and more people come in and spend what seems like 15 minutes "fixing" their coffee or hot chocolate. They'll pump in a full shot of Hazelnut flavor, half a shot of Vanilla, two shots of Caramel, add 2oz of Cappuccino, add another half a pump of Pumpkin, draw out a little Espresso, throw in 1 sugar, 2 sweet and Low and top the whole thing with Mocha Frappe something or other.
Then they'll taste it.
Then they'll toss it all out and start over.
Meanwhile, all I want is my damned iced tea and I can't get to it because Barista Bob needs the whole ****ing counter to play Coffee Alchemist! He's running back and forth so much I can't even get down the aisle!
I'm in AZ about 2-3 times a year. I love QT's F'Real smoothie machines except they're constantly breaking down. My favorite hot beverage is half latte, half strong coffee because the latte alone is just too sweet. I haven't experienced the "barista bob" situation like you have but that would piss me off as well!
First sign you're in the wrong place: Drink Buffet!!
You need a place that serves what you want, and ONLY what you want. Too much choice leads to too much decision making, and that is something very few people have the patience to watch in others, when standing in line behind them... lol
First sign you're in the wrong place: Drink Buffet!!
You need a place that serves what you want, and ONLY what you want. Too much choice leads to too much decision making, and that is something very few people have the patience to watch in others, when standing in line behind them... lol
I was going to let this slide but it seems to be a problem that just keeps getting worse now that we're getting into a time of year with cooler temps. It's about convenience store coffee and other hot drinks. See, my "go to" stop in the morning is a QT store. For those that don't have a QT the place has kind of a buffet for drinks. There are at least half a dozen machines pumping out various coffee styles and hot chocolates. There are at least 10 varieties of iced tea to choose from and I won't even get into the options for fountain sodas, ice drinks and other stuff. I mean, there's more than 20' of wall space on each side of the store dedicated to beverage options!
For most of the year all these options aren't a problem but now that more people seem to be drinking hot drinks I'm seeing a trend. I'm seeing more and more people come in and spend what seems like 15 minutes "fixing" their coffee or hot chocolate. They'll pump in a full shot of Hazelnut flavor, half a shot of Vanilla, two shots of Caramel, add 2oz of Cappuccino, add another half a pump of Pumpkin, draw out a little Espresso, throw in 1 sugar, 2 sweet and Low and top the whole thing with Mocha Frappe something or other.
Then they'll taste it.
Then they'll toss it all out and start over.
Meanwhile, all I want is my damned iced tea and I can't get to it because Barista Bob needs the whole ****ing counter to play Coffee Alchemist! He's running back and forth so much I can't even get down the aisle!
I just take my coffee plain and black. I’m not sure if it is because I prefer the taste that way or I am just too lazy to put all the other crap in it.
I mixed my sweet tea like that. Straight up is just too sweet.
My solution suggestions:
- Make your own iced tea, put it in a "go cup" and be rid of whatever irk "Barista Bob" engenders in you.
- Find a different fast-food/convenience purveyor of iced tea. McDonald's sweet tea is alright. The Brisk brand of teas isn't bad as mass produced tea goes. Grocery stores carry a variety of pre-made bottled teas that are also decent.
Same here, and IMO, McDonald's, hands down has the best sweet tea.
I call that (very special) place home.
QT is actually a pretty good outfit. Their hot dog buffet is also pretty impressive but I don't see as much decision dementia on that end.
The places are always clean. The staff is always friendly and the restrooms are always open, clean and stocked. As far as a convenience store goes it's pretty good, right up there with Maverick.
Hmmm, maybe that is why I prefer my Scotch Whiskey to be “neat”. It isn’t that I am a purist, I just don’t like refilling ice trays.
My solution suggestions:
- Make your own iced tea, put it in a "go cup" and be rid of whatever irk "Barista Bob" engenders in you.
- Find a different fast-food/convenience purveyor of iced tea. McDonald's sweet tea is alright. The Brisk brand of teas isn't bad as mass produced tea goes. Grocery stores carry a variety of pre-made bottled teas that are also decent.
But QT tea is good! Way better than Lipton. They also have really good styrofoam cups that keep the ice frozen most of the day even when it's 110° out.
I feel your pain, that's rage-inducing. I frequent public places as little as possible, but that's just me, not judging. As you noted, QTs aren't bad as convenient stores go. I think I got lured in recently by their huge vanilla ice cream cone for like 49 cents. That was our big "dessert out instead of frozen yogurt". The guy was double checking with the manager, is it 4 or 5 twists? I gained from that loss-leader
Personally I'd try one of those electric kettles for $20 and turn it on when I get up, and making tea after that is a snap.
Same here, and IMO, McDonald's, hands down has the best sweet tea.
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