One word: STARBUCKS

[Sol]

Originally Posted by Cindy1959

SOL - I happen to love Starbucks coffee (Americano Black) but it is a little expensive AND I am going to Mexico to experience Mexican life, not Starbucks. I am looking forward to something different and don't want to see any of the fast food drive thru places.

I drink Starbucks on occasion. I like their carmel frappucino or whatever that cold drink is called. There are five near my house and three near work.

[Lulu]

Originally Posted by diogeron

Having said that, in my experience, having lived in the Netherlands and Germany, they are frequented not by Americans, but by locals. So, unless one believes that people are just too stupid to decide for themselves how to spend their money, one can only conclude that they are offering something that some people think has value, however the rest of us may think that is silly.

Exactly... some of us silly, stupid people (not that you're calling us silly or stupid, just that in your opinion, you think paying for what they offer is silly - right? ) think Starbucks tastses good and that what they offer is worth the pesos. Unlike the Blue Mountian coffee in Jamaica that I was told was "the best in the world"... I tried it, didn't like it, and don't drink it - it has no VALUE to me. However, I LOVE my Saturday morning triple grande non-fat latte from Starbucks.

Now, when I'm in Playa (since they don't have SB yet), Cafe Sasta is my place over Joe's and the Press... you go with what you like. Period.
I love Playa, and I don't care to see it go commercial. Progress is progress though, and eventually when a place gets to a point where it becomes mainstream public and the "in" place to go, you're going to get the chains... I'd MUCH rather see the Starbucks logo than the Coco Bongo logo. But that's just me.

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by Lulu

Exactly... some of us silly, stupid people (not that you're calling us silly or stupid, just that in your opinion, you think paying for what they offer is silly - right? ) think Starbucks tastses good and that what they offer is worth the pesos. Unlike the Blue Mountian coffee in Jamaica that I was told was "the best in the world"... I tried it, didn't like it, and don't drink it - it has no VALUE to me. However, I LOVE my Saturday morning triple grande non-fat latte from Starbucks.

Now, when I'm in Playa (since they don't have SB yet), Cafe Sasta is my place over Joe's and the Press... you go with what you like. Period.
I love Playa, and I don't care to see it go commercial. Progress is progress though, and eventually when a place gets to a point where it becomes mainstream public and the "in" place to go, you're going to get the chains... I'd MUCH rather see the Starbucks logo than the Coco Bongo logo. But that's just me.

*insert standing ovation icon here*

[Rissask]

After all, it's not like people put a gun to somebody's head and says, "Hey, go spend 4 bucks on coffee or we'll kill your Mom."

Funny!!

I bet the locals are happy they are getting one, so that's good.

I wouldn't be moaning about the place becoming Americanized, McDonalds has been there for years, people still love PDC, so what.

I personally don't like Starbucks, it's bitter, overroasted and overpriced, IMO.
I go for the extra large double double from Timmie's for $1.54 instead. Each to their own!

I also have to say I wasn't impressed with any of the coffee, from Cafe Sasta to anywhere else we got it from, when we were in Playa. We did bring back a sack of beans grown in Oaxaca last year- that was great coffee!

[kalisun]

when in playa i prefer coffee press or java joe's. at home i do coffee bean & tea leaf.

[Donny]

Originally Posted by Ginger

C'mon people...like babs said, someone likes Starbucks 'cause it's making millions!

I don't drink coffee...I drink espresso. I can't get espresso at Tim's, 7-11, or whatever else. I won't buy a regular coffee, won't drink it...I also don't use milk, I use soy, not so easy to find at just any coffee outlet...I love my espresso and my grande sugar-free vanilla soy no foam latte.

I don't get why people have to get so angry about Starshmucks. Yep, I spend $5 a coffee, and I'd like to spend less, but there isn't a place that sells a cup of espresso for less.

Many people spend $5 a day on a pack of smokes, a lottery ticket, a beer or two...and for some our joy is a coffee.

And I am guilty of enjoying getting out of my home office, sitting either inside or outside in the fresh air at Starbucks, enjoying my 'coffee', my complimentary wireless internet....

I completely agree with ya Ginger! What Starbucks (or Microsoft for that matter) ever do to any of ya? Different strokes for differnt folks. Some say Potato and Dan Quale says Potatoe!
Seriously, if they ain't harmin' anyone, Big Deal! And no, I haven't had a store bought espresso in years. And this summer I gave up the every morning coffee. Just my 2 cents.

[justrelax]

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Originally Posted by kalisun

when in playa i prefer coffee press or java joe's. at home i do coffee bean & tea leaf.

[licuadora]

Just more ways for Americans to exploit Mexico. Buy local and support the local economy. Why leave home if you don't experience what you left for in the first place? Just returned from Guanajuato. How refreshing not to see a McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Hooters, Carlos and Charlies, Senor Frogs, Sams Club, Costco, Office Max or a Starbucks anywhere for a whole week. If you want to experience Mexcio anymore you need to get away from the tourist zones. As much as I still love Playa, it ain't what it used to be! To hell with Star$$$$$!

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by licuadora

Just more ways for Americans to exploit Mexico. Buy local and support the local economy. Why leave home if you don't experience what you left for in the first place? Just returned from Guanajuato. How refreshing not to see a McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Hooters, Carlos and Charlies, Senor Frogs, Sams Club, Costco, Office Max or a Starbucks anywhere for a whole week. If you want to experience Mexcio anymore you need to get away from the tourist zones. As much as I still love Playa, it ain't what it used to be! To hell with Star$$$$$!

ya...the locals don't need no stinkin' choices

let'm go to Cancun to get their paper clips

..of course it ain't what it used to be.

...enough already

[licuadora]

Bring on the traffic jams to the once little charming fishing village and then try to find parking. I agree it's nice for the locals to be able to shop, but I wasn't planning on living in a US type environment when we bought property 11 years ago. But then I guess we are the perps of the problems too, driving up prices, making it unaffordable to the commom working Mexican. It's all about progress in some ways....... but then there is the greed which is changing the face of this town daily. Good/Evil, who's to say? Depends on who you ask and how it affects them. Miami Beach, Waikiki, Cancun, can you really tell them apart? Sorry, I'm just yearning for what once was.

[monte]

I like Starbucks and I'm craving one right now. Maybe they have some secret ingrediant that makes you become addicted or maybe I have a addictive personality

[licuadora]

By the way, when I say locals we may be referring to the expats. The real locals won't be able to afford a cup of java from Star$$$$$ unless we support them and the local economy.

[Bluespicker]

Playa will never be a little sleepy fishing village again. Progress happens.

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by Mindbender

Starbucks doesn't excite me.

Cafe Sasta has a nice slice of carrot cake.

.. and don't forget Señor Juan's at the shopping plaza in Playacar.


If there's one chain I'd like here it would be Pret A Manger from the UK - yummy range of sandwiches...

I will second that! Nice sandwiches, nice oat bars, granola bars, etc. In and out quickly, but just as $$$ as Starbucks!

[StewartG]

As a good little communist, I'm proud to say that about 10% of our retirement is in Starbucks stock (the largest holding of any single stock in my portfolio.) For whatever its worth, since we bought it (about four years ago), its been our single best performer!

Many of you may know that I am a HUGE fan of small independent restaurants, not only in Mexico but the U.S. as well. You guys may have seen me steering people on this board toward the smaller "off fifth" places to eat.

When it comes to coffee, I gotta say, I've never had a better product than what I've had at Starbucks. I love my Java Joes, but WADR, IMHO - not nearly as good a quality product as what I get in Starbucks. I go in to my favorite Starbucks location about three mornings a week and pay almost two dollars for a plain ole cup of coffee. Two dollars??? Yep! For a cup of coffee thats strong, fully flavored and well balanced, (again, IMHO) its worth ever penny! Its better than the coffee at Dunkin Donuts, Denny's, Exxon, and better than what I can manage to make at home (even using high quality beans, a conical grinder and a high end coffee maker). Kelli thinks the Pumpkin Spice Latte is "'da bomb!"

When I finally started drinking Starbucks and realized just how good their product was, I went out and bought a buttload of their stock. Apparently, a lot of people agree with me because my Starbucks stock may end up helping to finance a villa in Playa for Kelli and I to retire to in Playa (ironic, isn't it?)

Bottom line, I make my purchase decisions based on quality. If Taco Bell or Taco Cabana opens up in Playa, I will still eat at HC and El Fogon because the food it better. If Starbucks opens in Playa, I'll probably get my coffee there. If it provides an opportunity for some locals to get a well paying job, so much the better!