Not wanting to start a coffee war on this board, I am curious to know how Starbucks is doing in Europe. I know they have opened some shops in Switzerland.

they're all over London as well.<BR>Interesting how when they first expanded out of Seattle most of us thought how unique they were, now that they're everywhere like McDonalds<BR>it just seems like overkill, at home or abroad

I have been to Starbucks in London, Vienna, and Basel, and of the three, I liked the Basel one the most. Very relaxing. The London ones remind me of Starbucks on the East Coast as opposed to the ones in the Pacific NW. The Vienna one is right across from the Opera and is always packed--and not just with tourists. Viennese pile in there too. <BR>I understand that Starbucks plans to open in many more European cities. LOL! Resistance is futile.

I think they were the first to have takeout good coffee, that was sort of a new idea -- good in comparison to McDonald's etc. Also, in many places they are kind of the only coffee shop. We have Starbucks in my office coffee machine, they're on every street corner where I live so I get tired of them. I had one funny anecdote on this: a few years ago when I was flying to Paris from US, I was sitting next to a girl from either Sweden or Denmark, I forget, who was going home from a US vacation -- and one of the things she was so proud of buying as gifts/souvenirs was Starbucks coffee!!! I was shocked, I thought surely they have decent coffee where she lives. She just thought Starbucks was so cool, she said they didn't have anything like that where she lived.

Hans: When I have a look at them in Zurich, I see mostly very young people. There are two branches in the city (I know of) and another one at Zurich Airport. Prices are high compared to "normal" Italian style coffee bars. Have not been to one, because it just does not appeal to me. We have enough great coffee shops (some very trendy and modern, some very oldfashioned. I also like a place with newspapers available. And then I prefer the very short "espresso macchiato" rather than a large mug.<BR>We had a Kentucky Fried Chicken place here. It has been closed down after a while, because was not successful enough. McD. seems to do fine, as it looks. They wait until they can rent a top located place with lots of people passing, like close to train stations, etc. The locations of the Starbucks here are very good too. Near movie theaters, trendy shops, etc.<BR>Sorry, cannot tell you, whether they are really a big success here and to tell you the truth, I do not really care. I have heard mixed opinions about the quality of the coffee. Some like it, some don't. As usual, it's a matter of very personal taste, IMO.

Hans: When I have a look at them in Zurich, I see mostly very young people. There are two branches in the city (I know of) and another one at Zurich Airport. Prices are high compared to "normal" Italian style coffee shops. Have not been to one, because it just does not appeal to me. We have enough great coffee shops (some very trendy and modern, some very oldfashioned. I also like a place with newspapers available. And then I prefer the very short "espresso macchiato" rather than a large mug.<BR>We had a Kentucky Fried Chicken place here. It has been closed down after a while, because was not successful enough. McD. seems to do fine, as it looks. They wait until they can rent a top located place with lots of people passing, like close to train stations, etc. The locations of the Starbucks here are very good too. Near movie theaters, trendy shops, etc.<BR>Sorry, cannot tell you, whether they are really a big success here and to tell you the truth, I do not really care. I have heard mixed opinions about the quality of the coffee. Some like it, some don't. As usual, it's a matter of very personal taste, IMO.

When I was in DC this past weekend, my brother was telling me about how much he had enjoyed this great new Southwest/Mexican place (Chipotle) that had sprung up in various locations all over town -- reasonable prices, delicious food, huge portions, great margaritas and Negro Modelo -- until he discovered that this wonderful place is actually owned and operated by McDonalds!! And now, of course, he can't bring himself to go back . . .. kinda similar to the whole Starbucks thing, in a way.

although I really don't like their coffee (too bitter) I do like the big ol' city mugs you can get. <BR><BR>I have a Seattle and a Washington DC one already, and I bought a whole ton of London ones on my last trip to give away as gifts to friends. they're a big hit. (kinda like the Hard Rock merchandise I suppose, still they are cool)<BR><BR>Beth

Actually, McDonald's is only an investory in Chipolte and you should definitely give in another chance. The founder went to culinary school then started his vision of an upscale fastfood Mexican restaurant with great food. McDonald's thought so highly of his vision and his execution of the plan that they invested so Chipolte could expand.<BR><BR>Speaking of Starbucks ... not as funny as The Onion's front page story "Starbucks to Open Starbucks Inside Starbucks", but truly amusing: http://www.theonion.com/onion3709/st...phase_two.html

I live in Seattle and recently met, at a party, the woman who's the proud buyer for Starbucks coffee. I wanted badly to ask her how come Starbucks coffee sucks, but of course I didn't.

perhaps not everyone thinks Starbucks sucks? probably a good thing you didn't ask.

It is not Starbucks coffee that stinks, but the one who said Starbucks "sucks".

I am also in Seattle, and am amazed at how everyone who visits me, whether from the US or Outside wants to go get there picture taken in front of the original Starbucks and buy some kind of souvenir. There is a block of downtown Seattle with 4 freakin Starbucks. IT IS RIDICULOUS