What's better, Starbucks or Peets?
When someone on Judy's Book gave Starbucks a better review than Peets Coffee, blogger and self-described "coffee snob" Chris Pirillo got a little peeved. "Comparing Peet’s to Starbucks is like comparing Ruth’s Chris to the Sizzler," he blogs. "If you consider yourself a Starbucks fan, you are to be considered someone who doesn’t know good coffee - and therefore, your opinion on anything related to coffee is completely null and void," he writes. "Starbucks is the McDonald’s of the coffee world." Ouch.
OK, Seattle, what's your favorite coffee?
Comments
I guess once again its a pretty subjective issue. Are we talking beans here or actual cups of coffee. Living in SF and having a multitude of Peets and Starbucks to choose from, I found out that Peets could not make a Chai Latte or Mocha if there life depended on it.
I suspect this is more of a my place where I live is better than your place ;-)
Posted by: Scott G. | August 7, 2007 6:08 AM
I gotta say, I'm a Starbucks fan. The drinks are always consistent. Since I order one of those foo foo drinks with a lot of personalization I appreciate that Starbucks always gets it right. Peets doesn't.
Posted by: Shana | August 7, 2007 7:56 AM
It is a combination of the beans, the roasting and the corporate spirit that matter to me.
Given the choice, I'll take Peets but am not above Starbucks.
I used to be a diehard Starbucks fanatic, 'back in the day' when you actually had to go look for one. Now, the roast has changed, the coffee tastes different and, as it has been previously stated... it's like going to McDonalds when there is a nice restaurant across the street that charges the same (or less).
Winner: Peets
Posted by: Winston | August 7, 2007 8:08 AM
I visited a Peets in Redmond recently and after taking a few sips of a latte I poured it out and bought a Starbucks. I have not tried their drip; I would hope that their drip is better but I have not decided if I want to give it a try yet. My favorite coffee is still Honolulu Coffee Company in HI.
Posted by: Ryan | August 7, 2007 8:56 AM
Peets, by far.
Starbucks is always bitter, and tastes like it was filtered through card board. And I mean that in the nicest way possible! I dream about Peets, and wish one was closer!
~Caitlin
Posted by: Caitlin | August 7, 2007 8:56 AM
For espresso drinks, I'd go with Starbucks. But for drip, I give the nod to Peets. Starbucks' drip coffee is usually on the "burnt" side, while Peets tends to have a smoother cup. Again, it's a matter of preference.
Posted by: Dave | August 7, 2007 9:44 AM
NO brainer...
PEETS!
Posted by: ronk | August 7, 2007 11:04 AM
Peets- no questions, hands down. Peets. For a perfect cup of coffee.
Starbucks maybe a contender when you have all the additives- the twists, shakes, the milk, cream or caramel. But for a purist, Peets.
Posted by: SP | August 7, 2007 11:34 AM
Starbuck's is definitely the best.
Isn't Peets an off shoot of Starbuck's? I'd always heard it was started by a disgruntled exec. of Starbuck's, could we be comparing apples to apples?
Posted by: Rich Boswell | August 7, 2007 12:32 PM
Peets or Starbucks?....Kind of splitting hairs when it comes to taste. the Starbucks drip will occasionally taste burnt but I've somehow aquired a taste for that to....when it comes to the foo foo drinks Starbucks nails that more consistantly. I want to say Peets because when I say Starbucks I feel like i'm voting for Walmart.....I won't...I'll be objective and honest...Starbucks it is!
Posted by: Jimbo2 | August 7, 2007 3:44 PM
Seriously? Those are the choices? Charbucks is a last resort for me, but I'll take that over Peet's. What the heck do they put in that swill?
I'll pass on both. Even Tully's is better. I long for the days of Coffee People, pre-buy/sell out. Now *that* was some coffee!
Posted by: peanutga11ery1 | August 7, 2007 6:11 PM