I'm not going to get into the whole "Who makes the better cup of coffee," debate but things like that are the reason I haven't gone to Dunkin Donuts in years.

I guess you can say with some reasonable assurance that they are cleaning their equipment on a regular basis. Although obviously not as thoroughly as they should.

I've been told that Starbucks is the more socially acceptable chain. Maybe it's time for a switch.

Well, I don't really vouch for socially acceptable trendy spots in re: to that, I just want some decent Joe...and I've yet to be impressed with Starbucks...maybe I go to the wrong ones. I have 2 local places that make some nice coffee / espresso...and they are comparable, if not cheaper, and I can get custom roasts and grinds...so it's a win-win.

R

Haha, it's cool. I'm a dunkin's lover ever since they decided to set up shop in lil ol' Dudley, MA back in '98. I actually get a lil scared when I have to order at Starbucks because I suck at navigating their menu and usually end up with something that's not exactly what I wanted.
Sidenote: Have you seen those commercials for McCafe yet? Hilarious.
http://multimedia.boston.com/pub/m/20888270/mcdonalds_mccafe_intellectuals_commercial.htm
http://multimedia.boston.com/pub/m/20888271/mcdonalds_mccafe_hipsters_commercial.htm

What two local coffee places were you talking about? I'd like to check 'em out!

what a cool looking building

Yeah, my friend Kenny O's bedroom used to be the 2nd floor at the end...round bedroom, was real cool...the whole building got a rennovation (obviously)..some nice stuff going on on that block.

R

I don't know what it is, but it does seem DD's coffee has gone downhill in the past two years or so. It seems to have more of a sour-ish aftertaste. I find Tim Horton's has better coffee lately.

There's one in Scarborough, ME on Route 1 but thats kind of a long drive for a cup of coffee.

Neither of those locations to me any good. I may as well drive to Quebec.

I wonder if it has any connection with why their iced tea tastes like coffee? I was happy to see them come out with iced tea this summer, and then I tasted it. If I'd wanted an iced coffee, I would have ordered one!

I have never had a good experience with any "special" drink at DD's I have only ordered there because that was the only option, but honestly if you are not getting a French Vanilla Extra Extra (like all the pansies drink) then they are LOST with what to make. KISS- when it comes to DD's

I've recently converted to Starbucks. A venti Pike.

Delicious.

+ = :-)

I've had soapy tasting coffee from Dunkin Donuts several times. yuck. I try not to go there anymore since it can be so inconsistent.
If your looking for something mild and smooth try Boston Donuts, there's a location on park ave. A friend discovered it back in the spring. Its been a great alternative to D.D. they use New England Coffee Company and I've never had a complaint.

I like to grind it out before I shower, so usually around 5:30-6am.

(How was that?)

Here's a strange question: I've stopped at DDs all over the place - from here to Bristol County - and almost invariable the person who waits on me is Russian. What's the deal with that?

Because in Russia, Donut dunks you.

for a couple of years everyone who waited on me was albanian...either it was a kid i had in school, or his brother, or sister, or mother, or someone related. sometimes i'd look in there and it would be half of my 3rd period class behind the counter. and they would never ever charge me. ever. eventually i started feeling so guilty about all the free coffees that i stopped going to dunkin donuts altogether. i haven't been there in years so i don't know if it's still the same or not

Word has it it's either slavery or eat one of those Dunkin Donuts pizzas.

Yeah, pre-cooked eggs are pretty gross. All fast-food "eggstuffs" are pretty gross, be it the McEgg loaf or the BK sponge-egg sheet or the DD eggwhite-foam sheet. All nasty.

Ron