BY "JUAN VALDEZ"
McDonald's
316 S Everett Mall Way
Everett, Wa.
Starbucks
515 S Everett Mall Way
Everett, Wa.
This week we take time out from the Juan Valdez "Beat Up On The Cowtown Starbucks World Tour” for a bit of fun. Given all the recent hoopla surrounding McDonald's renewed emphasis on their McCafe offerings (and a bit of urging from Jimbo, Starbucks Gossip founder and webmaster), I thought it might be instructive to do a comparison of competing coffee products from McDonald's and Starbucks. So I sunk my spurs into the burro's side, kicked him into overdrive and hightailed it back to the Seattle area because I knew just where to find the perfect candidates for this little brouhaha.
Here is a picture of me and the burro, on our way back to Seattle, moving as fast as the speed of light. More or less.
Please welcome our contestants. In this corner, direct to you from Everett Mall Way in Everett, Wa., we have the challenger - MCDONALD'S!! And in the opposite corner, one block east and across the street, is the reigning champion – STARBUCKS!!!
Here's how this will work. I chose to rate each store on a scale of one to ten in the following areas: overall cleanliness, service, drink quality, bathroom cleanliness (you knew that was coming, didnt you?) and speed of service. One is crummy, ten is awesome. Before we get to the ratings, I want to quickly describe my experience in each store and then we'll do the ratings thingy and declare a winner!
Let's start with McDonald's, shall we?
This particular McDonald's has gone through a complete remodel including all new furnishings, a television area for the kids and a full McCafe backdrop along the front counter between the front registers and the drive through. The McCafe package includes a warm, comforting brown color scheme and a separate menu. The heart of the espresso (don't call it expresso or we'll kick your butt - I learned that on my first day of training) experience is a rather small espresso machine with futuristic bean hoppers sticking out of the top.
The restaurant was steady with five employees on the floor when I walked in during the morning. It was also as clean as a button; even on the outside. Not a cigarette butt or wrapper to be seen. It was a great first impression. The register person was polite and outgoing. /CONTINUED IN THE FIRST COMMENT
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