For a true fall experience, it's Starbucks for the win
As fall arrives, battles for those who have the best fall drinks arrive between two major coffee giants: Dutch Bros vs. Starbucks.
Beyond the drink offerings, customers also appreciate friendly baristas, a welcoming ambience and a strong company history. CCS English teacher, Angela Pantoja, prefers Starbucks over Dutch Bros because of Starbucks' longevity. "Starbucks has been operating since 1971 and has grown expertise along the way," said Pantoja, a self-proclaimed Starbucks aficionado.
While at Dutch Bros you don't get to walk in, Starbucks are stores you can walk in, read a book, do some work, or just take break. "I enjoy the studious atmosphere at Starbucks," Pantoja said. While Starbucks is welcoming with open doors, Dutch Bros has the edge on being friendly and starting conversations with their customers.
"The friendly conversationalists at Dutch Bros have Starbucks' new baristas beat when it comes to being welcoming," Pantoja said.
With this knowledge, there was one more thing to go try: the fall drinks at both Starbucks and Dutch Bros. I got a pumpkin latte from both places.
At Starbucks, I noticed that the baristas are very introverted, they don't really talk, and it is a quick interaction. But all that is forgotten when the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte hits your tastebuds. The cinnamon and pumpkin specialty lives up to the hype that people give it. The flavor reminds you of fall, and mixed with the store’s ambience, reminds you that there are different seasons, especially in San Antonio where fall is virtually non-existent.
At Dutch Bros, the baristas were super friendly, and we had a full conversation. The layout of Dutch Bros is a walk-up counter for ordering. The pumpkin spice latte was bland, and it was hard to detect a pumpkin or spice flavor. It tasted like normal coffee, but it was nothing special. Dutch Bros is best for something casual or a quick grab-and-go like the Rebel energy drinks, which provide a quick source of pep.
So, if you're feeling like summer has been hanging around forever and you're ready for fall, head to Starbucks. It takes the win for seasonal drinks and a fall ambience.
Photos courtesy Olena Bohovyk/Unsplash
About the Contributor
Juan Mendoza-Arenas, Opinion Editor
Juan Mendoza-Arenas is a senior at CCS who enjoys soccer, skateboarding, music and writing. He pays attention to detail when writing and hopes to keep students up to date on the latest happenings at CCS. Juan’s caring side has motivated him to become a child psychologist.
