Best coffee in DLR, DCA?

[DizMe]

As much as I dislike starbucks, nescafe is SO much worse.

I have to agree with this (although I don't think Starbuck's is terrible, just not my fave).

 

[cp11]

This was a huge topic for us on our trip last week. I think we're coffee snobs. As soon as we landed in Portland, we grabbed Starbucks before our luggage! Just wish DL would do something about their coffee situation.

 

[Tommy_B]

I only know where Starbucks falls, and so many people have tricked into enjoying it by marekting. It's a poorly graded coffee, below average, so chances are that NesCafe uses a better product.

Not sure where you are getting that from, but Starbucks using very high grade coffees and then roasts them accordingly. That is how they have become the giant they are, not through advertising.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Just thought I'd mention that the Market House does give you free refills. You only need to show your receipt and they'll give you a fresh cup.

And I agree with previous posters...Starbucks isn't my favorite, but it's reliable and waaaaaaaay better than Nescafe.

 

[SeattleTink]

This was a huge topic for us on our trip last week. I think we're coffee snobs. As soon as we landed in Portland, we grabbed Starbucks before our luggage! Just wish DL would do something about their coffee situation.

I could have wrote this!

We have given up trying to find good coffee in the park. We bring Starbucks Via packets. This is the only way we have found to get a cup of coffee that is up to our standards.

They sell these at Starbucks, or a bigger pack at Costco for cheaper.

 

[Captain Redbeard]

You can get French Press at Win Country Trattoria...they call it a press pot. It's by far the best cup of black coffee you can find in the parks.

 

[DizMe]

You can get French Press at Win Country Trattoria...they call it a press pot. It's by far the best cup of black coffee you can find in the parks.

Wow! Thanks for this information!! I didn't know that.

 

[jlmarr]

This was a huge topic for us on our trip last week. I think we're coffee snobs. As soon as we landed in Portland, we grabbed Starbucks before our luggage! Just wish DL would do something about their coffee situation.

We have given up trying to find good coffee in the park.

Have you tried Peet's Coffee at the Häagen-Dasz store? I'm curious about what Starbucks fans think about Peet's.

 

[keishashadow]

Not sure where you are getting that from, but Starbucks using very high grade coffees and then roasts them accordingly. That is how they have become the giant they are, not through advertising.

A well-trained barista can make or break your favorite brew. My youngest DS started working @ a local starbucks franchise several years ago while in high school. I was shocked at the number of hours of complicated training he had to complete before they'd let him loose without direct supervision. He now is in college but returns home on breaks as a part-time supervisor, training new hires and still working on developing a perfect foam signature .

I've had my share of "really bad" starbucks/seattles best coffee at different venues over the years (especially in airport terminals for some reason) but I chalk it up to possible expired product, overlong brewing & barista errors. fyi, if you're not happy with your starbucks drink, hand it back and request a complimentary replacement.

 

[ArchOwl]

Have you tried Peet's Coffee at the Häagen-Dasz store? I'm curious about what Starbucks fans think about Peet's.

I have had Peet's at the Haagen Dazs and it is much better than the stuff in the parks. But I enjoy Peet's coffee while others think it is too strong. It is very strong, not in the roasting (like starbucks, aka "charbucks") but in just how much coffee flavor there is.

My problem is that Haagen Dazs is not open in the morning and by the time it is open, I have already gotten my coffee somewhere else. I have gotten it as a pick me up in the afternoon, but the line for ice cream is frequently long and it just seems like a big hassle to get it sometimes. It is also a very limited espresso menu and the employees don't seem up to Peet's standards. For example, we had to explain before what an Americano is.

 

[creampuff]

Coffee snob checking in here. We home roast our own coffee at home from green coffee beans. Freshly grind the beans prior to brewing with a Barista Virtuoso grinder. We don't have an expresso machine, but we do brew our coffee in a Brikka pot.

So yes, coffee around the DLR is quite horrid compared to a home roast. Here are the two options we have done:

Lion's preground coffee, steeped in an Aeropress coffee maker. Use the hot water from the coffee maker in a hotel. It makes a very good cup, except you go through a lot of beans.

This is almost sacriledge to say the next option. Buy the Starbucks Via packaages, they actually aren't too bad. And you won't have to walk all over creation in an attempt to find a starbucks.

 

[Kimtastic]

I'm not a big coffee drinker, but my husband is and he likes the coffee at the coffee shop on main street in DL. (they also have good hot chocolate for me). They usually have a variety of roasts available each day and most importantly refills are FREE ALL DAY!!

All you have to do is save your receipt (they do not want your cup back as they can't use it due to health department rules). So if you are a big coffee drinker, like my husband, you can get as many cups as you want in the day and you can try all of the different roasts or even switch over to hot chocolate. It may not be the best coffee ever, but I think the fact that he only pays $3 for what usually ends up being 6 cups over the whole day makes it taste better lol.

 

[Saskiwi]

We love good, STRONG (filter) coffee - or espresso- and found it virtually impossible to find either at DL or DTD.

Peets at Haagen Daaz was pretty good, but limited in hours.

Compass Books also ok but they are closing : (

As always in the US, ask for the smallest size (which is still what we call huge in Australia or NZ - it's called 'the Starbucks vente effect'!) and ask for extra shot(s). Did this at both La Brea Bakery and the Bakery on Main St and still got awful weak dishwater both times, so gave up trying at those outlets.

Staying at Hojos, we found the best option was to 'hack' our Keurig machine and use two pods per regular cup - nice and strong - then we were ready to tackle the parks each morning!

 

[DryCreek]

I have had Peet's at the Haagen Dazs and it is much better than the stuff in the parks. But I enjoy Peet's coffee while others think it is too strong. It is very strong, not in the roasting (like starbucks, aka "charbucks") but in just how much coffee flavor there is.

Too strong? I'm confused - is that even possible?

On another note, from the NesCafe (Taster's Choice) website:
http://www.tasterschoice.com/products/default.aspx?smod=true
http://www.tasterschoice.com/products/default.aspx
I don't see any choices but (eek) instant.
I know that when we visit WDW I have to carry my own for in-room brewing. At least the moderates have a four cup pot I can use. I have also found that the Kona Cafe had some really good coffee - the coffee at the food court (Riverside Mill Food Court) was horrid. Same in all of the parks. It was just sad. We normally visit in February, so a good cup of coffee is almost mandatory!

 

[Realmousefan]

I will be interested to see what the reports are from the Jolly Holiday Bakery.