A Ranking of Popular U.S. Coffee Chains
I had no idea that people had such strong feelings about fast food coffee chains until I moved to the Northeast. I’d always been a Starbucks girl, but after moving to Boston and being within walking distance of at least five Dunkin’ Donuts, I figured I’d give it a shot. I was underwhelmed. However, when I informed others of this, they acted as if I had just committed an act of sacrilege so heinous that I should be expelled from the state entirely.
Since broadening my coffee horizons, I’ve discovered that there are significant differences between these coffee shops, their vibes, and their offerings—some for the better, others for the worse. As a result, I’ve undertaken the difficult task of ranking these coffee chains from worst to best, and I’m here to report on my findings. You are welcome to disagree with me on any and all points, but rest assured that my position on this subject cannot be swayed.
5. Dunkin’ Donuts
I’m a sucker for donuts. I’ve always done so and will continue to do so. As a result, Dunkin’ has always held a special place in my heart. Additionally, I believe they serve a respectable breakfast for a fast food chain. I almost never go out of my way to get breakfast there, but if I’m at the airport early in the morning and need to eat something before boarding, you can bet I’ll grab a sourdough breakfast sandwich.
However, Dunkin’ is a disaster when it comes to coffee. To be fair, their plain drip coffee and cold brew aren’t bad, and the iced macchiato isn’t the worst coffee drink I’ve ever had. However, if you visit almost any other establishment that specialises in coffee, you can almost guarantee that it will be better than what you find at Dunkin’. They should have stayed in their lane with the donuts and left the coffee alone, in my opinion.
4. Peet’s Coffee and Tea
While Dunkin’ is my go-to for a quick airport breakfast, I’m going to Peet’s Coffee and Tea for an actual cup of coffee when I’m in an airport. I don’t believe I’ve ever had Peet’s outside of an airport. The coffee is excellent, and the quality is quite consistent. However, while some believe it can compete with Starbucks, I disagree. There are fewer options at Peet’s, despite the fact that the drinks they do offer are, on average, quite tasty. I’m looking forwards to trying the new Cold Brew with Vanilla Oat Foam, but I’m thinking I’ll save it for the next time I’m at the airport—I’m not going to make a special trip for it.
