McCafe: McDonald’s Mocha Review
After hearing about the new McCafe at McDonald’s, I really wondered if they could even think about competing with Starbucks. I was intrigued that McDonald’s would try so I talked a friend into giving it a try by going there with me. Since we were suspicious, I ordered a Mocha so we could both taste it. Here is a review from our experience.
At the time you order, the coffee is ground and pressure brewed using a state-of-the-art expresso machine. Neither of us found fault with the fresh taste of their Mocha. I think the flavor comes from pressure brewing. I have heard that French pressed coffee is always good.
McDonald’s uses 100 percent Arabica beans for a nice strong taste too. It really is very good coffee. The Mocha ingredients were just right too. We both decided it was just as good as Starbucks for a little less in cost. However, if you use the Starbucks card for the 10 percent discount, you might not save that much in comparison. I got a medium Mocha for $2.59 plus tax.
The rest of the review on our McDonald’s McCafe experience is pretty much bad news. I ordered inside so I got a good look at employees, other customers and of course, the facilities. To begin with, there was a lot of commotion behind the counter although there was only one other customer ordering at the same time I was ordering.
After ringing me up, my cashier began helping the cashier next to him with something on her register. Meanwhile, 2 assistant managers and 3 other employees behind the counter seemed preoccupied with watching the two cashiers. I kept thinking maybe my order shows up on a screen somewhere and a McCafe barista steps out from behind.
I was wrong. Eventually, my cashier finished his tutorial and noticed I was still standing there in front of him. He turned toward an assistant manager and said something. She then stepped to the McCafe expresso machine and made my coffee. I thought it was kind of interesting that my cashier seemed to be the only one in charge.
Anyway, just as my order arrived, a customer stepped in line behind me. I turned to look at him because he sounded like he was having trouble talking. He looked drugged to me but I could tell that his cashier seemed to understand his order. “So much for that,” I thought as I walked away.
I headed toward the area where napkins, straws and spoons are kept. There were two customers there before me who had piled their order right in front of the napkins. Then, the gentleman left as I walked toward them. I stood there a couple of minutes waiting for a chance to get some napkins. Finally, I excused myself and reached over to grab a couple of napkins, straws and a spoon.
Needless to say, the atmosphere in the McDonald’s is not a place I care to relax. Some say Starbucks is pretentious but at least you can relax without feeling like you’re at a blue light special. I suggest visiting a McDonald’s in more affluent parts of town during times other than meal time for the best possible scenario.
The McDonald’s coffee cup was one that is similar to the cups used by Barnes & Nobles Bookstores. I was glad it wasn’t styrofoam. If you want to make a statement as many people want to do, then it is better to stick with a Starbucks cup.
McCafe: McDonald’s Mocha Review
So both of us agreed on several points.
1) We would definitely drink a McDonald’s McCafe coffee again.
2) It will always be a toss up as to whether to stay at the restaurant to drink it.
3) For people that want to make a statement, it won’t happen with a McDonald’s cup.
4) McCafe may not save all that much money if you have a Starbucks card.
5) If you need a coffee in a hurry and a McDonald’s is close by, then purchasing one of their coffees is worth it.
There was one other bonus to our stop. We parked by a Redbox Movie Rental at the McDonald’s. We decided to try it too. For $1.00 we rented a new movie that we watched that evening. And if you aren’t familiar with the Redbox, you have 24 hours to return it to any other Redbox location. We have one within a mile of our home so it was convenient for us. Once we figured out how we could handle McDonald’s, we felt delighted with our two forays into their offerings of McCafe and movies.
Click here to read a hilarious shopping experience.
Sources:
http://www.mymccafe.com/
Author’s Experience with McDonald’s McCafe
McCafe: McDonald’s Mocha Review copyright 2009
