Relatives who just don't get it

[Metalcat]

It's an upscale Tim's!

Ohhhhhhh, okay

I'm guessing, never been in one.  But that is what it sounds like.    ;-)

Lol, I thought it sounded like a more trendy Olive Garden, although I've never been to one of those either. I base my entire understanding of Olive Garden off of American TV/movies.

[charis]

My niece's current life plan is to work just enough to support herself while staying under the income limit to repay her loans, then work more when they are forgiven. When she will be in her 50s.

To be fair, her parents are in their late 50s and just starting to think about saving for retirement, and based on their own comments, not doing a very good job of it.

I think there needs to be more info here.  What is the income limit for the loan forgiveness program and how long does she need to be on it to get forgiveness?  My position is that someone should not intentionally limit their income to achieve forgiveness (ie, turn down/refuse to seek promotion), but frugal folk like myself and others who work in the public sector have been able to save a lot of $$, get forgiveness, and maintain a good income all at the same time.

She is basing this plan on the new income based payments with 20 year forgiveness, not the 10 year public sector program.

I doubt she will follow through in the long run; she is also starting to desire a more permanent home. Today's news is that she is talking about getting a permanent job near her grandparents.

You don't have be on only the 10 year plan for the forgiveness to pay off, you just have to use it correctly.  I was just referring to public sector because salaries tend to be lower, but folks who live well under their means do very well for themselves.  (Not sure what bearing a permanent home/job has on whether she will follow through.  Aren't most people looking for that?).

[Dollar Slice]

Lol, I thought it sounded like a more trendy Olive Garden, although I've never been to one of those either. I base my entire understanding of Olive Garden off of American TV/movies.

Olive Garden is a chain restaurant with sit-down service trying to be Italian. Panera is fast food with counter service trying to be a cafe.

Neither is approaching "trendy" or "upscale".

[zolotiyeruki]

Lol, I thought it sounded like a more trendy Olive Garden, although I've never been to one of those either. I base my entire understanding of Olive Garden off of American TV/movies.

Olive Garden is a chain restaurant with sit-down service trying to be Italian. Panera is fast food with counter service trying to be a cafe.

Neither is approaching "trendy" or "upscale".

"trendy" and "upscale" probably don't mean a whole lot to people around these forums.  For DW and me, it's all about "how good is the food?" vs "how expensive is it?"  Is Olive Garden authentic (to anything)?  Nah, and we don't care.  It's delicious.  That said, after watching their prices increase by 40% over the last three years, we've moved Olive Garden into our "too expensive except for very special occasions" category.

[Dollar Slice]

"trendy" and "upscale" probably don't mean a whole lot to people around these forums.  For DW and me, it's all about "how good is the food?" vs "how expensive is it?"  Is Olive Garden authentic (to anything)?  Nah, and we don't care.  It's delicious.  That said, after watching their prices increase by 40% over the last three years, we've moved Olive Garden into our "too expensive except for very special occasions" category.

Just trying to describe it to someone who doesn't know what it is, no judgment. I don't really go to sit-down restaurants much at all. I haven't been to an Olive Garden since the 90s. Mostly if I do go out, it's to nicer places since I only go on special occasions (Mom's birthday etc). Not just "it's Friday".

[Villanelle]

I think Panera is a a cafe as starbucks is to a coffee shop.  Like, some effort has been put in to give it a "vibe", but ultimately, it feels commercial.  It's far nicer than a fast food restaurant like Mcdonalds, in service, decor, and food.  You have real plates and flatware.  But you order at a counter and dispense your own fountain drinks and tea.  So it's a step above fast food, but a step down from a waiter-ed sit down place like Olive Garden.  I haven't been to an Olive Garden in a decade or more, but I'm guessing Panera also falls between Olive Garden and McDonald's as far as price, too. 

[ScreamingHeadGuy]

It's an upscale Tim's!

Ohhhhhhh, okay

I'm guessing, never been in one.  But that is what it sounds like.    ;-)

Lol, I thought it sounded like a more trendy Olive Garden, although I've never been to one of those either. I base my entire understanding of Olive Garden off of American TV/movies.

So I can assume a Tim’s is a downscale Panera?

[Metalcat]

It's an upscale Tim's!

Ohhhhhhh, okay

I'm guessing, never been in one.  But that is what it sounds like.    ;-)

Lol, I thought it sounded like a more trendy Olive Garden, although I've never been to one of those either. I base my entire understanding of Olive Garden off of American TV/movies.

So I can assume a Tim’s is a downscale Panera?

Tim's is essentially Canadian Dunkin' Donuts.

[Villanelle]

It's an upscale Tim's!

Ohhhhhhh, okay

I'm guessing, never been in one.  But that is what it sounds like.    ;-)

Lol, I thought it sounded like a more trendy Olive Garden, although I've never been to one of those either. I base my entire understanding of Olive Garden off of American TV/movies.

So I can assume a Tim’s is a downscale Panera?

Tim's is essentially Canadian Dunkin' Donuts.

Oh, *that* Tim's.  In that case, based on the one Tim's I've been to, Panera is a bit more restaurant like, and less coffee/donut shop.  Definitely more of a place where you'd sit down and have a meal (more of a lunch feel than dinner) or even a casual business meeting.   

[iris lily]

It's an upscale Tim's!

Ohhhhhhh, okay

I'm guessing, never been in one.  But that is what it sounds like.    ;-)

Lol, I thought it sounded like a more trendy Olive Garden, although I've never been to one of those either. I base my entire understanding of Olive Garden off of American TV/movies.

Timmy Horton lasted about a year in my neighborhood, probably less. I didn’t go in it. It just didn’t look like anything other than a donut and coffee shop from the outside.

[Metalcat]

It's an upscale Tim's!

Ohhhhhhh, okay

I'm guessing, never been in one.  But that is what it sounds like.    ;-)

Lol, I thought it sounded like a more trendy Olive Garden, although I've never been to one of those either. I base my entire understanding of Olive Garden off of American TV/movies.

Timmy Horton lasted about a year in my neighborhood, probably less. I didn’t go in it. It just didn’t look like anything other than a donut and coffee shop from the outside.

Cuz it isn't.

There's absolutely nothing special about Tim Hortons other than really effective Canadiana advertising.

[Sibley]

Every region has their very much overhyped, mediocre food/beverage dispensary. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Peat's Coffee, In-and-Out, Buckee's (gas station but has food). You get the idea. If someone wants to be overly obsessed, that's their choice. Only good thing is they tend to not be disgusting and to have a certain level of uniformity, so you know what you're getting.

[Apples]

I love Panera lol.  I got twice a month for my knitting group, we all have dinner then sit and work on our projects together for 2 hours.  It's great.  And they have a wide menu with decent food that's a step above a fast food place, and we don't want a place with a waiter because that would make the knitting awkward.  It's also a good place for a casual meeting, catching up with a friend or relative you don't see much, etc. 

[Dave1442397]

I like Panera too, but haven't been there since 2018. I used to go to conferences at the Hyatt in Reston, VA, and there's a Panera on site. The cinnamon bagels were delicious, and my lunch option was the Turkey Bravo sandwich.

Luckily the hotel is right next to the Washington and Old Dominion Trail, so I could go for a nice 50-mile bike ride to work off the bagels.

Fun fact, the elevation profile for the ride looks like Batman :)

[TheGrimSqueaker]

I heard that there's a second trial because Panera's hyper-caffeinated bottomless energy drinks keep killing people.

[getsorted]

I am from the part of the country where half of us still call Panera "Breadco" or "St. Louis Bread." I haven't actually eaten there in years, but I don't think I've attended a single breakfast business meeting that didn't have a box of their bagels in just as many years. I think their business model depends on 1. group orders that are just shy of catering level and 2. the fact that if you had to go there in a business suit, you wouldn't feel too incongruous?

As far as the food... Everything there is so salty, and their coffee... hard no from me.

[Just Joe]

I've found much of the big name coffee to be a big no. McDonald's and Tim's and Dunkin, etc. It seems "off" for one reason or another. However I'll buy food or coffee once or twice in a year when I travel for work with other people. I'll go along with the group.

Would rather have coffee we brew at home with beans from the grocery store.

[Villanelle]

Thanks to this thread, I really want Panera.  Damnit. 

[midweststache]

I've found much of the big name coffee to be a big no. McDonald's and Tim's and Dunkin, etc. It seems "off" for one reason or another. However I'll buy food or coffee once or twice in a year when I travel for work with other people. I'll go along with the group.

Would rather have coffee we brew at home with beans from the grocery store.

Agreed. I had to go into the office last week, and I left my carafe of coffee on the counter. I'm sitting on the train wondering why I'm so tired. Of course! I forgot my coffee! Due to a rampant caffeine addiction (I know.) I recognize I need coffee if I'm going to make it through my day sans caffeine-withdrawl-migraine. I stop in the Starbucks in my building lobby for a medium coffee. $4.04 for drip coffee, and it was awful. I much prefer brewing it at home, at the strength I want with whatever level of milk I'm craving that AM.

My parents have two coffee makers - a drip carafe and a Keriug - and they are still members of this Panera Coffee Club thing. (I think my mom does a weekly breakfast there with some other retired ladies, so maybe she thought it was a good idea for that?) But like, she'll drive to my sister's to watch the her kiddos and pick up a coffee from Panera on the way... when she has TWO perfectly good coffee makers that can make coffee to go in far less time than it takes for her to go to Panera, wait in the drive-through, and get a mediocre coffee. I just... ugh. Is it a conspicuous consumption thing if the only person seeing you consume it is not even 2?

The unfortunate thing is, I can chart my "let's just get dinner out" impetus - which is our big budget hole and has been for years - from this drive-through mentality in my upbringing. I'm still battling it and trying to train/organize myself around cooking and eating at home.

[Villanelle]

I've found much of the big name coffee to be a big no. McDonald's and Tim's and Dunkin, etc. It seems "off" for one reason or another. However I'll buy food or coffee once or twice in a year when I travel for work with other people. I'll go along with the group.

Would rather have coffee we brew at home with beans from the grocery store.

Agreed. I had to go into the office last week, and I left my carafe of coffee on the counter. I'm sitting on the train wondering why I'm so tired. Of course! I forgot my coffee! Due to a rampant caffeine addiction (I know.) I recognize I need coffee if I'm going to make it through my day sans caffeine-withdrawl-migraine. I stop in the Starbucks in my building lobby for a medium coffee. $4.04 for drip coffee, and it was awful. I much prefer brewing it at home, at the strength I want with whatever level of milk I'm craving that AM.

My parents have two coffee makers - a drip carafe and a Keriug - and they are still members of this Panera Coffee Club thing. (I think my mom does a weekly breakfast there with some other retired ladies, so maybe she thought it was a good idea for that?) But like, she'll drive to my sister's to watch the her kiddos and pick up a coffee from Panera on the way... when she has TWO perfectly good coffee makers that can make coffee to go in far less time than it takes for her to go to Panera, wait in the drive-through, and get a mediocre coffee. I just... ugh. Is it a conspicuous consumption thing if the only person seeing you consume it is not even 2?

The unfortunate thing is, I can chart my "let's just get dinner out" impetus - which is our big budget hole and has been for years - from this drive-through mentality in my upbringing. I'm still battling it and trying to train/organize myself around cooking and eating at home.

Wow, I've never seen a Panera with a drive-though.  I'm surprised they have them since usually the food takes longer than fast-food timing to prepare. 

[bananas]

I much prefer brewing it at home, at the strength I want with whatever level of milk I'm craving that AM.

My parents have two coffee makers - a drip carafe and a Keriug - and they are still members of this Panera Coffee Club thing. (I think my mom does a weekly breakfast there with some other retired ladies, so maybe she thought it was a good idea for that?) But like, she'll drive to my sister's to watch the her kiddos and pick up a coffee from Panera on the way... when she has TWO perfectly good coffee makers that can make coffee to go in far less time than it takes for her to go to Panera, wait in the drive-through, and get a mediocre coffee. I just... ugh. Is it a conspicuous consumption thing if the only person seeing you consume it is not even 2?

I've been a home coffee drinker for years, but this year I started putting more effort into making it taste as good as possible by getting better beans, grinding them at home, and switching to a brewing method that more reliably results in tasty coffee (aeropress). And now that I'm doing this, my coffee tastes ridiculously better than anything I could get at the places near work (Starbucks, Peets, etc), and it's SO cheap by comparison, that it's honestly amazing to me that anyone would spend so much at these places. And people get so attached to their daily purchase ritual! "I just couldn't survive without my daily Starbucks" etc.

[AlanStache]

I try to look at paying for a cafe drink and pastry I will consume at the shop as the cost to 'rent' a seat in the cafe.  You want to hang out in public and read a book for a bit - cool, but it will cost 12$ and you will get a free coffee and sandwich.  Yes I know parks and libraries exist.  I take much more issue with car dependency, suburban strip malls and national level homogeneity, Panera's in Settle and Miami are indistinguishable, than I do with spending a bit of money down the block for a chair while I eat lunch with the people from my neighborhood.  I have traveled a lot in the US and way too much of it looks exactly the same and has the same chains along identical looking stroads.

Half dozen retires driving to get together for a coffee once a week is good, but I think it is far short of them living in walking distance of each other and a locally owned & operated gathering place.  Living near each other facilitates more and more unplanned social interaction.  (yes I know not everyone can walk and no I am not suggesting banning cars...) 

For many people a cup of Starbucks is as much a fashion accessory as it is a coffee.

[Log]

^well put, Alanstache - cafes and this kind of consumption are pretty much what “the good life” is about to my mind, if you’re talking about meeting up with friends over a cup of coffee, enjoying a third place where you exist around other people in your community. I think “X is cheaper at home” is the insidious reason behind a lot of rising loneliness. But yeah, fuck drive-through coffee.

Re: “I make better coffee at home:” A lot of these chains with mediocre coffee were founded on second wave coffee, but if their reputation is based on consistency, then it’s safer to keep making the same style of coffee they’ve always made, even if a new style is becoming more popular. I think Blue Bottle is the biggest any chain has gotten yet on third wave coffee, but I’m sure there will be more to come.  Basically any local coffee shop founded in the last 15 years will probably be third wave, and about half of those will be really quite good at what they do. I’m very happy to support local cafes that are offering a third place for the community and really care about the excellence of their craft. I’ll make coffee at home for cheaper 95+% of the time, but I won’t pretend my coffee at home is nearly as good as coffee from the best cafes, and $4-5 here and there towards great local businesses is not a vice I am ashamed of.

[glacio09]

I agree with the above comments. A good cafe with good coffee is a great (relatively) frugal third space if done properly. Once or twice week. Plain coffee with a nice croissant if I'm really going crazy and my library book. Back when I was single it meant that for $20 a week I got a few hours of enjoyment multiple times a week.

Starbucks, however, did not became the company it is because of people like me.

[Metalcat]

I agree with the above comments. A good cafe with good coffee is a great (relatively) frugal third space if done properly. Once or twice week. Plain coffee with a nice croissant if I'm really going crazy and my library book. Back when I was single it meant that for $20 a week I got a few hours of enjoyment multiple times a week.

Starbucks, however, did not became the company it is because of people like me.

Totally agree. I love my neighborhood, but one of the downsides of living in a very high crime area with an enormous homeless population is that we have no coffee shops. I LOVE a nice, cozy coffee shop even though I don't drink coffee.

I actually have the BEST coffee shop out in my little village of 170 people in the middle of bloody nowhere Newfoundland. It's owned by a Gen X dude from Toronto and is exactly the kind of artsy 90s cafe that I used to love. DH says the coffee is VERY good.

The joy of going there isn't the beverages or even the very, very excellent baked goods, but the experience of going...also, it's literally the only business in the village.

[Villanelle]

In my old fantastic, walkable neighborhood, I would go to the local independent coffee shop 1-2 times a week.  I don't drink coffee, but they made a nice cup of tea, in several different forms.  More than that, they knew me.  Steve knew my order when I walked in. "London Fog today, or something else, Villanelle?" Steve and I had several conversations about literature based on my novel-cover graphic tees I wore most days.  I knew when Steve put in his notice to move back to Texas, where he was from.  Etc.  I would sit and write for a couple hours.  If I was there long enough, I might order a second beverage or a cookie.  The cookies were handmade by a lady who carried them in, and then went straight into the bakery case and usually didn't last more than an hour.  Divine.

None of this is particularly mustachian, by most definitions.  But it meant enough to me that if I still lived there, I'd have considered returning to work part-time before giving that up. 

[ATtiny85]

In my old fantastic, walkable neighborhood, I would go to the local independent coffee shop 1-2 times a week.  I don't drink coffee, but they made a nice cup of tea, in several different forms.  More than that, they knew me.  Steve knew my order when I walked in. "London Fog today, or something else, Villanelle?" Steve and I had several conversations about literature based on my novel-cover graphic tees I wore most days.  I knew when Steve put in his notice to move back to Texas, where he was from.  Etc.  I would sit and write for a couple hours.  If I was there long enough, I might order a second beverage or a cookie.  The cookies were handmade by a lady who carried them in, and then went straight into the bakery case and usually didn't last more than an hour.  Divine.

None of this is particularly mustachian, by most definitions.  But it meant enough to me that if I still lived there, I'd have considered returning to work part-time before giving that up.

This is one of little pleasures in life for sure. I have not lived in a place where it is possible to walk to any business safely in a number of years, but anytime we are on vacation I always look for a coffee place we can walk to from our accommodations. I hope that our retirement home has the ability to walk to a coffee shop. Perfect would be something like 45 minutes to an hour walking distance.

[ixtap]

In my old fantastic, walkable neighborhood, I would go to the local independent coffee shop 1-2 times a week.  I don't drink coffee, but they made a nice cup of tea, in several different forms.  More than that, they knew me.  Steve knew my order when I walked in. "London Fog today, or something else, Villanelle?" Steve and I had several conversations about literature based on my novel-cover graphic tees I wore most days.  I knew when Steve put in his notice to move back to Texas, where he was from.  Etc.  I would sit and write for a couple hours.  If I was there long enough, I might order a second beverage or a cookie.  The cookies were handmade by a lady who carried them in, and then went straight into the bakery case and usually didn't last more than an hour.  Divine.

None of this is particularly mustachian, by most definitions.  But it meant enough to me that if I still lived there, I'd have considered returning to work part-time before giving that up.

That is a staffing question. One of my friends once walked into our grad school's chain coffee shop where we hung out together and asked them what I usually get, as he wanted to surprise me while I was working on a big project. They made an extra large and didn't charge him at all.

[TomTX]

When a relative died a few years ago the apartment was full of unopened boxes from QVC and maybe other places. It would have been nice if the boxes could have been opened and contents given away. Unfortunately, the apartment was in an old, old building in a major city and was infested with bed bugs! One of the relatives did go in and remove paperwork and some jewelry and a few things that bed bugs couldn't penetrate. Professional disposal guys with zipup suits had to dispose the contenets of the apartment into a garbage truck. The deceased person either wasn't bothered by the bugs when alive or after being hospitalized for a period of time they took over. Seems those old building are infested. You spray one apartment and they skitter over to another.

Back when my aunt and uncle had apartments, they would periodically have a "bug bomb party" for the residents. Provide a free keg of beer plus some watermelons or whatever to get all the residents outside (mostly college students) - and bug bomb every single apartment at effectively the same time.

[Just Joe]

In my old fantastic, walkable neighborhood, I would go to the local independent coffee shop 1-2 times a week.  I don't drink coffee, but they made a nice cup of tea, in several different forms.  More than that, they knew me.  Steve knew my order when I walked in. "London Fog today, or something else, Villanelle?" Steve and I had several conversations about literature based on my novel-cover graphic tees I wore most days.  I knew when Steve put in his notice to move back to Texas, where he was from.  Etc.  I would sit and write for a couple hours.  If I was there long enough, I might order a second beverage or a cookie.  The cookies were handmade by a lady who carried them in, and then went straight into the bakery case and usually didn't last more than an hour.  Divine.

None of this is particularly mustachian, by most definitions.  But it meant enough to me that if I still lived there, I'd have considered returning to work part-time before giving that up.

We love our local cafes. Our town has a few. The franchise brands aren't very inspiring but they are consistent.

We have seldom visited our favorite cafe in recent times - like once since last winter. The most amazing thing is we can walk in and the barista actually remembers our order more times than not. No idea how they accomplish that. ;)

I'll happily let go of a few coins (-errr, dollars) for a place to sit and wait for someone, or rest and read at a cafe.

[Weisass]

In my old fantastic, walkable neighborhood, I would go to the local independent coffee shop 1-2 times a week.  I don't drink coffee, but they made a nice cup of tea, in several different forms.  More than that, they knew me.  Steve knew my order when I walked in. "London Fog today, or something else, Villanelle?" Steve and I had several conversations about literature based on my novel-cover graphic tees I wore most days.  I knew when Steve put in his notice to move back to Texas, where he was from.  Etc.  I would sit and write for a couple hours.  If I was there long enough, I might order a second beverage or a cookie.  The cookies were handmade by a lady who carried them in, and then went straight into the bakery case and usually didn't last more than an hour.  Divine.

None of this is particularly mustachian, by most definitions.  But it meant enough to me that if I still lived there, I'd have considered returning to work part-time before giving that up.

This is one of the things I love best about where I live. It isn’t perfect, but nowhere is. And here I can walk to the train, multiple stores and coffee shops, countless bars and restaurants, a gym, a public pool and two libraries, all of it within a two mile radius.

[Metalcat]

Lol, thanks to this thread I'm getting Panera memes on FB and one just popped up saying that Panera is just bougie hospital food. Lol.

[Zamboni]

I heard that there's a second trial because Panera's hyper-caffeinated bottomless energy drinks keep killing people.

Wow, that poor young lady. I tend to add a splash of lemonade to my soda, and I'm sure I did on that Panera trip. I don't recall anything which indicated that their lemonade is an over-the-top energy drink. I do remember something about it being all natural or some such thing. No wonder that young lady thought she was drinking something safe instead of realizing it might cause her heart to stop. Why in the heck would they even be spiking two different stimulants into their lemonades? Oh. . . that's right . . . to get people addicted to coming into Panera.

[Gronnie]

I think the lemonade from the fountain and the "Charged Lemonade" are two different things. It should be pretty clear what you are getting when you specially order the "Charged" lemonade.

[Zamboni]

I'm fairly certain that the charged lemonade was in the customer self-filled drink area when I was there. I do remember thinking the name was odd. In any case, bottomless energy drinks for one low low price is probably a bad idea, but I'm generally supportive of people having the freedom to make their own decisions even if those decisions aren't optimal.

Meanwhile, several empty "sip club" cups are strewn about their apartment. It is one of many indications that my estimate about when they start asking for money again probably needs to be sooner rather than later, unfortunately.

[Apples]

Can confirm that the Charged Lemonade was in the customer self-fill area.  One of my knitting friends regularly got it. 

[Gronnie]

Wow that changes my perception of the entire situation drastically. That seems ridiculously irresponsible.

[theninthwall]

I'm fairly certain that the charged lemonade was in the customer self-filled drink area when I was there. I do remember thinking the name was odd. In any case, bottomless energy drinks for one low low price is probably a bad idea, but I'm generally supportive of people having the freedom to make their own decisions even if those decisions aren't optimal.

I guess the problem comes in whether or not the charged lemonade was clearly labeled as an energy drink. If not, I think that is genuinely negligent.

[Smokystache]

Interesting to see the different levels of caffeine. At first, I didn't like the differences in ounces. However, we often tend to think in terms of "1 drink" based on what we order. I'm going to guess that the average person wasn't realizing that their 1 large Charged Lemonade (30 oz) was the equivalent caffeine of 2.5 cans of Monster Energy OR almost 5 cans of Red Bull. Not to mention many of us would want to "get our money's worth" and get a self-service refill to take with us.





Although I also don't think the average person realizes how much caffeine is in a large/venti Starbucks or DD coffee

[TheGrimSqueaker]

Can confirm that the Charged Lemonade was in the customer self-fill area.  One of my knitting friends regularly got it.

Of all the things I truly would not prefer to have with knitting needles in my hands. Not in the interests of public safety.

[Psychstache]

Every region has their very much overhyped, mediocre food/beverage dispensary. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Peat's Coffee, In-and-Out, Buckee's (gas station but has food). You get the idea. If someone wants to be overly obsessed, that's their choice. Only good thing is they tend to not be disgusting and to have a certain level of uniformity, so you know what you're getting.

So, I am assuming you are referring to the Texas gas station. If so, they do have a legitimate reason to stand out: It is THE place to stop if you are in the middle of nowhere in Texas and need to go to the bathroom. While they have all the advertising cult of the beaver and mediocre food, their promise of plentiful and clean bathrooms is a true differentiator.

[getsorted]

Lol, thanks to this thread I'm getting Panera memes on FB and one just popped up saying that Panera is just bougie hospital food. Lol.

I have also seen "Panera is fast food for people who think they are above fast food."

I always associate Panera with hospitals because it was the only restaurant in walking distance from a hospital where I spent a lot of time 15 years ago. But then the hospital upgraded its cafeteria, and we all agreed it was now much better than Panera!

[Sibley]

Every region has their very much overhyped, mediocre food/beverage dispensary. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Peat's Coffee, In-and-Out, Buckee's (gas station but has food). You get the idea. If someone wants to be overly obsessed, that's their choice. Only good thing is they tend to not be disgusting and to have a certain level of uniformity, so you know what you're getting.

So, I am assuming you are referring to the Texas gas station. If so, they do have a legitimate reason to stand out: It is THE place to stop if you are in the middle of nowhere in Texas and need to go to the bathroom. While they have all the advertising cult of the beaver and mediocre food, their promise of plentiful and clean bathrooms is a true differentiator.

The availability or cleanliness of the bathrooms has never made the list of why Buckee's is so great in the conversations I've had.

[Shrinkydink8]

Chuckling at the Panera Sip Club comments.  So, no face punches, but I actually joined the Sip Club.  I was on a business trip and ordered Panera and a pop-up came on screen asking me if I'd like to join the club, for $5 for 2 months.  My ice tea was going to be 3.69 anyway, so I joined it.  The Panera was between my hotel and the office, so I happily stopped there 3x/day to get some tea.  I really love tea in all its forms.  I go there now only if I end up near it anyway.  Yeah, I'll miss it when my subscription is up at the end of this month, but no way I'm going to renew.  Oh yeah, and once a week I get a coupon for a $2 pastry.  That sucks me in every time.

[iluvzbeach]

Every region has their very much overhyped, mediocre food/beverage dispensary. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Peat's Coffee, In-and-Out, Buckee's (gas station but has food). You get the idea. If someone wants to be overly obsessed, that's their choice. Only good thing is they tend to not be disgusting and to have a certain level of uniformity, so you know what you're getting.

So, I am assuming you are referring to the Texas gas station. If so, they do have a legitimate reason to stand out: It is THE place to stop if you are in the middle of nowhere in Texas and need to go to the bathroom. While they have all the advertising cult of the beaver and mediocre food, their promise of plentiful and clean bathrooms is a true differentiator.

The availability or cleanliness of the bathrooms has never made the list of why Buckee's is so great in the conversations I've had.

Oh, yes. The restrooms at Buc-ee’s are outstanding. Extremely plentiful, spotless and stalls that are very private in comparison to regular public restroom stalls. The quality of their restrooms is well known amongst women who live in, or drive through, areas where Buc-ee’s gas stations are.

[Villanelle]

I thought of all of you yesterday when I had lunch at Panera. I needed to pick up some items as part of a fundraiser I'm working on with a women's education group.  I reached out the woman who had the items for me and to arrange pick up.  She suggested 1130 later that day, and said, "and maybe we could grab a quick lunch, too."  I'd intended to just do a quick drive-by, but I enjoy this woman's company so I agreed.  She suggested Panera and my heart was warmed by the thought of their broccoli cheddar soup.

I did not join the sip club.  I also didn't see the "charged" drinks, but I only half looked.  (I had iced tea.)

It was a lovely place for sitting and getting to know better this interesting woman for an hour.  (No pants were harmed in the making of this post.)

[Morning Glory]

Every region has their very much overhyped, mediocre food/beverage dispensary. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Peat's Coffee, In-and-Out, Buckee's (gas station but has food). You get the idea. If someone wants to be overly obsessed, that's their choice. Only good thing is they tend to not be disgusting and to have a certain level of uniformity, so you know what you're getting.

So, I am assuming you are referring to the Texas gas station. If so, they do have a legitimate reason to stand out: It is THE place to stop if you are in the middle of nowhere in Texas and need to go to the bathroom. While they have all the advertising cult of the beaver and mediocre food, their promise of plentiful and clean bathrooms is a true differentiator.

The availability or cleanliness of the bathrooms has never made the list of why Buckee's is so great in the conversations I've had.

Oh, yes. The restrooms at Buc-ee’s are outstanding. Extremely plentiful, spotless and stalls that are very private in comparison to regular public restroom stalls. The quality of their restrooms is well known amongst women who live in, or drive through, areas where Buc-ee’s gas stations are.

So it's like Kwik Trip but without the loss-leader dairy products and bananas?

[oneday]

Although I also don't think the average person realizes how much caffeine is in a large/venti Starbucks or DD coffee

FYI, I was going to reply that 16 oz is a medium/grande at Sbux, but in the reply I am seeing you have a second image, which is not showing for me.

In case anyone else can't see it: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9e_noGXkAA_OkD?format=jpg&name=small

[iluvzbeach]

Every region has their very much overhyped, mediocre food/beverage dispensary. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Peat's Coffee, In-and-Out, Buckee's (gas station but has food). You get the idea. If someone wants to be overly obsessed, that's their choice. Only good thing is they tend to not be disgusting and to have a certain level of uniformity, so you know what you're getting.

So, I am assuming you are referring to the Texas gas station. If so, they do have a legitimate reason to stand out: It is THE place to stop if you are in the middle of nowhere in Texas and need to go to the bathroom. While they have all the advertising cult of the beaver and mediocre food, their promise of plentiful and clean bathrooms is a true differentiator.

The availability or cleanliness of the bathrooms has never made the list of why Buckee's is so great in the conversations I've had.

Oh, yes. The restrooms at Buc-ee’s are outstanding. Extremely plentiful, spotless and stalls that are very private in comparison to regular public restroom stalls. The quality of their restrooms is well known amongst women who live in, or drive through, areas where Buc-ee’s gas stations are.

So it's like Kwik Trip but without the loss-leader dairy products and bananas?

Don’t know. Am not familiar with Kwik Trip.

[ixtap]

Every region has their very much overhyped, mediocre food/beverage dispensary. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Peat's Coffee, In-and-Out, Buckee's (gas station but has food). You get the idea. If someone wants to be overly obsessed, that's their choice. Only good thing is they tend to not be disgusting and to have a certain level of uniformity, so you know what you're getting.

So, I am assuming you are referring to the Texas gas station. If so, they do have a legitimate reason to stand out: It is THE place to stop if you are in the middle of nowhere in Texas and need to go to the bathroom. While they have all the advertising cult of the beaver and mediocre food, their promise of plentiful and clean bathrooms is a true differentiator.

The availability or cleanliness of the bathrooms has never made the list of why Buckee's is so great in the conversations I've had.

Oh, yes. The restrooms at Buc-ee’s are outstanding. Extremely plentiful, spotless and stalls that are very private in comparison to regular public restroom stalls. The quality of their restrooms is well known amongst women who live in, or drive through, areas where Buc-ee’s gas stations are.

So it's like Kwik Trip but without the loss-leader dairy products and bananas?

Don’t know. Am not familiar with Kwik Trip.

I prefer Kwik Trip. Buccees is so large and popular it can be hard to get in and out.