Friday, February 19, 2010

Bye-bye Starbucks...

I stopped at a gas station this morning on my way to work to get a cup of coffee. I have been placed on a budget and $5 lattes are not included in the budget. So I am branching out...spreading my proverbial wings. I had forgotten what a cornucopia of delights a gas station convenient store is. This was a newer convenient store...very bright and airy. They had about 6 different kinds of coffee, ranging from a light breakfast blend to a robust European roast. They had cappuccinos. They had Torani syrups. All for 99 cents! They had booths with locals hanging out enjoying their breakfast. Now mind you, this was Washington Avenue, so I am not sure that I would want to have breakfast with the locals, but they appeared to be having a grand old time. They had truck drivers with braided beards. They had semi-conscious men smelling of alcohol and tripping over their own feet. A real slice of life in Minneapolis.

I walked the aisles dumbfounded by the options available to me for breakfast. I could have a pop tart. I could have donuts. I could have potato chips, candy bars, or bagels. I could have granola bars, cereal, or crackers. I admit that I gagged a bit when I walked past the twirling hot dogs and eggrolls. But by God, I could have had a footlong eggroll (if I didn't choke at the thought of it)! At 6:45 in the morning! I opted for my coffee and a bag of Gardetto's snack mix for later, and walked to the cash register to pay. The guy in the checkout line in front of me (who by the way, was in desperate need of a shower and some deodorant) mumbled something unintelligible to the cashier and then paid for his pizza. Where else can you get a slice of pepperoni pizza before the sun even comes up? Of course, I am not sure why you would need pizza that early in the morning, but it is somehow comforting to know that it is a possibility if I ever need it.

Who needs Starbucks and their smiling baristas? Who needs comfy couches and piped in jazz music? Who needs a $5 latte when I can make my own sugary concoction of half english toffee cappuccino and half European roast? For 99 cents! I am done with Starbucks. I am hanging with the natives of north Minneapolis. If you need me, you can find me at the Shell station on Washington Avenue and 94. Me and my peeps.

3 comments:

Jen said...

LOL... I have never been to a Starbucks and cant imagine paying $5.00 for a coffee...

Shannon Ralph said...

Jen--But it's not just coffee...it's heaven in a cup. :)

Anonymous said...

I daydream about Starbucks' Mochas with a Peppermint shot. Pure, unadulterated BLISS.

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