What's with all the "McDonald's coffee is better than Starbucks" survey stuff going around? Evidently, a taste test or two places the coffee from the Golden Arches in a higher position than the ubiquitous chain-coffee house. This started about a month back with this Consumer Reports study, and has been percolating further on recent "stunning revelations" that McD's is going to serve actual espresso as well. One of the most bothersome aspects of this is major news concerns are talking and talking about it. STOP! PLEASE!

(Though we recommend you read The Shot's take on it, and all things coffee, of course)

The type of person that goes to fast food places for coffee is generally looking for caffeine as fuel, not for pleasure or atmosphere. McDonald's is, well, what it is, and the convenience, price, and product additives (be it to coffee beans or burger meat) drive the business. We'll eat the food on a very rare occasion; we'll never again drink the coffee (nor at Burger King, not even for the sake of journalism. We've learned our lesson).

Starbucks customers probably are closer to striking a balance between needing fuel and wanting a better taste and overall experience, but perhaps:
-- haven't discovered the superior quality of a quality local operation,
-- perhaps are not conveniently located near a quality local operation,
-- or think the coffee is great.

And that's okay. Seriously, both SBUX and McD's customers are okay with us. We're not going to begrudge anybody doing what they like. True, we're not huge fans of either one. But no reason for major media enterprises to buy into or rebroadcast the hype.