We may have mentioned this before, but since the Monitor building is in the middle of nowhere, our lunchtime options are rather limited. It takes us about 20 minutes to get downtown (thanks, traffic lights and ongoing construction!), so where do we go to grab a quick coffee?
Personally, I like Starbucks, but that's a little far away from Monitor-land. We have a Keurig coffee maker downstairs, but you need two quarters to make a cup of coffee. I never have change, and when I do it goes straight to downtown parking. Dunkin' Donuts coffee isn't dark enough for me (unless I make it a “Turbo” and add a shot of espresso). So again, I ask, where do I go when I need that extra boost? Well, thanks to McDonald's getting all fancy on us, America can now get a latte to go with that Big Mac. I had to experience this for myself. So without further ado, here are my thoughts on the “McCafe” beverages.
Latte: I got this in both hot and iced. I also had it with hazelnut syrup one day, and with vanilla another. I've decided I like it best hot with no flavoring and with skim milk, because the syrups are far too sugary tasting, in my humble opinion. I like that McDonald's gives the option on all McCafe drinks to have them with skim milk rather than whole. It makes me feel healthier . . . so then I can order a Big 'n' Tasty.
Without the syrup, it was quite good. I would order it again. I have no complaints about the iced variety, but I could taste the espresso in the hot one better. I like to be able to taste the caffeine.
Mocha: I got this one hot, although you do have the option to get yours iced. Once again, I ordered it with skim milk. However, since the McDonald's employee topped it with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, I did not feel quite as healthy about my choice. Who am I kidding? Mochas and lattes aren't healthy. Period.
I feel she should have asked me if I wanted whipped cream and syrup on my mocha before going ahead and doing so. I'm sure she was thinking, “Who wouldn't want whipped cream and chocolate syrup?” so I can't entirely blame her. Besides, it's not as if McDonald's is known for being entirely healthy conscious. (“Could you super-size my whipped cream, please?”)
The mocha was flavorsome, but I could not taste any espresso. So, for a hot chocolate, it was good, but for a mocha, it can be best summed up with an “eh.” I ordered a medium, but couldn't finish it. I would recommend getting a small, as eventually all the chocolaty goodness gets just a little too chocolaty. Then suddenly you have a stomachache and don't have any room for that Big 'n' Tasty. Not that I wouldn't still order a Big 'n' Tasty. I'm just saying your stomach may hurt, is all.
Cappuccino: I'm not much of a cappuccino fan. I don't really understand the whole foam thing. That said, I had no complaints about the cappuccino. It was just like the latte, but foamy. You can also add flavored syrup to this one, but once again, I went the no-flavor and no-fat route.
At the end of my fancy coffee trial, I discovered that McDonald's does, in fact, have sugar-free vanilla syrup, which you can add to your latte or cappuccino. I bet I would like that, as it probably doesn't have as much of a syrupy taste as the sweetened version. Perhaps next time I'll go with that.
Another bonus about McDonald's McCafe is that it brews Newman's Own Organic coffee (made by Green Mountain). The only issue with the coffee is that when you ask for cream, be sure to ask for “very little, ” or else you'll be having a splash of coffee with that cream. Ah, McDonald's. Always looking out for our health.
McDonald's coffee prices are quite reasonable. A small latte is only a little over $2. I don't even know how much one costs at Starbucks. I would drive over and check it out for myself, but like I said, it's too far away from our cubicle. Either way, I guarantee that McDonald's coffee will wash down that Big 'n' Tasty just fine.
