Café Review: Starbucks Versus Java Detour

These days you can no longer go further then two Blocks in most metropolitan Cities without seeing the green and white Signs of Starbucks. It is like the movie Groundhog Day, you wonder if you weren't just there.

Don't misunderstand me, I love Starbucks. I am a Java addict and if it wasn't for the high calories in each drink I would drink the delicious flavors day and night. Ok, I am a bit exaggeration here, but I am a Writer after all and have to be permitted to take literary license at one time or the other.
My favorite Drink is the Raspberry Mocha Frappuccino, a delightful blend of tastes and refreshment. Starbucks was the Café for me and then suddenly I saw this Java Detour springing up all over the place. One day my daughter and I wanted to try it out, we did and to our surprise found that Java Detour was a very real competitions for Starbucks. The way the Company is growing in franchises and peoples minds, they may just pull even with Starbucks soon.

For those of you that are not familiar with Java Detour, I would like to give a small side by side comparison from they view of a Coffee and Tea Drinker.

Starbucks
This Company has been around for a long time now, you can go to their Home Page to find their full history. They make purchasing their specialized Coffee blends extremely easy and you can go to any Coin Star to reload or purchase a prepaid Starbucks Coffee Card. It is easily a household name and has made its niche in the Market.
The Products are wide ranging and ever changing. Depending on the time of year you can find different fruity blends on their menu.
The downside? There is no guarantee that you will get the coffee you liked the following month. Some of their blends are strictly monthly or seasonal. The prices on their snacks and food items are high. A yogurt / fruit cup is at about $4.59 depending on which area you are located.
The Upside? You have no problems finding a franchise. Starbucks is at about every other corner. You are familiar with their blends, tastes etc. They already have established them-selves as a high quality Café with an ambiance fitting for personal relaxation, business meetings on the go or hang out to be seen.

Sadly, Customer Service now seems to have taken second stance in many of their locations. They are no longer driven on by their management staff, this seems to be something quiet frequent when a company has reached this kind of status.

Java Detour
This Company is a bit newer and you can find out their locations, hours and history on their Homepage as well.
The downside? The coffee blends are not as easily available, nor is their company as well known as Starbucks.
The upside? Their drinks are cheaper and their blends are in my opinion better tasting. You can purchase the equivalent large for what you pay for "medium" at Starbucks. Their blends stay around and their calories are bit lower per drink.
Where Starbucks offers a prepaid Starbucks Card, Java Detour has a savings card. Use your Java Card each time you purchase a Drink and soon you get a free drink with them, just let the points add up. They offer pastries as well and their prices are not all that high. Since they are still so new, their employees are still held responsible for quick and friendly customer service.

The hook, line and sinker
If you want to go by status quo you are better of with Starbucks, it is the "in thing" to do I suppose. If you are however like me and are looking for the biggest bang for your buck, my choice is Java Detour. Give it a try someday; you may like it as well.

Their set up depends on the Franchise of course. I have enjoyed both of them as comfortable, each in their own turn.