Coffee Contest

If any of you know anything about me, you all know that I am an avid coffee drinker.

I do have my particular favorites though and I thought I would list my top 5 spots that I think have the best coffee in the area.

#5 - Burger King

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Burger King has the perfect blend of ground beans to wake you in the morning. There is a light aroma to their coffee and an unmistakable taste to it. They also have managed to name their coffee "BK Joe" which I think is absolutely ingenious marketing, having heard the phrase "a Cup of Joe" several times in my life.

#4 - Sonic

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Sonic has a very unique flavoring to their coffee that barely trumps Burger King's BK Joe. It is a little fuller in taste and has a richer blend of flavors to it. Plus, the little mint they serve with it gives it the added bonus it needs to beat out the "Joe."

#3 - Speedway

Rating: ★★★★☆

Usually Gas Stations and mini marts will have the worst coffee in the world. It is almost never fresh, usually tastes burnt and sometimes can give you a stomachache that lasts for days. Not so with Speedway. Their coffee is always brewing, always hot and there are multiple options as well. Not only can you get a regular or decaf coffee, but you can add creamers and flavorings, which add up to hundreds of possible combinations. Couple that with the options of lattes and cappuccinos, and you get an excellent place to go and pick up your morning cup.

#2 - Starbucks

Rating: ★★★★☆

Oh, you thought they would be number one? Well they almost were, but more on that in a second. Starbucks has almost everything a coffee fanatic could want. Flavors, extra shots of espresso, mochas, frapps, and much, much more. And I have yet to have something that I didn't like at Starbucks. They do have a couple of drawbacks however. One is the fact that the lines are always out the door and the wait which is usually five to ten minutes depending on the Barista. Also, their prices are astronomical. I know one person who refers to them as "Five"bucks. Still, you can't beat the taste, and Starbucks has a great one.

So what's number one? It's (Gasp!!!)

#1 - McDonald's

Rating: ★★★★★

Some of you just choked because you're laughing so hard, but hang on a second and hear me out. Last year at this time, I wouldn't have dreamed of putting the Golden Arches over the Mermaid, but this year, McDonald's came out with the best thing ever, the Carmel Frappe. If you haven't had one yet, go and get one. Seriously, I'll wait 'til you get back........

Enjoy it? I thought so. These things are amazing and they're addicting. Just ask any member of the ACC staff. We'll tell you. The flip side of the coin is this: the price. McDonald's proved they can compete with Starbucks because the mermaid's price is just too stinking high. And McDonald's regular coffee is great as well, and a large is only $1.25.

So there it is. My coffee list. All of the haters may now jump in because I didn't include they're favorite on this list - but hey, that's what the comments section is for. So have at it.

What's your favorite place to go get some "Joe?"