I'm originally from the west coast, where we take our java very seriously. Gourmet coffee is as common as trees on every block. So moving to New York was a shock - people will drink anything black here as long as it's called coffee.
A former Starbucks boycotter, the only coffee shop in my neighborhood with consistency, decent coffee, and that will let you create your own milk/sugar concoction - is Starbucks.
Fortunately for me, you will never meet nicer people than at the Starbucks on Main Street in Flushing. Within weeks, the servers knew my name (even if a couple of them get it wrong). When I walk in, they welcome me ("Norm" anyone?). By the time I get to the cash register, my drink is usually waiting for me and the only question is whether I'll be getting the cinnamon scone or not. Several of the servers even remember that I hate orange flavored products.
The coffee itself? Well, it's Starbucks in all its glory: consistent and better than average by New York standards, but not necessarily worth the prices. But when you couple it with friendly faces and employees who appear to love their job, it's worth the extra $0.75 I pay every morning.
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