Last month I shared how I took Starbucks on the road for our Grand Canyon vacation. The day that post was published I woke up at 1:55 am local time in San Jose–my body clock was still back on the east coast! I worked in my hotel room until it was a “normal” time to go for a run, and planned my route to end at the Starbucks that was a block near my hotel shortly after it opened.
Starbucks, San Jose
On that whirlwind trip, I had breakfast at this Starbucks in San Jose, a sandwich for dinner from the Starbucks at SFO, and breakfast at a Starbucks in Dallas.
Last week I was in Chicago for a conference. The conference program included breakfast, but when my flight got canceled and I had to stay an extra night, I had breakfast at Starbucks and picked up something to eat for lunch on the plane. This week I’m back in Chicago for another conference, and I’m sure I’ll sneak out to Starbucks for an afternoon break and grab lunch from Starbucks for my flight home.
Why Is Starbucks My Home Away From Home?
Why do I go to Starbucks so much when I am travelling? I’ve been thinking about this since Ronnie shared in the recent #WYCWYC podcasts that she has a family “rule” when they travel to never go to a restaurant they could go to at home. I think that’s a fun rule for vacations, and I enjoy trying new places for lunch and dinner, but don’t mess with my morning coffee!
I make an effort to find a Starbucks when I’m travelling because I love my morning coffee, and I enjoy the strong flavor of the Starbucks bold varieties.
I am in love with this cup–so pretty!
I make an effort to find a Starbucks when I’m travelling because I love the Starbucks breakfast sandwiches. The Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon (with egg) sandwich used to be my favorite until they came out with the Bacon & Gouda (with egg) sandwich. Yes, it’s on white bread, and yes, it has bacon (or, yes! it has bacon!), but at 350 calories and 15 g protein it’s a much better option than I’ll find at any hotel restaurant at a fraction of the price.
A slightly overcooked Bacon & Gouda sandwich–still yummy!
I make an effort to find Starbucks when I’m travelling because their bistro boxes are perfect for snacking on the airplane. My favorite is the Protein Bistro Box which I was relieved to get through security last weekend–I’m not sure that peanut butter is TSA-approved.
So, why is Starbucks my home away from home? When I get my breakfasts and airport lunches at Starbucks, I know I will enjoy my choices, I know they won’t bust my calorie bank, and I know they won’t exceed my travel budget. I can save my splurging for dinner, when I’ll enjoy it more with friends and colleagues.
[Tweet “Why @Starbucks is my home away from home #coffee #fitfuel”]
Do you try to find local restaurants when you travel?
Continue along the Coffee Shop Blog Hop and see what Katherine has to tell you about the effects of coffee vs. beer on your brain.
Be sure to join us for the Ultimate Coffee Date Link Up on Saturday!
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I love me as I go there SO SO RARELY I asked for a large yesterday.
I need to learn me the lingo.
LOL. Whenever I order a “hand-crafted beverage” I always ask the barista if I got it right.
You know I’m a Starbucks groupie but I almost never get something other than coffee there. That said, I LOVE that bacon gouda sandwich!
It is so goood! I have to fight to not buy it every day!
I love their sandwiches!
I think it is fun to try the different starbucks too! I do find that sometimes things are made a little differently depending on where you are… plus you get to pick up a new coffee mug and commemorate your trip 🙂
Oh, it’s really fun to see the different food items they have in other countries. And London had milk but not half & half ….
I am right there with you! I don’t go to restaurants when we travel that I have at home but I like to know that Starbucks is always there for me. Very comforting 🙂
I totally get it – knowing my morning coffee is a sure thing, makes travel much easier.
Yes, then I’m ready to face whatever else the day may bring!
You are the head Starbucks groupie in charge. Coco runs this shizz!
I’m with Roni that we don’t eat out on vacation anywhere that we can eat at home. However, that’s a vacation. When I’m out on the road and stopping for a quick meal, I almost always pick Starbucks for all the same reasons that you do. They have excellent and well-rounded meals at a good price. It’s my go to ‘fast food’ stop. And I love the cups too!!!
I agree – Starbucks always feels like home 🙂 You know exactly what you are getting! Great post! Lovely to join you in the coffee shop link-up! Cheers!
When I started to travel for work a lot, Starbucks was one of the few places that consistently offered strong, reliable wi-fi. (I’ve had a gold card since 2008.) It’s still my consistent go-to for work travel when I need wi-fi–I’ve been known to stop at a specific exit because there is a Starbucks there and I can get coffee and wi-fi (to send a quick report, or do a bunch of work).
A few years ago, one of my friends started to collect the Starbucks mugs that have the different states and cities on them. Now when I go to a new place and I see a Starbucks that has those mugs, I send her a text to make sure she has them. It’s turned into a fun game! Though the one time I bought without sending a text first–Alaska–she already had the mug. (Really!)
I wish I would have collected the mugs, but I never have room for something breakable in my bag, and I’d have to build a display or something. I have a friend who sends me pics of Starbucks in exotic places and that’s fun enough!
I love trying new places when I travel but do not mess with a woman’s coffee! Amen sister! Keep on keeping on!
I do love a bistro box! They are the perfect amount of food! Kevin and I were in Orlando this weekend and made the comment about never eating anywhere where could eat at home. It seems like such a waste to not try somewhere new given the choice!
It helps if you can get local recommendations too!
I love Starbucks when I am in the US. There are not too many here in France and they are outrageously expensive. So I do a skinny cappuccino once in a while as a treat.
My friend’s on his away rotations right now, and he uses Starbucks as his home away from home as well!
(…and I really want a tasty sandwich now. ;_; )