Monday, August 27, 2007

Runnin' from Dunkin'

Dunkin' Donuts has it out for me. I'm convinced.

First, my city's Stop & Shop got rid of its in-store Dunkin' Donuts.

I found this out when I went food shopping on Saturday and discovered that it was being replaced with a Starbucks.

Disappointment. Betrayal. Denial.

Then acceptance.

Fine. I'll get my Coffee Coolatas at the Dunkin' Donuts across the street, I thought. (Incidentally, am I the only person who still drinks Coffee Coolatas? I know they're sooooo 10 year ago.)

So after I had finished my food shopping - Coolata free - I drove over to the Dunkin' Donuts across the street, waited in the drive-thru line for about 10 minutes (while ice cream melted in my shopping bags)... and was unceremoniously informed that their Coolata machine was broken.

Grrr.

Then on Sunday, on the way back from our New England Mamas meet-up, I was again craving my Coolata fix.

There was soon a sign on the highway indicating that we could find a Dunkin' Donuts off the next exit.

Of course, the Dunkin' Donuts was about 5 miles off the highway - which seems like 20 miles when you have no clue where you're going.

But we finally made it there, and again waited in a long drive-thru line... only to be told that their Coolata machine was broken.

Double grrr. Methinks that if these Coolata machines are having a hard time keeping up with my demand, maybe Dunkin' Donuts should address the situation.

Anyway, I was still determined to Run on Dunkin' so I made my Mom take the next exit that had a Dunkin' Donuts sign.

This one was just off the highway, but there was no drive-thru. OK, I can handle that, I suppose.

So I got inside and ordered my medium Mocha Coolatta with skim milk. It's my "usual" at the Dunkin' Donuts near my house.

"Hot or cold?" the guy asked.

"Ummm... a Coolata," I said.

He kind of gave me a look like I hadn't really said that when I first ordered. Then he proceeded to start making me a small.

"Oh, I asked for a medium," I told him.

Another "look" from him. And then I noticed that his name tag said "Shift Supervisor." This guy was the supervisor!?

I couldn't really see him as he made the Coolata, but when he put it on the counter, I noticed right away that it wasn't made with skim milk. With skim milk, it's dark. What he gave me was not.

GRRRRRRRRR!

"I asked for skim milk," I said.

"This is milk," was his answer.

"I think that's whole milk. I only like it with skim." This is the truth. With whole milk or cream, it tastes gross to me. Trust me, I have been drinking these things for 10 years.

So we were back to square one. But he did finally get it right. Of course, what should have been a three minute excursion into Dunkin' Donuts became another ten minute ordeal.

Sorry, Dunkin' Donuts, their Frappuccinos may not measure up to your Coolatas, but I think I'll give Starbucks a chance next time I go food shopping.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Goodness gracious! I too love coolatas!!

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, Jane. Yes, the final DD was right off the highway. The supervisor DID eventually get your obsession prepared correctly. But you failed to mention that we turned right (heading south on Rt.1 toward Providence) while exiting the DD parking lot... and we drove for miles and miles with no (not one!) Interstate 95 on-ramp in sight. Did I mention miles? Oh, good times! I did, though, get to spend all that extra time (you know, red lights!) with my baby-girl while she thoroughly enjoyed her medium COLD skim-milk Mocha Coolata (did I get it right, Honey?) Wouldn't trade that for any DD drive-thru where the coolata machine was functional!
Sharon - Pinks & Blues Girls

Anonymous said...

Dairy Queen once had it in for me, making me everything EXCEPT the kind of Blizzard I ordered (Oreo, with CHOCOLATE ice cream instead of vanilla--is that really such an impossibly difficult order?). They came around. Oh yes, they came around. (*rubs hands together evilly*)

Jen said...

I just heard on the Today show that Dunkin Donuts is getting rid of trans fats - hope that helps ease the pain of a bad Dunkin' Donuts day!

Whirlwind said...

Wow, you cannot spit and not hit a DD in my town. First there is the one around the corner from my house (right across the street from BD - much better - they don't mess up and never have burnt coffee). Soon there will be one down the street inside Big Y. Next there is the one across town near the park. Coincidentally, they are opening another one 1/4 mile away right across from the park and in front of the plaza where Stop and Shop with you guessed it, a DD inside will be opening sometime in the future. And oh yeah, same plaza - theres a rumor Starbucks will be opening.

The next town over they have 4 in like 5 miles. One in Stop and Shop, one across the street. One about 2.5 miles away and another about 2.5 miles after that.

Way to many if you ask me!

Anonymous said...

Good grief, don't they know not to mess with a Coolata seeking woman?!

Cool City Mom said...

I just discovered this blog! I just came home from vacation in Maine and everywhere we went there were DDs. I just didn't expect to see so many. Lucky for us, as the only eggs my six-year-old will eat are the egg & cheese bagel sandwiches from DD. Pathetic, but true...

Amy Plumb said...

I wonder where some of these workers come from, under rocks. Simple orders seem so difficult for them, why?
My son says when ever we are out that the restaurants have it out for me. They never get my order right and then they always ask me stupid questions when trying to fix it.
Good luck with Starbucks.

Stacey said...

Okay Missy! Just HOW MANY Dunkin Donuts do you get to have up there? While me, I have to drive an hour and a a few spare minutes north to get to ONE Dunkin Donuts. ONE, I say. Oh, that settles it; since I cannot afford to franchise, I'm gonna have to move in with you. Sorry, but I have to. Ooooh I heard somewhere that HyVee might start selling their coffee. If this is true, you won't have to clean out the guesthouse for me. :) xoxo

Anonymous said...

Dunkin Donuts... mmmmmmmmm

There's 1 on every corner in RI, Stacey - you should come visit :)

Anonymous said...

They just started selling the ground coffee in the Shaws yo here, btw lol

Binky said...

Oh, then you might enjoy this story: the day I went into labor with The Boss (before I noticed my water broke--a whole 'nother story) I decided to take the dog to a pond about an hour away. On the way there, I NEEDED an iced coffee. But I had no cash. I stopped at EVERY SINGLE Dunkin Donuts off the highway on that hour long ride until I came upon one that accepted credit cards (this was right before all the DDs got on board with plastic). Imagine me carting my almost 42-week pregnant self in and out of the car roughly every two miles. Most of them didn't have drive-thrus, as it happened. When I finally got my hands on an iced coffee, victory was sweet. It was my last coffee as a non-mom. Ahhhh. I will never forget it :)

You know you're in New England when everybody's got a DD story, huh?

sandy shoes said...

I dunno. If my Stop&Shop got rid of their DD, I'd call that progress.

But I totally agree that sometimes the food/gas/whatever signs you see on the highway have NO BUSINESS being there. I think a business shouldn't get a sign on the highway unless it's within a half-mile from the exit. OK, maybe a mile. But then they should post the distance to it as well as the direction.

So there. :)

Special K ~Toni said...

I 'exercised' my finger and came over here- glad I did!

I hate how simple, quick things can take so long. Like childbirth.

Coffee Coolatas?? At least you aren't drinking Tab!

Are you??

Anonymous said...

LOADs of DnD's in Connecticut here, but Starbucks is growing!

I love the coolattas, but alas, I havent had one in a long time, with my diet.

I'm considering going back to my caramel swirl lattes when I start driving my kids to school next week, though. Every day.

OMG... I'm EXCITED!

lindsey said...

We don't have Dunkin' Donuts here. Sounds like you had quite the adventure. I'm glad you got to spend time with your mom!

Next time you hit Starbuck's may I recommend the Vanilla Bean with caramel!

Whirlwind said...

MamaLee - ohh thats my favorite!

I never drank coffee until I was pregnant with Moe (having a just 2 year old and 6 month old will do that to you) and well, ask Binky how Moe turned out. She's addicted!

Husband surprised me by stopping at Bakers Dozen this morning and bringing me home a coffee. Only he got a french vanilla. He didn't realize that they had my much coveted lattee's as well (and I'm not a big fan of french vanilla). It's the thought that counts!

MorningSong said...

So frustrating! I hate when the employee acts as though you don't know what you are talking about when placing an order. Especially when it is management and ESPECIALLY when it is a long time favorite. They act like it is YOUR first time in their establishment since they don't understand! Grrrr indeed! :)

Jessica @ Little Nesting Doll said...

Don't do it...Starbucks cannot measure up. As a New Englander transplanted to the South (ish), I can tell you how lucky you are to have DDs at every corner. But good news--one is opening up RIGHT NEAR ME next week! Swoon! And I read online that DD coffee-by-the-pound is going to be available in grocery stores sometime soon! Woo-hoo!

Gift of Green said...

Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop & Shop? Dunkin' Donuts? You all are making me homesick! BTW, is it just my imagination, but do I recall that if you order a "regular" coffee in Mass. from D & D, it automatically comes with coffee and sugar?

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