Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Coffee Filter / Free Bites Free Stuff Alert: McDonald's Makes a Play For Your Caffeinated Affections
Posted by Carrington Fox on Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 6:45 AM
Scene intern Caroline Hallemann contributed this post.
Thank goodness someone finally understands that coffee on Monday morning is not a privilege; it's a necessity. This summer, McDonald's is coercing java junkies to kick the Starbucks habit with Free Mocha Mondays.
Mondays through Aug. 3, stop into any participating location between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for a complimentary sample-sized hot or cold mocha. (No purchase necessary, limit one per customer.)
The Hillsboro Road, West End and Broadway locations are all participating, but if you get your caffeine fix off the beaten path of this intern, you might want to give your local Mickey D's a call before demanding the economy espresso.
With a coffee battle brewing, Bites readers, it's time to take sides. Where do you go for your daily "perk"-me-up? Is a free sample enough to sway your loyalty?
Comments (7)
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I try to spread the love among Crema, DrinkHaus and Fido, and I have a feeling I'll be in Casablanca quite a bit. And I confess I use the drive-thru at Starbucks, the Evil Empire, when I've got kids in the car.
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I stopped by Monday to take advantage of this freebie-I had the hot Mocha-generously topped with whipped cream-and found it to be surprisingly satisfying. And-I was expecting a dixie cup-sized sample and instead received a generous eight ounce cup. I was taken back to my childhood(which was pre-supersizing) when most purchased beverages approximated this same size. I haven't been in a McDonalds in a long time-who knew there are now not only Happy Meals but Mighty Kids meals to keep the fun going a few more years with more generous portion sizes? And that they now have Angus burgers? I couldn't resist buying one-and some fries of course-which the whole family sampled-and devoured- when I made it home. The Golden Arches may be calling me back the next few Mondays...
I gotta say that Angus burger caught my eye this weekend when I was there for the Sunday morning constitutional in the Green Hills playland or whatever that human habitrail is called. I know y'all are gonna bad-mouth me for being there, but my three kids were tunneling alongside the brood of one of my favorite local restaurateurs.
Years ago my youngsters and I were regulars at the Playscape area which, on occasion, led me to feel hopelessly lame and suburban. Then, one day, none other than John Prine and his young son were in on the brightly colored action. Suddenly all the other parents in residence felt just a bit more hip and with it. You never know who may show up at that great American melting pot known as the fast food play area.
Well, I think this calls for a return to Mickey D's. While I might not hop out of my car into the surely germ-ridden jungle-gym, I am still looking forward to once again venturing through the familiar drive thru.
Sadly those iconic yellow arches, once shining with the promise of happy meals from a clown and a free miniature Justin Timberlake or Disney star, now represent the economical way to wake up for work in tight times. McDonald's must be trying to come of age with me. I can't decide whether to mourn the end of McDonald's blissful innocence (before healthy alternatives like apples and a diversified coffee menu) or feel comforted knowing I do not face adulthood alone; Ronald McDonald will trudge on by my side.
Either way I could use a free mocha.
