To wonder why Costa is so popular?

[Pumpkinsspiceandallthingsnice]

I don't go in all that often but it always looks so cosy through the window.

Every time I do go in I can never get a clean table let alone a decent seat. There never seem to be enough staff to clear the tables. The cakes are always quite dry and not worth the money at all.

Yet it's always so busy.

Costa lot

The reason I go there?
It's the only cafe in the town centre open before 9am.

Yes it costa lots, but the coffee is comparable to independent places near here.
I don't eat the cakes!

I rarely buy coffee out but have been in probaly three Costas; all were dirty and dingy and coffee always just look warm and mostly foam. Toilets were dusgusting, all of which seems to be true for Starbucks as well.

The basic ham and cheese toasties are excellent, I don’t know what they put in them (beyond the obvious). I like their chocolate twists too and the staff in my local one are lovely, even if the coffee is a bit hit and miss.

Our 2 closest are filthy and the staff are mean

I could really go on about this - I say this to my other half all the time.. it’s rubbish.

its expensive, you wait ages to be served, I find the constant noise of the coffee machine annoying and stressful, and the coffee I would say is on par with tassimo.

I have no idea why it’s so popular

My son loves it and the staff in our local one are really nice. We tend to go at a quiet time and get a nice comfy table. I like that you can get a couple of biscuits.

That said their flat whites are far too big, but a cortado hits the spot. It's better than Starbucks too (their coffee is horrible weak rubbish)

I like it for the odd treat, especially as they usually do dd the free hot chocolate which she loves.

Our one is really clean, but it is tiny and quite new. It's near a station so I think most people takeaway.

I don't understand the obsession with the big chain places. I love coffee, yet I find Costa, Cafe Nero, and especially Starbucks coffee totally undrinkable. Perhaps something to do with the fact I just drink my coffee black, so if their stuff isn't rammed full of dairy products, oils, sugary sweets etc it reveals itself for the tasteless dishwater it actually is.

Yes it’s vile. Prefer Pret and contrary to popular belief it is NOT more expensive, the coffees and cakes are miles cheaper

At least they pay their taxes and their coffee tastes of something (unlike the other green & white chain).
Nero basic coffee is nicer and their stores do seem to be cleaner as well.

It’s better than Starbucks. I love the chocolate tiffin.

I like the coffee

I've been thinking the same for a long time

I’m not a fan either. Independent coffee shops all the way - so much nicer!

I like starbucks coffee better but costa is closer.
I like the drive through aspect. I don't go to costa for a coffee but if I want a coffee on my way somewhere and I don't want to make a coffee at home then I get one on the way. I also pick up a toastie for lunch when I'm rushing around.

I think people like security of going to a chain. In the same way, people prefer Nandos, Las Iguanas etc.
I prefer to go to independents, but I can see why people don't.

Whenever I go in I get annoyed as it could be so much better. Some of the food and drinks are nice, their toasties are nice but I don't understand how some of the cakes can be so crap. They don't have a huge menu so it shouldn't be difficult.

I've never been into Starbucks and haven't been in a cafe Nero for years so that's why I'm picking on Costa.

With ours I think it's just that you can get s table. I usually try our local independent first but if there is a queue for a table I am not well enough to queue so go to costa. If I am arranging to meet someone it's easier to meet at costa where we know we will get a seat

Agree the food and drink are nothing to get excited by

Harris & Hoole & Joe & the Juice way better coffee but not sure if they exist out of London? Plus we are getting perilously close to the £5 coffee.
Edinburgh is amaze for independents.

I like a Costa Latte, but only really buy them from garage machines and have Costa pods for my Tassimo.

The last time I went into one it was hideously expensive, filthy tables and awful.

When I go into town I prefer to visit the cafes/restaurants run by local people and have lunch or coffee+cake etc there and give them my money and support. It is cheaper and helps to keep small businesses going.

I think sometimes people see it as less of a gamble. It might not be the best but it's good enough, and if you're not happy with what you buy it's easier to say something than in an independent place. It's safe I suppose.

I don't understand the obsession with the big chain places.

I don't think choosing a chain over an Indy makes anyone obsessed.

I like that everything is very much the same in chain places. Im autistic and it suits me to know what I am getting. I won't lie and pretend it's all a good experience, some are better then others. Of the 4 we have local to us, 1 is great, 1 is ok and the other 2 are a bit shit. That's fine though, I'm sure there are shot independent places around as well.

I used to like Costa and dislike Starbucks. Now it's the other way round.