If you ever decide to visit the Starbucks at 1912 Pike Place, you’ll find that there is a lot of merchandise exclusive to that store. One of my favorite things is that they have a Starbucks card which is exclusive to their store! And, the 1912 Pike Place Starbucks offers a made-in-the-USA mug, which is produced by the same factory in Ohio that supplied the “Indivisible Mug” from just last year. In fact, I think that some people don’t realize that Starbucks helps sustain the American Mug and Stein factory by continuous orders for these special 1912 Pike Place mugs. Here’s the exclusive mug and card:
That card has $10 on it, by the way. You can enter to win one of those coffee mugs and that very card. I will cross my fingers for you! (Winner drawn at random.) Some of my readers already know that I have another blog, called MelodyEats.com – it’s essentially a fast food and quick dining restaurant review blog. I don’t want to sound tired of Starbucks, but I will say it’s refreshing to have a whole new topic to write about. I’m hoping that you will “like” MelodyEats.com. (That’s not a requirement though.) You do have to leave a comment below on this blog. I’d like to hear from you about your favorite fast food restaurant, whether that is Subway, Jimmy John’s, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Panera, Qdoba, Taco Bell, Fatburger, Red Robin, or any other such dining establishment. Please tell me what’s your favorite thing to order. I think it’ll be fun to read about your favorite menu item, and it might give me some ideas about what to order for future MelodyEats.com blog articles. There are some conditions – you have to be talking about a chain in the comments. It cannot be a mom and pop shop with just a few locations. It needs to be chain with at least 100 locations in the United States.
In order to enter, you must be over eighteen. You must have an address within the United States. You must make your comment below before 8:00 p.m. PST on July 26, 2013, or before there are 150 comments below, whichever happens first. I’ll be totally honest here – I’ve never done a blog post where I haven’t had at least a half a dozen people attempt to enter, but not follow the rules. The most common mistake people make is that they send me an email rather than leaving a blog comment below. You really do have to follow the rules! Sorry! Leave a comment below about your favorite large fast food chain and what you like to order. (If I have not been clear, those are the two things that somehow have to be mentioned in your comments – a large chain and what you’ve ordered that you like.) You don’t even have to mention Starbucks! I hate to say this, but I will delete the comments below that do not fit the rules for this contest.
Wishing you the best of luck in winning this Starbucks card with $10 on it, and this wonderful coffee mug!
(Edit on July 24, 2013 – I’ve had a number of people leave comments (not approved) where they’re talking about small mom and pop businesses, and/or not mentioning what they like to order. I hate to not post such comments, but it wouldn’t be fair to those who did follow the rules. Mention a fast food chain with more than 100 locations. Tell me what you like to order.)
In case you’re curious, here’s the merchandise wall with this great mug on it:
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Love your blogs. And as being someone who lives in California, my favorite fast food, is In-and-Out which can only be found down here mostly and some states next to Cali. If you haven’t tried it already, best ever and order animal style fries, it will leave u having a food coma.
As a 6+ year partner with Starbucks, I love reading your blog because it affirms my knowledge on products and policies that I am familiar with, and also gives me a great deal to look forward to on my travels to stores around the country! 🙂
Favorite place is In-N-Out Burger in California. Favorite food is Cheeseburger Animal Style
Hi,
My favorite Fast food chain would be Red Robin. My meal is always the same, i refuse to vhange. I order the California Chicken Sandwich with added crispy onion straws. Their delicious cluck fries and a strawberry lemonade. Yummmmm
My favorite kind of fast food (at least the one on the top of my head at the moment) would have to be Chipoltle. I always get the vegetable burrito bowl with their corn salsa and guacamole! Amazing!!
My favorite chain is Waffle House. I hate that there are no locations even remotely close to Seattle (I think Fort Collins, CO is theclosest location), so the rare occasions that I find myself back in the South I have to get to one.
It’s all about the hashbrowns. And waffles, naturally, but the hashbrowns. Always get them scattered (cooked scattered on the grill) smothered (add onions) covered (add cheese) and maybe topped (add chili) if I’m trying to burn off a late-night drinking session.
If for some reason I’m in Waffle House in the morning for breakfast rather than late night, I always get the fried egg sandwich. I have no idea why it tastes better here, but it’s just that good.
A third vote for In-N-Out! My usual order is two Double-Doubles (Animal Style) and a vanilla shake. Never the fries, though. I usually pick up a large order of fries at a nearby McD’s or Burger King. Gives me something to nibble on while I wait, too.
I don’t really eat fast food but my favorite chain has got to be White Castle. Brother and I drove to Chicago for Cubs game and stopped at one at 2am, best and worst burgers I have ever had (my body didnt like to much the day after but oh did they test delicous). Plus they had grape fanta.
I’m a true starbucks nerd. Favorite food/drink creation retail has to be Starbucks. Other than that, next favorite is STL Bread Co/Pantera. Turkey bread bowl stew! Yum!
I’m not sure if this qualifies as a chain, but we really love Sweet Tomatoes. It’s a buffet salad-and-everything-else place, and you just can’t beat it for a wide variety of food — and yet you can create the most wonderful salads there. They have a specialty one called Joan’s Broccoli Madness, which I always have. Love your blog, Melody; keep up the great work! Would love to win that mug and card too!!
(Edit by Melody – I did some googling – Apparently Soup Plantation & Sweet Tomatoes is one big chain, and Wikipedia says that they’re about 112 locations (so it is over the 100 locations threshold in the rules), with most in California. I saw those when I was down in California last month and thought it would be great to write about those, but never got to one! Next trip to California for sure. Thanks for the suggestion.)
Hello Melody! I will talk about Firehouse Subs, while I also love Red Robin we have very few in my area and I mean 2 within 30 miles, Firehouse is a common but maybe local chain to me as well, it was a nice replacement for all of our Blimpies that vanished or were sold out with lesser quality standards and products. The Firehouse Subs has a nice selection and variety of steamed subs and was the development from actual Firemen the story is a nice read about and our local stores do charity work for children and other organizations. I also want to let you know how much I have enjoyed stumbling upon your blog for Starbucks. I read all of your reviews and funny enough I post my own every now and then on my fb page about the new drinks I decided to also buy and read several books based on your review of them. I am sure you hear this but I thank you for providing such a good blog product for such a wonderful chain name and I like reading your new blog as well.
I love to order the homewrecker at Moe’s, because its yummy and has a funny name 🙂 it’s huge though, so plan to split it!
My family loves to eat at Panera. My favorite thing to eat there is the Sierra turkey sandwich with tomato soup. They also have delicious sugar cookies that are frosted. I like to get them at the holidays.
My favorite casual restaurant is probably Panera. Nothing is more comfort food-y to me on a cold day than one of their bread bowls filled with soup, plus their sandwiches are always a welcome departure from the norm for lunch!
Melody I was just reading your Melody Eats blog yesterday and was fascinated by the chains that are by you and not here. Around here besides Starbucks, I like Panera Bread. I agree their soup in their bread bowls are good. I tried also for the first time the other day Pot Belly Sandwiches and enjoyed the tuna sandwich. The new egg salad sandwich at SB is good too.
I think Chipotle wins for me! I usually get their barbacoa or chicken bol, or some soft tacos when I want to switch it up! I love that they try to ethically source their food.
My favorite place to eat is Moes!!! Their burritos are delicious. I usually get a Joey Bag of Donuts. I also love all the free salsas they have to offer because they are all so good! They offer so many types of meats and they also have tofu and other vegetarian options. A very good restaurant 🙂
(Edit by Melody: I have heard of SouthWest Moe’s, and it’s definitely a chain that I would like to try some day. It’s very regional – or at least, it hasn’t made it to the west coast. When I was visiting California last month, I had hoped I might find one there, and did some research with their store locator. The only Moe’s in California is in the LA airport! Someday I’ll get to one.)
I really like Penn Station East Coast Subs. They have so many good subs to choose from. I like to get a Dagwood (where you can pick what you want) and some of their fresh cut fries. So good!
I’m rather fixated on Taco Bell these days. Their Cantina Burritos are quite good–not Chipotle, but a tremendous step up for them. (I found the new Cantina Steak Quesadilla to be doughy and lacking in steak.) What I love most are the current prices. Three flavored of Grillers (burritos) at $1 each from 2-5 PM. Bean burritos for $1…tacos…and so on. Adding chopped onions, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and cilantro at home can quickly can the taste from “fast food” to “customized.” It only takes a minute and is honestly simpler and cheaper than preparing these various items from scratch. I don’t venture into Doritos Locos territory, or desserts, but I do enjoy their slushed and sparkling drinks on occasion (also $1 from 2-5)–the Piña Colada is a nice change of pace.
My favorite fast food chain is Subway since I get to choose exactly how I want my sub. I usually order a turkey with provolone cheese on a honey oat roll, toasted, with every single topping available, a dash of pepper, and then a splash of red wine vinegar. Tastes great and it’s healthy.
Hi Mel!! My two favs at In-n-Out and Chipotle, however we just had a Freebirds come to town! Very much like Chipotle; I order the burrito (chicken or carnitas) bowls at both 🙂 Both offer fresh and ‘clean’ ingredients. For In-n-Out we have recently nixed their sauce and have ketchup and mustard only on the burger. Saves on calories and that way we can enjoy the fries!! YUMM!!! Thanks for the opportunity at the giveaway!!
P.S. Do give Sweet Tomatoe a try, it is really great… Non close to me but have enjoyed them.
(Edit by Melody: Hi Leslee! I’ve never heard of a Freebirds. I like In-n-Out too and Chipotle too – I need to get back to California soon – I will have quadruple to write about!)
I just recently found this blog & have throughly enjoyed reading it. 🙂 In regards to the giveaway I’d have to say that Panera is my favorite restaurant. My boyfriend & I take our puppy there every wknd and have breakfast outside. He religously eats a bacon, egg & cheese on ciabatta while i normally eat the mediterranian egg white sandwhich and let me tell you…. Its heaven in a sandwhich!!! Just saying. ha ha ha But I actually love to try different menu items since they always have something new and they always look so deliicous! My boyfriend on the other hand has this motto- “why change it of there is nothing wrong with it??” Needless to say his menu choices are rather boring since he doesnt know what he’s missing. he he he
Five Guys – a hamburger with lettuce, tomato, grilled onions and BBQ sauce… ooooh my mouth is watering just thinking about it! To make it even better, Starbucks is right next door, so I can grab a cup of coffee on my way out after lunch for a mid-day pick-me-up!
(Edit by Melody: Perfect suggestion! There are a couple of 5 Guys burger places in Seattle! Now I have got to try that – I love grilled onions on a burger too.)
LOVE this blog. Really learning interesting stuff about Starbucks. As for favorite fast food Panera gets my vote even though there are none where I currently live 🙁 . I love their salads and soups.
My favorite fast food place is Chick Fil A. I know you already reviewed it and it wasn’t your favorite, but that is my go to joint. My go-to meal is an 8 count nugget meal with waffle fries and a sweet tea. And I have to get ranch sauce to dip both the nuggets and waffle fries in. Besides the food being delicious, 90% of the time, the employees are super friendly! It’s clean and I feel comfortable taking my family there.
They also have a new salad line, and I really love the asian chicken salad.
I lo e to go into starbucks and order the refreshers. They give me my caffeine fix in this hot Texas weather. Love the Valencia orange
My favorite chain is Chipotle because they make it right in front of me and they offer lots of vegetarian options. 🙂
Good Morning!!
OK… So I always say when I visit a new town, if they have a Starbucks and a Chipotle… I can stay:)) Chipotle has been my obsession since we first got one in AZ back in 97′. My favorite is the crispy chicken tacos. They are fast, have many combinations you can try (and the staff usually will accommodate… I see them give people PLAIN rice all the time if they dont like the cilantro and lime) You might have to pay extra, but what other fast food place will let you substitute items?? Not many?? Also… I felt I should mention another chain, although they have not made it to the 100 location mark, more like 60 according to Wikipedia (yes I checked!! ;)) But they are in several states. Capriottis sandwich shops. And heres why… They have ACTUAL turkey sandwiches… yes thats right… Shredded Thanksgiving style Turkey!! Their most famous turkey sandwich is called the Bobby… Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce (has actual cranberries in it!). The bread is nice and fresh. They also make a darn good steak and cheese sandwich… They cook steak on the grill and mix in peppers and mushrooms so its hot and fresh… so good! Just thought you might wanna check them out for your blog if you ever get the chance :)) Have a great day!!
My favorite chain is Chick-Fil-A. I’m a South Carolinian living in Washington so I crave it all the time. However, I just found out that Chick-Fil-A has filed for a permit to open one near the Tacoma Mall so I’m very excited 🙂 I always order a Chick-Fil-A regular sandwich, put their mayo on it, and waffle fries that I dip in their Polynesian sauce. I’m so hungry now!!
@Melody: I’m not entering this…..but just wanted to once again say: wow! as usual when I saw the high number of comments (so quickly), knew it must be a give-away. I guess that’s just how it goes….
That card is gorgeous, would love to add it to my ever-growing collection! 🙂 I love Chili’s, and always order their Loaded Baked Potato Soup. It’s amazing, even in the summer.
Hello, Melody! Was so excited to see a notification about a new post in my inbox!
My favorite “fast” food chain is definitely Panera Bread. It’s fast enough to not be a restaurant, but it has the air and food of a cafe, which I personally enjoy. Soups, salads, sandwiches, fluffy breads, and pastries are my lifeblood, and they deliver so well on all of them. Not to mention superb flavors for bagels – French Toast with Hazelnut Cream Cheese, anyone? They have decent rewards, too, there’s nothing better than being informed your breakfast (bagel or pastry, or even coffee) is free. 🙂
Had a souffle for the first time recently, and was impressed.
What a fun give away contest! My favorite has got to be Five Guys Burgers & Fries. Little bacon cheeseburger with grilled onions. And the fries are the best ever!! Also love White Castle but like Ian F said, best and worst burgers for sure. 🙂
Panera Bread and Chick-fil-A are probably my go-to fast casual dining restaurants. I’ve shared my favorite Chick-fil-A items on your MelodyEats blog (which always makes me hungry, but I enjoy), so here’s what I usually order from Panera Bread: Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich w/extra Zesty Peppadew piquant peppers and lettuce, a cup of Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, and Iced Green Tea. I’m not a fan of their coffee, so I’ve been known to grab a Cinnamon Crunch bagel w/ Honey Walnut cream cheese and take it with me to settle into a cozy chair at a nearby Starbucks to enjoy with a Sbux bold blend. I know, I know, not totally PC, but hey, I do it anyway. Haha!
Oh yeah, another establishment I enjoy, but only do so when I visit my hometown, is Wingstop. Sometimes a basket of wings (Lemon Pepper, Original Hot, Teriyaki, or Louisiana Rub) and an iced tea or Dr. Pepper just hits the spot! 🙂
I really like Specialties bakery here in Seattle. They have great sticky buns and I love, love, love their Beef N Blue sandwich.
(Edit by Melody: Lynette, I totally love Specialty’s too – though I’ve found them to be a little over-priced (I don’t say that lightly) and my experience with their customer service hasn’t been great. They have the most amazing banana, peanut butter, and apple sandwhich that I just love – very unique! I would note, I think that there are far fewer than 100 Specialty’s locations though. I just went to their website – actually a lot more locations than I thought – 51 Specialty’s. I might have to write about them at least once on MelodyEats.com – I agree their food is delish!)
Hi Melody! My favorite quick casual, as with many others, is chipotle. I respect the idea of a sustainable food supply, tremendously fresh product, and a burrito that doesn’t leave you feeling like you got run over by a food truck. I always order a 1/2 chicken, 1/2 steak, black beans, hot and verde, sour cream, cheese and of course, the freshly made guac. Ok, now I’m hungry, off to get a burrito…
Anytime I want pizza, which is frequently, I love to order from Papa Johns. I always get the thin and crispy crust and ask for it well done so it tastes more like a cracker than bread. I usually get the garden fresh veggie specialty pizza. Yummy!!
Hi Melody, my favorite fast food chain is jimmy johns! I get the beach bum sub every time! They are quick as can be, deliver and the quality is always good!
Chipotle. Fast, tasty, nutritious. Fun. Burrito bowl, to go. Brown rice, black beans, fajita veggies. Chicken. Half pico, half corn. Cheese and lettuce. Thank you! (And the ordering process really does sound just like that and go about that fast sometimes.)
Panera!! Love their “Take 2” meal.
You can choose from ANY soup ANY salad, and ANY sandwich, and pick two! I usually get the Fuji Apple Salad & Turkey BLT with Avocado sandwich. Yummy good!
Think I will go right now!!!!!!
Melody,
What a great contest (I hope I win;) and what great questions. I thought long and hard about if I wanted to move beyond the Starbucks chain to answer the question. I couldn’t decide so I figured I’d answer from the Starbucks view and then otherwise.
For Starbucks, I really love the iced coffee. Yeah yeah, it sounds so boring but truly when the heat is so intense and I feel like I can’t keep going, iced coffee hits the spot.
For others, I like the smaller but quality chain of Culver’s. They specialize in hamburgers but what I love is the frozen custard. It tastes so much better for some reason… probably all the cream. But the flavors they come up with and that it is okay for people that are lactose intolerant (at least in my area) is a glorious perk!
Now I’m craving some iced coffee and frozen custard. Mmm!
Hi, Melody! I’m a two year partner in Houston! I always appreciate your post! It’s always fun to read! Thank you!! My favorite is french fries @McDonald’s!!! Don’t know why but I get the huge craving once in few weeks, haha. And I’m collecting the Pike Place mugs and tumblers too! I wanna win the giveaway!!!
Okay I’ll let my secret out. I like McDonald’s, but only because my favorite must have, completely addicted to, fast food is a Sausage McMuffin with Egg and a packet of their Hot Picante Sauce.
I’ll stop by Starbucks and get a bold brewed to enjoy while I savor my Sausage McMuffin with Egg.
Although I love In and Out Burger & White Castle & Steak N Shake, my favorite fast food is Lion’s Choice! Their rosy beef is awesome!
Americans are so lucky, so many fast food choices!
I’d have to say though, my favourite fast food treat are the onion rings at Canadian A&W. I specify because the Canadian and the American ones are completely different! (Unless they’ve changed recently)
Here’s a McDonald’s treat that will work in the US as well:
Order a pie and a small ice cream, but get them to put the ice cream directly on the pie! It’s a cheap and delicious pie à la mode!
For burgers, hands down I love Wendy’s. I love getting the Bacon Deluxe (It’s a bacon cheeseburger with veggies) whereas my boyfriend always gets the Baconator. (Although with 6 slices of bacon, you can’t go wrong!)
I do have an American address though for the purposes of this contest! ^^
My favorite is Sonic. Their food isn’t the greatest, but I love the cherry limeaid, and I love the “chicken dinner” because it is so unusual for a burger fast food place.
My favorite only has 90 stores but its called Tijuana Flats and it started here in Florida. Honestly, it’s one of the few places I don’t have a favorite. I like just about everything but the hot sauce bar is what makes it great. I’m not a hot sauce lover normally but their sauces have a lot of personality. My favorite is Jason’s Mon’s Sauce. The staff is always friendly and the walls are decorated with fun paintings and pictures and the nachos, tacos and burritos are all awesome.
As a technicality, however, Del Taco has more than 100 stores and they have tacos that are better than Taco Bell.
I love your blog. My wife an I go to Starbucks for mini dates to get away from the kids. We love collecting gift cards if you ever want to trade for a Florida card 😉
My favorite fast food chain is Sonic and my favorite guilty pleasure snack is a frito chili pie and a cherry Dr. Pepper. Yum!
I totally have that 1912 Pike Place on my places to visit someday list thanks to you. And OMG! I cannot believe DadCooks eats at McDonalds!
I’m a lover of all foods of the mexican variety. I don’t do much fast food anymore (the sodium and I don’t get along) but I love splurging on a burrito at Qdoba. There’s one less than 2 miles from my house. I can recite my order without even waiting for their prompts. I get the chicken burrito on white, brown rice, black beans, pico and corn salsa, cheese, sour cream and guac (yes, I know guac is extra, yes, that’s fine), yes, I know it’s $7.93 🙂
Thanks Melody!
My current favorite fast food place of choice is Noodles & Company. It’s a toss up between which dish is my favorite, but I usually go for either the Pad Thai or the Indian Peanut Saute – topped w/ a chicken breast to accompany either of the two. Sriracha sauce is a must and I always get the Chicken Noodle or Tomato Bisque soup as a side.