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The Pros and Cons of the 'Ghetto Latte'

09/08/06 @ 07:43:43 am, by Kate Hopkins Email 4402 views • Categories: Starbucks

A Ghetto (or Poor Man's) Latte is an iced Americano, with no water and half ice which is then takens to the condiments bar where the milk or half and half is then added.

The question put forth to Starbuck's Gossip was "Is it fair/right for a customer to order what we, at my store, call a "ghetto-latte"?

My own take? It doesn't matter as the milk at the condiment bar is not free (it's already figured into the cost of the menued products). Corporate business being what it is, the ...ahem... bean counters here in Seattle have already figured that there's a few folks who will game the system.

As a side question - has anyone actually ever used the vanilla powder found at the condiments bar?

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Comment from: Mike K [Visitor]
It is fair.

If there is no preparation for milk in an Iced Latte should they charge the same price as a hot Latte.

The employees did not expend the effort of steaming/frothing the milk or half/half at the condiment bar.

The additional cost for a non-getto latte compensates the franchise owner for the time and human resources used in preparation.

For a company that charges $1.85 for a cuppa joe, they'd do well not being too snobby.

It would be interesting to see Barista Boucers guarding the condiment stand.
PermalinkPermalink 09/08/06 @ 08:23
Comment from: Aprille [Visitor] · http://www.aprille.org
Though I've never made a ghetto latte, I make ghetto lemonades pretty often. I order a water, squeeze a couple of lemon wedges into it, and add a few packets of sugar or Splenda.

I think this is worse than the ghetto latte, since the water is usually free. I only ever do it when I'm buying something else, though.

Overall, I'm with Mike K. Condiment prices are built into the general financial structure of the place.
PermalinkPermalink 09/08/06 @ 08:26
Comment from: Fesser [Visitor] · http://the
As far as I'm concerned, bring rennet and citric acid to Starbucks and make mozzarella from the milk on the condiment bar. I am, however, a little uneasy w/ "Ghetto" as an all-purpose modifier describin inexpensive substitutes. "Ghetto," Warsaw aside, is racially connotative, if not formally denotative, and thus does not seem that different than calling it a "lattle for black people."
PermalinkPermalink 09/08/06 @ 09:41
Comment from: Kate Hopkins [Member] Email · http://www.accidentalhedonist.com
Fesser - I had the same thoughts as you, but didn't bring them up, for a variety of reasons.

I thought about changing the name of the drink, but decided to retain the name of the drink as noted on the Starbucks Gossip site.
PermalinkPermalink 09/08/06 @ 09:54
Comment from: Matthew [Visitor] · http://everythingfromscratch.blogspot.com
FWIW, the original ghetto was in Venice, not Warsaw.

Also, can someone explain to me what an "Americano with no water" is? Wouldn't that just be an espresso?

By all means, take the milk at the condiment bar. It's already paid for.
PermalinkPermalink 09/08/06 @ 11:44
Comment from: Sarah [Visitor]
It never even occurred to me to think there might be a problem with this. How is it even morally questionable? You're ordering something on the menu, and making use of the offered condiments.
Actually, you're doing a lot of Starbuck's work for them!
PermalinkPermalink 09/08/06 @ 13:01
Comment from: Kim [Visitor]
Wow. I thought I just would order an iced coffee and add 1/2-1/2 at the bar because that was the way I liked it when it is 110* outside. I had no idea it had a name and sub-culture. It's just iced coffee with 1/2 and 1/2 to me.

WHY would I but a latte and then have them ice it? Makes no sense when it's over 80* out. I'm clueless as why this is an issue.
PermalinkPermalink 09/08/06 @ 14:48
Comment from: kt [Visitor] · http://gastronomy-101.blogspot.com
I don't see how a store could reasonably stop people from ordering something on the menu and then using the provided "condiments" on it. And ... come on, it's Starbucks. What do they mean, "Is it fair/right?"

Is it fair or right for a big chain to come in and drive out smaller, locally owned businesses? Is it fair or right for them to serve their customers burned coffee and call it a dark roast? Is it fair or right for the baristas to be made to give up tips to the managers?

Nope. It's business. Starbucks does what it can to make the most money and the customers do what they can to get the most for the least amount of money. And frankly, I think Starbucks is winning.
PermalinkPermalink 09/08/06 @ 17:02
Comment from: maryeats [Visitor] · http://www.maryeats.com
Oh no. I have made a ghetto latte. I always ask for my iced Americanos without water because I like that strong coffee taste. Plus it is much colder that way for hot summer afternoons. I don't ever fill the glass the rest of the way up with milk, but I've been known to add an inch or two.

I think as long as the customer is buying, the condiment bar is free reign. In South Korea I have to pay almost three USD for an iced Americano, and I'll use all the condiments I like for that price.

When I worked at Starbucks, I found it more annoying to see people pocket handfuls of packaged condiments, or people would ask for a cup, then go fill it up with cream or milk.
PermalinkPermalink 09/08/06 @ 18:43
Comment from: Michael [Visitor] · http://thedarkerside.to/rants/
@kt,

it's not Starbucks who's driving those shops out, it's the people who chose to go to Starbucks over the local coffee shop. Simple as that. If people want the small one to stick around they should go to those stores and not to the chain.

Simple as that.

As for the "Ghetto Latte", hey, they put them there so that I can make my dirnk the way I like, so they shouldn't complain.

Tim Hortons for example does not give free condiments, you have to tell them when you order what you want.
PermalinkPermalink 09/08/06 @ 18:58
Comment from: Anne [Visitor] · http://annesfood.blogspot.com
I was actually rather amazed at the original post - hey, if they would have charged TWICE the price for some added half and half, then that's what's really unreasonable, in my opinion. Come on - several bucks for dairy? No wonder customers work out their own solutions.
PermalinkPermalink 09/09/06 @ 01:25
Comment from: Diane [Visitor]
I just call this an iced coffee and have been drinking these even before there was a Starbucks. I don't feel badly about it, or feel like changing my order just because it is now possible to order frou-frou espresso drinks for four times the price.

If I want espresso, I want it as the Italians have it - straight up.
PermalinkPermalink 09/09/06 @ 16:23
Comment from: greg [Visitor]
The topic of this post and some of the defenses for abusing the free condiment bar are fairly close to this post (and comments) on Frank Bruni's blog:
http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/?p=117

would you go to a fast-food place that has condiments out for sandwiches and make a salad out of them?
PermalinkPermalink 09/09/06 @ 22:44
Comment from: stephen [Visitor]
...hey Kate, thanks for letting me know about this...I'll definitely be saving some 'bucks' from now on...!
PermalinkPermalink 09/10/06 @ 07:19
Comment from: k [Visitor]
- i work at (not starbucks...but its pater co.)
the iced latte does require steamed milk= which goes under the ice- and rises to the top.
that being said- i make DIY lattes when i am elsewhere. i think iced coffe is the real problem financially- same price - and ice is eating up valuable coffee space.
PermalinkPermalink 09/12/06 @ 11:18
Comment from: workedatstarbucks [Visitor]
dear k [visitor]

FYI - an iced latte DOES NOT require steamed milk. starbucks uses cold milk straight from the carton. how would you ever add ice to steamed milk and expect the milk to stay steamed?!?!
PermalinkPermalink 09/13/06 @ 17:36
Comment from: kt [Visitor] · http://gastronomy-101.blogspot.com
In response to Greg, I think the difference between the fast food place example you gave and the Starbucks example is that in the Starbucks situation, people are nominally following the rules: they order a coffee drink and then use the condiments that are provided for their drink. The only issue is that they are using the condiments to create a cheaper version of a drink that they could have just ordered.

In the McDonalds example it sounds as if you are envisioning people making a salad out of the condiments without purchasing anything. That's a whole different story. I don't see any problem though, with ordering a hamburger and then making a pickle side salad out of the pickles provided instead of putting them on top of your hamburger. Even if there is a pickle salad on the menu.

PermalinkPermalink 09/14/06 @ 15:10
Comment from: bryon [Visitor]
I cant belive people really think about things like this.What a waste of time. If your that worried about 1.25 then go get yur coffee at the exxon down the road and put ice from the fountain drink in it.Starbucks sucks anyway.
PermalinkPermalink 12/28/06 @ 05:59
Comment from: bryon [Visitor]
This is what i call a jew-mac which is ok because i'm a jew.Go to micky-d's and order a .99 double cheeseburger and add lett. tom. and big-mac sauce and BAM, you have a .99 big-mac. Is this wrong?
PermalinkPermalink 12/28/06 @ 06:11
Comment from: Espressoccino [Visitor]
Isn't an iced Americano with no water just an iced Espresso?
PermalinkPermalink 02/05/07 @ 13:50
Comment from: sarah [Visitor] Email
LEAVE IT AT STAR*UCKS
The practice of Ghetto Lattes is fine when you have bulk buying power, serve 3-5month old beans and squeeze your distributors for lower prices. However, those of us who are indy coffee houses, you know the ones that are real, laid back actual coffee houses that started this whole thing, can't afford this practice, our profits are razor thin (usually because we use local, organic FRESH products) we live in the neighborhood, employ local people and benefit the communities we are in. PLEASE think twice before building your own lattes at our indy shops, we just can't handle another hit.
PermalinkPermalink 06/08/07 @ 06:05
Comment from: Rob G [Visitor] Email
I order my espresso on ice and add NO MILK! Yes believe it or not some take it without the condiments.

The markup on coffee is one of the biggest, right up there with pizza and popcorn. There is no reason why espresso (cheaper than coffe) + milk= 5 bucks. That's just stupid. Starbucks is making a klling and they know it. They are not worried about the ghetto-latte cuz guess what, they are still making money!

I spent much time in Italy and a espresso with steamed milk does not cost anywhere close to what cafes charge in the states and it's about a million times better.
PermalinkPermalink 01/06/08 @ 20:28
Comment from: Claire [Visitor] Email
In my store that wouldn't be a problem, though we've never made one to the best of my knowledge.

Sarah, however, you're a fool. Starbucks are not the all evil corporation everyone claims they are. They're very good with regards to quality and whilst they're expensive the beans are the best quality and we never allow old coffee or old beans to be used past their sell by date, stop being an ignorant fool and go drink your fizzy drinks from Mcdonalds.
PermalinkPermalink 07/22/08 @ 08:56
Comment from: Hess [Visitor] Email
Adding onto Claire. Sarah you are still an idiot. We don't squeeze our distributors for lower prices we pay them ABOVE fair trade prices so that they can support a family. In the event of natural disasters where there farms have been destroyed, did you know that on more than one occasion, Starbucks has paid all of the money needed to rebuild all of the facilities and get the farmer back on their feet.

Starbucks also benefits the communities we are in. http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/csr.asp Go there. It is all about Starbucks vow to Social Responsibility. Maybe you might learn something instead of spewing fallacies that some uninformed idiot who just doesn't like starbucks made up.

Thank you.
PermalinkPermalink 07/22/08 @ 12:36
Comment from: sara...another one [Visitor] Email
i'm a little torn on this issue. if they're getting an espresso over ice and filling the rest of the cup with milk in a way that would fit a proper ratio to be recognized as a latte i see it as abusing the condiment stand. however if they're adding about an inch or so of milk then there's no harm, just a drink i personally wouldn't want.
though i think that the iced lattes should be cheaper than hot, because it's just espresso with alot of milk and there's no actual manpower in making it.

i work for a smaller tea/coffee shop that's starting to franchise in canada, and i know that if anyone was abusing the condiment stand on a regular basis we'd be pretty screwed. we're at the point we have to charge an extra fifty cents for soy drinks.
PermalinkPermalink 07/27/08 @ 16:43
Comment from: imagine [Visitor] Email
i gotta say the whole ghetto lattes doesnt bug me, unless you pull up to the same cafe every morning in your BMW, dressed to impress and talking on your blackberry.....YOU CAN AFFORD IT! Pay full price dude!
PermalinkPermalink 07/28/08 @ 12:34

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