Dunkin' Donuts Has a Friend
My apologies for the photo. I actually took a much clearer one, but
this one appealed to me--kinda makes the place look haunted!
As I'm sure many neighborhoodies have noticed, Dunkin' Donuts has not set out to invade Carroll Gardens alone. Knowing the terrain would be difficult, the Double D enlisted the help of his good friend and often shop mate Baskin-Robbins. It goes without saying that there is some great homemade gelato in this neighborhood, and I sincerely hope those businesses don't suffer. My optimistic belief, given the love the neighborhood has for its local, family-run businesses, is that most Brooklynites will continue to patronize their old favorites (or, who knows, maybe some entrepreneurial spirit will open up an independent coffeehouse/ice cream stand nearby).
This brings me to a potentially heated debate, What is it about Dunkin' Donuts coffee that causes some people to love it so ferociously? I have friends and acquaintances who swear it is the best coffee in the world (no, they do not live in the neighborhood). Now, I've had a lot of fabulous coffee in my day, and I am happy to assure anyone who asks, it does not taste like DD's coffee. I'm betting it's all the sugar and half-and-half they pour in for you. Are there any DD lovers out there who care to explain the phenomenon.
And don't miss the NYDailyNews article about how the owner of our neighborhood's DD wants to blanket the area with the chain. He used to live in Carroll Gardens, but I'd like to think his Staten Island residence cancels out his neighborhood cred. I'm just guessing here, but who thinks that Mr. Ungaro might have gotten his franchise start-up costs from the sale of his family's brownstone? I suppose that turn-about would be fair play.
18 Comments
Leave a comment
DD and BR were folded together when bought by Danon- not the yogurt, the big French Agri-biz. Now they have been bought by that favorite of conspiracy buffs- the Carlye group. Yes, the people who brought you the best the military industrial complex could offer will now be serving you coffee. Odd eh? They are also the company who bought all of Trumps west side property- they got so much (hedge fund) cash they dont know where to spend it.
Hey, you know that contest where DD ask you for your own personal heroic DD coffee procurement saga? I sent mine, which described trips to Jones Beach via Penn Station, where me and my buddy would get Krispy Kreme donuts, but go to Dunkin Donuts for the coffee. True story. I don't think they used it though.
My first job ever was at DD, and when I saw how they made the d's and cleaned up their equipment (they just dip the trays in disinfectant and let them dry on racks before reusing them), I couldn't eat a donut for 20 years. Krispy Kreme saved my life.
DD coffee tastes like sour milk and then it somehow settles into tasting good after about three or four sips.
Those first sips, though, with chemical bitterness, scare me away.
The best coffe is the one I make at home in my french press. Even Maxwell House tastes good in a french press. It's hot!
I live steps away from DD but i would still continue my weekly trek up Court Street to D'Amicos for my freshly ground Sumatra. I, too, cannot stand DD coffee. It's flat and has a sour aftertaste. Brooklyn Bread which is a block and a half from DD serves good coffee.
What is it about Dunkin' Donuts coffee that causes some people to love it so ferociously?
Uh, the fact that it's GREAT!
Actually, I'd say it's about 80% GREAT. Every, I dunno, one out of five cups is gross and acidic and sour and heartburny and blech. But those other four, mmmm, yum. GREAT.
I never understand how people can claim DD brews good/great coffee. It's awful and done all wrong. All coffee, even if it starts great, will be completely ruined if it is allowed to sit in a pot on a hot burner to keep warm. And DD begins with bad stale coffee beans to begin with so it stands no chance of being a good cup. Forget it. Make it at home and save your money. But make it right!!! No machines. French press or Milita filter and hot water. That's it.
Who cares how the coffee tastes...this guy has gotta be stopped! Soon we will have Subway sandwich stores and Duane Reade's infecting the neighborhood if he has his way!! I hope the nieghborhood responds by never stepping foot in the place.
That's the best way of dealing with DD. Just don't give them your business.
honestly, is this neighborhood, moving to florida?
i cant believe key food, i cant believe dd.
i want more outrage to make a difference.
buts lets be honest these places went out of buisness cause people in the neighborhood "didn't shop there enough"
i moved here to stay away from chains, and the black cloud of the corperate paper chase is sending acid rain down on my garden.
here's to the asshole that opened up dd, go back to staten island.
I walked by DD this weekend. They finally opened for business and I was astonished to see people in there eating. I shot everyone a dirty look as I walked by. Maybe a constant stream of dirty looks will drive away their business.. maybe we could convince the crew from the old Hanley's to stand out front smoking cigs.
It is amazing to me that you people would spend so much time beating this dead horse to death. Get over it, whoever enjoys a great cup of coffee and a donut is going to spend their money in DD and whoever wants bad coffee is going to the mom and pops. As far as leonardos cafe, the owner of the establishment is also the landlord, he was not forced out of his own 8 million dollar building, he just decided to retire and collect the rent instead, which as far as I know is still legal in this country. All you nut jobs think it is ok to charge 2000.00 a month for a 1 bedroom appt. but not ok for landlords to rent their commercial spaces for fair market value. You all need to take a deep breath and really GET A LIFE. Should we stop CVS from coming on Court Street and deprive seniors of their right to get prescription drugs, and should we also stop Chase Bank from coming so we cannot cash our liberal checks that by the way comes from sources that be classified as not so ethical. Bottom line is stop the bitching or MOVE OUT.
Who on earth said it's ok to charge $2K for an apartment?
There are plenty of neighborhood people--new and old--who are not jumping for joy over Dunin' Donuts (or its coffee). There are also plenty of neighborhood people--new and old--who would have loved to see a respectable grocery store replace the Key Food. Is it a free country? Yep, which is why it's OK to open a D&D and also why it's OK to not like it very much.
Its all relative. When I lived in the hood, I surely would've been on the picket line i/f/o the DD. But today, I was in Shitsville, USA, miles away from civilization. I saw this mom and pop donut shop, so I went in and bought a couple dozen of the cop's best friend for my crew. When we got down to the business of eating them - they were awful - I would've killed for a DD.
Actually, I wouldn't complain so much if a Krispy Kreme opened up and they made donuts on the premises like they do down south. Something about a hot Krispy Kreme that's just magical.
Again, relative (but I know what you mean). There used to be a little donut shop on 125th Street in Harlem. Georgie's Donuts. All he made were glazed donuts (and brownies), they came out fresh and hot every day around 2PM. We used to drive up there on slow days, buy several boxes, then distribute them at the office.
Georgie's closed because Krispy Kreme opened its first store in NY - right next door to Georgie's. Of course, the KK's were just as good - especially if you catch them right out of the oven - but when we could've gotten the same product at Georgie's ....
Yeah, I hear what you're sayin'
I just wanted to comment about Georgie's Donuts that used to be on 125th Street in Harlem. I have never tasted another donut quite like Georgies. KK doesn't have anything on Georgies. If anyone can find another donut close to it, or the recipe for it, please let me know. I would love to allow my children to be able to taste a real donut!!!!!