Seattle Local Custom Tips by travelfrosch

Land of Coffee Coffee Craze Review

My first introduction to the Seattle area was at a chain restaurant. A pot full of coffee was placed on my table... and it was lunchtime. The people of Seattle love their coffee, of that there can be no doubt. In fact, local coffee shops have become favored meeting places, especially for young people (more or less serving the social function that pubs do in the British Isles).

The best-known coffee shop worldwide is Starbucks, though interestingly it is not viewed as the best coffee in Seattle. Every neighborhood has its own small espresso shop, but the big three chains in Seattle are Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Tully's. My favorite of the chains is Tully's.

As for what to buy, there is a dizzying array of choices, mainly centering on some combination of espresso, steamed milk, and flavoring. My personal favorite is Grande Wet Cappuccino, but experiment and determine your favorite. Be warned that the drinks can be quite expensive -- $4 or more per cup for some concoctions. You can save a bit of money if you order plain coffee (about $2).

One final note: at the counter, you will usually notice a tip jar. "Baristas" (coffee attendants) don't normally get paid all that well, so they rely on tips to augment their income. Tipping is optional, however: regular customers will typically throw their returned coins or $1 in the cup if they are ordering a complicated beverage. Tipping is not expected if you're ordering a plain coffee.