There is a saying in football, "Never fall in love with a loan player!" It arises from the reality that more often than not, a loan player comes in for a single season - performs and wins for your club, wins the heart of the fans and then they have to leave in the end due to legal agreements or financial constraints. You grow loving the player, and end up having a broken heart.
Now, why am I starting a post in the "Cinnamon cup Coffee" community with a football quote?
Hold your beer Latte, it will all make sense in the end!
Latte at Tabaq, a Chain Shop
I like consistency.
When it comes to the taste of coffee, I don't usually see much difference between chain shops or family owned ones. Even the service at cafes are usually on par at both chain shops and ones with a mom and pop feel!
So it is kinda difficult to choose one of the two. But I would have to say I prefer the chain shops over the family owned ones. And it all comes down to consistency. And no, I am not saying the family owned ones do not serve a consistent quality. The consistency I talk about is the "Consistency of availability." Let me explain.
My top pick for a latte in the city is Tabaq and The Courtyard - the courtyard probably slightly better. Tabaq is a chain shop and The Courtyard is more of a mom and pop feel type.
Latte at The Courtyard, F*cking fantastic!
The first time I had a tabaq coffee was during one of my visits to Dhaka a few years back and I was in love instantly. And for years it has been my go to coffee shop and still is. The reason it was possible is because it is a chain shop. I don't have to take an hour long ride every time I want a cuppa. There's almost always a branch somewhere around, be it on the way during a walk or a shopping mall or a residential. I know I can have that exact consistency in my latte when I feel like it.
But take The Courtyard for example. I absolutely love the Latte there. But if I want to have it, there is literally just one place in the country I can have it. I can not for example, be walking in a mall and feel like having coffee and just have a chance to find a branch of The Courtyard. I will have a chance to find Tabaq. I like the courtyard, but I like consistency more.
This was one of the best black drip coffee I have had! It was not at a chain shop. So if I want to have it again, I will have to take a 10-11 hour bus ride, all the way to cox's bazar. Go figure!
The other issue with cafes that are not chain is, they are quite likely to shut down if business isn't going too well, and just like that the coffee you fell in love with is gone for good, forever. You are just never ever going to have a taste of it again. And here comes in the example of my football analogy - don't fall in love with something that is very likely to be gone.
Chain shops, when business is going to be bad are likely to shut down a couple of branches instead of vanishing from the face of the earth altogether. And if they are international chains, even better. If it goes away from you country, there is a remote possibility that some time in the future you may yet still find it on a trip somewhere!
Now now, it is not to say that I don't try out cafes that are not chain shops. I love them actually. And despite me telling you to not fall in love with a loan player, I did fall in love with the latte at The Courtyard. And should the day ever come that they close shop for good, I am going to terribly miss it.
I will always prefer to find myself excellent coffee at chain shops. The mom-and-pop feel ones are great for the occasional fling, the one night stand - but no strings attached.
All images are mine, unless and otherwise mentioned.
I see Tabaq, I approve, and I hit like.
I have just tasted 3 brands of coffee and at that point I chose which I will be regular with. I make my coffee myself most time. Choice is very important tough.
Smart choice, and I agree with it!
I used make my own coffee a lot as well in the past, but now things have gotten a bit busier. Although I am pondering on whether to get myself a simple drip coffee machine.
Ah, very different here. Most people would choose and independent shop over a chain anyway!
I guess it varies from region to region....? It's quite difficult for an independent shop to grow and thrive in business in this part of the world where drinking proper coffee is only starting to grow. 80% of people still think of instant coffee as the only coffee that exists. And most independent shops will be serving only instant coffee, which is a no go almost all the time for me 😁
Definitely, it does vary - Melbourne folk love a good independent hipster coffee shop...
Hipster coffee you say, eh?! Well that makes Melbourne in my bucket list of places to visit hehe!
This made me LOL. I never heard the saying, but it is very true!
You have some good pros and cons about the two... but heh! You always have some good facts.
Hope you're well:)
Didn’t have to wait too long to show you one 😉
Hehe that line gets thrown around a lot on the sports twitter! Especially around the times during and right after a transfer window!
I've been well Milly, rested and recharged after my break from blogging! How are things with you?
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STOPBitter coffee is good at certain time too. In bitter we find sweet in it.