Outside the US they're usually really nice. It's a habbit and it's nice when travelling to have some predictability. But in the US it's getting worse every time I visit (once a year or so for the last 20 years, though Starbucks only since 2008).
So my incentive to seek out alternatives has increased. That's good news for smaller independent establishments out there!
Makes sense. I liked them for being a predictably a solid spot to work from; other smaller coffee shops could be a hit or miss in that sense.
But as you, I've seen declining quality of service and spaces from Starbucks as well in the US. For sure would recommend to try other SMBs by now.
They're absolutely not work friendly anymore here. With a few exceptions. Part of what I do on long walks is to find and bookmark them. The Bronx is perhaps not the ideal spot for that :-)
I'll also take a look at WeWork, if they have any good "roaming" deals. At my home base I have a great setup. Hotels are also hit and miss.
