You can get a lot of things at McDonald’s for a buck, like their overly greasy, artificial cheeseburgers, and quadruple-fried, overly salted fries. But the only thing I would ever buy at McDonald’s ever again for $1 is their Newman’s Own coffee. You just can’t beat that price tag. Plus, the coffee is perfectly bitter, and always provides me with a caffeine-induced buzz until lunchtime. However, a coffee spot in Manchester has jumped on the $1 coffee bandwagon: J. Dubs. The catch: J. Dubs’ deal is only on Mondays from 1 to 4 p.m., while McDonald’s is a daily occurrence. Voted “Best Coffee in Manchester” in the Best of Hippo 2009, J. Dubs is allowing their java fans to have any coffee, any size, any blend, for a buck. Currently on tap at J. Dubs: Organic Mokha-Java Blend (the world’s oldest blend); J. Dubs’ signature blend; and Sumatra, an extra dark French roast, to name a few. Check their website frequently for their current coffee line-up.

I know I’ve complained about Starbucks before (and probably will again), but lately, Starbucks has been kicking Dunkin’ Donuts’ butt. I’ll swing the extra buck or two any day for strong coffee and (usually) good customer service. My current love for Starbucks began several weeks ago when I finally discovered that you could enjoy their pumpkin iced coffee without having to order their sickly sweet pumpkin spice latte. Now, I order a venti iced coffee with a shot of pumpkin syrup. Not only is it the perfect balance of pumpkin and coffee flavors, but it’s also almost half the price of the pumpkin spice latte. Compared to Dunkins, Starbucks also has a wider variety of breakfast options, and now that I’m having to grab breakfast on the go several days a week, I don’t want to have to choose between just a bagel, a muffin, or a doughnut. Starbucks has breakfast wraps, yogurt with granola, fruit cups, and not-so-waist-friendly baked goods, like banana bread and coffee cake. For the fall season, to accompany their pumpkin coffee, Starbucks is even offering items like pumpkin scones and pumpkin cream cheese muffins. If Starbucks keeps this up, America could be running on their coffee before we know it. Plus, the baristas at Starbucks listen; they haven’t messed up my coffee order once yet.

Which do you prefer - Starbucks or Dunkins?