In theory, great, but in practice, most places can't afford more than one or two of these, so instead of having 5-10 spigots of various carbonated beverages that can serve dozens of customers in a relatively short amount of time, now you have 1 or 2 spigots where each transaction takes 2-10 times longer depending on the technophilia or phobia of the users (the phobes can find a way to get lost in any menu system, while the philes will have fun playing with the available choices, which either way, if you are behind one or a half dozen of these folks will suddenly make this seem a lot less fun).
I've also found some of them have some kind of bleedthough on the flavors, where everything winds up tasting a little like something else. I'd bet this problem gets worse over time, particularly with poorly maintained machines.
LOVE them. I like a cherry/minute maid/shot of seltzer combo. I am a Coke need and downloaded the Freestyle app so I can play the little Simon Says game and dream up new combos.
For the Chicagoans, there are two of these at the City North 14 movie theater on Western. Theyr'e fun, but I was late for my movie the last time I was there and didn't have time to really enjoy them.
Not all Moe's, or at least not the one in Branchburg. Although this was the primary reason we went there, because there is one in Franklin that has it, apparently. (This is all Somerset County, NJ)
There a quite a few here in the Northern Virginia area, in local Firehouse Subs and Popeye's places. I happen to have one 2 minutes away at a place called The Burger Joint in Springfield. It's as fantastic as it seems, used it several times now.
There's a solution to the bleedthrough. Run a couple of seconds worth of plain water through before you make your choice. Also, Raspberry Coke is the best.
I'm just back from my first experience with a Coca-Cola Freestyle. A thing of beauty. I'm sure I'll end up using it, long-term, to get Diet Coke but the Diet Coke with Orange was interesting and the Little Earthling thought Fanta Zero Grape mixed with Fanta Zero Lime made a delightful shade of black.
Well, not so spectacular: that location, a Moe's Southwest Grill, does not seem to have opened for business yet. (Or it opened and closed in rapid succession.)
Everyone I know who has encountered one of these machines has been in raptures over the joy it brings.
ReplyDeleteIn theory, great, but in practice, most places can't afford more than one or two of these, so instead of having 5-10 spigots of various carbonated beverages that can serve dozens of customers in a relatively short amount of time, now you have 1 or 2 spigots where each transaction takes 2-10 times longer depending on the technophilia or phobia of the users (the phobes can find a way to get lost in any menu system, while the philes will have fun playing with the available choices, which either way, if you are behind one or a half dozen of these folks will suddenly make this seem a lot less fun).
ReplyDeleteI've never seen one IRL, I don't think. I LOVE soda. I think it might plague me with indecision.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, there's one at the Wendy's on City Ave.!
ReplyDeleteThere's one at the Fuddrucker's in Walnut Creek. I'm so there tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAnd, like, one in all of Center City, down in Suburban Station.
ReplyDeleteShould've checked the work zip code too - I use Suburban Station!
ReplyDeleteThey are amazing. My favorite combo so far has been Vanilla Coke Zero with Fanta Orange Zero. It's kind of like creamsicle Coke.
ReplyDeleteyes. this is why they're evil.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of the Raspberry Coke.
ReplyDeleteI've also found some of them have some kind of bleedthough on the flavors, where everything winds up tasting a little like something else. I'd bet this problem gets worse over time, particularly with poorly maintained machines.
ReplyDeleteSooo need to find me one of these. And soooo don't need to be anywhere near one (diet, y'see).
ReplyDeleteCrap. Apparently at all the Moe's Southwestern Grills. And there are two within 5 miles. (This could actually get me to eat at one, too.)
ReplyDeleteLOVE them. I like a cherry/minute maid/shot of seltzer combo. I am a Coke need and downloaded the Freestyle app so I can play the little Simon Says game and dream up new combos.
ReplyDeleteI love cherry coke. Back off haters!
ReplyDeleteSorry, that anger was from giving up all soda. :(
ReplyDeleteFor the Chicagoans, there are two of these at the City North 14 movie theater on Western. Theyr'e fun, but I was late for my movie the last time I was there and didn't have time to really enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteI saw it! It's real!
ReplyDeleteThen let me just say to you: Welcome to Moe's!
ReplyDeleteDo not try caffeine free raspberry diet coke. I know, that one seems self-evident.
ReplyDeleteThere is also one in the Qdoba at the Chicago Red Line, and one at Go Roma on State right nearby, and the 5 Guys on Fullerton and Clark has one too.
ReplyDeleteOoh! I occasionally go to that Five Guys!
ReplyDeleteNot all Moe's, or at least not the one in Branchburg. Although this was the primary reason we went there, because there is one in Franklin that has it, apparently. (This is all Somerset County, NJ)
ReplyDeleteYou Americans are so lucky. I would trade our well-regulated banking system and universal health care for one of those machines in Canada.
ReplyDeleteI believe the line is, "They're real, and they're spectacular."
ReplyDeleteThere a quite a few here in the Northern Virginia area, in local Firehouse Subs and Popeye's places. I happen to have one 2 minutes away at a place called The Burger Joint in Springfield. It's as fantastic as it seems, used it several times now.
ReplyDeleteThere's a solution to the bleedthrough. Run a couple of seconds worth of plain water through before you make your choice. Also, Raspberry Coke is the best.
ReplyDeleteI'm just back from my first experience with a Coca-Cola Freestyle. A thing of beauty. I'm sure I'll end up using it, long-term, to get Diet Coke but the Diet Coke with Orange was interesting and the Little Earthling thought Fanta Zero Grape mixed with Fanta Zero Lime made a delightful shade of black.
ReplyDeleteYou guys have the better Kit Kats (Nestle, vs our Hershey ones) so it might be even.
ReplyDeleteWell, not so spectacular: that location, a Moe's Southwest Grill, does not seem to have opened for business yet. (Or it opened and closed in rapid succession.)
ReplyDeleteGet me to a major metropolitan market, STAT!
ReplyDeleteI encountered one of these recently. I made a half-caf Diet Coke. So cool!
ReplyDelete(Kidding. Haven't seen one yet, and when I do, I will be mixing all of the orange, grape, lime, etc., like a 5-year old.)