Would you like a side of quiche with that pumpkin spice latte? No? How about Belgian waffles, or perhaps a stack of baked french toast, served with a side of with real maple syrup? Starbucks is gearing up to offer it, if customers are willing to take it.
https://twitter.com/SbuxMel/status/772084565791739904
This, according to blogger StarbucksMelody, who reported on Saturday that several of her local Portland-area Starbucks had begun serving up what they were calling “Weekend Brunch.” (By the way, she gave the Sweet Belgian Waffles that she tested two thumbs up, saying that they were “the perfect combination of sweet, crunchy, and flaky.”
Her discovery was confirmed by a Starbucks representative, who told Melody that the Portland-area locations were just a few of the 78 “select locations” taking part in a test of the new brunch offerings, which began on August 27 and doesn’t have a set ending date. (Melody herself, who blogs about Starbucks, estimates a 6-8 week trial run, based on what she’s seen in the past.)
Melody wasn’t the only one to take Weekend Brunch to social media, though. Instagram user @kayliasftw tried the Belgian waffles at her own local Starbucks and was similarly impressed:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJo2TD0gl7s/
User @sarahfreeman4 also went for the Belgian waffles, but added a quiche on the side, saying it was the “perfect way to start a Sunday morning.”
This isn’t the first time Starbucks has tested out brunch. Last year, again according to StarbucksMelody, they did an even smaller test in a few cities north of Seattle — and there’s an Instagram shot to prove it:
https://www.instagram.com/p/70zpV2lugh/
StarbucksMelody’s blog post about the possible new turn toward brunch has since been shared, receiving a lot of opinions — and excitement — from Starbucks fans. Some are impressed by how much thought the company has put into the menu offerings:
whoa, legit brunch! Waffles actually look decent. Barista just pops em in the oven real fast?
— Clint Rainey (@clintrainey) September 3, 2016
Some are ready for brunch to launch nationally:
@Starbucks I wouldn't be opposed to serving this in Texas #brunch
— Nathan Israelson (@Nathanisraelson) September 6, 2016
Some are dreaming of a future Starbucks with classic brunch drinks:
https://twitter.com/fucknesss/status/773265121258774529
And, of course, some are just haters of the idea (and of Starbucks as a whole):
https://twitter.com/LovexShar0n/status/773262441547386881
The idea of an added Weekend Brunch does bring up the question of Starbucks’ recently-plummeting employee morale, and whether the added complication of heating up waffles and quiches for customers would make things even worse for the poor baristas, who have been incredibly overworked following the company’s recent cuts. Could this be the first time in history when waffles fail to improve a situation?
That question aside, we’re actually pretty excited to try this whole brunch thing for ourselves — the pictures make the spread look pretty appealing. Unfortunately, those of us who live outside of the Pacific Northwest will have to be content with our reheated breakfast sandwiches and oatmeal latte hacks until Starbucks decides to take Weekend Brunch national.
