Write Around Tampa

Starbucks

10002 N Dale Mabry Highway

Tampa

This Starbucks, located at the corner of Dale Mabry and Linebaugh, boasts a drive-thru that is one of the busiest in Tampa. During peak times it goes out onto Linebaugh or trails along the turning lane on Dale Mabry. I’ve never waited in this line, nor stepped foot inside. Today that changed and I have to say, I love this Starbucks. Here’s why.

Quality and pricing of food and drink:
Tall java chip with toasted coconut syrup, no whip. I was nervous when the barista had no idea what a java chip was. I know. Old school drink. She said, “Oh, the mocha cookie crumble.” No. The java chip. I said, “Okay, never mind.” She said she could look it up. She did. She made it. It was delicious. It was free (paid with a gift card).

Are there enough outlets?
In the walls, on the floors, built into the bench seating. It’s Starbucks; when they find a way to include outlets embedded in their cups, they’ll do it.

How’s the wifi?
Typical sign your life away unsecured access.

Will my muse come out?
Yes. The music is a nice mix of stuff I know, stuff I have to Shazam. Not too loud but enough to provide a pleasant soundtrack. (Actually just Shazam’d a song that was melodic and pleasant. OMG, it’s Harry Styles, Love of My Life. Go to buy it, I already have it, it’s on Harry’s House. I don’t recognize it, note to self to put on one of my writing mixes. Now some Boz Scaggs, Lowdown. Big muse of mine Brett Scallions is a big fan. Sorry, I’m off track). Smells of coffee, sounds of foaming and grinding, the room peppered with other writers. My muse is so happy, happy, helping me type.

How long can I park it?
Open to close, and that’s until ten pm every day of the week. (They open at five; like I’m ever doing that. But great if you want to.) And considering they do such a smashing drive thru business, I’m guessing walk-ins are a little intimidated so you’ll probably always get a seat. And there are plenty of them. Two long tables, two little chair and table set-ups and six wall seats. What kind of pot of gold is this?

Final rating: 5! 5 out of 5 laptops (exactly how much caffeine is in this mocha java coco?)

Rachel Remick’s fiction and non-fiction stories have appeared in various magazines, among them Rosebud, Bluestem, Minerva Rising, and ellipsis . . . literature and art. A frequent contributor to women’s magazine Sasee, her writing has also been published in several volumes of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books. She lives in Tampa, Florida.