I hardly need to give Starbucks an introduction. With many its many stores it is hardly unknown and obscure. Its iconic symbol of a mermaid has confused people many times as to what it has to do with coffee. I still don't know myself.

-- Food and Drink --
As it is a coffee shop, you can imagine that they will have a wide selection of various different coffees. From lattees, espresso, mochas, frappuccinos, hot chocolate with a variety of different flavours on top of that and a decent selection of teas (I say this as a tea drinker who doesn't appreciate only being able to buy English Breakfast everywhere). You can order your drinks in tall (small), grande (medium) and venti (large). There is something to suit everyones tastes.

I generally order the earl grey tea which comes in a full leaf teabag which impressed me. Compared to similar stores (some of which don't bother with earl grey) it is definitely a good tasting earl grey though it doesn't beat my favourite Twinings, it is still a good contender. The hot chocolate is good also but I was a little disappointed by the caramel and hazulnut hot chocolate as it just didn't have the taste that I was expecting.

Starbucks also offer a small range of food from muffins, sandwhiches, cakes, fruit and crisps. Though this, I feel is a little more on the pricey side, all the food is of good quality. The cakes especially are very nice. However, if you are hungry it perhaps isn't the place to go.

--Stores--
As I said previously, there are many Starbucks stores around. I have three within decent walking distance from me (several more if I really wanted to walk that far).

All of the stores are slightly different with different sizes and different layouts. Though they are generally the same: counter where you buy drinks and pay, little bit over is where you wait for your coffee (tea is prepared at the counter before you pay) and then near by is the station for sugar and milk. And of course tables, chairs and bathroom facilities. I have always found everything in Starbucks clean and well presented.

Also, if you want to bring your laptop and do work they generally have sockets somewhere. I'm not sure how many stores this is true for though.

-- Staff --
I have always found the staff to be very pleasant and polite. I go into my regular one so much that my order is known to quite a few members of staff. There is always someone cleaning up tables. Of course, the pleasantness and politeness of staff will vary but generally I have always had a good experience.

-- Price --
Okay, so Starbucks isn't known for being a budget end store. Granted a lot of the stuff can seem a little overpriced. As I drink tea however a grande earl grey only sets me back £1.65 which I hardly count as pricey. Sure it is a little more than I would pay at university but its still not that bad. The food is a little expensive as well, especially the more smaller cakes. It is good quality food though.

-- Overall --
Yes, it is a little on the pricey side but for the quality it is recommended. I go to Starbucks a lot to do uni work and my writing group meets there regularly as well. I don't have a truly negative thing to say about Starbucks and enjoy going there.