AND NOW A WORD FROM THE CULINARY CORNER

7/18/08

I sent the following e-mail to Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass in response to his argument, which seems to make sense at first glance, that Dunkin’ Donuts is the bargain alternative to Starbuck’s.:


7/17/08

John,

You’re way off base in arguing that Dunkin’ Donuts is a sensible alternative to Starbuck’s. Dunkin’ is itself a shameless extravagance. How much does a home brewed cup of coffee, even including a good old Styrofoam cup, cost? Less than a dime, unless one buys yuppie coffee. If one must have donuts, they can be bought at a grocery store far more cheaply than they can be bought at Dunkin’. However, one would be far better off having a bowl of cereal and a piece of fruit at home before leaving for work; such a quick and cheap breakfast is not much more expensive than an empty calorie and sleep inducing fat laden donut and is far better for you.

You have a long way to go before you join the ranks of the genuinely, and proudly, frugal, my friend. Besides, the more money, and calories and fat, you save by not going to Dunkin’, the more you can spend, and consume, at White Castle for lunch or dinner. Good thing, too; with prices at White Castle climbing, I’m beginning to regard a visit to the Porcelain Palace a bit over the top, but there is no substitute for a slider, and all my attempts to replicate the delectable gut bomb at home have come to naught.

Keep up the good work.


Mark Quinn