As a cool breeze sets in for the first time in months, junior Addison Purvis walks to her car after eighth period and drives to the Starbucks in Falls Grove after school to try the new fall menu. Purvis walks inside and is overwhelmed with options on the screen. She picks through the various fall items and lands on the limited time pumpkin spice latte and a baked apple croissant. Purvis rarely gets Starbucks, but makes an exception for the fall seasonal items.
Seasonal menu items have come in for a limited time at restaurants in the area. The Starbucks fall menu was released on Aug. 22 and students rushed to try the new items. Starbucks also released fall merchandise, including tumblers and cold cups. This year, Starbucks released eight fall-inspired drinks and four food items for the season, and debates over what order is the best have sparked between students. “A lot of people are fans of the pumpkin spice latte, but I think it’s overrated and I personally enjoy the iced apple crisp oat milk shaken espresso. I pick cold drinks over hot drinks,” junior Danielle Rubin said.
Starbucks, being one of the major stores known for seasonal menus, has students excited, but there are other places that also have special fall menus, such as Dunkin’ Donuts. “Everyone obsesses over the Starbucks fall drinks but I rather the Dunkin’ one because their food items are better. I have been getting the pumpkin donut and the pumpkin spice latte,” junior Alex Bargman said.
Fall-inspired versions of drinks are popular. One of Starbucks’ most popular drinks is their chai tea latte, and they now have an iced pumpkin chai tea latte for the fall season, “I love the iced pumpkin chai tea latte because I normally get the regular one and the pumpkin flavors just make it better,” junior Bryson Filbert said.
Fall menus usually last around two months. Students who are not fans of the fall menus are relieved. “I do not like pumpkin flavors so I do not love the fall menu at most places because it’s all pumpkin. I do like it when places have items that aren’t pumpkin but still fall seasonal,” senior Josie Spicer said.
Grocery stores also participate in the fall menus. Trader Joe’s, being a popular spot for students, has special fall grocery items such as their apple cider donuts, pumpkin spice sheet cake and pumpkin ice cream. “The Trader Joe’s pumpkin ice cream is my favorite fall item at the store, I get it every year when it comes in for fall,” Bargman said.
