Dunkin’ Donuts Frozen Hot Chocolate and Free Swag for My Readers

Growing up in New England there are a couple of things everyone loves.  Among these are the Red Sox, clam chowder and Dunkin’ Donuts.  The small town I grew up in has seven Dunkin’ Donuts.  Two of them are separated by only a half mile.  To say Salem, New Hampshire runs on Dunkin’ Donuts is an accurate statement.  When I moved to Tallahassee, Florida there were two stores in a city nine times as big as my home town.  I would frequent them after class until one day they closed.  I was stunned.  I had never heard of a Dunkin’ Donuts closing and had to rely on hitting the one in Gainesville, Florida once or twice a year for my fix of coffee and chocolate donuts.

After years of being in the Dunkin’ Donuts wilderness the home of the donuts of my childhood and coffee of my young adult life decided to make a comeback.  I was literally counting the days until I could get a medium coffee with two creams and two sugars.   When they opened their doors I had to be among the first to drive through their store located near Bradfordville.  I also brought home some donuts for Mason. Upon discovering he could reach the box he licked the frosting off several before I could save the rest.

A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from a firm who handles public relations for the Dunkin’ Donuts in this area of Florida.  They asked if I would be willing to visit their other store located near I-10 on Thomasville Road.  I agreed and one afternoon headed down. The location is a combination Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins.  Inside it looked like a new Dunkin’ Donuts with a few tweaks.  The first thing I noticed were the digital signs that flashed pictures of various drinks above the register.  Dunkin Donuts has gone high tech.

While waiting line I looked over the menu.  It was approaching 100 degrees and although I prefer my coffee hot this was pushing it.  I decided to try one of their new frozen hot chocolates.  I had no idea what to expect and watched as the lady dispensed it from a frozen hot chocolate machine.  It looked liked a slush and before I could stop her she covered the top with whipped cream.  I took a sip and guess what? It tasted like someone had taken a cup of hot chocolate, frozen it and then pureed it into a summertime drink.  It was pretty good and I have to admit I enjoyed the whipped cream as the air conditioning from the car cooled me down.

The location was clean and the staff at this particular Dunkin Donuts was friendly.  I am very happy we have a pair of Dunkin’ Donuts in Tallahassee and am glad I no longer have to wait months between tasting a piece of New England.

A couple days after I visited the Dunkin’ Donuts I received a package in the mail from public relations firms with some swag inside.  It consisted of a coffee mug, a few pens and two $5 gift cards.  The coffee mug got a bit wonky in transit but in the interest of maintaining my objectivity I would like to give away the other items. Just leave a comment with a valid e-mail address!   Please note the only person who will see your e-mail is me, and I will only contact you if you win.

I will keep the give away open from Thursday, July 21, 2011 until Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 11:59 p.m.  Once the entry deadline for the drawing closing I will put all the names in a hat and randomly select the winners.

Sweet Tea & Bourbon’s Rating:
Atmosphere: C+
Taste: A-
Presentation: C
Service: A
Cleanliness: A
Price: $