Sixty-eight percent of customers said cost was the top factor that influences where they shop, according to CSA, Chain Storage Age, a location marketing solution provider. The runner up was proximity, which 55 percent of people chose as the reason for picking a store. A mixture of three local and commercial coffee shops in the Fox Valley are put head to head as to which has the best vanilla latte. Aside from the taste and presentation; both factors associated directly with the vanilla latte, the location/proximity, environment and cost are taken into account.

Starbuck, Timshel Cafe and Tempest Coffee Collective differentiate from another but all attract coffee lovers. Starbucks, the commercialized shop of the three, cost the least at $3.83, Timshel Cafe comes in second with a total of $4.20, and lastly, Tempest Coffee Collective at $4.50. The price for all three is for an 8 oz size. 

There is a strong taste difference between and would be a deal-breaker on which place one would prefer. Starbucks has a  sweet tasting vanilla latte with a milky taste and little to none expresso taste. On the other hand, Timshel Cafe offers a rich expresso taste with little sweetness to their vanilla latte. Tempest Coffee Collective offers a balance between the two with a subtle expresso taste and a hint of vanilla.

If a heart or a pinwheel design holds in the milk according to Reader’s Digest, it means that the consistency of the foam is good and the shot was pulled well. If you are at a place that does foam artwork, and you do not get a good picture, that means your drink is not well made. As shown in the images, Timshel had the best foam presentation, in a close second, Tempest Coffee Collective, and Starbucks in third with a plethora of white foam but not much presentation.

Starbucks offers a drive-through and a fast-paced environment for its customers with a limited amount of seating, located off I-41 highway in Neenah. Timshel Cafe offers customers a relaxed environment with a plethora of seating options, located downtown Neenah. Tempest Coffee Collective, a fresh and bright environment located on the east side of Appleton next to the Fox River, with various seating options.

Despite the drive to the other side of Appleton, I find myself gravitating toward Timshell Coffee Collective because of the bright and inviting atmosphere.

The coffee shop with the best vanilla latte is ultimately up to the customer to decide as the pros and cons of each differ based on what is being looked for in a vanilla latte. Each offers its own spin on the classic vanilla latte and the environment of a coffee shop.