The soda fountain... of the future
Sometimes it doesn't take much: we ended up more than reasonably delighted by the soda fountain in the new Five Guys at Colonie Center. It's one of the somewhat-new Coke "freestyle" machines that allows you to custom mix a bunch of different sodas and flavors. The company says there are 100+ combinations.
This is the second machine of this type we've seen in the Capital Region. The other was at the Moe's farther up on Wolf Road -- but given that we have rather strict no-Moe's policy, this was our first time trying the machine. (Tangent: this new Five Guys adds to the already crazy overcrowded Wolf side of the mall. Parking there = challenging.)
A raspberry Coke? Why, yes, we'd love one. A raspberry-vanilla Coke? Hey, now. Vanilla Barq's? Smooth. Peach Sprite? Sure, why not. Orange-vanilla Coke? Hmmm... ooh, it's like a creamsicle.
A few more photos after the jump, if you're curious.
Tea, Earl Grey, hot. ... Oh, wait, wrong show.
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Comments
They have one at the Moes in East Greenbush too. Blew my mind a little.
... said Lisa Barone on Dec 8, 2011 at 6:01 PM | link
It looks like so much fun that you might forget you've just spent a couple bucks on a big cup of high fructose corn syrup.
- or -
A spoonful of artificial flavoring helps the HFCS go down.
... said Daniel B. on Dec 8, 2011 at 6:02 PM | link
I don't know what prompted your no-Moe's policy but that is blasphemous.
... said Tim on Dec 8, 2011 at 7:02 PM | link
I'll take one. I mean the machine. I'll take one machine home please.
... said Ryan on Dec 8, 2011 at 7:07 PM | link
The Moe's in EG [and, presumably, Wolf Road] has Pibb Zero. As far as I know, it is the only place in the Cap Region that sells it.
... said Kate on Dec 8, 2011 at 7:12 PM | link
Uh-oh...
This doesn't solve the main soda fountain problem of people getting in each others way around the fountain. Rather it will produce long lines of absent-minded people exploring the drink options.
... said Lu on Dec 8, 2011 at 7:23 PM | link
@Tim: Because Moe's is inedible?
... said Fred on Dec 8, 2011 at 8:43 PM | link
I'll admit to being a bit bemused, confused, and delighted when I first saw one of these machines. Once I got the hang of it, I was quick about it, but... it *does* decrease some of the utility of soda fountains, with the benefit of choice.
Of course, i don't think that anyone told them, that the more choice people have, the more they stare blankly at screens. analysis paralysis! OH NO!
I'm curious about the no-Moes policy, but... I figure, if you want me to know, you'll tell me... :)
... said Andy on Dec 8, 2011 at 10:26 PM | link
A No-Moes policy is only acceptable if it's paired with a More-Chipotle addendum.
These machines are neat but not all of the choices are created equal! Rasperry Coke was pretty gross. Lime Coke on the other hand (despite looking gross), was tasty! But it made me wonder why one of the most obvious flavor add-ons wasn't there... lemon! Coke with Lemon (or Lemon Coke, or whatever they called it) used to be my favorite. Now it's not available in the US.
... said Paul on Dec 8, 2011 at 10:41 PM | link
I am going to MURDER MY BFF for not telling me about this contraption! MURDER!!! This is the coolest thing to happen to soda since ... since ... I DON'T EVEN KNOW!!!!
... said Kim M. on Dec 8, 2011 at 11:15 PM | link
I don't understand this no Moe's policy either and it breaks my heart a little. When I had my first experience with this soda contraption I was super excited. However, I soon became concerned because I got plain Coke (for the purposes of adding lemons to it) and it just did not taste like normal soda fountain Coke to me. It seemed sweeter and wasn't as crisp/refreshing. Has anyone else noticed that? I've since been reluctant to try it again.
... said Taco Lover on Dec 9, 2011 at 7:54 AM | link
When we drive down to Martha's Vineyard we always stop at a Wendy's at exit 9 on 495 that has one of these. I've never actually gotten anything other than a Barq's, but I think when we stop in a couple of weeks I might have to try something more interesting.
... said Valerae on Dec 9, 2011 at 8:54 AM | link
This may be helpful... I had trouble reading it right after lunch, good luck.
... said B on Dec 9, 2011 at 9:54 AM | link
With regard to all the combinations....Just because you can doesn't mean you _should_.
I tried the Orange Coke. It was pretty much a 50/50 mix of Orange Fanta and Coke. It was Horrid. In the end, I settled for what I started out wanting...Plain Coke. I do look forward to exploring some of the other combinations however. But I was disappointed that there is every possible Coke flavour except caffeine free.
I'm there on the No-Moes. But that is just because they have zero on the menu that I can/will eat. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. It's just my unique combination of allergies and inability to eat anything spicy, but still.
... said komradebob on Dec 9, 2011 at 10:10 AM | link
it's cause Moe's is no bueno.
komradebob, I'd think you *could* eat at Moe's due to their bland, spice-less and insipid offerings. which are usually lukewarm.
... said Rebecca on Dec 9, 2011 at 11:02 AM | link
@komradebob - take that orange Coke and add vanilla - it's much, much, much better.
... said Chris on Dec 9, 2011 at 12:40 PM | link
@Tim: My main objection to Moe's is that, in my experience, the food just isn't good -- bland, lukewarm, oddly textured. And don't get me started on the stupid names for all the menu items (sure, they're trying to be fun -- but I just want to order what I want without having to remember whether it's named after a Seinfeld pun or a dive performed by a Rodney Dangerfield character).
As I think Paul was getting at: when there's Chipotle nearby, why would anyone eat at Moe's? But to each his own burrito.
@Lu: You're probably right about these machines causing a jam of people. And Five Guys also seems to position its drink machines right next to the pick-up spot in order to ensure maximum congestion. (Note to Five Guys patrons: you don't have to hover by the pick-up spot for your order. Have a seat. Eat some peanuts. They'll call your number. Really.)
@B: Thanks for sharing that link. I can't imagine doing what those people did. But the guy is right about Raspberry Coke -- surprisingly, oddly good.
... said Greg on Dec 9, 2011 at 12:52 PM | link
No TaB = No sale!
... said Peter Delocis on Dec 9, 2011 at 1:04 PM | link
Great...aren't the lines long enough to get to a soda machine? Now we've got wait for some poor schmuck who is frozen by 'too many choices.' This falls in line with Cold Stone Creamery...too many choices...
... said Kevin on Dec 9, 2011 at 2:41 PM | link
Yay! Glad to see there are some Freestyle machines in the CapReg!
Check out the SeriousEats article where they tried all 127 available flavors. http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/10/soda-we-try-all-100-flavors-from-the-coke-freestyle-machine.html
... said StanfordSteph on Dec 9, 2011 at 3:00 PM | link
Been there on Saturday around lunch.
There was a Five Guys employee standing next to the machine whose only task was explaining to people how to use it.
I did not know the lemon-lime Fanta tastes so bad and is SO GREEN... I was like ".... are they sure it's not radioactive?"
But at least I know how the drink is made: there was a stream of colored syrup in carbonated water flow.
... said Lu on Dec 10, 2011 at 2:04 PM | link
I don't know what all the fuss is about, I've been doing basically the same thing with the regular soda fountains since I was a kid. Sure, there's usually fewer options than this thing has, but no rules that say only one thing can go in your cup. When I was young, I used to like to try a little of everything all together. As I've matured, I have picked out some very good combos. Root beer & cherry coke is a good one. There's the "better than sprite" combo - 1/3 sprite, splash of orange, 1/4 lemonade, rest plain soda water. I could go on, but why don't you just try being adventurous next time you're at the fountain?
... said Phoebe on Dec 12, 2011 at 9:08 AM | link