I dont think Starbucks Coffee is THAT bad... i mean if you've got a sweet tooth there are loads of creative sweet drinks that hit the spot, but for the classic "dopio macchiato ristretto" drinker you're not going to find much on the menu that will satisfy you. I think the whole automated process of grinding, tamping and extracting really let down the taste of Starbucks espesso... its not that bad, they just need decent machines with some well train baristas.
But with that said I do love a caramel macchiato every now and then... and with summer approaching its hard to turn down their frappucino range.