What is wrong with milk ? .

nothing, imho. Imho the problem is all the sugar they add to their frappuccinos etc, not milk.

Three words you need to remember at Starbucks:

"Tall coffee, please"

Tastes better than any of their espresso drinks, too (though that's not difficult.)

I recommend "short americano." Espresso+hot water, and as a short it's about the same price as a tall coffee for the same kick. Their espresso beans and pulls are pretty reliable; their coffee, not so much. Except for Tully's, I've never experienced a coffee chain with such a habit of failing to put in the drip filter correctly and handing out cups of sludge.

And their light roasts are overly acidic, but that's just the Peet's fan in me being a bit prejudiced.

Last I heard, there was significantly less caffeine in a shot of espresso than in a cup of drip coffee.

Besides, then you wind up in the Espresso queue, which takes longer. But hey, whatever floats your turnip.