refills. we like to drink while we eat. I never understood how my mom can eat her whole meal and THEN drink. I drink often while I eat. My hubby, my bestfriend, and I will usually not eat out somewhere if there is not fountain soda. We all like it better. There are certain pizza places we don’t bother going to because they don’t have fountain soda. I really hate drinking from a can and don’t like bottles much either. It’s ok if I have it poured into a cup with ice, but we much prefer the taste of fountain. Sometimes, particularly on beach vacations, it does taste “off.” I think that is if they use unfiltered water. Beach town water often tastes bad to me.
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love coke zero from a fountain.
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My absolute fave…try it with a slice of lemon squeezed in!
I actually have a list of restaurants that serve Coke Zero (no kidding!)
I have had to significantly cut back on my diet cola (Diet Pepsi is my preferred drink) consumption due to bone density issues. Colas are extremely bad for women in terms of bone density damage. I really researched this to make it not be true, but it is. My bone doctor did say I could drink them in moderation (3 a week or so isn’t a problem). Some of the stuff you read online acts like if cola touches your lips you are doomed!
Good to know MOWC.
I found that I miss the carbonation in diet coke. I’ve been drinking more sparkling mineral water or diet tonic water with lemon or lime. It gives me that fizzy taste without all the other stuff.
I’d like to drink more plain water. Sometimes it doesn’t seem to quench my thirst.
@momofwildchild What exactly is in sodas that causes that?
I do try to “mix it up” by having unsweet tea on a regular basis, too…particularly at home. But, when out and Coke Zero is on tap, I can’t resist.
Where is this magical place you live where fountain soda tastes better than canned or bottle soda?
Not true at any restaurant I know near me. I do like those crazy machines with all the flavors though.
lol…I don’t think it’s based on where I live because I notice this whenever I travel, as well.
Yes, I do like those machines with the flavors, too.
Best soda to me is one from fountain in a real glass with lots of ice…hits the spot.
It’s phosphoric acid that leaches calcium out of your bones. Colas and root beers have that.
It seems to be the phosphoric acid. Clear sodas are OK, but those aren’t nearly as good! 
Phosphoric acid and caffeine.
http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/soda-osteoporosis
oh poop! well, I guess I better make sure to limit to 3 a week.
What? Caffeine, too? What now? No coffee in the morning?
I’m not a soda drinker - maybe two cans a year. I had no idea there was such a difference in taste and quality. Sounds like ya’lll need a Soda Sommelier, one who ensures they will serve no pop before it’s time 
Oh how I yearn for Diet Pepsi, ice cold, in glass bottles. I much prefer cans over plastic bottles and I don’t like the consistency of fountains–it’s either too syrupy or watery.
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Colas and coffee appear to have some effect on women’s bone density and could lead to osteoporosis. But tea — even the kind with caffeine — and other sodas do not. And men are not affected at all.
Confused? You’re not alone…
“If you drink those beverages in low amounts — less than 400 milligrams — that’s probably OK,” Dr. Su says. “That means less than four cups of coffee per day might be fine, and less than two cans of cola a day. But if you can cut these beverages out altogether, that’s even better.”
If you still want to drink carbonated beverages, one alternative could be switching to non-caffeinated beverages, Dr. Su says.
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Back to your original question:
While I don’t have one very often at all, I love the fountain Coke at McDonald’s. I think they do a better job of making sure that the syrup/carbonation adjustments are exactly to spec, and they have excellent ice makers with very clean-tasting ice.
Even better is some Mexican Coca-Cola over ice at my house.
I just wish I didn’t know all to well how much I don’t need sweetened drinks in my life. (Glad you like the Coke Zero – somehow all the sugar substitutes either taste weird to me or massively disagree with my GI system.)
I am a diet coke with lime fan , but only if it does from a can. I would never drink one from a plastic bottle because it just isn’t cold or carbonated enough. Fountain soda, meh…this is my vice while other people may prefer ice cream or other indulgences
The Sams Club near me has the Mexican Coke in bottles. It’s very popular. Cane sugar.
I haven’t tasted that new Coke Life with Stevia and Cane Sugar.
I have a terrible habit going to the McDonald’s drive though just for the 99 cent Diet coke with light ice. And I can only drink beer from a tap. And I must have 2-3 cups of coffee every morning. My poor bones!