Daily Grind

I used to love Daily Grind. It’s nothing fancy. It’s a quick little drive-​thru coffee joint. But, I loved it. My cousin lives nearby in Lexington and it was a ritual for us to go to Daily Grind every morning for coffee. But, sadly, no more.
When my cousin first took me to Daily Grind it was wonderful. I’ll be completely honest and say the first time we pulled up I was not impressed. Daily Grind doesn’t necessarily look impressive. It’s a small building in the middle of a shopping plaza parking lot. But, the prices were great, the servings were large, and the coffee was delicious. Plus, they have unique menu items that I love (like a white chocolate Snickers frappé — delicious!). And the factor that put it over the top was the wonderful lady who worked there. I can’t recall her name, I’m sure my cousin could tell you, but she was awesome. She was so sweet, always greeted everyone with a smile, and you could tell she really cared about doing a great job and making customers happy.
Unfortunately the past two times I’ve been to Daily Grind she hasn’t been there. And I learned on my last visit (and I don’t just mean the last time I was there, I mean the last time I’m ever going there) that apparently she isn’t coming back.
The past two visits I mention above were similar, but I’ll briefly describe my most recent (last) visit so you can understand why I won’t be back.
Two young girls were working inside the shop. They seemed unconcerned when we pulled up to the window to order. Long gone were the days of a warm greeting from a wonderful Daily Grind employee; however, one of the girls finally did look out the window and say something along the lines of, «What can I get you?» My cousin ordered a smoothie and my usual white chocolate Snickers drink that I lovingly refer to as «milkshake coffee.» The girl disappeared from the window and within seconds popped her head back into view and said something like, «Wait, what did you say? Snickers?» My cousin replied that indeed, that was what we had ordered, and away the girl went again. — At this point I was still (at least somewhat) ok with the entire transaction. I understand, it’s two young girls having fun at work. They were talking/​laughing and couldn’t be bothered with customers. It’s hard to pay attention long enough to listen to someone who isn’t your friend rattle off the names of two beverages they would like to order.
Minutes pass. It was taking longer than usual. But, eventually, my cousin’s smoothie was handed through the window. Then, finally, my white chocolate Snickers. But, it was a small. And we had ordered a large. My cousin told the girl this and with a huff and an eye roll she said she would fix it. (At this point I told my cousin my drink was being spit it for sure.) The girl appeared back at the window a moment later with a large cup that she had obviously poured the small drink into and then covered with a huge mound of whipped cream. — Now, I’m a pushover. And I was ready to take it and leave. But, my cousin has a stronger backbone than I do and she said something like, «I’m sorry to be a pain, but now the cup doesn’t have any of the syrup in it that the drink comes with. It’s just not what we ordered.» (In addition I will add here that they changed the cups recently so that they’re smaller, even when you order a large.)
At this point it was obvious the girl was very aggravated and wanted to lose it. She held it together enough to spat, «Fine! That’s just for decoration, and you can’t even taste it anyway, but I’ll fix it!» Eventually I did end up with something that looked kind of like the usual drink I order. However, it was completely liquid. Anyone that’s ever had a frappé knows it should have an icy consistency, similar to a milkshake-​type beverage.
It’s just my opinion, but if an order is messed up, not only once but multiple times during one transaction, you should just make a new one and give that to the customer. Own the mistake. Fix your mistake. And please be polite about it. I may not work in the service industry, but I do deal with the public, including upset individuals, every day in my job (as most people do regardless of their profession), and I do it politely. And in this case, I wasn’t upset in the least. I was just trying to get what I had ordered and paid for.
Sadly, I feel like the quality, and especially the service, has gone way down for Daily Grind. So far down, that I won’t be back.

I had a very good café mocha here and I do recommend this drive-​through. They have a second location where you can sit down, but I have not been there yet. Note, that they only take credit cards only and no cash. Try it out!

THE nicest employees in the world — the woman who runs it will call you baby and ask how your day’s going, and knows the regulars’ orders down pat.
This is definitely a better alternative than big corporate coffee chains because the prices run about the same (if not a little better), the coffee is infinitely better, and the service is incomparable. I know that everyone who lives in the Hartland area loves Daily Grind/​Common Grounds probably partly because we’re reminiscent for the Hawaiian ice stand that used to exist here (they still have them, btw!), and partly because the current establishment is so wonderful. Every time I come home I make it a point to ditch Starbucks for this place!

Great little coffee drive thru with tasty drinks and awesome staff! Definitely a fun local place to swing by!

Love this place! Service is awesome and drinks are superb. Pricing is excellent in comparison to other coffee houses. I will definitely be a return customer.

This cute coffee spot in the Kroger Hartland Center is one of Lexington’s greatest hidden jewels. The coffee made here is nothing but pure java heaven and the best part is that you can drive through on either side.
It can get a bit busy at rush hour but you will never be denied fabulous customer service and did I mention fabulous java? The prices are extraordinarily cheap yet the quality is much better than any Starbucks. Rhoda, the manager always take her time to get to know you including memorizing our orders plus knowing little stuff in our lives.
You can add shots, soy, whatever for a quarter or thereabouts which is a steal in this coffee hungry city.
If you are looking for some authentic local coffee to go, this is the place and definitely a place that Lexington can be proud of!
Whitney and Rhoda are my favorite baristas!
May Java Be With You at the Daily Grind!