Starbucks

Stopped by at 1pm on Sat., Mar. 12^th, to grab coffee on our way out of Tiburon, and my expectations were that it was going to be like any other Starbucks.
Upon walking in the back door, we weren’t greeted like we have been in every other store I’ve been in. I walk in further passing the counter with sugar and milk, etc… there were large coffee stains, and sugar spilled everwhere. I ordered anyway… Nothing special was on our order. I requested coconut milk, they stated they were out, no big deal, it happens.
When we received the order, one coffee was without a sleeve, so we asked for one. The gal searched high and low for a sleeve. While she was doing this, it gave me a chance to look behind the counter at their work stations. They were filthy, unorganized and a mess… no wonder the milk & sugar counter was a mess.
I understand Starbucks (generally) are busy, but its 1pm and the morning rush is over. Make the store presentable!
The employees looked unhappy, and so did the store. I go to Starbucks because I know what I’m ordering, and the macciatto tasted like garbage. We didn’t ask for a new one because we knew it wasn’t going to be any better. Note to self: Don’t stop here again.

$ 15 for water. I regularly use Starbucks to provide coffee for group meetings, and at other locations, when I order 2 travelers of coffee and 1 traveler of hot water, the water is free. Not so at this Starbucks. I was caught off guard last time when they charged me $ 15 for the water, but paid because I didn’t have time or alternatives. So when I realized I would be ordering from this Starbucks again, I specifically asked if they were going to charge for the water. No, of course not, was the reply. But when I got the receipt from my colleague who picked up the order, they had again charged $ 15 for water. Whether they misled me intentionally or not is a question of whether this Starbucks is unethical or just run by clowns. If you’re in the Strawberry shopping center and need some caffeine, there’s a Starbucks in the Safeway and La Boulange is just around the corner. No need to go to this store.

This Starbucks used to be excellent. I think the manager quit, or they have a new manager that cannot cope. It used to be fast and attentive. Now you can wait easily 10 minutes for a drink even though there were only 2 – 3 customers in front of you. The baristas seem to be slow, unorganized and unable to prioritize and manage order delivery. The cashiers either do not communicate with the baristas OR they do not write clear instructions on the cups — so too often they do not make the drink like I ordered it — even after I double check. The cashiers are slow thinking and the Baristas sometimes are doing busy work as lines of cups for orders stack up. Bummer city — I used to be a regular.

I’ve been here a few times and the coffee is consistently bad. This time I got an iced latte that tastes as if the coffee is burnt and has too much ice that melted in seconds.

Horrible experience the person who took my order was completely rude. All baristas in this store looks like they hate their job. Worst Starbucks I’ve ever been to.

Bad service, worse drinks! I came in the morning, ordered an Americano, it was weak and the venti cup wasn’t even full! So I asked for an add shot to fill it up and they gave it back, still only about ¾ full, disappointed! I came back in the afternoon to get an iced coffee, two girls working, yapping away about their holiday schedule, when the one took my order, I was clear on what I asked for, but again, it was terrible. WEAK coffee, tasted watered down! Save yourself the hassle and get your coffee from the sweet ladies at the Starbucks inside Safeway, a short walk in the same plaza!

First time to this location. Came in today on our road trip for a quick coffee stop. Ordered my usual drink and of course the lady making my drink (manager?) with strawberry blonde hair didn’t even fill my tall cup of specialty made coffee.
My hubby noticed this immediately when he thought the cup was strange with it being so lightweight and when he opened up the lid it was less than half cup full. Never have I ever experience a Starbucks where I pay full price for a $ 5+ drink with it being less than half full.
I complained to the register employee and of course no one else was in site because the others were busy chit chatting in the back room. When the employee I complained to spoke with the (I assumed) manager who I saw made my drink she just made a face and didn’t look like she was happy to remake my drink even though it was her fault for not filling up my cup.
Worst customer service and never received a «sorry» for an apologize but just made a rude face and noise! I strongly believe people who do not like their jobs should not show it instead use the «fake it till you make it» method so you can at least satisfy and please your customers! I hope the district manager will read this review and discuss this with the Starbucks at the strawberry hill location.
I would not recommend coming to this Starbucks unless you have to. I’m sure there are other Starbucks out there that will provide you excellent service and fill your cup so you will get what you pay for.

This location is the worst starbucks experience. Some have the nicest people like across the freeway by the post office, but this place is horrible. A couple of the managers have a serious attitude problem, but as it usually goes, the whole mythology of the place has created overall a quite unfriendly crew. Many have the worst attitude and is just not a good experience to stop by here. Unfortunately this is the location that has the longest hours.

Incredibly disorganized and slow service. Waited 20 minutes for three basic drinks. They weren’t taking names so it was really confusing whose drinks were whose. I even saw them be rude to a man who politely asked for more half and half (responded by slamming a new one on the counter)! Will definitely avoid going here in the future.

This particular location is quite disorganized and makes me wonder how some of its employees even got hired in the first place. I understand the stress of a busy workplace and how it can affect certain people, but sometimes I get the feeling no one really cares about cleanliness nor its customers. On a good day I can be in and out of there in no time, but on a bad day I could be waiting a while…

Took way too long to get our drinks since the employees had very little care or concern. They just seemed to be hangin out.
I was horrified when as we were leaving my boyfriend told me the barista who used the restroom ahead of him didnt wash his hands and went right back to the bar.

Came here at 8:30 on a Wednesday night. In and out fast, plenty of parking. One of the handful of Marin locations that doesn’t close early. I wish more closed later year round, not just during summertime.

Starbucks really doesn’t need a huge boost, but they definitely vary from location to location. I really like to go here before they close in the evening. A lot of locals are here having conversations and enjoying drinks. It really is a nice atmosphere and the staff is laid back and fun. Long live Starbucks!

I really like this Starbucks. As others have said, parking is excellent, and the employees are routinely delightful and friendly — and they have never messed up any of my orders. I agree that the addition of La Boulange food items is a definite step up from the chain’s previous food items, although of course they are also at all of their other locations.
But it really is the people that make this place — and the fact that usually even long lines move pretty quickly because they are also efficient.
The only downsides are that a) the floor is unusually slippery, even though dry, and b) the lighting in much of the place is simply awful. None of that is the fault of the particular location, however, but of their corporate designers.

On several occasions and varying times of day my husband and I tried this location. The baristas are frequently very very loud. The location is popular, and somewhat small so I expect it to be louder than other locations, but this is unacceptable. The baristas have very personal and inappropriate conversations that can be heard above the noise of the coffee bar and everyone else in the shop.
Very unprofessional.

Came here on Saturday morning to pick up drinks and a bagel and had the most traumatizing and frustrating experience EVER at a coffee bar! What the hell?
I placed my order, I wanted chai tea with the tea bag (told the guy behind the counter TWICE because I know it’s easy to get wrong and produce a chai latte instead), a drip coffee and a bagel toasted wrapped in aluminum foil. He said they didn’t have any foil I told him OK, just wrap it up well with extra paper so it keeps warm for a bit.
He gives me a receipt and asks me to go online to take a survey. Then a lady behind the counter comes over and reiterates the same thing (must be manager/​supervisor). OK fine.
Got my order and I received a Chai latte instead, I told her I wanted a chai tea with the bag and she said, «you have to go to the register for that, they give that to you there…» And I clarified that that was what I ordered and she looked at me and said, «Have you ever had the chai latte? You should try it». I told her I don’t drink milk. Listen — please give what the customer wants and don’t try to convince her to settle for anything else because of your mistake.
So I made sure I got a chai TEA and a refund for being charged a latte. Then I asked for soy milk and the guy told me, «we don’t have that out there…» yeah? Then give me some from behind the counter, dude! What’s with the negative attitude? Then the supervisor poured some into a cup and gave it to me.
Finally, the toasted bagel came and it was just in a paper bag. I asked for more wrapping (because that was what I had asked for 15 minutes ago didn’t I?) And they looked at me so defensively and said they didn’t have any and I said, then just give me another bag then.
All of this bs took about 20 minutes and I came out feeling harangued, frustrated, and traumatized by the crass attitude of the people working there. What happened to a general «can-​do» attitude plus communication amongst team members to ensure an order is done right? What I observed was defensive behavior where voices were raised at a customer (me), impatience, and general sense of «you’re just a transaction — get out of here quickly».
Of course I did the online survey… you know how the story ends.

I normally wouldn’t write about a Starbucks, but this particular location is better than most.
Located in the Strawberry Village, this Starbucks always has plenty of parking. Even when the lines are long, it doesn’t take more than 5 minutes to place my order/​get my coffee.
They recently added La Boulange pastries/​sandwiches to the menu — which are SO much better than the pre-​made sandwices and sweets they had before. These treats are the real deal. Personally, i like to order a chocolate chip cookie with my double espresso. The cookie would be delicious on its own, but the baristas put it in the oven, so that it comes out all melted and gooey and chewy. I can’t think of a better way to start my morning.
Last but not least, the employees at this particular branch are all top-​notch. Let’s face it — not all Starbucks are created equal. I think we’ve all been to that Starbucks branch where the employees are clearly disengaged and the service is subpar (I’m looking at you Starbucks — downtown San Rafael location). But this Mill Valley location is consistently stellar and clearly well managed. Everyone is super friendly and patient (which you need to be when it comes to some of the spoiled Marin County patrons).
When I came in here the other day, I bumped in to an acquaintaince who asked me why I was here. First of all, that’s kind of a dumb question. He was here for the same reason I was — and it wasn’t to adopt puppies. In any case, I just simply replied, «I like Starbucks. And this location gets it right.»
I think that pretty much sums it all up.

Seriously, this place is really frustrating. Half the time, great service, decent beverages, pleasant clientele. This morning? Yeah, not so much.
First, charge me for half and half in the iced coffee. For the first time ever. Second, argue about it and have a snippy, shitty attitude. Should I just order the coffee with no half and half, pour a bunch of it out, then add the cream from the condiment bar? Sure, I guess. OR you could stop being a goddamn pain in the ass and just make the coffee without making a big deal out of it and nickel and dime-​ing me over it.
Also, Mill Valley girls? Wear some damn clothes when you go out in public. I don’t need to see your entire bra while you prance about in your Uggs and yoga pants, mmkay?

A very small Starbucks inside Town and Country-​like SVillage. There *is* a petite lil community board here.
Shaped very very much like the Starbucks on CA street in Laurel Heights, SF… like a Tetris piece.
No more than 10 tables here, and decidedly darker. Restrooms in the rear.
Nice little plus is the rear which has its own door. Walk through and a few extra tables al fresco for ya. Grab them and enjoy the outdoors.

Good place to stop for coffee/​snacks/​resting if Hwy101 traffic is backed up. Service is friendly enough, not memorable. There’s a front door entryway, and a backdoor entryway (by the restroom) that leads to another parking lot. A first. There are maybe six tables for two and about the same number for outdoor seating.
Easy to see but takes some road turns to actually get to. In Mill Valley proper, it’s close to that Safeway/​In ‘N Out/​Strawberry Village Shopping Center (and across the freeway from that always cheapest Arco gas station) one sees when driving on Hwy101. Going 101N, it would be to take the Seminary Dr exit. Going 101S, it would be the E. Blithedale Ave exit and cross over the freeway toward Tiburon Blvd.