Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

Oh Coffee Bean, why did you have to do this to yourself?
I try to give you opportunities, opportunities that you’re privileged to get. not only because you’re extremely convenient being across the street from and on the way to work, but because I thought I was giving Starbucks too much credit and not giving «the little guy» a shot. Your attempt to prove me wrong has had a disastrous flop.
If I wanted to wait 20 minutes for JUST an iced green tea with no customer ahead or behind me, I’d hope it was JUST a nightmare. Sadly for you, Coffee Bean, this was reality and you only get so many chances.
Today, I encountered what no living creature should ever have to encounter. the slowest barista known to mankind; and maybe even the universe (given there’s life on other planets in the first place). I wish I the DeLorean to jump in to and ask ol’ Doc to send me back 21 minutes in the past. Wishful thinking I suppose.
I’ll return to this location, but if I see that barista. I’ll walk it out faster than UNK.
Toodles.

I am really tempted to get this red velvet cupcake!

I looooove CB, but this location was awful. All I can say is that was one unhappy and pissed off barista!

It’s a mini get-​away from the madness on Lake. and I love that there’s always little goodies for samples and fresh tasty treats in the bakery case. i get mine warmed up

Inside Ralph’s.
Great service even on the weekends early morning. Fully stocked as I never heard the excuse of «not having this or that».
My only grip was that by the time I got to my car, sat for about 5 minutes the hot coffee i just bought was now barely warm. That was a little strange. Not sure what had happen as I never experienced that problem before.

Great pomegranate latte on a cold Day.

This Coffee Bean is dangerous to me… It’s located in my local Ralph’s, so I almost ALWAYS get a cup of iced coffee here.
The only problem about this location is that well, it’s not exactly the same as a regular Coffee Bean. They don’t use crushed ice which I LOVE about Coffee Bean. For some reason, crushed ice makes it taste SO GOOD. Again, since it’s in Ralph’s, the hours are different. They close at 7freakingpm. Really? Most people get out of work in the early evening and do their grocery shopping around that time. Also, service can be slow because most of the time there is only one employee.

It is actually 2 stars plus one for convenience. The people that make your coffee are Ralphs and don’t know how to make coffee. Their hours are erratic and half the time there is someone there. For reasons beyond me they were closed before noon on Thanksgiving.

This one is located right inside the Ralphs on the corner of Lake Ave and Walnut St. I generally prefer CBTL’s beverages to Starbucks; they taste richer.
I got a regular-​sized pure chocolate blended ice drink with whipped cream. Since it wasn’t crowded at all, I got my order pretty quickly.
It’s very convenient to stop by after you finish your shopping and want to enjoy a refreshing drink for the drive/​walk home. Also, you can collect points with your Ralphs Reward card here. :)

Conveniently located in Ralph’s, I’m so glad there’s a Coffee Bean and not a Starbucks in here. When I grocery shop, it’s this whole ordeal– so yes, essentially… a cup of iced dark chocolate coffee would make it quick and painless. One of my favorite places to have coffee because of their ice. No Joke. I’m crazy for their ice. Great display of baked goods and love their chalkboard menu. Totally satisfied. Make sure you’re standing in the Coffee Bean line and not the redbox one. For some reason, people get confused as to what direction they should be facing.

Me: «Hi, may I please have a large coffee and a lemon muffin?»
(He turns away and pours the coffee.)
Guy Behind the Counter: «That’ll be $ 1.90.»
Me: «Ok, cool. May I please also have one of those lemon poppyseed muffins?»
(He turns and talks to a coworker that’s putting away something behind the counter.)
Guy Behind the Counter: «That’ll be $ 1.90.»
Me: «Right. For the coffee. How much would it be if you added a lemon muffin thing?»
(He turns away and starts futzing with one of the espresso machines.)
Guy Behind the Counter: «You can swipe your card there.»
Me: …
Guy Behind the Counter: «It’s $ 1.90.»
Me: «Would it be ok if I added a muffin to this?»
Guy Behind the Counter: «You don’t have to hand me your card. You can just swipe it.»
(I pay my $ 1.90 and leave.)
Bonus stars for consistently good coffee. –2 for consistently bizarre and inattentive service.
Somehow I always have David Lynch moments in this Coffee Bean. I’m in no hurry to return.

I do my shopping in Albertsons due to convenience but am anti– Starbucks, so I hate that when I want coffee [not sugar with a dab of coffee flavor] I have to drive to an actual Coffee Bean location. This is where Ralph’s comes in to save the day! Inside they have a Coffee Bean! Now, I only do my grocery shopping at a Ralph’s. =]
This Coffee Bean was up to par with the actual Coffee Bean locations. Despite there only being one person holding down the fort, service is quick, and drinks are made well. Thats all this girl can ask for: a delicious cup of real coffee and quick, friendly service.

I do love the fact that there’s a coffee bean in this grocery store (Ralph’s) and not a starbucks. Just one of the few places that is a non-​starbucks in-​store coffee place. I had no grocery shopping to do, but was holiday shopping in and around the area. I decided to come to this coffee bean because there’s enough parking and I can get in and out of there easy.
The service was exceptionally quick with only 1 person working there. What more can I say? Easy parking and quick service :)