Starbucks Coffee

Wow, worst Starbucks I’ve ever been to. Nobody seemed to have any idea how to make anything, they would frequently stop and chat, and it took them almost 20 minutes to get around to making my vanilla latte. When they finally did make it, the employee set it down next to the machine and started talking with someone while it sat there for the next two minutes. Then it turned out they didn’t put nearly enough milk in it, and when I went back to ask them to fill it up all the way, they gave me shit about it. Nice. They screwed up a bunch of other orders while I was waiting, too. Never going back.

Now I know I’m spoiled by my regular Hills Plaza Starb, which has stellar staff and moves the lines along well most of the time, but this was just ridiculous. Actually, my whole Metreon experience was pretty sub-​par, and the Starb was no exception. Staff who gabbed to each other despite the growing line, looking bored to death with no sense of urgency and were evidently unaware of the Starbucks cards benefits/​rewards that were (and are) publicized (at every Starb’s) at its registers. I’m paying with a card I’ve registered, so it’s free syrups and soy. Thanks.

Honestly, I was only here because the Metreon has free wi-​fi, which coincidentally is slow as hell and about as reliable as MUNI’s schedule.
The dude who took my order said they were out of caramel apple cider (I don’t drink coffee) and the other guy told him «no we’re not». apparently he just didn’t want to bother going in the back.
I hate that starbucks charges for wifi. I go to this one because the Metreon’s network is free. That’s about the only reason to go. Otherwise there are like 8,235 other starbucks within a 5 minute walk.

Exploring the 20-​minute class break, I remembered this Starbucks in the Metreon. I have stopped here for coffee while waiting for movies.
Yes, they were open. I asked for a receipt, and they got excited about me asking for a business reimbursement. I didn’t want to disappoint them, but the receipt was so I could get the address info — there’s another Starbucks across the street.
The grande nonfat latte was hotter than usual. I burned my palate, and I didn’t have time to finish it before the next class began. No points off for that; I’ll chalk it up to experience.

One thing that’s usually true about this Starbucks is that the line is short. At random times there can be a short back up, but not anything like the other locations around the downtown area. Some of the ladies are entertaining and very sweet if you just smile and aren’t the crazy that says their coffee is 2 degrees too hot.

Starbuck’s coffee is the alleviation of doldrums set in by a rather relaxed Sunday evening. And I usually go to this location because it is large and people leave me alone. The baristas are typical, not much for conversation, but if I had to deal with the touristed crowd emptying out of the Metreon, I don’t blame them for being nonchalant. And the bathroom was the demon’s nightmare. I personally don’t want to know who would spend the time emptying so much TP into a toilet and then leaving it in that state. I’d drag that person back there to do the cleanup job. What a loser.
I order my usual. A venti café latte. $ 3.65. And it comes back at me, strong and smooth. I’m not complaining. Sure, it is a chain, but then again, it’s my money. And they will also probably have the rights to my firstborn too. My daily dose of caffeine is valuable.
Although, I’m starting to find it rather odd that I’ve run into the same homeless person here every single time. And then passed by him around Union Square on a weekly basis. Whenever I see him, I’m reminded to walk back to 4^th street and get my usual cup.

I like this Starbucks. I don’t drink coffee (gasp!!), but I get an Earl Grey, sit with the newspaper, and wait for the Metreon movies to open.
The workers here are very good with the homeless. They let them stay there if they buy something; if not, they move them along, gently. They have a restroom — not a small thing. It’s good.

T’was a nippy morning as I walked toward the Metreon for some coffee. Alas, a line had accumulated that went out of the glass door at this Starbucks. In the midst of the crowds, I hear a voice:
LOUD BARISTA: «I can help the next person in line.»
Several of us looked around wondering to whom he was referring.
AGITATED BARISTA: «I CAN HELP THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE!»
Oh dear, is he referring to me? I’m the fourth one down in the queue. His volume increases…
BALLISTIC BARISTA: «THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE!!!»
All of a sudden, I feel like I’m at Auschwitz waiting in line for the «showers». Have I offended the camp guard? I make it to the counter.
TIMID ME: «I’ll have a grande please.»
CURT BARISTA: «Is that… IT?»
He looks at me like I scratched his car with my house key.
COWERING ME: «Y-​Yes, thank you.»
With my eyes averted from his judgmental glare, I notice Christmas paraphernalia they have started to display. I see they have a DVD of «White Christmas». Gosh, I used to love that movie. Bing. Danny. Vera-​Ellen dancing up a storm. «I’m dreaming… of a…» Hmmm, I don’t see a price on display.
APOLOGETIC ME: «Excuse me… could you tell me how much this cost?»
SARCASTIC BARISTA: «It’s on the package!!»
With the other barista in full swing, I had to reach over several covered lattes to pick up the package to see the price. Seems pricey to me so I start…
ME: «Ummm…thank.».
SO-​OVER-​ME BARISTA: «I CAN HELP THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE!»
Nothing like the warmth of the holiday season you feel from complete strangers. Well, at least the coffee hit the spot.

My friend wanted to get a «quick» drink before meeting some friends in Union Square. Not the case this time, I think she seriously waited at least half an hour for a macchiato or whatever it was. One employee yacked on the phone for almost the entire wait time while the others seemed to stand around staring off into space. I browsed the bookshelves for a long time and the drink STILL wasn’t made. My friend even asked for a refund because it took so freakin’ long and they wouldn’t give it to her. Customer service is pretty low at this Starbucks and there was a pretty big line when we left. Luckily, the drink was really hot, even though it seemed to be made differently than at most Starbucks coffee houses. So it gets one extra star for that. Negative three stars for lack of ability to please a customer. I know one time I ordered from there some lady took my drink and then they had to make me a new one.

You might think its pointless to write a review about Starbucks. They are one of the most well known companies in the world placed within 1 mile of each other, with overpriced coffee (you know its true), and delicious frappes (double true)
Still, being a foodie I couldnt resist writing about their egg salad sandwiches which are simply put. yummy! Starbuck’s egg salad is creamy enough to have 21 grams of fat (!) but not so much that it looks like you are foaming at the mouth with mayonnaise and yolk. The egg is filled between two slice of multi-​grain bread and lettuce.
Now if they could just come up with a frappé version of this… only kidding of course =)

How is it possible to remove coffee flavor from coffee? Starbucks has done the impossible here. Four shots of espresso and my 12 oz. mocha tasted like hot Quik.
Thanks to my sister for the gift card, so I could pay into their employee health plan without coughing up the dough myself.

Yeap Starbucks… that’s where I get my coffee. But I have to say their new breakfast sandwiches are tasty tasty tasty… My favorite is the sausage and egg. Service can be slow at this store at times

It’s a Starbucks, no more, no less. Sadly, it’s the best coffee I know of in a one block radius.
There’s a Peet’s down on Mission that’s worth the trip if you want a good cup.