Starbucks

I’m reluctant to review chains, and I truly hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I’m hoping this review reaches the powers-​that-​be behind this Starbucks location.
Let me preface this by saying that I’m not a Starbucks-​hater. I’m perfectly fine with their coffee beverages, baked goods, and to-​go sandwiches. While their coffee may not be the best on the market, I’ve always admired their friendly, reliable customer service. And just like Visa, they’re always «everywhere you want to be.» That’s why I was a bit surprised by this particular Starbucks (which is located inside the San Rafael Target store). I’ve come in at least 3 or 4 times now, and each time the the service gets worse and worse. Each time I’ve arrived (around 4:30pm/5pm), there will only be one or two people in the store, and every time it’ll take over 10 minutes to get my order. And for the life of me, I can’t figure out why. Maybe the baristas are in training or in between breaks in their shifts. But I always wound up standing around waiting for someone (anyone!) to acknowledge that I’m the only person waiting around for their order.
The last time I went in, I ordered an espresso and bacon/​egg/​cheese sandwich meal. I waited for like 10 minutes for someone to announce that my drink was ready (no one ever did, btw). I finally went up to the counter to see my drink sitting all by itself. I asked the barista if this was my espresso, and he just sort of nodded his head and went back to chatting with his co-​worker. My espresso had obviously been sitting there for over 5 minutes, because when I took my first sip, the drink was already cold. I then inquired about the status of my sandwich, and the barista kind of rolled his eyes and said that they were still working on it (translation: he forgot to put it in the microwave oven). Look — mistakes happen, I get it. Especially when your shop is busy. But I was literally the only guy in the whole store!
And to add insult to injury… when I finally got my sandwich, is wasn’t heated all the way through. I’m sorry, but a cold egg/​bacon/​not-​quite-​melted cheese sandwich isn’t very appetizing.
Like I said earlier, Starbucks has a tried and true history of excellent customer service. So I’m sure this particular location is an anomaly. But I do hope that someone in corporate heeds this review and pays this store a visit in the near future. It just takes one or two bad apples to give a company a bad reputation. This place needs a Bar-​ista Rescue.

This Starbucks is an location inside of the Target Store. It is a decent little location, can be busy in the mornings. They tend to run of items needed to make some of the more popular drinks since the inventory is managed by the Target Store management and is not always staffed with enough help during the peak times. It shares the seating area with the Target Café.
The nice thing about this smaller location is that they do carry the breakfast sandwiches were a lot of the smaller locations such as the airport ones do not have the sandwiches or the ability to warm certain pastries.
It is close and is open late, closes 1 hour prior to the store closing.

I got sick from there. My husband and i ordered a iced chia just today and we got sick. Im thinking they had bad milk. But not going back after that experience

I love the location. It has a nice view. But Always understaffed. One person does everything: take orders, make coffee, stock up things.

I was craving a soy green tea latte, so my sisters and I popped on over since we were coming in from Emeryville.
since it was about 8:30pm we weren’t entirely sure that they were still serving. We did notice some customers at the counter so we walked in.
A 30 second walk.
By the time we got inside, there was no barista to be found, I went to ask the food person if they were still open, but alas there was no one there as well.
There were people sitting around drinking coffee, so my sisters and I were a bit confused.
Well 10 minutes later, the barista was still no where to be found and we concluded that they were closed.
Another 30 second walk to the cart and we looked in (we were parked on the side of the store) and lo and behold… a barista was behind the counter.
my lil sister said we should go back in, but at that point i was annoyed and went else where.
Had there been a sign that someone would be back, i would have been okay (everyone needs a break from the crazy coffee customers).

1^st star is for location — water front property
2^nd star is for location — the most convenient coffee spot within this commercial district.
I seriously only come here due to the location. They are always understaffed during the mornings and also under stoked. They need two people to work there!!!

This Starbucks is in front of Target. It must have one of the top 10 views of any Starbucks in the world. You look out over Richmond bay and the Richmond bridge plus Mount Tam. I think I’m going to come here one day just to work while looking out the window.
1÷20÷16 Update They don’y have any plugs for laptops so I had to take a star away.