Starbucks

Absolute worst customer service yet at a Starbucks, even worse than the Herndon Safeway location where they strictly won’t open until they’ve been given a personal invitation. Ugh.

No stars really. Only had a star because this site made me give it a star. Worst Starbucks I’ve ever been to. Slow service — only one person knew what they were doing. Kinda dirty. Not going back. Why bother having one there.

Don’t bother. 3 drinks, 3 botches, no refunds, no remorse. Idiots work here. You should go somewhere else.

Not sure why this place has so many negative reviews. It’s conveniently located in the nice safe way on L St.
There typically isn’t a line in the morning, service is fast, the barista and other employees are friendly and helpful.

Worst DC starbucks by far! The previous reviews are 100%. Apathetic/​completely rude staff. I’m guessing there’s not much corporate control since it’s a grocery store location. Staff is absolutely rude and should not be in a customer service position.

Yes the other reviews are correct. I have given this place multiple shots, but the employees are indifferent to your existence and borderline malignant. On all occasions, they barely acknowledged my presence, other than to ring me up, did not offer or ask about toppings on the fancier drinks, and did not say hi, what would you like, or have a good day/​thanks. They just stared at me until I stated my order, made it at a sloth-​like pace, and left the drink on the counter without a single word. I asked how are you, and I said thank you, etc (I work in a service industry) but received no response. Shouldn’t it be the employees who are friendlier than the customers if they want my patronage?
Additionally, I ordered and paid for a grande on 1 occasion and received a tall instead. With no apology or reimbursement of the drink. Instead they chose to ignore my existence despite me providing the receipt. This situation went unresolved.
Sorry but given how expensive the drinks are, the poor quality and customer care at this place, it is not a good value. Please do not contribute to this locations revenue until they make a change to their staff.

All the posted ½ star reviews and tips are accurate.

It’s Starbucks coffee like you get at every Starbucks. What you get here that you don’t get at others is miserable, unhappy employees. Not a greeting, not a smile, and certainly not a thank you. The biggest collection of miserable 20-​something year olds that are just mad at life because they have to work.
Never giving this Starbucks another dollar. So amazed that the Safeway manager doesn’t open his eyes and see what goes on in his store.

Starbucks inside the grocery store is always convenience for me because I like to drink Starbucks while I grocery shop. They are way nicer than the Starbucks inside Safeway in Georgetown.

I am usually loathe to review chains, such as Starbucks, but when they either hugely exceed my standards or hugely disappoint, I have to share.
I live across the street, and don’t get me wrong, I come here frequently due to the convenience. But there are SOOOO many issues wrong with this location (and the people who «barista» here) that someone in management needs to step in and make changes. I know that a location inside a supermarket (such as this) or airport or anything of the like usually is not 100% up to par, but service here is truly abysmal.
For starters: it is slow. Coffee at a snail’s pace. There is one barista on duty at all times and usually he or she has no idea what to do. I think I’ve had one prompt interaction here. But watch closely, and the friends of the baristas get things quickly — and often for close to nothing. (Today a friend of the barista walked in in front of me, got a venti frap for 50 cents — refill price — and I know for a fact you can only get refills on brewed hot and cold coffee)
Secondly: service sucks. The baristas, some of them, are friendly. Many of them, however, are WHINY. I mean, I’m a middle school teacher so I can handle whiny-​ness, but this is pathetic. The barista this afternoon sighed to the customer in front of me and said, «I’ve just made sooooooooo many coffees today.» Um, hello? That’s the job you signed up for.
Another point to the bad service: Ignorance. Nearly two years ago I was upgraded to a gold card by the powers-​that-​be in Starbucks land. The first time I tried to use it here, the barista had no flippin’ idea what it was or what benefits I was entitled to with it. Today, for the holiday drink BOGO, the customer in front of me had to argue with the barista that yes, today is the 20^th and the drink special is still today, until 5… the barista said, «Well I don’t even know what day it is. How long that special been going on?» Learn your trade, people.
Third: The drinks are usually not what you wanted. Consistently, my drinks have been flat in flavor. The lattes are usually never whipped correctly. My husband only drinks decaf and I always specify that when ordering for him, and more than three times have they made a regular and then had to chuck it when I asked, «Is this the decaf latte?» (usually the response is, «Oh…you wanted decaf? Huh…»)
Fourth: Sanitation. Once, during the summer, a barista made a HUGE deal about the fact that a mouse had gotten caught in the trap and she needed someone to take care of it. I get it, we’re in a city, mice get into places, but seriously — DO NOT ADVERTISE IT TO THE CUSTOMERS!!! Today, while getting my (disappointing) BOGO holiday drinks, I spied a fly flitting hither and yon across the pastry selections. Um… no thanks to those, ever again.
I think that is it for now in terms of complaints. Management, clean up your store and your employees STAT. This place serves too many people every day to be so horrendously mediocre.

This particular Starbucks location is horrid. The barista is frequently seen galavanting around the store or shooting the breeze with people out front.
Pastry selection is extremely limited, and that very limited selection isn’t always very fresh.
An order for something other than a plain brewed coffee or a teabag-​or-​two-​in-​hot-​water should be avoided as it confuses most grocery store Starbucks. This one is no exception whatsoever!
This Starbucks is also extremely slow and busy. The slowness and the busyness have nothing to do one another-​remember this is DC! Feel free to place your order, go shopping, and return to Starbucks on your way out, wait a few more moments, and then eventually pay for your drink and then be on your way!
This Starbucks deserves a half star because most purchases ($ 5+) at this Starbucks will get your estacionamiento (parking) validated for up to 90 minutes!

Wait and wait… And wait… This Starbucks was exasperating. Located inside the Safeway, it has a fairly steady clientele. So I was at a loss as to why only one person staffs it. I felt that I could have ordered, gone shopping and still have had to wait when I came out…

If it wasn’t for it’s convenience (inside the Safeway and close to my place), I wouldn’t go to this Starbucks. The service is slow if you get something more complicated than just a coffee, the selection of pastries is pretty limited, and there isn’t much seating. However, it’s new and clean at the moment (a plus). Not the place to hang out, read, or relax.