#1 Don't ever ask for them to fix a drink
#2This is a no communication zone, order from the app
#3The employees must be aliens
#4 Don't go/Leave now
I visited this location while on a family road trip. I've never had such a weird experience at any cafe. As I was deciding to order my drink, my mom suggested the salted caramel cold foam drink to me. The employee with a sort of European accent (tall, short hair, curvy) entered it in. I told her that is not what I'd like, as I don't eat added sugar. She suggested the sugar free syrup and I replied, "I don't have any syrups here." She said, "Ok" and suggested a drink with a different type of syrup. I asked her to give me a second to decide. I ordered an iced coffee with cold foam, no sugar or syrups. I thought our exchange was weird but I moved passed it.
I received an iced coffee. I tried the attention of the barista (dark hair in a single braid, short, round face, and very curvy with an olive skin tone) who was either keeping her head down while making her drinks or appeared to be chatting with her friend that came to visit her. Once I spoke with her and explained it was incorrect, she immediately thought it was a bug on the app in a friendly tone. I told I ordered it here her demeanor changed. I simply asked for some cold foam to be added on top instead of remaking the entire drink. She poured some out and added a tiny bit of cold foam and poured the rest down the drain. Normally I'd take this drink as it is, but I was on a family road trip where my sister coughs all night, my parents snore in symphony, and tensions run high. I'm lucky enough to manage chronic pain and shaking off the bad mattress I just slept on last night. I was looking forward to the heavenly bliss of the cold foam and fruity coffee...for a minute of indulgence. Today, I needed my coffee to be right.
I respectfully got the attention on the barista and politely let her know how the cold foam is served in Austin. She informed me that I needed to order "extra cold foam" and look confused about my Starbucks experience in Austin. I communicated that I'd clarify the cold foam amount next time I ordered any. I requested she make a kids cup of it.
My dad came into the store and didn't understand why I was still waiting. He complained to ma about a situation that was out of my control. We asked the barista about the status and she muttered something under her breath about another line of drinks. I think she enjoyed our frustration. She was passive aggressive and completely ignored me. I'd recommend therapy if she'd listen because that behavior won't serve her.
I stood in line again and asked a female employee (straight size, dark hair, medium height, hair up) for my drink to be made correctly and informed her I'd been waiting for a long time. She proceeded to make me an iced coffee. I told her I had that part. Then she made cold foam after we got her attention. In the end, the drink wasn't made properly. It took 23 minutes and 22 seconds to wait for the drink.
I'm convinced none of the employees know how to communicate, period. I observed them wandering about and one did order a drink and food item for another employee while I was waiting. I saw them looking for the headset. I secretly think they are aliens because that is the only thing that explains the lack of general pleasantries, working as a team and problem solving.
The baristas behavior was ridiculous. If you are reading this, here is a pro tip: take this feedback and improve. Learning how to be flexible is important in any environment. read more