So firstly I'd like to say that I really looked forward to my regular interactions with two employees in particular, they were always really conversational and laidback. The man with the short dark hair and the man with the glasses and longer, curly dark hair were always very courteous.
However, the majority of the baristas there don't seem very experienced (or perhaps properly trained). I say this as a seasoned barista. Unfortunately their lattes are incredibly milky. It seems that they do not add more espresso shots into large drinks, which adds an even larger milk to coffee ratio. The ice is either melted when I get my drink, or there is not enough ice to begin with, so it contributes to how weak the espresso tastes and my drinks are always warm. I had their iced chai, which was pretty bland, and still milky. I even ordered it dirty and it was still incredibly bland, hardly tasted like coffee was in the drink.
Another time I came with my good friend, and he ordered an iced matcha. Now, I know that traditional matcha takes more time to prepare than, say, the powder mix at Starbucks. However, we uncomfortably watched the poor guy with glasses and curly hair struggle for ten minutes to make it. I don't blame him, I just don't think he was adequately trained to make that drink. It just got to a point where my friend felt legitimately guilty for ordering something so time consuming for the barista.
My final and largest complaint, was when I went to order three shots of espresso. I knew from past experience that it would be too milky, and I wouldn't be able to taste the coffee, so I just opted to order it by itself and add the milk at home. This was my first experience ever talking to the owner, and he made me feel really small and almost like some type of alien for ordering three shots of espresso by itself. He kept arguing with me, like it was an inane request. I offered to pay latte price, I said he could put it over ice or I could just take the espresso in a plastic to go cup as if it were an iced latte. He insisted he couldn't do this and didn't really give me any reasoning as to why. Now, even though it is ridiculous that he cannot do that for some reason that he never explained, I would've been accepting if it stopped with him assertively rejecting my request and offering to do something else. Sure, I did leave with coffee that day, he didn't bar me from ordering, but the way he spoke to me throughout the transaction was incredibly condescending. I felt like he was trying to make me feel crazy for something I've easily ordered at countless different coffee shops, mom and pop or chain. I never mentioned the reason for my order, and I didn't really push past him except to try to re-explain what I was asking for, as it seemed he didn't understand me. I'm also autistic so for a bit after was questioning if maybe I was confusing him or not communicating clearly. Seeing that many others have had similar and much worse interactions with the owner, I know now that it wasn't me. read more