Blenz Coffee — Restaurant in Burnaby

Will always, 100%, enjoy coming to any location. I'm a hot chocolate kind of girl and have tried many places: McDonald's, Tim's, Starbucks, Waves, Esquires, even small local shops, and by far, Blenz, Waves, Esquires, and local have been my absolute favorite of all time.

I remember coming into Blenz the very first time and asking for a hot chocolate. Being a newbie I thought it would be a simple order until they asked what kind of chocolate I would like. Confused I asked what they meant and why and they responded, "we use three types of chocolate chips to mix with the drink". Shocked I looked at their example and saw white, milk, and dark. I looked back at the barista and said, "you don't use syrup?" Giggling they replied, "oh no, we ground the chocolate chips with the milk to make it taste better" (or somewhere along those words). Excited I told her milk. Then she proceeded to ask if I wanted whip and I said yes.

I sat down waiting for the drink and I observed how different the feel was being in this place. It felt calming and relaxed, even plesant I should say. They always, expect for Metro's location because their in the mall, put nice/soothing music, where it sets the mood in a way where you want to actually sit and read for hours. Plus almost every barista I've encountered have been really kind. I especially like the man who works at the Commercial and Broadway station location because he's very personable and carries a conversation with you, plus he seems very genuine (and I've been to a lot of locations including Metro, New West, Surrey Central, SFU Surrey, Vancouver, and Guildford).

When they called me up to get my order I noticed they did not write my name but I think he remembered my name instead.

When I grabbed the cup and went to sit down, I noticed the color immediately because at Starbucks, where I had been going to before and thought it was good, it's always darker so this definitely was a shocker to see how soft the brown looked. I smelted it and was stunned how good it smelt.

When I took the first sip I was in freaking awe! Not only did they take their time making it, but it tasted a million times better than Starbucks (I have stopped ordering their hot chocolates because it's disgusting to me now)! Their hot chocolates, BY FAR, leaves a warmth in your stomach and heart. Everything is just perfect and every single location where I've been at have made it just right. And what's even more interesting is you actually taking your time savoring the taste and feel sad once your cup is done because it's THAT GOOD! Oh and you don't need to add anything because they make it that perfect where you don't need to add milk or cream to cool it down, sugar because it's not sweet enough, or chocolate mix to sprinkle on top (the options are there if you want) because how they make it IS THAT PERFECT! Some and almost all the baristas also design either a leaf or heart, if you don't ask for whip, with the milk which I personally love seeing. What's also interesting is that they have one size lids for all cups and the option of a sleeve, but honestly you don't really need it for this type of drink because they make it just the right temperature that adding a sleeve isn't necessary (yes it's THAT good)!

Through the years I've changed my order and have substituted the milk for almond, soy, and rice, but I've stuck with almond for the sweetness, and took out the whip because it's what I prefer (their options are, if I remember correctly are: 2%, almond, soy, rice, and there's another but I can't remember). The whip is amazing yes but I like mine without, and almond makes it take a bit better, but a normal one to start with (regular milk with whip) will actually awe you because once you go Blenz hot chocolate, you never go back to Starbucks hot chocolate (yes the comparison is that surreal).

So the next time you're in this cafe, try their hot chocolates, even if you're a coffee drinker, because it's a drink worth...

The barista named Rachel here is one of the rudest baristas that I have ever encountered at any coffee chain.

She was frowning at everyone and when I ordered my drink, paid, gave a small change tip and thanked her, she never answered me or even bothered to look at me the whole time; other than asking me to look at the screen to confirm my order before paying. Then when she called out a completed drink (a large iced latte) I couldn't hear it properly and thought it was my drink (a large iced chocolate). So I slowly tried to grab it and looked at her to check if it was mine. Then she got angry and said: "This is a large iced latte! Yours is a large iced chocolate!" I left the drink on the counter and said that I'm really sorry I couldn't hear what she said. The customer who ordered the latte then came back to get his drink and I apologized to him too, just in case. He was friendly. When my drink was ready I thanked Rachel again but she ignored me again. Finally I went to the other side of the kiosk to see if I could get a straw. When I couldn't find one, I went back to Rachel to ask for a straw. She sighed and looked at me like I was crazy but passed me one. By this time I probably wasn't as patient as before and just looked at her puzzled. She finally spoke and said that they don't usually give straws for those kinds of drinks because you should drink from the cup. I didn't say anything and walked away.

The experience left me feeling a bit annoyed and slightly belittled; feelings that I would not expect to feel from buying a beverage at a cafe/coffee chain. I do understand that customer service is not an easy job, especially for baristas because of the complicated orders. However, I have also been in customer service and I believe that even if you are in a bad mood for whatever reason, you should still treat a customer with some basic etiquette and give some acknowledgement. It's not about smiling all the time or even looking at the customer. Just treat them with some basic respect as a person if you are interacting with them. Unfortunately I'm now uncomfortable going to this location going forward because I don't want to encounter Rachel again, nor do I want to have to check if she's working here before I order. I did notice that the other barista working with Rachel was friendly to...

Sat down at Blenz to answer a call from my mother & within a minute I was screamed at by a employee how the tables are for customers. Wow! My mother was asking me what was going on and very concerned..The employee was yelling so loudly that I had asked the irate employee to give me 30 seconds please so I could explain to my worried mother what was going on.

The employee kept screaming!! Despite my polite requests the extreme verbal assault towards me continued. I was in complete shock!!

It would have been nice if she asked how I was and offered me a beverage.

Will be writing an email to head office and have already contacted Blenz customer service.

They are also appalled at the level of rudeness.

My poor mother was wondering why I was being screamed at. I had to call my mother back to assure her I was ok.. My mother later said Blenz Management could call her as well so she can explain what she heard. It was all very upsetting, as I hadn't heard from my mother in a while and was looking forward to a nice chat and a warm drink . Will be following up with Head office. Took pictures of location and the employee who verbally assaulted me to send in my email to Management at Head Office so its time stamped as well. Let people have a minute to get comfortable and not treat grown adults like children or vagrants. Fingers crossed they have video footage.

This location is in the middle of a shopping mall so lots of traffic.. No need to make unfair assumptions... Extreme verbal assault is absolutely unnecessary and unacceptable. This is the first time I've ever put a review like this.. Very sad.😥

Please try to have better customer service. No need to verbally assault people.. Offer a drink or a menu. Maybe tell me about any specials or whats good on the menu..Make suggestions about a tasty drink option..Be courteous.. What a concept..

Next time don't say this is just for customers. Because anyone could be a potential customer. Say hello & greet people with respect and kindness and let people have their...