Costa Coffee — Restaurant in Epping Forest

“Friendly staff and unexpected exceptional customer service”

I’ve been going to this Costa Coffee weekly for months now for its convenient parking, good food/drink quality and kind, thoughtful staff.

For example I find the service to be very good and pet friendly since they accept dogs such as Labrador retrievers in the establishment and if kindly ask will provide a dog water bowl.

If you attend consistently, it is possible that they were even remember your drink and food and be more open towards socialising with you (when quiet) which I do like.

Also, and i’m not sure if this was a one off but on Sunday morning if they have biscuits or pastries that expire very soon rather than throwing it away a staff member will approach where you are seating indoors and offer you one for free. The photo shows me receiving a free chocolate shortbread, talk about exceptional Customer Service.

The only thing to be mindful about is if it is very busy such as around lunchtime the staff may not have the time to clear the table, so if there may be crumbs where you are sitting.

Also if you someone that likes having a friendly quick chat with the barista it’s recommended that you do this when it’s not busy as I’ve had experiences where I’ve been treated as a normal customer rather than a regular guest just because there are two people behind me.

Lastly, and this is unavoidable if you leave via car around lunchtime or busy hours (11:00 - 13:00) it can take you an additional 5 to 10 minutes to exit the car park because of the limited...

I am very upset how i got treated at one of your stores in Waltham abbey!When i enter the store with my partner i was told to put mask on which I respect that and i sat down while my parter gets the drinks. However other customers walked in and they got served WITHOUT masks on!this isnt fair !!As we got our coffees the lady manager comes to our table asking if i done the Track&Trace. And i told her i did. She was so close to me and telling me you havent done it. I told her to keep the 2meter distance because your not following the rules yourself and still she was close to my table and harassing me and my partner for not doing track&trace. I was politely and calmy telling her “i have done it” she still wont go away from my table. And another colleague came to the table aswell and they was both shouting and telling me “i didnt do it. I told her give me the refund i want to leave as i came to enjoy my coffee and you not letting me. She wouldnt give me the refund but she said to give me “take -away cup”? It is my right as a customer to get my refund. As a loyal customer i would like this to be sorted and that staff attitude is disgusting. Please...

Surly staff, mostly foreign with a few English teenagers, who look surprised if you dare to make any special requests.

Staff also seem a bit unprofessional, gossiping/messing around and helping themselves to (i.e. eating) pastries etc at the end of the day, in full sight of customers, and acting like you’ve ruined their fun if you go up to the counter to order.

One of the two toilets is always ‘out of order’, and has been so for almost a year. It seems more like they can’t be bothered to maintain more than one toilet.

I noticed one of the staff members was keeping her kid in the back office - is this right, or even allowed?

The food selection is a bit…meh. In the middle of summer all they have is hot toasties, with no salads or a summer menu on offer.

It doesn’t help that it is located in one the filthiest, nastiest retail parks in and around London, with non-paying customers constantly streaming in to use the toilet. I appreciate this is out of Costa’s control, but it doesn’t help nonetheless.

There are better Costas, but given its location, it’s the best of...