Starbucks Coffee — Restaurant in Sunninghill and Ascot

When you enter the Starbucks on Ascot High Street, you feel as if you have entered an anomaly. A central trough, like the hollowed skull of a Titan, lays imposingly on the shop floor. Its immense weight depresses the earth beneath it; it has sunken considerably into the tiling. You realise after placing and customising your order that your order doesn't matter; you will receive the same beverage as every other customer. Upon payment confirmation, the malnourished, near-paralytic barista shambles, bow-legged, along the bar, and, with arms made of string and bird-bones, tries, with immense effort, to yank a pulley. This pulley sets off a crude Rube-Goldberg apparatus, the final prestige of which, is the filling of the trough with a steamy brown liquid. Customers jostle for position around the trough, snarling at each other like wolves around a carcass. Mothers disregard their infant children. I have even seen mothers trade their young offspring in order to be nearer the trough. Some cup the boiling liquid first in their hands before bringing it to their mouths, others merely submerge their heads in the bean-water and cow-lactate aggregate and inhale. Animal fury is then whipped to daemonic heights as the trough nears empty. Customers turn on each other like Cain against Abel, birthing an atmosphere not unlike that of God himself being usurped. Screams near blood-curdling as a real-estate agent loses an eye. The violence eventually subsides not long after a hairdresser unintentionally swallows her own severed index finger. Once the customers regain the modicum of humanity they once held, they exit the establishment, many with fewer appendages than when they entered. Although this experience would have traumatised each individual immensely, there will be no end to this daily ritual, as that sweet hit of delicious caffeine makes the whole undertaking pardonable in the mirror of hindsight. As the last customer leaves, the sickly barista seizes its opportunity and fights off the other small rodents in order to lick dry the trough with its sandpaper tongue.

Phenomenal music choice in there though,...

[06/12/21] had the worst experience today, which has left me feeling disappointed and quite upset. I went to pick up an order (£12 worth of food/drinks) which I placed the night before, using the app Too Good To Go. the app gave me a code and told me the latest time I could pick my items up was 3:30pm. I arrived at 3:26pm to be told my order had been cancelled (it showed on my phone, as I walked through the door). I pointed out there was ALOT of food and drinks on show at the time. I was told by the lad ''we dont have any off food to give you'' and told to come back the next day. if there wasn't food ready, then Starbucks should of told Too Good To Go, that they will not be supplying on that day. and I wouldn't of ordered. I wasn't there to collect ''off food''. clearly there is a problem with the timing, Too Good To Go states 3:30pm collection time, however Starbucks aren't ready with the orders because, its not near the closing time...

I told the lad that I had walked 20mins to collect the items and his reply was ''thats not my problem'' - which it isn't, however an apology would of been a nicer reply. ...or an offer a discounted drink or something.

when I told the lad, that I would be contacting the manager, he came closer to the plastic shield, folded arms and said ''yeh go on then'' acting smug. - (bare in mind, I was trying my hardest to be polite to the lad)

I work in a restaurant myself, I know what is good customer service and what is bad customer service. and this lad needs addressing.

I brought that food with the intention of feeding my disabled, diabetic mother. I was so upset that I had wasted 40mins (walking back and forth) and she was without food.

there were other customers who witnessed the way he spoke to me. another customer said she would also make a complaint.

I will never step foot in that place again, not whilst workers address paying...

27/01/2025 This Starbucks used to be my go-to spot, but it’s devastating to see how much it has gone downhill over the past 8 months. The cleanliness is a serious concern—tables are constantly left dirty, and there’s an unpleasant smell in the café that makes it far from inviting. The store is starting to feel like a health hazard, which is shocking for such a prestigious brand.

I’ve been a regular here for years, often sitting with a group of friends who also loved the space. Sadly, we’ve now started meeting at Costa in Ascot because this store has become so unwelcoming. It’s amazing to think that just a year ago, a team of university students kept this place running to a much higher standard than whatever is going on now. Since they finished their studies and left, the decline has been staggering.

The current manager sits at a table with their laptop and doesn’t seem to do anything to help. With the state of the café, you’d expect them to take some initiative—at the very least, pick up a cloth and wipe down the filthy tables.

Senior management urgently needs to step in because this store is in freefall. It’s sad to see such a reputable organisation fail to maintain even basic standards. I truly hope something is done before more loyal customers, like myself and my group, move...