Woods Coffee — Restaurant in Bellingham

I don't like to leave negative reviews without constructive feedback so here goes.

Woods is good. They fit a niche in the Coffee Industry that is somewhere between fast food and specialty coffee and I love that.

in my opinion, Woods has always struggled with quality control. I can get a 10/10 latte one day from a location and a 0/10 the next. From my perspective, a lot of this comes down to how Barista's are held accountable (or not held) to their bar habits. I used to work at Woods several years ago and while I'm certain I was never the best barista I'm at least familiar with the guidelines they have for their Q10 quality.

Here are the things I regularly see done wrong according to Woods Bar training for baristas.

Not wiping the portafilter after knocking espresso pucks out. This is the easiest fix in my opinion. It takes 1 second to take a designated clean towel and wipe out the inside of a portafilter. I would be shocked to see any Barista at Woods do this between every shot. I'm not trying to be overdramatic but I have honestly never seen it happen on more than several occasions at any Woods location.

Not rinsing shot glasses between shots. I understand this takes precious time when there are a dozen drinks in line and there's pressure to go as fast as possible but this is probably the biggest impact on espresso flavor that I see baristas at Woods have direct control over that they don't act upon. It's incredibly common for me to watch a barista pull a dozen shots into the same glasses without rinsing them. This impacts flavor and shot quality exponentially with each shot.

Improper milk/foam ratio. Most baristas at woods free pour all their lattes. This is fine if you are steaming for one drink and you steam the perfect amount of foam but unfortunately that is not the case most of the time. To my recollection, Woods standard is 1/4 in of foam for a latte. While I personally enjoy more than that, I will sometimes receive a latte that is considerably under weight. Like 4 oz of milk is missing. This is probably 1 out of every 10 lattes I get from Woods. I honestly don't think this is the Barista's fault most of the time. The milk pitchers Woods provides their baristas are extremely varied in the measurements they show inside. Sometimes there is a line for 12oz and no 16oz line so you have to eyeball it. Some have actual oz measurements and some have just unlabeled lines. Woods needs to pick a set of pitchers that are consistent at all locations that provide labeled oz of liquid inside and throw away the rest. This will help drastically with their milk waste as well. Many times, baristas are dumping out steamed milk because they overestimated.

Using counter towels to clean the steam wand. This is what prompted me to write my review today. Yesterday, 12/27 at Front St Woods, I had to ask my barista to swap out their bar towels because I saw them use the same bar towel they cleaned their steam wand with to then wipe the counter. I felt awful and like a huge jerk to have to ask but it's pretty gross. If I recall correctly, Woods teaches that you should have a designated counter and steam wand towel and never mix the two. They seemed to get mixed up sometimes because most baristas leave both of them on the counter. I always found it helpful to keep my steam wand towel on top of the machine to make sure I didn't accidentally use it for my bar or counter.

My solution would be to have a secret shopper program for bar habits. Woods has plenty of ex-barista's in Whatcom County that had bar training. Give a handful of them a refresher on Q10 and a checklist for bar habits to inspect. This will help keep Baristas accountable and circumvent the "do it right only when my boss is looking" problem that exists. If a barista fails a secret shopper inspection have them have a constructive and kind coaching conversation with their manager on the right way to do it and give consequences to repeat offenders. If a barista can't consistently execute on Q10 bar habits then they shouldn't be making drinks...

We absolutely love Woods Coffee! It offers an experience similar to Starbucks but surpasses it with superior products across the board. The coffee, in particular, is a standout – it's significantly better, offering a rich and robust flavor that coffee enthusiasts will appreciate. The ambiance of Woods Coffee is uniquely themed, embodying a quintessential Pacific Northwest vibe. This theme creates a warm, inviting, and family-friendly atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for both solo visits and family outings.

The service at Woods Coffee is consistently good and exudes friendliness. Each visit feels welcoming, with staff members who are both attentive and cheerful, enhancing the overall coffee experience. Additionally, their merchandising is fantastic. If you're looking for unique souvenirs or gifts, Woods Coffee has a variety of high-quality merchandise that captures the essence of the brand and the Pacific Northwest.

An important aspect that adds to the charm of Woods Coffee is the fact that it is locally owned and operated. This local ownership brings a lot of intrinsic value to the establishment. It contributes to the community's economy and provides a sense of connection and pride for local patrons. It’s not just a coffee shop; it's a part of the community's identity. In summary, Woods Coffee is more than just a place for great coffee; it’s a local treasure that offers an exceptional experience, superior products, and a strong community...

As a dedicated customer for over 15 years, I was extremely disappointed with my recent experience at the Meridian store. While I've historically had positive interactions, my latest visit was a stark contrast.

Upon entering the store, I noticed two employees behind the counter engaged in a lively conversation. While I understand the importance of employee morale, their demeanor shifted noticeably upon my arrival. Their previously cheerful expressions were replaced with a more indifferent, almost dismissive attitude.

The bear claw I ordered was a significant departure from the product displayed. Instead of the advertised pastry with ample filling, I received a basic croissant with a meager amount of filling and only two almonds on top. To make matters worse, despite my specific request for it to be served cold, it arrived piping hot.

The chai latte I ordered was equally disappointing. It was so excessively hot that it immediately burned the inside of my mouth. Even after 15 minutes, the temperature remained unbearable, making it impossible to enjoy.

I have always been a loyal patron, but this recent experience has left me questioning my continued support. I hope that these issues are addressed promptly to ensure that future customers do not have a...