Caribou Coffee — Restaurant in Chapel Hill

Before entering the shop i immediately noticed the great outdoor seating available. I already imagined myself sitting here on a warm morning downing a shaken expresso.

The atmosphere is perfect. The lighting is welcoming with the corners of the shop offering a more moody lighting for guests who rather bask in the dark. The menu is expansive wirh lots of variety in options. the food made available is limited with no real ability to make changes such as removing cheese, or rly removing anything off an item. no matter, as there’s plenty of options for everyone to enjoy from their bakery.

I myself enjoyed a chorizo and chicken burrito, it had cheese and it was simply delightful. the wrap was of an enchilada or tomato basil blend but it was filling and savory. A quick shoutout to their combo meals which for 10 dollars you get iced coffee and breakfast sandwich, or a donut and coffee for 6. a perfect balance of higher end food and drink for a fair price.

As for the coffee i had, i choose the Honey lavender expresso. it.was.banging. I am still chasing this coffee itch a week later. my word what a treat. it was perfect. i can’t describe the feeling i had after the first sip. have you ever let out a big ahhhhh after achieving a sensation of satisfaction? i did here. i’ve also tried their caramel expresso and it was just okay, i think the combo of honey lavender just worked so well wirh the rich taste of the expresso. if perhaps it was a salted caramel i can see my stance on it changing.

while i didn’t get a picture of it, i has the almond biscotti. rich in flavor, and the shortbread cookie was wonderful. both items had minimal ingredients and tasted very fresh and clean. i was throughly impressed with the freshness of all the items i procured that day. support...

EDIT: I did in fact email Caribou Coffee customer service the day of the incident but I have not heard back from them, it has been 3 days (and yes I checked my spam folder). A thought-- perhaps that barista saw me come in from outside in their patio area with their white mug and somehow though I just arrived and thought I expected a refill without buying anything? When in fact I bought a latte when they opened at 630am and had been sitting outside sipping the latte. She was not there in the store when I first bought that latte; but the mug was one of their own, ad she should have assumed I came in for a refill after having purchased a latte or coffee. PRO: For the most part friendly staff, great drinks, great dark roast coffees. Wooden Minnesota theme interior (I am from Minnesota, the land of Caribou Coffee).

CON: I wish the music would not be blasted so loud to the outside patio area-- nowhere to have a little solitude and write or think. Lots of outside tables and chairs and even a water bowl for dogs.

CON: Was treated like a 5 year old recently. Bought an expensive latte as usual, but when I asked for a dark roast coffee refill I was told by a 20 year old Barista that I could have one refill this time, but just one, no more refills beyond one in the future. For years I have gotten a latte and then usually 2 dark roast coffee refills. I have seen Caribou Coffee baristas charge for even one refill, thinking they are not free; apparently such baristas were not trained as to corporate policy which is free refills (I have confirmed this twice with corporate who apologized). I am a retired college teacher and deserve better treatment. I switched to Starbucks down the road where refills are free [with a...

Absolutely PATHETIC! Went in just to get two gift cards. The barista who was assisting did not greet us, and in fact stepped aside when we approached. Then after placing an order for two $25 gift cards, we were given two cards with one sleeve. When we asked for a second sleeve, it took over 10 minutes for her to attempt to track one down…which she never did. The manager on duty (?) informed us they had none left, which is odd considering there are 50+ gift cards strewn about the store. Another employee was dressed completely unprofessional and was operating the register with a roll of toilet paper in hand. No name tags, no greeting, poor service; the entire presentation was underwhelming and off putting. This was a horrific experience in every sense of the word. We loyally purchase Caribou Coffee to brew at home, and this experience has made us reconsider supporting the company altogether. Again,...