Cuckoo's Cafe — Restaurant in Doraville

This was my first time ever visiting this establishment and, with the treatment we received, cannot say I will be coming back again.

The space as a whole is nice, situated on the main drag of Buford Highway. However, it is quite small and the tables are close together. Then you get to the cash register. There are literally so many signs with rules and restrictions for ordering I almost turned around and left, then and there. One sign states “we cannot give refunds or exchanges for food and drinks.” Another sign says “for milk teas, matcha lattes and coffee drinks, minimum ice is half. No ice is available but we charge $0.50 extra.” Yet another sign says “no AMEX, card minimum $5.” And finally, the last sign says “we do not accept outside gift cards, including visa gift cards.” Man, you’d think you were in a library with all the notices being thrown at you. Like I said, if I hadn’t been with a group who had already agreed on coming here, I would’ve walked out due to the overwhelming amount of information at the register. I would also like to add here- it is pretty uncommon to only offer the minimum ice level as half, let alone charge extra for no ice. As someone who visits lots of boba stores and cafes, all over the country, most can do no ice for free, no problem. They also charge $0.75 per topping on top of their already expensive milk teas ($6.50). I would say this definitely puts them at the top range of milk tea prices. You can definitely find cheaper milk tea prices around Atlanta.

Anyways, my friend and I went ahead and ordered a wintermelon milk tea and chicken nuggets while we waited for our group to arrive. Although we gave the store a heads up before coming, they could not promise us a reservation, making it difficult for our group to sit together to mingle. Nevertheless, we did appreciate them letting us use their space, so we asked everyone to purchase at least 1 item from the shop to show support. Although we asked for one item, many people purchase at least a drink and a food item, with one friend purchasing 5 food items. Just a quick glance at the menu will tell you drinks are about $7.25. The food items ranged from $5ish to $15ish depending on what you ordered. I would say most people ordered nuggets if they ordered with a drink, which brings their total to around $15 per person and we had about 20 people. We only used the space for maybe 2 hours max, were very respectful and made sure to pick up trash/move back chairs and tables if they had been moved.

Which is why what happens next is such a let down. Despite my group providing lots of business and being respectful to the other patrons, the restaurant made it very clear that they did not appreciate our business. One of my friends, the one who bought 5 packs of nuggets ($40 worth) was trying to share with the other people. Since we were all spread out, it would’ve been easier to have like an extra bowl or bag to distribute the food (they came in one bag each with toothpicks). I went to the front to ask for an extra bowl, or something that we could pour some of the nuggets in so we could pass it around. Well…they refused. At first I thought they were confused- I didn’t want a to-go box or anything, just like a plate or bowl so we could have multiple places for people to eat from. The lady continued to refuse, saying “we don’t give out our bowls/boxes.” Baffled, especially since we just brought them so much business, I said “what do you mean? We’re just trying to share the food we bought from your restaurant.” It didn’t matter, she said “no, I am not giving you anything.” She did end up giving me about 5 more toothpicks to share from, but that’s not the point. You can have 20 toothpicks but if the bowl of nuggets is clear on the other side of the room, that doesn’t do you any good. I was appalled by their attitude, considering how much business we brought them, that they could not spare even 1 single bowl for my friends and I to share with. Needless to say, they will not be getting any more of my...

They try to hide as best as they can that you can leave a 0% tip at the register. Very predatory and deceiving, get rid of mandatory "tips" in the US. These owners are part of the problem.

Drink was $6.5+0.75 for Boba ($7.83 Total) , im not gonna complain about tips to the minimum wage employees but why shop here and support this type of behavior? Help eradicate toxic tipping culture and DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY

So many signs and print outs saying "restroom only for paying customers" "seats only for paying customers" "No outside food even for paying customers" "Wifi only for paying customers" "Breathing store air is only for paying customers"

Damn can i not enjoy my drink in peace without every little thing being a reminder that you want my money?? No wonder the place was empty, its so hostile.

Edit: Theres no need to be so upset, its already common courtesy to use utilities of any store as long as you are a customer. People who want to abuse this wont look for any signs, so why leave so many printouts for everyone?

Regardless, you know your tipping terminal is setup to purposely hide the fact you can select 0% for tips. Sure seek out google all you want to try to artificially rig your store rating. You wouldn't be in this position if your business transacted in good faith.

"Baseless accusations" report me? Maybe I should tell Visa/MasterCard your violating merchant agreements by posting yet another sign that says "$8 minimum for card transactions"

I did notice you didnt offer sarcasm on the menu. Guess I cant blame you for my joke about...

Everybody and their mamas, aunties, sisters, brothers, uncles, and dads, please come here!!!!

I've been coming here with my sister for more than a year now and we LOVE it here. We bring our family and friends here ALL the time. I don't have a single friend in my circle that haven't gone to Cuckoo's. We are obsessed. If it's not Cuckoo's, we don't want it haha. We ONLY go here. The drinks and food are SO good, especially their fries, Taiwanese nuggets, donuts, and crabby sandwich. Get the combo platter if you're a fishcake and nuggets typa person :D If you're into strawberries, please try the strawberry milk tea with soymilk and lychee jelly, you'll thank me later :D Their royal milk tea, jujube tea, oolong milk tea, and taro milk tea are TOO top tier. Their whole menu is TOP TIER. The sweet cherry on top is their hospitality. The owner and staff are super friendly, welcoming, and hospitable. They take care of you so well and it's always a pleasure conversing with them. You VERY RARELY experience this pleasant interaction at cafes, especially in Atlanta. I always feel rushed, out of place, and unwelcomed in many of them. Cuckoo's is and will always be my number 1 spot!!! WE LOVE YOUUUU!!!!...