Peet's Coffee — Restaurant in Downers Grove

I usually love coming here for coffee and to study, it’s been a go-to spot for me. Unfortunately, my experience has me considering never coming back to this location again. I had an interaction with a staff member (didn’t catch his name, but he’s bald with tattoos) who seemed to be having a very difficult day and made sure everyone else knew it too. All I ordered was a regular latte, nothing complicated, but he was rolling his eyes at me like I asked for something outrageous, it was a very theatrical performance for a coffee shop worker taking an order (which I assume is just a standard part of his job.) From the way he was speaking to me as well as the man who ordered before me you’d think we did something terrible to offend him, however the terrible thing we did to him was come in while he was working I guess!

When it was time for me to pay, I didn’t hear what he said—I thought he was just giving me the total so I started pulling out my money. Instead of repeating himself or clarifying, he just stared at me and then loudly said, “Guess not! Your total is $7,” in the most unnecessary tone. It was honestly so embarrassing and people were staring. I said I didn’t hear him, and he just rolled his eyes again and slowly repeated “your. total. is. seven. dollars,” like I was a child. It honestly ruined the whole thing for me so much that I just left after grabbing my drink and didn’t even stay to do my work like I’d planned. Being an adult (especially a grown man) usually comes with some baseline social skills. If working in customer service is too emotionally draining, perhaps it’s time to explore other options that bring you more joy—or at least don’t involve interacting with the public! We all have bad days, but as adults it’s expected that we are mature enough to leave that at home, especially when you are at work. Seems like this is unfortunately his every day personality as there are multiple bad reviews about him. 40-something year old man with the personality of a pms-ing teenage girl— how...

I came to this place with a friend and we had a negative and pretty upsetting experience with one of the staff members. Before going to hang out at Peets, my friend got some starbucks and brought it to Peets (which it was mostly finished). We walk in and find a place to sit. I go and ask for a cup of water at the register and and the worker at the register points in the direction of where they have a free water dispenser for the customers to ise. When he told me he kinda had attitude and seemed kinda annoyed that i asked but i just didnt see it and the label on it wasnt very visible. I get my water and sit back down with my friend. After a couple of minutes the same bald worker approached us and said that he saw us walk in with starbucks and he mentioned that that we didnt buy anything yet even though we were looking over the menu and considering something. He also said that it isnt really a place to hangout even though there were a few other ppl there on computers who didnt buy anything which he did not talk to. This didnt even give us the chance to order anything and since we are young girls we were kinda shy to say anything. This may not have anything to do with it but those other people were white while my friend and i are poc. So, in conclusion we will not be returning anytime soon and we would recommend going to STARBUCKS instead if you’re in downtown downers grove. The service there is 100% better and the employees are very kind and treat us with respect.

I would also like to mention that it wasnt very crowded when we walked into peets so it wasnt like we would be taking up the spots of paying customers or anything. My friend and i are young teens and we were quietly sitting on our phones and he goes out his way to kick out possible customers

GO TO STARBUCKS INSTEAD (starbucks coffee doesnt taste as burnt either and some salty, white, bald guy wont come for you and kick you out for holding an empty starbucks...

Regarding Peet’s Coffee (Downtown Downers):

Very upsetting experience at Peet’s today. I am always visiting friends in Chicago, so today a friend decided to visit me in Downers. I brought her to Peet’s for coffee and to see our downtown.

Within 10 minutes of sitting and getting ourselves settled, the manager asked if we were waiting for someone. We kindly replied no and he said he was just checking in. I did not see him approach any other patrons.

About 10 minutes later, my friend and I had decided on purchasing some waters to start, and were looking over the different coffees. The manager approached our table once more and asked if we’d be buying anything. I asked if this was a requirement, and if there was signage we’d missed and he said no, but “this is a business”, and he’s running a business so we can’t just sit here. He also informed us that “Peet’s is cracking down on college students”. (I and my friend are about 10 years post college, but thanks for the compliment)

For an establishment where half of the staff is wearing political statements on their aprons, it surprises me that “cracking down on college students” and turning away those who take a little longer to pick a coffee is so high on the list of tasks.

Very odd and non hospitable behavior that I wouldn’t expect of any business, yet alone a neighborhood coffee shop.

I recommend visiting Starbucks across the tracks (staff is friendly and inviting), or getting on the train to Chicago for a unique, inviting cafe visit in the future.

The manager has done a terrific job of making sure my business...