Starbucks — Restaurant in El Monte

I rolled in around 7:30 PM thinking I’d grab a quick coffee and answer a few emails. You know that hour when cafés are winding down? This team was doing the opposite—leveling up. Two friendly baristas greeted me with the kind of warmth that makes you feel like a regular even if it’s your first time. I asked for a recommendation and they dialed it right in: a hot espresso drink (my go-to late is a caramel macchiato), plus a Tomato & Mozzarella panini and a slice of Banana Nut Loaf. Order out fast, everything hot and fresh. Total came to about $19—fair for dinner-lite and a solid cup.

Service was the headline. They repeated the restroom code (twice, without me asking), and when I mentioned I wanted to sit outside, they actually re-set the patio after they’d already stacked the chairs. That “we’ve got you” energy is rare and it matters.

Ambiance? Clean, modern, and calm. Emerald-tile backsplash, warm lighting, and a tidy pastry case that doesn’t look picked over at night. Plenty of seating inside, spotless restrooms with code access, and a mellow playlist that makes it easy to focus. It’s tucked in an easy-to-reach spot with straightforward parking and a steady neighborhood flow—no chaos, just comfortable.

Pro tip: if you like a quieter scene, this early-evening window is perfect. Grab a warm panini, claim a patio table, and let the night wind down the right way.

Five stars for the people, the pacing, and the way small gestures turned a quick stop into a genuinely good end to the day....

This is where an employee made it clear that their drive-thru customers have priority when it comes to customer service as opposed to waiting customers in line.I didn't use their drive thru because I was going to study for school here. Not only was there no one to help me order a drink, there was nobody to help their own fellow barista out to help a customer (me). Shame. I understand it was busy that day, it always is, but if I order a pour-over and you (the barista) don't know how to make one, I understand. The barista was in a hurry to get me out of the way so he simply said, "Our drive thru customers have priority over you right now. Would you rather have a regular coffee? I don't know how to make it and it takes a long time for a pour over" He was saying too many things that someone at Starbucks headquarters would cringe upon and at the same time, he didn't ask for help. Since I am not rude to people, I kindly went along with his simple suggestion and ignored his lack of customer service skills. I ordered a simple drip coffee and went on my merry way. I do not come to this Starbucks any more because of this experience....

I really enjoy a good Starbucks coffee but This Location will leave a bad taste in your Mouth, Literally. This is our Local starbucks and we can't count how many times our order has come out wrong. Ordering through the app, walking in, it doesn't matter. It feels like we are rolling the dice everytime we go to this place. We have once been promised a refund that we never received, we have been told to come in for a free coffee and even that coffee, believe it or not, came out wrong. Today once again after a mistake in the drive through we were Honestly told "Don't Worry about it, Well Refund your account" No Mention of getting us the correct Coffee we ordered ?? We can understand mistakes happen but the consistency in mistakes, customer service and lack of empathy by the employees are the reasons why I'm taking my time to write...