Tierra Mia Coffee Drive Thru — Restaurant in Huntington Park

Edit/Update (5/1/24): So, I decided to give this place another shot (told y’all I would!). The quality of the food has increased, however customer service still needs a lot of work. Do they just train the staff to be AHs? Before, the whole staff was nasty, now you have a 50/50 chance of interacting with a decent human being. I added a star because the drinks come out good, and customer service is slowly improving, and that is always a welcomed change.

— Original review: So, why a one star to this new location? My experience here was less than stellar. I went through the thru drive and was immediately pressured by an employee to move forward; this was my first time ordering Tierra Mia, so I would have liked to take a look at the menu in order to determine what I wanted to buy, but unfortunately we were not given a chance to do so. We drive forward and the employee approaches us to take our order. Again, we felt extremely pressured, given the employee’s body language exuded annoyance. This was our first time ever trying Tierra Mia, so it would have been nice if the employee had suggestions for us and was friendlier. I attempted to look at the menu online but again, felt pressured to make a decision quickly— so we ended up ordering a basic vanilla latte (that you can order anywhere). We got to the window and were asked if we wanted to leave a tip. Mind you, I don’t mind tipping, but when asked (when the tipping jar is RIGHT THERE in the window counter for customers to see) it rubbed me and my bf the wrong way. We already weren’t too pleased with the previous employee’s customer service and this was no better. We will tip you if we think you earned it—no need in being pushy about it.

As for the food—it was okay. Again, we ordered a basic drink (that we didn’t even want) that you can get anywhere and it tasted just like any other vanilla latte. Here’s my feedback for this new location:

Don’t assume every customer is a returning one. We were brand new, potential regulars and that was ruined by the pressure we felt to make a decision quickly. This is a drive thru location, the chances of passing travelers stopping by are high. Which brings me to my second point.

Engage with the customer(s) and don’t make assumptions. If you see a customer is struggling to make an order, engage with them, ask them if they need some recommendations and recommend accordingly. Not everyone has tried Tierra Mia coffee, engage in small friendly conversation to allow the customers to feel more comfortable and welcomed, especially at a drive thru location.

I understand if they want to push people along and why they may not want the drive thru to get packed, Santa Fe is a busy street as it is. However, that does not excuse making your customers feel rushed, unwelcomed, and uncomfortable. For now, I will be leaving a one star. However, I’ll come back and update my review if service gets better (I’m willing to give it another chance, I understand it’s a new location and employees plus management are settling in). But for now, continuing buying my coffee from the Starbucks by home deport. Customer service is...

I have an issue with people who leave reviews solely based on issues THEY can personally avoid and I'm going to discuss this in this review.

As for my experience, I went yesterday, Sunday, July 24, 2022 at around 6:03pm, walked into the shop, and ordered the Mazapan Frappe. I had my drink in less than 5 minutes, even though I took a few seconds to make up my mind, but that's ok. That's why people go inside the shop: TO TAKE THEIR TIME IN ORDERING. I have to say it was even more delicious than the Horchata Frappe. I understand that the Horchata Frappe is the most popular item, but I honestly will order the Mazapan Frappe over it from now on.

Now, changing the subject. The first reviewer I have an issue with is Mia Cee, which left a very negative review based on her experience in the drive-thru. Mia, if it's your first time coming to Tierra Mia, DON'T go through the drive-thru! No one has time to wait for you in a drive-thru which is SPECIFICALLY MADE for people that don't have time to park their cars and wait inside the coffee shop! Obviously, this woman had plenty of time to sit inside the shop if she was willing to have the drive-thru employees explain the menu options. Of course they're pressured to take your order and move you along the line! That's what that line is meant for!

The second reviewer I have an issue with is Bernardo Lopez. I have an issue with people that get upset that the young employees know very little Spanish. Hello! The menu is partially in English, the application they filled out to get hired was in English, the education in the school system is given in English, the traffic signs are in English, and even the meetings at City Hall are in English! Why should those employees bend over to your demands just because you don't want to learn the only language they know and understand?! How about you make an effort in learning how to speak with them in their language, since you've been a resident of California for a decade or two?? It's irritating when people feel like they have some sort of right to dictate which language some hard working young man or woman should speak just because the customer can't understand it.

Lastly, I just want to say I'm not an employee of the Tierra Mia franchise but I am a resident of the city of Huntington Park. I feel like I need to give some credit to this establishment, since they're giving some pretty excellent service to its customers, given the fact that they opened up recently and I don't think they need all the negative reviews for such damn good service. And if they ever read this review, I would like to tell them to ignore those customers that love to complain over such childish matters. All of you have a really good thing going there and I hope that your business thrives...

Okay, but @ reviewer Victor M., isn’t the whole point of reviews to share YOUR personally experience and give the establishment feedback for improvement? The two reviewers you attacked weren’t even rude. In fact, Mia gave them a damn good review and seemed super understanding. Why are you attack people for having a different experience than you? You sure you’re not an employee? Reported your review, as I don’t think it’s appropriate.

Moving on to MY EXPERIENCE. I’m giving this location two stars. I would give it 2 1/2, but I can’t. The service was decent, but 2 out of 3 of my drinks (frappes) came out extremely watery. The employees seemed overwhelmed (went during lunch time) so I didn’t bug them for a redo. However, when I asked for a recommendation on behalf of my grandmother (who doesn’t speak English), the employee in the front was kinda rude. I didn’t like that. The other employees were very polite and kind though! I think the customer service could be a little friendlier, but overall I would come again. Wouldn’t recommend during...