Jacks — Restaurant in Knoxville

This is my experience at the North Central location on November 20, 2024 around 1PM ET.

I've been a loyal KnoxFill customer for several years, and I reside on the North side of town, so I usually leverage Jack's pick-up option.

Well after my experience, that will be the last time I do that.

Twice now when I've asked the baristas if I can pick up my order, I am greeted with rude remarks with an attitude along the lines of: "Well we don't have anything to do with that. It's over there. points But ya, we don't have anything to do with that."

Look, I'm a millennial, and I don't expect to be babied or to have them hand the items to me. I'm a grown woman, I can get them myself. But I do expect kindness, and to make me feel like I'm a burden and annoyance to them to even ask, is not the vibe.

Also they weren't even busy in there. There was nobody in line. This was at 1PM on a Wednesday for crying out loud.

I know I certainly wouldn't speak to people that way, and I would have responded differently of: "Oh ya, it's over there. points Feel free to grab it. No big deal."

But this is the second time I've been made to feel like a burden by Jack's staff regarding a KnoxFill order. The first time I let it slide because everyone has a bad day, and we're all human. But not a second time in a row.

This behavior doesn't make me want to buy Jack's coffee or anything else they have.

I strongly suggest Jack's to revisit operations and procedures of how to engage customers regarding KnoxFill order pickup.

Perhaps a bigger sign could be put on the bar, letting customers know to just go straight to the pick up location. (which has changed a couple times in the store, hence why I talk to the baristas first usually)

Regardless, I've had pleasant experiences at other KnoxFill pick-up locations, and I ended up buying something at that shop and contributing to the local economy. Because I wasn't made to feel like a burden at those...

I had high expectations for this place, & excited to visit but won't be back, here's why... Let's start with the good: neat concept - plants & coffee 🌱☕ cool nooks for working very clean bathrooms extremely lax vibe decent space for pics, working, meeting a friend or client set aside space for kids neat non-living items for sale (pens, books, pencils, pots for plants, menagerie of lil gifts).

The rest of the story:

Food: only 1 GF item & that was only avg tasting (bread, which should be toasted, was soggy, not much avocado & lacked flavor. I didn't try the coffee.

Baristas: Although sweet, they were eating (behind the counter) when I arrived, this is not only a Code violation but I didn't see them wash their hands before making customer's food / drinks. They spent down time on their phones or talking to each other vs cleaning or caring for plants / customers.

Space: I can see where it was cute when originally set up but is now dirty & a lil run down now. Everything needs a good cleaning.

Plants: yes, they are for sale but prices are really "jacked up" compared to other places. 98% were in horrible shape!! Dirty leaves, yellow / brown leaves, under / over watered, mold in soil & BUGS everywhere!!! The prop station is cool & seemed better than the soil based plants. These come into them in good shape but suuuuper neglected. I'd be terrified to buy a plant from them & bring into my collection. Understandably I am a serious Plant Mama so this 💔

Wi-fi: Spotty at best. Reading the other reviews seem to all say the same. So if computer work is your goal, might keep this in mind.

Overall, not a place I'll bother to visit again. Hope they get it together, because it has major potential if they hire the...

The coffee and food are super good and the atmosphere is cozy. There are also a lot of fun and local products to peruse.

I had a strange experience last Sunday. The barista was there alone and there was a line building up. I’m sure she was stressed, as people were getting out of line to leave. I stood in line for about 10/15 minutes before she said anything to me. It was awkward and there was no apology for the wait. I ordered 6 croissants. She made a few coffee drinks for folks ahead of me and then put the large container of scones on the side bar and went on to help other people and check her phone. I was running late for a meeting so I was like “ma’am I know this is crazy but I’m running late, can I just grab my 6 scones and run?” She was like “‘no, you cannot” and then handed them to me silently. I apologized to her many times and said have a good day etc. but there was like, 0 warmth or politeness. Again, I’m sure she was stressed and having a hard time there alone & I didn’t make her life easier by being a Karen.

Also slightly embarrassed that I took the time to type this out but it was the weirdest customer service experience I’ve had in...