Red Bus Coffee — Restaurant in Lakewood

I was really looking forward to trying this coffee shop, but unfortunately I left disappointed. I’ve been a barista before, so I completely understand when things get busy and chaotic, and I always try to give grace. However, with four employees working, only two cars in the drive-through, and just two guests inside, it still took over 20 minutes to heat up a premade frozen burrito and make an iced chai. My Danish was also forgotten, and when I asked about it, I was repeatedly told I never ordered one. I wasn’t given a receipt and no one checked past orders to verify. My total was around $17 (after a 20% discount on my drink), and I still tipped, so this was definitely disappointing. It also doesn’t look great to go back and forth with a customer over an item, especially when simply checking the past order history could have resolved it. If it turned out I didn’t order it, I would have gladly apologized and moved on. Instead, I was left standing there awkwardly being told, “I don’t have a Danish for you,” without any effort to verify or problem-solve. In the end another girl stepped in and asked what Danish I ordered and gave it to me. I double checked the math when I got home and the $17 adds up to what I bought which was the chai, danish and burrito.

The space is cute, but the flow inside feels crowded when ordering, and the wait time and organization just didn’t match the experience I was hoping for. As someone who has managed a coffee shop, I really believe this could be improved with strict barista roles (one on drinks, one on food, one on register), and by asking guests upfront if they’ll be ordering food so items can be warmed sooner.

I truly wanted to love this place, and I hope they tighten up their service and workflow because the potential is there, but today’s visit missed the good...

What a cute idea. I love the fact it's a actual bus, and that they have seating upstairs if you just wanna hang out, drink, and read or do whatever you need to. They also have a drive thru that's easy to get to with helpful signs to let you know where to go. It's pretty cozy! It's also one of the best Chais I've had in a while, not super overpowering, not super sweet. The service was great too, very...

Such a special spot! Highly recommended for anyone looking for that best friend spot (well behaved fur babies included) quiet friendly the bus is amazing and the staff so helpful and friendly, we tried the breakfast burrito chocolate croissant chai latte and vanilla bean frap! Thank you for bringing such an iconic little shop to Lakewood for...