Barker - Café and Bakery — Restaurant in Lawrence

I come here all the time, at least once per week if not more. Everything is usually top tier, even when they’re slammed. I chat with the baristas, they know my name and usual order. I don’t expect that, but it is nice!

Today, however, was abysmal. I’m saying this as a regular, someone who has been a barista, and as a server.

The person ringing me out asked for my name and I spelled it out. Rather than ask me to repeat my name, he sent the order under as Aaron. When my order was called out (and I knew it was mine because I know the workflow there and who ordered right ahead of me) under the wrong name, there was a bit of confusion, but I overheard the guy working the register tell the guy filling the food orders that he couldn’t hear what I said. What really rubbed me the wrong way was the snootiness of the guy filling the orders. Just in general unconcerned, unhelpful, and rude.

The annoyance of it all made me want to ask for my $5 cash tip back.

I really have minimal expectations of service, particularly at a counter place, but this was so bad it was laughable.

There are so many great employees there and the service, even when there are mess ups, is still friendly and just overall really great. Today pissed me off enough that I had to leave a review.

Note to the guy working the register: it is better to clarify what you did not hear than make a choice and leave someone...

Let me start by saying I am biased against coffee shops with a weird and small menu. I can only assume a coffee shop can make quite a few different combinations, so I really hate when there’s only 5-10 options on the menu. Makes things a bit confusing for the customer.. I live in California now and half the places have the same vibe as this place, which could be a plus or a minus depending on who you ask. Ordered some hot cappuccinos and an iced vanilla caramel latte, both were strong and tasty. Pastry wise I wanted to try the lemon cream, they ran out. Second option was the raspberry and they ran out as well. I thought the third option was a fruit danish but maybe I miss heard the gentleman working the counter. When we got home the box had 3 danishes, none of which were sweet. They all had some kind of bacon and cheese combination. I thought they tasted really good, very flaky. Not sure what got lost in translation but though this worked out in my favor. A lot of people don’t eat pork for various reasons, so that could’ve been a disaster. Overall, would recommend for the pastries but the vibe/atmosphere and coffee were just mediocre...

For starters I placed an order online. My order said it would be done at 8:36 I decided to take a several block walk to 1900 Parker and arrived around 9 o’clock. When I got there a man in front of me had a question about what temperature to brew his coffee at which they didn’t ended up giving him a direct answer, instead pointed him in the direction of oddly correct to get a more efficient answer. I then waited to be helped next and a Family that just arrived was helped immediately first. I waited several more minutes until a different employee arrived from the back asking if she could help the next person. I told her I placed an online order and I was told that I would need to wait several more minutes. I did and by the time I got my sandwich the bottom of my croissant is completely burnt and the bacon is hard and chewy so pretty much the only two things I can taste are egg and burnt croissant. Oh I also asked for no cheese because of an anabiotic that I was put on and what do you know it came with cheese. I’m very disappointed with the level of service and...