Caribou Coffee — Restaurant in Lino Lakes

Update: this caribou has been great for a while now. My previous review was critical but they seem to have worked out their issues. My drinks are typically done quickly and correctly.

I love caribou in general, and this location gets my drink right most of the time .. but when they get busy they seem to have major problems compared to other locations I've been to. This has happened more than four times, and usually the problem is that they don't make the food part of my order if busy. Today was especially frustrating. I ordered ahead on my phone... I probably gave them a three to five minute head start before I got there. I ordered a sausage biscuit and white mocha. When I walked in they had a group of about 9 people waiting for something. A few of the people said that they had been waiting a very long time, and a few gave up and left while I was still waiting. I got my drink after between 10 to 15 minutes, but then realized that they had two people making drinks, two people taking orders, one person in the back, but nobody was making any of the food orders. I think other people were waiting for food too, but nobody even went near the oven in the roughly 20+ minutes I waited. I got frustrated and finally went up and said just to cancel the food part of my order because I had to leave. The girl said " oh well we can make your food for you.". But my thought was.... I ordered about 20 minutes ago and I'm guessing other people ordered food too since some of the people waiting already were holding a drink... Why wasn't it being worked on at all before I said something? Why have two people taking in orders that you can't fill rather than one of them working on food orders? It seems like when they are busy, they just do the drinks and ignore any food orders. I left without the food. I will avoid this location if possible. I still give three stars because when they are not busy...

Absolutely love the early morning, drive through workers! Always upbeat, pleasant, and offer a smile! I ALWAYS order the same coffee, it always seems to be GREAT when I go super early in the morning (almost every morning). Have gone late morning/afternoon and haven't had such great luck! I thought they had to all follow the same recipe so I don't understand how it can taste so different? I went yesterday around 12:45pm and I was extremely disappointed, I was really looking forward to "my usual", it tasted nothing like it is supposed to!!! I wasn't able to even drink it and had to toss it, $6 down the drain, this wasn't the first time either! Sorry but the coffee is too expensive for you to "not care if it is right". If it happens again (I truly hope it doesn't), I will have to take my daily coffee...

I visit caribou and other coffee stores often but this store often seems slower. Just recently went in for one drink at 3pm with no one in line. The gentlemen took my order and appeared to be all alone. He then took four car orders, prepared their drinks while I continued to wait in line. I finally asked if there was anyone in back who could come help. A young girl then came out to start helping. After waiting for 15-20 minutes since I had arrived , my drink was being made but was incorrect. There was no apology for the wrong drink or more importantly the wait. The young workers made my cold drink and then gave me the warm drink. I was not impressed with my visit. I’ve always enjoyed Caribou coffee however I would also appreciate a polite worker who at least can share an apology for...