Alana's Coffee Roasters — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I’m extremely saddened to write this review as I would’ve given a 5 star had I not experienced what I had this morning. Please read on:

I’ve recently been a regular to Alana’s for over a month due to the convenience of proximity to my home as well as the quality coffee and service they have provided to me in the past. I still stand by their quality of coffee and friendly atmosphere prior to this mornings incident.

I usually grab a morning latte before work, my order (for me personally) requires an extra half a shot for my desired strength (2.5 shots). Ever since I requested the extra half a shot, I have always been charged the same $5.50 as if I would get without an extra half a shot. And due to not being charged, I always tip a fair amount for their generosity.

Today, I was told my coffee would be $6.50 for the extra half a shot. Now, I wouldn’t have any problems with this (and still wouldn’t) had I been continuously been charged this, but, I thought to mention I normally get charged $5.50 (because who doesn’t want to pay their regular price). Note: I understand they need to make an extra shot in order to give me half BUT AGAIN, I never was charged an extra $1 for it. The cashier mentioned that because they’d have to make an extra shot, I would need to be charged the extra $1. I totally get that HOWEVER, I stated (kindly) that that’s not what I’m normally charged. So he proceeds to ask for who I assumed was either the manager or owner (who was also the barista) if that was okay.

The assumed owner proceeds to shrug his shoulders and say he doesn’t know (3x to be exact during this interaction). I’m standing there, waiting for a definite response to whether I’ll be charged the extra $1 or not. In all fairness, I would’ve just paid the extra $1 if they truly insisted but I was just getting unsure responses so I was sticking to my “well the others normally charge me $5.50”.

Eventually, they cave in but then tells me he will need to let everyone know to charge me $6.50. Now, I’ll admit, this was a little upsetting being a regular and being treated as if I don’t come multiple times in a week. I’ve witnessed other (assuming) regular customers given special treatment. Added on top of this, paying $6.50 for a coffee and an added tip of $1-2 makes the coffee $7-8?! That’s ridiculous for a coffee, I can buy a meal for that. $5.50 + tip is worth it.

This is what really triggered me. Personally, I’m a very mindful person in the way I react in situations and how I respond to others. However, I cannot say the same goes for this barista. He says (not directly to me but to his employee) “these millennials always trying to make us do extra work and not pay” (don’t quote me word for word on that but it was along the lines of such offence). I was extremely taken aback and truly offended. I almost said something and walked out but instead chose to write this review for everyone to see how they treat younger generations.

WHAT MADE MATTERS WORSE was an older gentleman (around the same generation as the barista) comes in and states straight of the bat he has forgotten his money but if he can still order (I believe he was going to run home and grab the money either that day or another time). Without even thinking, the barista says “yeah totally fine, we see you all the time!” TOOK HIS ORDER WITHOUT PAYING AND THEY WERE FUSSING OVER MY $1?! How does that make sense?! IM A REGULAR TOO. I can’t help but feel like I’ve been discriminated against being a woman, of colour, and a millennial. I hope to the universe that this isn’t the case.

I don’t believe I am a stereotype to what a millennial is. I’m just a regular customer expecting to pay the same amount for my coffee that I’ve been charged EVERY TIME, tip, greet accordingly, being treated fairly, have meaningful barista-to-customer conversation, be on my way, and repeat. Not to be treated as if my millennialism is some sort of disease that older generations see as pests. I can say with deep disappointment that I will no longer be a...

I write for a music and coffee blog called Crooners In Coffeeshops, in which I interview local musicians at local coffeeshops. My writeup reflects the positive experience that I encountered at Alana's Coffee Roasters on our interview date.

With how compact Los Angeles and its neighborhood pockets are, it’s not surprising that it’s a task to find a coffeeshop that has outdoor seating that consists of more than a few small bistro tables. Well, Westsiders are in luck because Alana’s Coffee Roasters in Mar Vista goes above and beyond to offer their customers everything they could possibly need to keep them wanting to come back. First off, they have parking! I know, such a small detail that Angelenos tend to not really care about when looking for a go-to place. Second, their staff, including owners Eric Stogsdill and Erin Ward, are so incredibly welcoming that you automatically feel like you’re a part of the shop’s little community even if you haven’t been before. Third, Alana’s utilizes its space to perfection from small tables in the storefront entrance to cushioned indoor wall seating to a spacious outdoor patio complete with long picnic style tables, a mini stage, and a quirky camper as the star attraction. Its clear personal touch that is put into every aspect of the shop ultimately showcases its goal to provide a comfortable atmosphere for anyone the walks in. I mean, what more could you want?

Ah ha! You thought I was going to forget about their coffee menu didn’t ya? Alana’s roasts on site so you are always getting the freshest roast, and they make it a point to roast beans that are in season from a variety of different farming areas around the world. Choose from a classic espresso infused latte or Cold Brew, or maybe walk on the adventurous side and opt for one of their specialty drinks like the Pirates Chai, the Big Time! (a drip coffee with grass-fed butter and coconut oil), or my absolute favorite – the Chipotle Mocha! And if for some reason you still can’t figure out what to order, the baristas will go out of their way to make you’re a custom beverage for you to enjoy. Pair your beverage of choice with a delicious muffin, crepe roll, croissant or cookie for the optimum experience as you find a place to perch yourself for a catch-up with friends, a group study sesh, or maybe even to meet...

Only come here if Coffee Connection is full.

The coffee shop as a physical location and decor has charm. Sadly, that is where the charm ends.

The customer service is lacking. There is a bit of entitle barista attitudes here as well. Feel free to give a smaller tip to the barista as that I believe that they are clearly used to it in their surely sort of behaviors that are given to me as I entered. When I arrived, I waiting for my order to be taken until the barista could finish his conversation with another barista. Additionally, when I asked for clarity on a menu item I was blankly stared at and did not get a response. I repeated my question again, “Excuse, what is the Piratate’s Chai, exactly?” I didn’t get an answer back for a second time. Which is strange to ask a person a question twice and to get a blank stare in return. I then simply said to the barista, “May I have a Pirate’s Chai, please?” he then rang up the item for me and I paid with a card using the front facing payment machine.

I was coming here to do studying for my finals in college. The cafe, Coffee Connection, is just a block away and it was completely full. Seeing that this location was nearby, I came hee. As I sat at a table, I saw that there was an outlet nearby. I plugged in my computer to charge my compute. Soon after they turned off the electricity to the outlet. And without mentioning anything about it either.

Additionally, the Pirate’s Chai is a mixture of Matcha Green Tea and some chai with milk. It was okay but not worth the $7.00 in price.

This is a come and go location. They don’t seem to prefer or appreciate people who come here to study.

TL;DR - This is just a fast paced cafe where you come and go. Don’t stick around. Don’t expect kindness, eye-contact or conversation. It is just coffee and it just money and it not much else here. I sat for over an hour and witnessed the same sort of behavior by the same barista towards others....