Starbucks — Restaurant in McNair

I’d like to start off this review by stating that I'm not a big fan of Starbucks. But, given limited options near my office, I have to bite the bullet and opt for their overpriced charcoal water. That said, this particular Starbucks is the best place to grab a cup of coffee. There is a drive-thru at this location and, in the morning, the line snakes all the way around the building. It is honestly so demoralizing how long it is. I hate lines. I try not to wait in lines. I hate lines so much so that on Judgement Day, when God (or whoever) corrals all of us plebes into our eternal lines, he’ll get to me, point to the line for heaven, and I will stubbornly disobey and go to hell if the line is shorter. That's how much I hate lines. So after seeing the line for the drive-thru at Starbucks, I walked myself into the store using the legs my mother spent 9 months creating. Of course, there was no line. I felt like I gamed the system, outsmarted all the lazy folk sitting in their cars.

Here's where my entire world shattered. As I'm eagerly waiting for my drink, I watched as the gaggle of Starbucks employees weaved around such a tiny space. There are at least 12 cups lined up to be made and they’re grinding them out in a matter of seconds. I was awe-struck. Have you ever taken an economics class? You know how professors always use the example of too many employees resulting in less productive work being done? Marginal Productive Labor or something. Well it’s wrong. If you listen closely, you can actually hear the earth rumble as Adam Smith and John Maynard Keynes turn in their graves because their entire legacy is a lie. There are at least 10 people behind the counter and they are working like a Seal Team Six operation. They're so on it's insane. I can't imagine the number of team building exercises they went through. Anyway, I got my drink and left.

No more than a week later, I went again to grab a coffee. This time, it was raining and I was in no mood to exit my vehicle. Despite how much I hate lines, I thought back to how quickly those employees turned over drink orders. I pulled into the drive through and I’m not exaggerating when I say I don’t think I ever touched the brakes. Not even while I was at the intercom. Or at the pay window. This was the longest line I’ve ever willingly waited in, yet it moved faster than you can say “mint chocolate frappuccino no whip”.

If you need a coffee before work, swing by this Starbucks. They are professionals. Thank you for all your hard work. This country needs more people like you. And to anyone who rated this below 4 stars, you are probably...

TG weekend '24: Looks prettier but way less friendly and usable overall.

Very pretty new paneled wall with pretty artwork (it looked seasonal and we speculated how and where it was stored) but there's almost no seating left inside ☹️ (there is plenty outside, with new umbrellas). Felt extremely cramped. And the music was ridiculously loud most of the time. Had to go up and ask them to turn it down (which they thankfully did). Couldn't hear the people next to me talk. It's like they don't want people to hang out here any more ☹️

Met up with a group of geocaching buddies here as we have every TG and a few other occasions for a few years but this time it felt very cramped ☹️ We are debating whether to find another location so there's enough seating.

Folks at an adjacent tiny table were similarly confused and asked management, who said the chunk behind the new wall was all storage now.

Also, there's now a lock code on the bathroom, like I've run into in the Los Angeles suburbs. How long has that been there? What's with that?

2 years ago: Used the app to order some tea with points when I was on my way over there for an early morning meeting with some buddies and it was ready a minute or two after I got there and prepared as requested. Used it again to order food to go at the end of the meeting; order was ready pretty quickly today and was accurate (and tasty - love those sous vide red pepper egg bites, although I wish they were as healthy as they sound from the name).

FYI for those using the app: Before I headed home, I tried to use the app to order a couple of edibles to go and my card was too low on funds. But the app wouldn't let me add more funds without entering my password directly. I couldn't remember it. So I opened up the browser on my phone, went to the Starbucks page from there, and reloaded easily from there. Why the app needed me to enter my password again when it was clearly available on my phone,...

20241127 This location has been remodeled and it actually smaller than before because they moved the wall that had the merchandise into the seating area. The patio area is nice, New furniture and lighting. 20221015 I see that Biden's inflation in my refreshers today. Lately, the baristas don't seem to top the cups like they used to, and there's less fruits in the drink. 20220717 it seems like a lot of the baristas at any of the Starbucks location do not know to give you credit, 10 cents saving, when you bring your own cup/mug/bottle to help save the environment by reducing waste. If you care about the 10 cents savings, please remind the barista. 20220510 @ 6:45... lobby not open ... waited in the drive thru... gave up then sawthe sign on the pick up windiw... it's not open!!! Please post signs on doors and order window!!! So annoying. Cars were in line with me. 20220402 oh my! The kale & mushrooms egg bites taste yummy with the Chinese hot chilly oil sauce I made 😋

Employees are very nice, polite and helpful. The pumpkin cream cheese Muffin is delicious! The drinks always tasted good. This location is pretty busy everytime I come here, especially the drive thru. When I placed a mobile, it seems like I often have to wait upon arrival because they are so busy. Today, I discovered that they started carrying local made cupcakes, and it's the sweet potato cupcakes today. I got one for my hairstylist, but haven't gotten a feedback on the cupcake...