The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf — Restaurant in Palmdale

I’ve been sitting on writing this review for a few months. I use to be a barista, so I understand what these guys go through regularly. Please take what I say with a grain of salt because I just want to be as honest and transparent as I possibly can. Coffee bean has been a safer coffee choice for my husband and I. We don’t go to Starbucks, we’ve tried the smaller coffee houses in town, and we’ve even gone to Dutch Bros. Coffee bean was just always better . Over the last year or so we have experienced some negative experiences with customer service, even from the store manager whom we always greet politely but he just always seems to be in some kind of mood. We took a long break from coming here for that reason. About a week ago I made the decision to come back because I checked my account and had a free drink. I just finished my semester and felt like having a treat. I went and ordered a drink for myself and my husband. A cold brew ice blended and an iced matcha latte. They had new baristas on the bar, no problem. Eventually when it came to the 20 minute mark I was starting to grow a little impatient just. But there were many other customers in the lobby experiencing the same thing. Some may have been waiting longer than me. I’m not sure what exactly happened and I am sympathetic to what they were going through, but it just mostly seemed like the baristas making the drinks were disorganized and without support. They lost many drinks, were not keeping track of what they put out. One of them even threw my drink away because a lady with the same name as mine thought it was hers and told the barista it was wrong. I had to go to the shift lead and let her know otherwise I probably would’ve waited longer. Even still, I waited about an extra 10 minutes for my second drink. In conclusion I waited nearly 40 minutes for 2 drinks, which feels like insanity but I chose it. A few days later, I returned, telling myself that they were just having a bad day. I walked in to a calmer store and happier baristas and it made me feel silly for ever feeling so upset. The visit after that one was also pleasant. I was slowly starting to have faith in coffee bean again, but today honestly just sealed the deal for me. Today, we decided to place a mobile order, thinking it would be better. Again, two easy drinks, no special instructions except light ice and whipped cream. I wish I had taken a picture of my drink because it was honestly just the most blatant carelessness. It was an ice blended cold brew. The barista spilled half of it in the counter, and instead of starting the drink over again, she added to what was in the blende. It tasted like a melted iced coffee that had so much ice that it was more water than coffee. I didn’t want to go back in after getting the drink because I was trying to lead with understanding, but they were not even busy for her to not have taken the time to make a quality beverage. My husband went back in and fixed it for me but the problem then became that the drink he had ordered with light ice was actually packed to the lid with ice and we just decided it wasn’t worth the trouble to keep coming back here if even clear instructions do not matter. We are not difficult people, we don’t like making a fuss, but I’m just very over it. I hope that Michael eventually teaches his baristas the importance of customer service and beverage standards. These drinks are not cheap, and to hand money over to people who do not care is very disheartening. We will be saving coffee dates for when we go to LA, and investing more in coffee at home. There are no good coffee places in the AV, but I hope that...

I've gone to Coffee bean off and on ever since I moved here 8 years ago. When I first started going the barista were pleasant and there was one in particular who always had something nice to say and was very accomodating and thorough at her job.

Over the years I've noticed a decline in the quality of customer services and I haven't seen the nice barista mentioned above for a while. There are a few baristas; one in particular, who always has a scowl on her face and acts like she's doing the customer a great favor. She is very resentful if a customer needs a special order like I always do as I cannot have sugar or dairy due to health conditions.

I've stayed away for months before due to this rudeness. Today, for the first time in a while I decided to give them a try again. I was in a good mood when I first went there but left feeling really rotten. There was a newer barrista who was okay at first even though I was the more friendly one in manner. She acted snide when I couldn't recall the name of something. The other rude barista was her usual cantakerous self.

Needless to say I will be avoiding going back there once again for a while hoping that the place straightens out it's act. Their tea is fine but my order has been wrong several times. I usually don't say anything because I hate for anything to be wasted. I had to one time because I was given a sweetened tea when I asked for a plain hot Earl Grey. The nice barrister was working there at the time and she was very sweet and apologetic, even asking me if it was okay when they remade it.

Otherwise, they are all apparenlty too busy socializing among themselves to care about good customer service. I'm surprised they don't get more bad reviews than they do but I see several that complain of basically the same thing I am. I get the impression that no one is overseeing the place for quality of customer service...

I have been looking for a coffee shop where I can study for the MCAT (medical school entrance exam). I decided to come to the coffee bean to try to get work done, and aside from the usual guest who are coming in to get their coffee and escape the heat, the supervisor at this store decided to come sit at the same table to chat with his colleague (or perhaps owner) while I was trying to study. Only the female individual who was chatting with him kept a low enough voice to where I could still read and focus (she could tell I was trying to study or perhaps she had more etiquette when you see someone studying/reading), he on the other hand was inconsiderate while I tried to do my work. What kind of supervisor is inconsiderate of someone trying to read. You'd think a supervisor would be more professional or considerate of their customers. He could improve on his customer service.

As a prospective physician, finding a good coffee shop is essential, especially when we are studying all the time and looking for a great studying atmosphere and a place to spend a lot of money on caffeine.

Thankful for the...