Driftwood Coffee Co. — Restaurant in Peoria

If you look at my other reviews you will see that I’ve only given positive reviews. I hate to be negative so if you own this coffee shop please use my review as constructive criticism. I am a die hard Starbucks customer..you know exactly what to expect and they deliver at least 99% of the time. But I love to explore local shops and I had seen some buzz about Driftwood online and since we had an errand in Peoria we decided to try it. 1st Impression outside was meh. Nothing unique or special to make it stand out and inviting 1st impression inside: YIKES! it was dinghy and worn and dirty….not crumbs on the table dirty but walls, floors and tables were grimy. I’ve seen other review say it was cute but I didn’t see it. What I did see was no cohesive decor, half dead plants and worn out furniture. We had planned to drink our coffee in but I didn’t want to sit down anywhere. Ordering the drinks was easy enough, the barista was nice enough if not a little bored. We were the only ones getting coffee at the time but it took longer than necessary. It wasn’t hand pulled so not sure what the deal was. They gave me my breve latte in a paper cup without a lid. I asked where the lids were and the barista that made our drinks pointed them out right there on the counter where I picked up my drink. He didn’t offer to put one on for me or give me a have a nice day or even a smile. Then he gave me my Husbands iced americano which should look pretty dark instead it was very pale and watered down looking like weak coffee. My latte was luke warm. On top of all this both baristas were rubbing their hands through their hair. I find it interesting that the software they use to check out wants you to choose a tip (unfortunately Starbucks does it too now) but for what? Tips are for above and beyond customer service but they didn’t even meet low expectations. All in all I was very disappointed and...

I’m so sad to write this but something must be said. I was a regular when driftwood first opened (2016 I want to say?) because a close friend was a barista, and I stayed loyal even after that friend moved. Great coffee, great environment, amazing service. I moved away and stopped going, but have since been back in the area. I’ve given driftwood four visits over the last couple months, each visit worse than before, but this interaction I had today was the nail in the coffin. 3 baristas behind the counter, no one in front of us in line, and yet it took over 5 minutes before someone could take our order. I went purposely to see their new seasonal menu that’s been pushed on social media, but the menu wasn’t printed or even in their system yet. Our order was finally taken, and then we waited well over 15 minutes for our two drinks (again, there was no one in front of us). While waiting for our drinks, a group of workers came in obviously on their day off and went to go chat behind the counter with the working baristas. They got their coffees immediately while we still were waiting. I work at a coffee shop, and I genuinely believe I would get fired if I ever stopped making paying customers drinks to make some drinks for my friends first. I just couldn’t believe it. We weren’t in a hurry, but 20 minutes for two coffees??? Long story short, the service needs some serious, serious work. I’ve always loved the vibe of driftwood, and I will always prefer to support local shops, but not if I’m going to feel disrespected after paying $20 for two coffees. Please...

Updated review as of 9/2024 (last visit). Prior review was years ago and it was a 5 stars.

I am all about local and non-chains, and I think that's why I kept coming back... I was even happy they made it through the pandemic... I have been coming here since they opened in 2017? and it seriously has gone downhill.

The last 5+ visits this year, our orders have been messed up. Also, the coffee is barely warm! I like hot coffee, not scorching hot, but if I wanted room temp Latte, I'd make it myself. The espresso is weak, it's a premeasured machine, so I'm not sure why. Tastes watered down.

The service is lacking too. If you have 45+ minutes to wait, then go for it. The workers are high and can not get an order right (I could care less about them being high, as I enjoy it too, but I am able to function and work)!

They make my drink cold instead of hot, regular milk vs. oatmilk (that I paid extra for), asking me to repeat my order multiple times, etc. I've even tried ordering online (last visit), and it wasn't ready when it said it was going to be. The lady said they hadn't gotten to it, OK, more waiting, but then she went on to make 2 more orders of the people who ordered in the store?!?!

I've introduced this place to many friends & family and have given this place MANY (too many) opportunities... I used to love it, but I won't be coming back. It sucks cause I hate Starbucks, but I'll just drink regular coffee at home until another local...