Starbucks — Restaurant in Portland

Avoid this location!

Update: Removed a star, bringing it down to one. I had decided I'd give this location a few more tries. It is the most convenient location for me so I was hoping my previous experiences were a fluke. Let me tell you they were not. Since writing my review I visited this location twice more. First visit was ok. They didn't add the extras to my drink that I'd asked for, but corrected it with zero issue when asked. Today on the other hand will be the last time I visit this location. After ordering my drink in the drive thru, I asked the order taker to repeat it back to me, VERY politely explaining I've had some issues with drink accuracy here. This apparently was a mistake. My order (just the one drink) was read back to me in a very hostile tone and so fast that I could barely catch what they said. I shrugged it off and waited in line. Got to the window, paid and recieved my drink. I took a quick glance at the sticker on the cup and noticed they had gotten it wrong yet again. But I still kept an open mind and asked if maybe the sticker was just wrong and the drink was made correctly, as there was whipped cream on top like I had asked for. After taking my drink from me and taking off the lid, it was handed back to me saying that yes that was what had happened. Rudely. I was handed back my drink with no lid. I had to ask to get it back which was met with a sigh. Again fine, whatever, maybe this person was having a bad day. So then I get back on the road and finally try my drink. Absolutely disgusting. I don't know what was wrong with this drink but it had a taste to it that I can only describe as soap. Now I'm NOT saying they intentionally tampered with the drink, but something was definitely wrong with it. In addition to the off taste it was also was not made how I'd asked. That was the last straw for me. At this point I didn't want even bother going back. I poured the drink out and then drove to the next Starbucks about a mile away, ordered the identical drink, and it was made correctly the first time. Zero issues. Zero hassle. Like every other Starbucks I have visited except for the one in this review. While this wasn't a nightmare of an experience or anything, it was uncomfortable and disappointing, as well as a complete waste of my time and 5 bucks. Not what I'd expect when visiting a location of such a strongly branded company.

I usually don't bother writing reviews, but my experiences here have been bad enough that I hope I can save at least one person the hassle of this location or someone from Starbucks reads this and looks into just what is going on here. I enjoy Starbucks and my issues at this one store won't stop me from giving them my business, I'm just never returning to this particular location.

Original review- I enjoy Starbucks. I go there 1-2 times a week as a kind of treat to myself, I usually just drink regular black coffee at home or work. I've been to many of their different locations and its generally a pretty uniform experience. This specific location however has an insanely difficult time getting my drink correct. Approximately 8 out of 10 visits I have had to go back through and have it corrected. It's not a very difficult drink, I just ask that they add whip cream and extra caramel on the top. That is all. Most times they will just apologize and add what they have forgotten. Which is fine. Inconvenient and frustrating, but fine. Other times I've been told "the whip cream just melted". Yes I know this happens fairly quickly on a hot drink, but I can also tell the difference between just foam and melted whip cream. Don't compound the mistake by making excuses. I leave two stars as the employees are generally friendly and apologetic when fixing my drink, but can not rate this location any higher due to the constant...

This Starbucks is one of the top three Starbucks in Oregon. It's a drive through and open window with outside sitting. These guys works so fast its unbelievable how well they make your drinks when put in such a fast pace. I go everyday and there is never even one minute that goes by where they even have the time to even relax. If it made any difference I would even go as far as calling the main Seattle branch just so they know how incredibly efficient and fast while making the perfect cup of coffee and even remembering my driver and my coffee by heart after just a couple of times going there which Is why I will go 20 mile round trip daily, and I do, to get my coffee at this drive through/open window Starbucks that does even more business than pioneer square and they do it clearing ten cars in 8 minutes type of speed. Never heard one complaint from anyone outside I have talked with while there and I waited a year before posting this because I rarely write about any place I go but this Starbucks and the employees especially are by far the best team and individual workers I have ever dealt with and I live in downtown where there is a Starbucks on almost every block and not one of the over 25 Starbucks downtown comes close to how good my coffee is comparatively, and I drink the exact same cup of coffee in the same way every cup I order. Was one of the very first gold status customers and have drank that same drink since I was a kid. So I know a perfect cup or a cup that tastes so good, you just have to give a pat on the back. Every cup of coffee I get is that good and my drivers is perfect. If your driving on division and are anywhere close to this starbucks try it once and you will be amazed at how good your coffee tastes after being use to regular grade coffee it's amazing the difference even though Starbucks is everywhere and has gotten maxed on how well the employees treat there customers and there are a huge amount of Starbucks that they have now understaffed but adding more Starbucks just the same on top of raising already rediculous prices for what is now an ordinary place to get coffee at most Starbucks. That's why I totally want whoever does quality control or just making sure quality and superb taste go with buying a cup of Starbucks. Now it's understaffed, raised cost, not very good tasting, especially if you look like me, very poor people skills at many downtown Starbucks after living downtown for the last 20 years.The Starbucks drive through on upper SE Division is by far the best cup of coffee your going to get in Oregon if your as picky as me since we pay over 2 dollars for any cup of coffee and it should be perfect every time, not every 7th cup of coffee gets the attention of being made the way the customer actually likes it rather than what he or she is willing to drink rather than ask for it to be corrected. Hope somebody...

This locations consistently makes my orders wrong. When I went to the store today to have my wrongly made drinks remade. The person named "Alexa" apologized and said people make mistakes, which of course they do! I let her know that over half my orders are wrong and I had called almost a month ago to figure out a resolution to this issue and was told I'd be getting a call back from the store manager named Cole but never got a call. She said they are told to tell customer this and that managers are too busy to call customers. I asked why I was told he would call when he can't call me and she said "Sometimes we lie to customers" This is absurd! I have a simple request. Make my order right. Isn't that what every person ordering from a restaurant type establishment wants? I don't think it's too much to ask. I asked to speak with someone above her and she told me that they don't have a manager and there is no one else to talk to. I asked for the phone number of the regional manager and she refused to give me contact information for anyone above her. I asked her why she was being so mean and she said "This isn't me being mean." I've been coming to this location for 8 years since I moved to this neighborhood and I used to love it. Back when Lissa and Elaine were there. I never had any issues and they were phenomenal people and employees. Based on my recent experience with this store the only decent employee they have is JP. He's amazing! I just don't understand why this issue became negatively escalated by this emoyee, all because I just want my drinks made right. Maybe they aren't trained properly? Who knows. Alexa told me I should stop visiting/ordering from that location since they can't get my drinks right. How is this my fault?!? Corporate has been called and Starbucks lost a customer. Sad cause they are my fav coffee shop.

Update: after contacting corporate like I was told to do by the reply to this review I have yet to still hear anything back. Surprised? Who ever runs this location is...