Starbucks — Restaurant in Rapid City

Dear Starbucks,

We need to talk.

You know what you are. You wear that green apron like a velvet rope between me and my savings account. You smile sweetly from every street corner with your fairyland lighting and indie playlist, acting like you're just a casual coffee shop. But we both know what this is: emotional manipulation with oat milk foam.

I don’t even like you half the time. I walk in, telling myself, “Just a black coffee today.” But you—YOU—look me in the eyes and whisper, “Salted caramel cold foam, maybe? Pumpkin cream? A frappuccino made entirely of regret and melted ambition?”

And suddenly I’m paying $7.85 for a beverage that tastes like a cinnamon roll went to private school.

You're not a drink. You're a lifestyle choice I can't afford.

You pretend you’re helping me—offering “rewards” and “stars” like some caffeinated casino. And I fall for it. I chase those stars like a caffeine-addicted Gollum: “My precious… free drink after 400 dollars of spending…”

And don’t even get me started on the seasonal drinks. You KNOW what you’re doing with that peppermint mocha. You KNOW how emotionally unstable I am in November. And yet there you are, with your red cups and false promises.

But the worst part? You make me feel seen. You write my name (often wrong), you spell my trauma in espresso, you give me five minutes of peace where no one is asking me for anything but whether I want whip. And yeah… I do want whip.

So here we are again. I swore I’d stop. I even bought a reusable cup. I made cold brew at home for a week. But this morning? I walked in and ordered a Venti emotional crutch with extra syrup and didn’t even blink.

Because I don’t need therapy. I need a barista who pretends to care and a $6 hug in a cup.

Yours until my card declines, A girl who knows better but...

I get a coffee at this location every morning for idk how long… especially the last year because of the order ahead. This morning, for the 5th or 6th time, i order ahead, pull in and my drink is sitting on the counter but doors arent open. I knock, and multiple employees look but no one comes to open the door. I had to stand outside in the cold for close to 8 minutes before finally someone let me in, and then she was rude about it. Like sorry you have to do your job? I dont like my job either somedays. Just completely rude that multiple staff saw i was outside and you can see my drink on the counter and they just didnt wanna open. 6:30 am. Also only one car was in drive through when i first arrived so its not like it was slammed busy. Just frustrating how many times this has happened. Especially because i literally order here daily...

Very disappointed! I order the pink drink nearly every day (my pregnancy craving) lol. Every starbucks has had amazing customer service. I look forward to my daily visit!

However, this was my first time at THIS location.. I asked if she could make the orange drink, she had no clue. So I ordered my usual pink drink. She asked if I see it available on the menu!? 😲 I said, no. It was a secret menu item. She then told me they have nothing to do with the secret menu. I was a bit taken back at this point. I gave her the ingredients after arguing about it. When I went to pay she informed me they have no idea of the secret menu and they didn't know about this drink. I told her it's something I order on a daily and this was the only location that had never heard of this drink... Odd! At this point I felt stupid and I probably...