Rose Cafe & Donuts — Restaurant in San Clemente

This has been a favorite spot of mine for several years. In addition to donuts, they also prepare food. Everything looks good. I personally have always ordered the same thing and not yet ventured out to try the other menu items - a warmed croissant and large iced chai tea latte. Its been great every time, and the service is usually great also. Staff was always friendly and helpful.

However, today's visit was very different. When I asked for light ice on my iced chai tea, the woman filled the cup halfway with ice. When I reminded her that I wanted light ice, she said, this is light ice. If half a cup of ice is "light" are they now normally filling drinks to the brim with ice so you only get 1 sip of an actual drink? I told her, I,m sorry but thats too much ice. Her response was "well I already poured it". This was a shocking response. As if I should accept my drink wrong just because she failed to listen initially and made a mistake. She acted inconvenienced to fix it - as if she forgot that paying customers are the reason she has a job.

I also asked for no whip cream, but I still wanted the sprinkle on top that they usually put on (I believe its cinnamon). She claimed they never sprinkle anything on top and questioned if I was confusing their restaurant with another, as if I dont know where I usually go. Strike two. I asked if she could please just add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top and again she acted very annoyed with me.

I myself work in customer service and have done so for 24 years now. Of course nobody wants to go to work, but you slap a smile on your face and be friendly and helpful anyway. Fake it till you make it. I was really disappointed that this employee didnt understand the basics of customer service. Example: oh no problem. I would be happy to make that drink with light ice and a dash of cinnamon. Is there anything else we can get for you today? Thanks for stopping in. See you next time.

Customer service really isn't difficult if you are willing to just put in some effort. Hopefully they can improve on that with this employee, because I really do like coming here usually. I would hate to have to find a new place to go instead. But who wants to come in and be made to feel like an...

I was already in the mood for some donuts and was shopping in the center when I noticed the line for Rose Donuts & Cafe. I figured they had to be good for a line like that. While waiting in line I soon realized it was more because even with 2 cash register they were incredibly inefficient at getting the customers order and then their donuts. I had plenty of time to pick out my order from line, noticing that the little signs in their donut case named the types differently than I'd seen before. Upon ordering I used the names on the signs and the clerk had no idea what kind of donuts I was asking for. In the end the maple bacon donut was good, the maple buttermilk bar (I'd asked for the glazed buttermilk bar but it took so long to figure out the general idea that I just said ok) was ordinary, and the Jelly filled donut (I'd asked for a custard filled and was told it was a custard filled) wasn't good as the jelly was thick, clumpy, and overly sweet even for jelly filled...

I don’t know why it took us almost 4 years to come here but it’s no wonder the locals love this place. Now, us too.

We were greeted by one of our favorite employees. OHe’s so genuine and so good to not only us, but all the other customers as well.

They have such a variety on their menu. The prices aren’t sky rocketed like most places have become. Our breakfast burrito was so huge we could only eat half of it. We already are looking forward to the leftovers. My husband got the supreme and I got the club. It was just absolutely delicious.

The establishment itself is so clean. You can see all the way back to the kitchen. An employee was cleaning off the glass when we arrived and straightening off the condiment area.

They have limited seating out front. In the winter months, here in SC, be sure to bring a sweater as the area is quite shaded.

I can’t wait to come back and I can’t wait for you to try it...