Starbucks — Restaurant in Santa Barbara

Such a bummer every time I chose this Starbucks over the one literally across the street at La Cumbre plaza (5 out of 5 stars on that Starbucks and the whole crew there). I am just now deciding to write a review after consistently awful experiences at this location. And to premise, the only reason I came here was because I have a lot of work to do on my laptop and there is more space here to take my things out.

Came in for a flat white, was charged almost an extra dollar just to accommodate dietary restrictions. Decided against it since no other baristas ever charge extra to make a drink non-lactose… avoided an argument when asking politely why it’s different now than all the other times. The response was that “everyone else must not be doing things the way they’re supposed to” or something to that effect,

I chose a new drink to avoid all problems and confrontation and landed on a blonde roast (in the afternoon it’s not ready so that means waiting for a pour-over which is absolutely no problem for me)…

… in less than 3 minutes, the drink was ready (weird because pour-overs take 5-10 mins minimum…).

When I took the first sip of the drink, it tasted like hot water with cream. Awkwardly, considering the first interaction with the barista serving me (Isabelle) was super weird and I had to navigate the interaction carefully to avoid problems… I shared that the drink was totally awful and that I’d like a refund. Her tone changed from the first two interactions and she made a statement that she’d put the creamer on the side so I could “control” the outcome but, the issue was with the coffee which was thinner than a cup of decaf.

At all costs, avoid this Starbucks and go right across the street (less than .1 miles away) !!!! They are friendly to everyone (not just regulars) and it seems like they are happy to accommodate.

Total bummer. Also, as I write this, I am listening to the baristas gossip loudly about what they think of other people. I am now packing up my laptop and heading across the street to the...

Re:3957 State Street location Just another corporate caffeine hole, with weird seating. No tables, but plenty of chairs — that all face the same direction ...🧐?🤔 ! Super strange. BUT ... and this is major—the seats have outlets!!!

Holy cow, a Starbucks with outlets. So rare, I hardly go to Starbucks for this reason.

Laptop batteries get old. And if you're a passionate writer, visual artist, blogger, or podcaster, or even a student with noisy roommates - we all need to get out for a cuppa, and to plug in after the old laptop battery drizzles away. Mine tanks after an hour. And when I'm traveling I need to stop for coffee ... It drives me full on barmy when there's nothing but useless Starbucks around, with dumb hours, open when I'm sleeping, and closing before sunset. As I said, most Starbucks have gone downhill.

But not this nice little Starbucks tucked away in a shopping center with plenty of parking, nice barristas, and for the love of a great creative session... the working outlets. And they stay open somewhat later than bedtime for butterflies‐9pm most nights.

Glory hallelujah. An almost real coffee shop floats in Santa Barbara above a sea of vacuous corporate inanity that has pockmarked the coffee brewing landscape with cookie cutter nothing burgers that pose for legit coffee...

Starbucks has great people working in Santa Barbara Community.

Great management and great barristas are more than happy to serve customers.

Often Starbucks employees must deal with difficult clients in the Santa Barbara Community.

Starbucks employees do this with the greatest care and patience. This is a very stressful part of the business and Starbucks associates deserve recognition for the professional way they deal with problematic clients.

Always have been impressed with Starbucks employees.

Many are Students! It is a wonder Starbucks employees are able to work the shifts they are employed.

Starbucks also deserves recognition for the service performed for the homeless Seniors, Disabled, and Working Poor!

Providing shelter for people who have no where to go because they are not substance abusers or trouble makers.

Providing shelter for people whose rents have doubled, tripled beyond their ability to pay.

Starbucks definitely deserves recognition for this service to the Santa...