Starbucks — Restaurant in Scotts Valley

I used to love grabbing a grande Oatmilk Shaken Espresso from this Starbucks. It was consistently served in a 16 oz plastic cup, packed with ice (per the recipe), and it has always tasted great. I was totally on board when they started switching to paper cups in an effort to be more environmentally friendly. No complaints there. However, in the past few visits, I’ve been served this same grande drink in a venti paper cup, packed to the brim with ice. This may seem like a small change, but it completely throws off the drink balance. The portion of espresso and oat milk is still the same, but the extra volume from the larger cup and excessive ice just waters it down. What I got both times was a bland, diluted mess, not the bold, balanced drink I used to look forward to. For comparison, I recently visited a Starbucks in Las Vegas where I was served the same drink in a proper grande plastic cup which tasted amazing. That made me realize how far off the mark my local stores in Scotts Valley have gotten. Starbucks is a global brand, and consistency should be a core part of the experience, no matter what city you’re in. No one should be paying $7 for a watery, botched drink that barely resembles what it’s supposed to be. As a former barista myself, I care about how espresso drinks are crafted and this just isn't it. I even bought my own espresso machine about a year ago, but still made the occasional Starbucks run when I was in a rush. After this, I just don't want to come back anymore. Do better, Starbucks. Your loyal...

Remodeled and clean, but not satisfied. This location seems to not get it not right on most all of my past visits. So, I thought I'd give it another try since it's been a while. Not a good idea really. I ordered a Grande Green Tea Latte that was half foam. Literally! It totally lacked tea. And, a Grande Pistachio Latte that was nasty! Very bitter. Staff asked to heat more milk for the Green Tea Latte, which was excepted, although the drink itself was bitter. I was asked if I had a favorite drink that they could make for me. I said yes and requested a Grande White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha. Well, the gal said, "I'm sorry, but we don't have any Peppermint. It's out for the Season. " Great! She offered to make without, but it really does make the drink lovely, so I said no thank you. At this point, I was unhappy. I requested a refund for my drink and asked for a hot water to go. I then went straight over to Scotts Valley drive-through Starbucks, where I got a Grande White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha.

On another note, I've noticed that not ALL Starbucks are practicing Covid-19 sanitary cleanliness. They took my cups that were drank from and then handed them back. This act is how Covid-19 and etc. can spread. There was NO hand washing AT ALL after...

I had to do a review because of these new flat lids that starbucks designated for hot coffees. Wow what a mistake that is, because it makes it harder to drink while hot. Now it's a mouth burner. You can't drink it hot, you'll have to wait for it to cool down, or you'll hurt yourself.

I'm pretty shocked this made it through all their testing, this lid makes drinking hot coffees next to impossible now.

On the other hand today I noticed they also have new paper lids that are "raised" in height above the coffee.

I am assuming this is to make more room for ice.

But this lid for ice drinks, should be on all drinks, not only for iced drinks.

It should only be for hot drinks if you had to choose. This is ridiculous to me that this is the decision made.through their corporate offices. It's a terrible new system for lids, in my...