Happy Lemon South Lake Union — Restaurant in Seattle

Horrible first experience! It was my first time last night ever getting something from Happy Lemon; I’m on a short vacation and as a last stop for the night my sister and I decided to grab some for me to try for the first time. The staff taking our order was friendly and patient in letting us take our time to place an order. There were 3 workers at the time. There weren’t anyone before or behind us in line; there were however others already sitting around. We placed our order—which were both COLD drinks—and waited by one wall; that wait was way longer than we’ve ever imagined. We stood there for quite some time; that’s when finally some orders where called and of course we didn’t mind after finding out that we weren’t the only order waiting. It was over 20 minutes and it didn’t reach out number yet. After a couple more minutes we heard our number and went over to the counter to pick them up. I even asked the staff if she had call our number and she said that she did. However, as I was confused on which one it was because there were 6 drinks on the counter and a waffle. That’s when I quickly looked at the drinks and noticed the order numbers. Our number was not on any of them. Many other customers came over and searched for their orders as well. We scooted out of the way, but by this time the place was quite packed. I stood there waiting for our number to be called as it actually had not gotten to our number, based on the drinks that were placed on the counter top there. A few more minutes passed and I just watch the long line of cups placed on their counter waiting to be completed; there were more than 10 cups lined up back to back. After some time it was getting close to our number. I saw one of the female staff placing a drink below the pick up counter that was above the waffle making station at some point. It was there for as long as I waited. Then suddenly I hear the order number placed after ours being called and was taken aback as the guy who ordered after us got his drink first. That’s when I decided to just go up and ask the girl who took our order to please check if our drinks were still coming. If it wasn’t I was about to just get a refund and leave because it was getting ridiculous. That’s when she checked the long line of drinks at the back counter and grabbed one of them and searched for the other drink, which turned out to be the one that was out under the pick up counter this entire time. She just hands them to me without even apologizing; not even for the slow service. Remind you I’ve been waiting for over 25 minutes; I know they know we’ve been standing there for like ever. We left and when I took a sip of my drink which was the one on the back counter, it was close to warm temperatures and so was my sister’s, the one under the pick up counter. From where I’m from, the staffs are quick and it never took more than 3-5 minutes for this similar type of drinks even if there were other orders in front of mine and with only 2-3 staffs as well. Honestly, it was a horrible first experience at Happy Lemon and it’s definitely my last; the drink wasn’t as good as it looked too. I think a small apology would’ve helped them a long ways if they’re going to take on that many orders and just have them line up in the back for a long time whilst customers waited patiently for over 20+ minutes. It seemed as if they didn’t know what they were doing or were just taking their sweet time because the male staff takes a long time just...

Employee A gave my order to a different customer 15 minutes before I arrived at the Happy Lemon SLU, because Employee A did not check the receipt. My order was a pick-up order. Totally forgivable. I have a common name.

However...

Employee B refused to re-make my order (different employee from above), and insisted I wait an additional 15 minutes for the other customer to return with the drinks. Employee B had a dismissive attitude - she was so rude. Management, why is this acceptable behavior? You approve of drinks being in a different customer's possession?

Finally, after about the 6th time, I got Employee B to re-make my drinks. And about a minute after she agreed to, the other customer walked in... and Employee B said "Oh, look see! It still has ice. You can still have it." Yeah, no more Happy Lemon SLU for me. Your staff simply does not take customer safety seriously.

The kicker...

Here's what Employee B with the poor attitude costs you, Happy Lemon SLU management:

From Nov 16, 2020 to June 20, 2021, I've placed 57 DoorDash orders to this Happy Lemon SLU location. Which is 57 times in 7 months This equals roughly 2 orders every week I spent $3,300 on Happy Lemon SLU DoorDash orders during that 7-month period (includes tips, fees, etc). So, whatever your Happy Lemon SLU margin on that is...

There are plenty of other boba places nearby in Seattle. To any customers reading, Happy Lemon SLU does indeed make great drinks. And my experience has overwhelmingly been good, as I've consistently rated them 5 stars.

But all it takes is 1 bad experience with 1 employee.

DIY Tea Lab in Fremont is excellent, and I've made the switch to them...

This place has been one of my favorite place until today on April 10th. I had the worse costumer service. Honestly I’m so sad and disappointed since the taste is so good. I showed exactly what I want with picture and exactly name of order but they did mistake and they put Oreo to my milk tea with no boba. I ordered 2 drinks so it was packed by paper so I brought it to all the way home. And when I tried to opened it I did realize it is not the milk tea I ordered. I went to back happy lemon all the way from home and when I talked to them, they even did not say one words for “sorry” or anything. And even Covid no body wants the drinks back someone already touch, but she was like “ I’ll take it “ and I returned the mistake drinks and the two employed who took my order never apologized. I’ve had similar situation at boba other stores before but they usually apologize or let me take the mistake drink with me too. But they didn’t do anything for me. At least I wanted the employees to say one word “sorry”. Everyone makes mistake so it’s very important for back up how they talk. even the quality of boba is good, when people get poor costumer service they will no longer favorite anymore. After this service, happy lemon is no longer my favorite place anymore. I’ve been working all of my life for hospitality and this is something they...