Lula Coffee Co — Restaurant in Seattle

I found this place a few months ago and right away made it my go-to. I like the drinks - a nice mix of interesting flavor profiles. I really like that you can drive through OR sit inside and the inside space has the basics of what you need to sit and work or meet a friend. Unfortunately though I’ve had way too many unpleasant experiences with the staff. They have been so standoffish and rude to me, on multiple occasions, and by multiple staff members, I just don’t go anymore. I brought a friend to show Lula’s to them and they ordered a drink that is apparently iced by default but the menu doesn’t say that. It was windy and raining sideways so clearly we should have been asked if we wanted it iced or hot, or the default should have been hot. That’s a basic mistake (though why doesn’t it say “comes iced” on the menu?) but the staff was so rude about it and the whole thing went on so long and we were made to feel so stupid, I felt horrible and bought my friend lunch to make up for it. A similar thing happened bringing my cousin by Lula’s, which I thought would be a fun experience since the drinks are interesting, but again we ended up in a drawn out situation with the staff and being made to feel like idiots. After I had other rough experiences, with all different baristas, a friend said “why do you go there at all? They are nasty so much of the time,” I realized they were right. I have had too many negative experiences, even to the point I ordered a drink the way I wanted it (now that I know I need to ask for it to be hot, etc.) the barista argued with me about “how it’s supposed to be” and I said that I order this same drink a lot and its never been a problem, and she made it the way she wanted anyhow. I didn’t know she had done that until I had driven away so was stuck with a drink that wasn’t what I wanted, but cost almost $8. What kind of server/barista would straight ignore a customer’s specific order and just make it how they want to? Especially after a conversation about it? I go out for coffee a lot, I work in the coffee industry and am super polite because I know customers can be fatiguing, and was excited to have this place as a regular go-to. But they need to teach their staff not to be so nasty to customers. If it had been a one time thing, no big deal, but antagonistic behavior from staff is habitual with this place. If I can’t get a drink how I want it, and on top of that, have to face the roulette of which mood the staff will be in that day and how bad I might be made to feel,...

Things I liked about this coffee shop include: the drive-through, the descriptions of the drinks, the decor, the atmosphere, the location and parking options, and the cleanliness.

This is definitely a Instagram worthy type of coffee shop for the creative type. I really appreciate it the time and effort and energy they spent into making the atmosphere what it is.

Some constructive critique, however includes… The amount of time that it took to get out to drink order was wildly slow.

Unpleased with the training of employee at cash register, she took the order, and then minutes later, told us that one of the drinks isn’t possible to be made warm. And didn’t have any sort of replacement suggestion, not to mention the price difference if I ordered something else.

In addition to this, it was a hindrance to not know what anything costs on the menu, because none of the items have a price by them, or anywhere near that you can look at. Meaning that the only thing to do, is ask the price once you’re at the register… For me, this is problematic because the price of items helps me to decide what I may or may not get. I really hope they add prices to their menu in the future.

Overall, did the drink taste good? Yes. Was it a experience that was a good experience to visit the shop? No… And I probably wouldn’t make the effort to come back unless I was already...

Lula's in Sodo gets 2 stars Lula's in West Seattle gets 1 star

Lula in Sodo has more sugar-free options for drinks than their WS location.

Their coffee sometimes tastes like a burnt espresso shot. Hit/ Miss experience.

Their sausage breakfast sandwich is delicious when heated through. I have driven off and had to pull a Uturn due to the cold center of sandwiches twice. They're in the process of getting a new oven 👍🏻

Now for the low rating - on my most recent visit, I came back in with a breakfast sandwich that I had eaten out of before realizing it was cold. The associate began walking the sandwich to the oven to reheat, the same oven that everyone else's untouched food goes into. She picked up the tongs, and there was no garbage around her.(No intent to throw it away). She had ever intent to reheat my food and cross contaminate everyone else's. I raised my voice to get her attention, saying, "Hey, I've eaten out of that. You can not put it back in the oven with the food of other customers. " She got upset and said I had an attitude and could be more respectful. Sure. I apologized. She confirmed that my perception of the situation was correct and she had become overwhelmed. Understood.

1 extra star because she apologized and comped my order.

I will not be back. Too much 8am...