Cuppa Manna — Restaurant in Summerville

As someone deeply steeped In the food community, who uplifts and supports local businesses it pains me to write this but feel it’s necessary. I am disturbed by an interaction at Summerville Cuppa Manna today. My 69yr old father is visiting me for the Holiday and LOVES his coffee. I took him there earlier this afternoon along with my husband because we were out shopping and he can’t go a few hours without a cup. I’ve been there twice before and loved it. We all ordered different types of coffee drinks and an avocado toast to share. Our cashier was absolutely lovely. My dad specifically asked for an iced triple espresso with 3 pumps of simple syrup in a large cup. He likes the extra ice and the way it tastes as it’s melting ( I know, don’t ask me, that’s just the way he likes it and has been his order for years). A manager over hears his order and says “ you want a latte?”. The cashier seemed puzzled, as were we and replied “NO, and repeated his order”. She was on point but the manager kept interrupting her while we were ordering with things irrelevant things which I believe led to some confusion. All seemed fine until 1. It didn’t have simply syrup in it at all which honestly, no big deal, easy fix. 2. It was in small cup - he asked for a larger cup so he could have extra ice. When he proceeded to tell them that he ordered extra ice and a larger cup a short woman approached him from behind the counter and said “ well you can’t have a larger cup, you’re going to steal half & half”. He laughed and playfully replied “ oh the girl at the register didn’t say anything. I’ve never been charged for extra ice but I’ll pay for it” which he did. She proceeded to do some “calculations” and charged him an additional $2.50 for a slightly larger cup and extra ice cubes. He paid and went outside to drink his coffee and wait for my husband and I . Shortly after he was approached by a man that told him he was the owner who stated “ the girls behind the counter told me what you said to them, don’t come back in my shop!” My father was dumbfounded, completely dumbfounded. We all were. He replied “ what did I say to them” the man didn’t respond and just walked away.

My elderly Dad had no problem with your manager butting in while he was ordering telling him he wanted a latte, and not an espresso. Constantly distracting the cashier. *Stuff happens! No issue with your barista forgetting to put simple syrup in his drink. *Stuff happens! No issue with being accused that he was trying to steal half & half. * He has thick skin and laughed it off No problem paying $2.50 for extra ice and a slightly larger cup * He understands the operating costs of a business.

But has a huge issue with you telling him not to return to your business because of a communication issue on YOUR end. Your manager distracted the cashier and perhaps didn’t originally charge him appropriately for his extra ice. You know frozen water.

He enjoyed your espresso but he will oblige. Rest assured, my Dad won’t step foot in your business again. We will all go where paying customers are valued and treated with respect, especially our elders....

Where do I start?

I have been here 3 times total but will not be returning after my last experience..

When I walked in to order, there was one group in front of me finishing up. When they stepped aside, there was a young man behind the counter that was continuing to write on a pad of paper. I didn’t step forward because he seemed busy and I didn’t want to assume he was ready for me. He would glance up occasionally but not directly at me, and mind you, had also not said a word the entire time. After a few minutes of this, a woman and her daughter walk up behind me. The woman asked me if I had ordered yet, to which I said no, and finally the boy behind the counter speaks and says “well I can take you because she isn’t ready yet”…ummm wait what?? He hadn’t even acknowledged my existence (no hi, no one minute, no what can I get for you?, even an are you ready?) NOTHING and then almost took the lady behind me. I told him I was ready, and I had been waiting because he hadn’t said anything to me, to which he again had no reply. Jesus emphasized the importance of not ignoring others, especially those in need. One significant teaching related to this is found in Matthew 25:40 where Jesus says “truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” - this passage underscores the idea that helping/ignoring others is directly related to one’s relationship with God. Having said that, this boy’s relationship with God truly needs some work. Coming from a “Christian” coffee shop, one would think the employees would inflect compassion and empathy for others like it said in the good book. There is a difference between real Christians and fake Christians, I will let you go there and decide.

On another note - my order wasn’t even correct. I asked for popping cherry boba and tapioca and they did not include tapioca.

I also saw one of the employees wrapping their “fresh baked goods” in plastic directly out of a BJ’s/Costco box..take with that...

This was supposed to be my happy place , today they made me sad. I’ve been having a really rough week and this trip was to take a break from life and to relax. That wasn’t the case today. I spent $20 including tip and left with a cup of coffee and hungry. I ordered an egg salad sandwich with cheese, I told the girl I don’t have my glasses, I’m almost 60 and couldn’t see those very tiny letters. So I didn’t see the tiny letters that said it came with bacon. I’m a vegetarian. They said they couldn’t remake it for me but offered me to pay for the sandwich again and give me a discount. Or to just take the bacon off, I explained that I’m allergic to pork & that wouldn’t work for me. I politely said no thank you and left with my $20 cup of coffee. I work at a restaurant, I comp food all the time when a guest isn’t happy. But I guess this isn’t the case at other restaurants. Yes it was my fault for not seeing the tiny letters but better service would have been to be more gracious and offer my money back or to remake the sandwich. I even offered to pay a bit more but to pay $30 for a small croissant sandwich and a coffee is just not worth it to me. Not happy today. Felt like just another number. 😭😒😩 And I’ve never heard of an egg salad sandwich even coming with bacon! Anyway, they ruined what was supposed to be a relaxed morning by being greedy for money instead of providing great service. A supposed Mom pop shop with a corporate mentality who just lost a customer who spends good money. Good luck! Note: the picture here is enlarged. It’s actually far from the counter where you order. You literally have to squint to see...