Starbucks

The staff here is great and they always make our drinks right (which is worth noting, as there are some in the vicinity that do not). The only annoyance here is that it often has a very long drive-​thru line, which they really can’t be blamed for. If you see a line at the drive-​thru, go inside; it’s likely only going to take as long or longer than it looks. Otherwise, this location has it all!

Reviewing a Starbucks seems absolutely ridiculous. However, when the Barista frightens the crap out of you, and you are so grossed out that not only can one not drink the coffee but has to douse the self in Purell, a review is warranted.
I was attending the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with a friend who had a film debuting. Since we were both heading to our parents’ homes for the High Holidays, we decided to drive. My friend was heading to Scarsdale, I was going home to Great Neck.
It was about 12:30 pm on Sunday September 13, 2015. We had pulled off I-​87 North at exit 6, I think it’s exit 6, it is for Routes 2 and 7. There is a drive thru Starbucks to the right of the exit on Troy-​Schenectady Road.
As we turned left into the Starbucks, everything seemed normal. There was clearly no way for us to know what impending creature might be lurking at the drive thru window. If this was a movie, the screen writer would have inserted some ominous music and probably had the sky dim, a sign from nature that doom was approaching.
I placed the order at the drive thru speaker and moved slowly toward the window.
I was greeted at the window by a mousy brunette wearing an apron with a name tag that read «Katie.» We exchanged pleasantries as I passed my iPhone over for her to scan the app to complete the purchase. At this point I only noticed a horrible black tattoo on her arm. She handed me my friend’s extra shot, dry cappuccino, I passed that to him. I then looked back to retrieve the second drink, my drink, a simple grande Americano light on the half and half when it happened. Katie lifted her arm slightly to reveal an armpit that looked like a Rogaine experiment gone bad. There was more hair under that arm than could be found on all the senior citizens heads at the Schenectady YMCA. The bushmen of the Kalahari have better grooming habits than this girl. I was speechless. I was shocked, horrified, and so grossed out. My friend gasped. I could only do one thing. The cup was still in my left hand. I couldn’t dare bring it into the vehicle. We had already contaminated the cabin with the first cup, I couldn’t do it again. I pulled the car forward, just beyond the window, and dropped the cup. I couldn’t possibly drink that coffee after seeing what I just saw. My friend rolled his window down and tossed his cup as well. I immediately pulled the car into an open parking space at the adjacent Applebee’s, and began voraciously covering myself in Purell. I had touched the cup that the dirty, BO smelling, patchouli wearing hippy had touched. Now, I have no idea that at 12:30 pm Katie had BO, smelled or was wearing patchouli. However, with that much hair under her arm, I am sure by the end of her shift, everything I said was true.
There is no way for me to know when this girl might work again. I can only caution those that might frequent this Starbucks that there is something hideous lurking below a black cap sleeve. If Starbucks reads this, I would suggest sending a memo discussing hygiene of employees in food establishments. If Katie reads this I can only suggest a razor, maybe borrow your father’s John Deere or use gasoline and a match. Clean up that mess, sweetheart. Let the little woodland creatures that have begun nesting, find new homes, and rejoin civilization as we know it. Whatever statement you are trying to make, find a new venue. The drive thru window at a Starbucks in Podunk Upstate New York is not the appropriate stage for your discovery, expression and self realization.

Happiest starbucks team I’ve ever seen! The seating area is normally pretty crowded… prob cause the Internet is nice and fast. & they haven’t made any mistakes with my ridiculous drink order yet!

I’m really sad that this is the only Starbucks near Troy. Long way to travel for delicious frappaccino and oatmeal cookies. Totally worth it though. Mmmm. Though the drive through line is usually really long, they do a great job getting you in and out.

This Starbucks location is awesome. I frequently go to the drive-​thru during morning «rush hour». Yes, the line is usually long but the employees do a great job of getting everyone through quickly. The employees generally seem to be in a pleasant mood and friendly, especially so early in the morning. The drinks seem to be more consistent than in other locations.

This has to be my favorite drive-​thru Starbucks that I’ve been to in the Capital Region. The lines are usually long but it is worth the wait and it usually goes by fast. The service is always very good and they always make my drink delicious! I’ve been to 2 other locations and I don’t seem to receive the same delicious drinks I get at this one.

This is the WORST Starbucks in the Capital District. In addition to being small, the staff is rude. The store is often out of a lot of the menu items. It seems like they store boxes of inventory right in the store. There’s always many staff, most of whom stand around and chat. The only positive I have about this location is the outdoor seating. The inside of the store is dirty and smells often. I avoid this one.

Worst Starbucks ever! When I was waiting in line, the Manager was going over everything that she inspected that was dirty (long list). I don’t need to hear any of that… Employees sat in the back of the store on their breaks and were loud and disruptive, which makes it very hard to concentrate, if all the flies weren’t distracting enough. Lastly, employees were touching and putting their hair up in ponytails behind the counter. Gross! I will never come back.

Has to be the worst Starbucks in the capital region south of exit 11 on northway.
Te staff always says that «we are people short.» The drive through always has 5 or more cars. In the time it takes to get a coffee, I could pick up a fresh bagel with egg at ANY deli!
Avoid this if you’re in a rush /​slow and lazy.

Best one in region. I have been to a few out here since moving from northwest. This is the first Starbucks that understands orders and staff is properly trained.

I too can only give this location 4 stars.
Most every time I go in I get great service. However, if you get the token gay employee as your barista… Don’t expect the red carpet. He is regularly pretentious and off putting. Bummer. I like to give good reviews. And gay or straight, kindness is universal. Oh well.

I like this Starbucks. They are good about moving people through the line and making coffee. If they are busy it can be a wait. Always friendly to me. The parking lot can be tricky to navigate because the drive thru exit hidden. Skip the drive thru line, go inside it is way quicker! Get their card for the full Starbucks experience!

Living-​room format Bux on the C hook floor plan, with a landing pad counter. It would be spacious but they put the store room in the front, to make room for the drivethru in the back, but the effect for most of the seating is a little more intimate than most Starbucks locations. I never like having to traverse the entire store in bowling-​alley layouts to get to the front of the line but that’s necessary here since the landing pad counter faces the main seating area. If you do sit in the tiny distant auxiliary seating area you’ll never see anyone. One bonus is the restrooms are right near the entrance.
Downgrades in that you essentially can only enter westbound on seven, and you cannot exit anywhere but westbound on seven (no left turn) so it’s an «afternoon» Starbucks by the direction of the commute.

Great location down the street from the college. Busy, so prepare to wait for your coffee and a table. Will return.

It is a nice starbucks. I am not going to go in the details because they are all the same.
The only good thing about this one is that there are sofa chairs which gives it a feeling of a neighborhood coffee shop.

This is my favorite Starbucks in the area. It’s easy to get to, especially since they redesigned the exit 6 intersections. It’s real close to the Northway, so it’s easy to just hop off 87 and go through the drive-​through whenever you’re headed north or south. The drive-​through is really what makes this super convenient – aside from the relatively new Starbucks on Wolf Rd. right by exit 5, it’s the only Starbucks in this immediate area with a drive-​through, and the exit 5 Starbucks is very inconvenient to get into and out of. This Starbucks isn’t particularly spacious on the inside – not a whole lot of seating, so if you’re looking for a place where it’s easy to find a seat and relax for awhile, this may not be your best bet. It does, however, have outside seating, which is great in the warmer months. Service is consistently great – I don’t think I’ve ever had them mess up either a drink or an order.

I don’t think this Starbucks has ever failed me on an order, and the service has always been friendly.

This is overall a good Starbucks location; I’d give it 3.5 stars if I could. Nothing I’ve had here has ever disappointed. The staff is consistently very friendly. Bonus points for having a speedy drive through and being in a convenient location.
The one negative is a lack of seating, which means that I personally view this as a drive-​through or to-​go Starbucks only. You don’t get that comfy-​cozy feeling that some other locations give you, with only a few tables that are cramped together and right next to the door. They do have a small patio in the front, but outdoor seating overlooking Route 2 isn’t exactly ideal either.

Everytime I am going thru or near Latham I must go to Starbucks drive thru and get my White Chocolate Mocha with whipcream and Caramel drizzle! Yummy! I have tried other drinks that are good too but this is definetly my favorite! I haven’t tried any of the baked goods. They do look good… maybe ?? But I wouldnt want to get addicted to something else!

This is a fairly new Starbucks in the area. It was much needed since the closest one while I went to RPI was on Wolf Road. I have yet to actually go inside this café, but I have used their drive through a couple of times. The service was fast and friendly and accurate.
*Drive through window