Starbucks

The worst. Totally backed up. Took 20 minutes for each order and no one on staff spoke loud enough to let people know when order was up. Staff could not care less. I watched them use whole milk for for my non– fat order. When I questioned that, the barista said it was just labeled wrong. (nope. I watched it filled with whole milk by another barista. After all, I had nothing to do for twenty minutes!)). I worry someone who has an allergy or who cannot have caffeine may get seriously ill here. SKIP this and get your caffeine from one of the other restaurants there. I am planning on writing to Headquarters. Appalling.

If I need a pick me up on my way to work, I usually stop here. Also because the next one is fuel only. It’s your average Starbucks and you know exactly what to expect of your order. In the winter, I usually get the Toffee Nut Latte. It’s delicious. Service is quick. The only downside is that it’s right across the bathroom and depending on the time of day, related smells get mixed with the aroma of coffee beans. YUM.

Nice small spot within a travel plaza. Friendly staff and fantastic salt carm moch tall $ 4.35 also had to get Madeleine cookies for the family. $ 2.70 per pack

Got a double of espresso on ice. Espresso was good.
This always cracks me up, my name is Caitlin, which they asked for, and I got «Redlen.» totally similar.
Was a good pick me up for my trip up the NJTP.

Can get really backed up really quick, but the staff are pretty fast.

It’s a truck stop, not bad and certainly convenient when in a hurry. Prices seem higher than stand alone stores.

OUR STARBUCKS BARISTA WAS STAR-​WORTHY!
Here’s a fun fact about me, I NEED caffeine for any drive longer than 45 minutes or I run the risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. Undiagnosed narcolepsy? Perhaps. But it’s nothing that a Venti Caramel Macchiato can’t cure for the next 60 miles or so until I need another one. So when I start getting drowsy, I start counting down until I can reach the next Starbucks. Dunkin’ Donuts doesn’t do it it for me and Wawa is waste of time. If the signpost ahead doesn’t say Starbucks, then I’ll keep on driving until I see one.
We were heading home from a weekend in South NJ and I needed to get my buzz to keep my focus while behind the wheel. I had my father (Sam K.) with me for the weekend and he has a habit of carrying coupons on him, just in case the situation arises where he could cash in on an opportunity to get a discount or even a free item. He brought 4 empty 12 oz. Starbucks Whole Coffee Bean bags with him for the trip and each one entitled him to a free Tall coffee with each of my purchases where I pay full price. Great deal for him, not so great for me.
We get to the counter and I order my usual Venti Caramel Macchiato and I say that I’d like to get a Tall coffee for my father and pay for it with the bag. The barista (Jessica) explained to me that Turnpike stops (like Joyce Kilmer) were franchise locations and not corporate-​owned stores. As a franchise store they don’t have to honor corporate discounts or promotions. Just as I got ready to suck it up and pay for the coffee, she continued on by saying that normally they don’t accept them, but in this case she’d allow it. No need for any whining or bitching for me to get my way, she just took advantage of an opportunity to bring some good PR to her store and all it cost her was one tall coffee.
Almost 4 years ago there was a similar incident where this same exact location refused to honor a 10% Starbucks gold card discount (this program has since been changed). In that instance their response to this request was not to honor the corporate discount as is their right. As my barista was in no way required to honor this promotion (aside for making an old man happy), I am very grateful for her decision to choose customer service over corporate greed. You’ve made lifetime customers of both David K. and Sam K. today.

I already posted my thought on this Starbucks in my Turnpike review, but I’ll say it again. UNNATURALLY WEAK COFFEE being sold at exorbitant prices, and no concern for quality control. Skip the Starbucks and pack a thermos if you can, or risk becoming drowsy and driving off the side of the road because this Turnpike Starbucks coffee isn’t going to keep anyone awake.

Sadly returning to New York from spending my wondrous birthday in Philadelphia, PA, my good close friends recharge at Joyce Kilmer Travel Plaza for coffee/​tea and some baked goodies. My Starbucks gift card balance of $ 1.79 was utilized for one tall hot chocolate at $ 3.00 and one chocolate danish at $ 2.70.
This Starbucks carries teddy bears dressed in a New York sweatshirt and baseball cap (sorry, NO Yankees cap), but is adorable as I’m a huge teddy bear lover.