Starbucks

Any customer-​facing job is a tough task to handle. Having to deal with multiple customers with attitudes ranging from kindly passive aggressive to outright confrontational is something not everybody is suited for, but if you work at a Starbucks, you just have to deal with this. This particular Starbucks is located inside MarketFair. It has two entrances: one from inside the mall and the other from the parking lot closest to Route 1 South. Those who are familiar with the area will know that there is another Starbucks over at Nassau Street in Princeton — and this is by far the superior of the two.
The space between the counter and the wall is not wide enough — this is crucial especially during peak hours and it can be a hassle trying to figure out where the line starts or where to wait for your order.
Regarding peak hours, even though the inside can feel cramped, the baristas do a decent job of getting the orders out. Also, be aware that this is where stay-​at-​home moms and retirees frequent and they do an excellent job of clogging up the lines, both at the cash register and at the pick-​up, because they’re fumbling with cash/​credit cards in line while trying to push their stroller/​trying to shorten the leash on their children or because you have old ladies trying to figure out if the order is theirs by tasting the order that’s not theirs without waiting for a barista to let them know.
Where they get major points off is the staff. This experience can be a hit or miss depending on who is behind the counter. One would assume that going during a crowded time would mean that’s when the baristas would screw up. I’m happy to say that they don’t, certainly not when I’ve gone there.
The particular time I went was a Sunday morning with no crowds — this was before 8am. Only two folks were waiting for their orders waiting in front of me. I put in my order and waited. 3 people were behind me and they all got their orders before me while I waited by the counter. Even the online order got theirs first.
As I stood in front of the counter waiting for my order, the jolly barista with the lumberjack gray beard didn’t bother to notice that I’m just standing there patiently. I definitely knew something was up because after he was done and there were no more folks in line, he turned away and went to the back. And there I was, confused.
The girl who took my order asked if I was waiting for something and I told her yes, with no passive aggressive tones like the ones I’ve included in this review. She took less than 30 seconds to make my order and I said thank you and left.
Now I’m a patient man. Why didn’t I speak up and say «hey, where’s my order?» like those stay-​at-​home moms and retirees would? Because I know what it’s like to work a job like that. I also frequent this place and don’t want to make a name for myself. Eventually I would’ve asked, but the girl did notice although late. In retrospect, the girl probably just forgot to get the cup ready.
Whose fault it was is a moot point. What I do have an issue with is graybeard, who was the barista making all the orders, failed to notice a customer patiently waiting even after the line disappeared. He turned away, as in went to the backroom turned away. I guess it’s common for people to just wait by the counter there for giggles.
Why don’t I just go to the Starbucks in Princeton? It’s a matter of convenience. If I’m closest to this one then I’ll settle for it.
Overall, this place is tolerable. I think turnover might be an issue with this Starbucks. They’re not always consistent with their specialty drinks (i.e. anything that’s not just regular coffee) and it’s noticeable. I think the staff in the late afternoon is much more accustomed to handle the hustle and bustle of the place than the ones in the morning. This particular experience of mine supports that. This is the first time I’ve had my order totally forgotten.
If you have a chance to go to the one at Nassau Street, by all means do so. If you don’t, it’s not a big deal. Just have some patience for these folks.

Horrible service. When I arrived it wasn’t even that busy and it took longer than any busy Starbucks I’ve been to. I was appalled by the barista making my drink. She was taking forever because she was talking to a friend. Her co-​worker (or maybe a manager) even said something to her because she was taking so long and she had the audacity to say «I am…» Meaning she’s working as fast as she can. Then when my drink is FINALLY ready she mumbles and and I barely hear her. Definitely will NOT be coming back to this location.

Staff was surprisingly rude on my last visit; I won’t be back. I used to love this place — was there a couple times a week and I’ve walked back in to say how good the drink was and an extra thank you. But lately they seem mixed up. They don’t bother to check for mobile orders, so if you try it be sure to ask for yours as soon as you arrive so they will check the printer.

Nicer Starbucks location. Definitely go here over the one in Barnes and Noble just a few steps away. Staff is much more personable and they are a true starbucks with all of he options. Very busy, but service is speedy.

Über-​friendly staff, great fresh coffee. Space seems a little too small for the surrounding area, but overall one of my favorite Starbucks around.

I have been here few times and it’s always busy. Staffs are friendly and polite. So I don’t mind to wait if I’m not in rush. Compared with other coffee stores or coffee boutique, I still hook with Starbucks coffee. Also, There’s more seats inside the market fair mall or outdoor!

The girl here was friendly and courteous. coffee was fresh. everything was stocked… great store. This is not an incredibly busy Starbucks so I think the workers are a little bit less stressed out .nice place to come and sit, several big cushy large chairs outside in mall which will catch their wifi… great place to come and hang out and use wifi

This Starbucks is frequently understaffed for peak hours. The staff is indeed quite friendly, but at busy times, this can be a detriment: on a couple of occasions, a snaking line has been held up by conversations and negotiations.
Perhaps I am going at the wrong times, but my experience has just not been like the one that Andrew A had – I rarely get through this place in less than ten minutes, even for drip coffee. At one point, at about 2pm on a weekday afternoon, a drip took more than 20 minutes, and the crowd was too thick to even ask for a refund.
Most problematically, they do not consistently distinguish between drip drinks and espresso drinks. Drip drinks can be retrieved by the cashier in less time than it takes to write the order and customer’s name on the cup. Nonetheless, I have occasionally been made to wait until after a half dozen double tall whipped skinny vanilla pumpkin chai whatevers get made, just to get a cup of joe.

On my way through the area, I used my Unilocal smart phone application to get me quickly to a local Starbucks. It worked, integrating flawlessly with Google Maps. In less than 5 minutes, I was in the parking lot of the Starbucks located at Princeton MarketFair.
The wife will not be happy to hear that, after all of these years, I like tall hot blonds. That would be a Starbucks blond coffee, tall and piping hot. The place was busy with customers, but had enough baristas to handle the crowd. While they were making my coffee, I multi-​tasked and took a few photos to post on Unilocal.
I’ve been in Starbucks locations that are far larger in size, but the beauty of this location is that you can sit at the tables outside, inside and in the mall area. The mall area outside of Starbucks has very comfortable leather chairs and couches.
You have to try this Starbucks location if you’re in the Princeton, Plainsboro, Lawrenceville NJ area.

Best Starbucks in the area. They get pretty busy especially in the morning rush. Staff is always friendly. Deb, Nic, Sage and Kris to name a few of the veterans. They know many regulars names and drinks and often have them ready prior to even ordering. High quality drinks with a top notch staff in a convenient location right off of Route 1 South in the Marketfair Mall.

All Starbucks are pretty much the sand to me. Good service, very clean. Since this one is inside a mall it’s usually pretty crowded. It has an outside entrance which is nice do you don’t have to walk through the mall. The worst part is this parking. If shares the mall parking log and since Barnes & noble moved next food it is a lot more crowded. I typically come here during lunch and there is a long line but I got here right at noon today and it was empty.

pretty average for a starbucks. staff is typically friendly. gets busy at all hours. better than the sbux inside the B&N.
they’ve re-​done the seating over the years to make most efficient use of the space, but the coziness and comfort has suffered– no comfy chairs or bar-​height tables any more, mustly cafeteria-​style tables and chairs. you’re better off grabbing your drink and hanging out in the seating areas of the newly revamped mall if you want to hang out for a bit.
they do have decent wifi (well, all of marketfair mall does), and the bathrooms are large and maintained.

This is the stand alone Starbucks at Marketfair, I think, not the Starbucks in the middle of Barnes & Noble (maybe there’s a third Starbucks in the BN restroom?).
Having had my first cappuccino in months at Halo Pub a few days ago, which was rich, bold, flavorful, creamy, fresh, and simply out of this world, I felt cheeky and decided to try one at Starbucks, where I was meeting friends. I know that in the past I’ve called the coffee burnt and bland, but I was in a good mood!
Excited for my second double decaf skim cappuccino (I hate the word skinny), I took my first sip. Watery & too hot – boiling not scalding – like dunkin donuts coffee (which happens to be slightly more flavorful even though it too is served too hot). Burnt. Old and flavorless. I considered dumping my $ 5 drink as it was that bad.
Giving it a 2 simply because they don’t mind babies & their restrooms is relatively clean.
I do like my coffee, tea, and soups hot, just not so much that the first sip burns your tongue and the roof of your mouth, you’d think that the place that convinced people to spend $ 5 for a $.60 cup would know how to make a decent coffee, but no.

Great location. There is almost always a table open to work at, you can use the mall wifi as a backup, and it definitely has its regular crowd. Also, the baristas are all very friendly and get to know their regulars by name. Would come here all the time if I was ever in the Trenton area for work again.

I like this Starbucks but I think the area needs additional locations. This store has a line at least 10 deep on weekends and mornings.
Also, save some time snd park on the side in the big lot. Many a time i have fooled myself into thinking I’d get one of those prime parking spots right out front… it hever happens :-)
Good location, dependable service, kind staff!

Better check what they charge you on express check out using your credit card!
Not a honest store for sure!

It’s alright. It’s kind of cramped. I prefer the one on Nassau more.

Small location. Giving two stars because the bold coffee didn’t taste as it should. It was acidic and bitter.