Starbucks

Having been a Starbucks Barista through 3 years of college, I know what to expect from this chain. This location is pretty nice, right on the edge of the gaslamp district with a descent sized interior setup. The baristas weren’t as personal as other locations, but still attentive and courteous when you talked with them. I went in for Ethos water so I can’t judge the way they make their drinks here, which even then is tough to do since most baristas are a bit different in style. But I would like to see a better layout here. I don’t get much of the «third place» feel at this location. But overall, it’s still a good location.

this place has imporved so much, the baristas are much better
i have really been enjoying my trips here and the chit chat and banter
alex is awesome
they are closing though! ugggggg July 27^th

No, wifi available here. The barista said that it should be working but there was no signal on my ipad, my phone, or my laptop!
I have work to do and I am away from my office.
This really let me down.

I don’t know why I continue to come here when I live to a closer store. I guess I like the idea of it being downtown and a place I could enjoy a coffee drink and hop online for a bit. That’s the thing, the internet is super slow and probably being used by upstairs entrprenuers using the Starbucks has their headquarters to post their basket of belongings in the corner and use the long table as their living room coffee table. Not attractive guys, none at all.

Very clean Starbucks, attached to the Hilton BayFront Hotel. They also validate parking.

This was the worst experience I have ever had in a coffee house. Waited at the counter until the employee finally decided to take my order. (I just love being ignored.) Once I finally got my coffee it was hard to find a table close to a electrical outlet for a laptop, but don’t even try because the Wi-​Fi doesn’t work anyway. When I went to ask a employee about the Wi-​Fi he said, «I don’t know what to tell you.» Now I see why there is no one in here. I actually have to edit this review. On my way out the manager Adrian was behind the counter and I told her about my experience. She gave her sincerely apology and offered an explanation about the wi-​fi not working. After speaking with her, I was compelled to raise this from a one star to a three star rating.

–as some other reviews state, very poor internet service
–shortage of outlets for laptops; the 1 adjacent the north wall of tables did not work
–standard starbucks menu fare
–unkept restroom at 11 in the wednesday morning, moderately busy; 3 or 4 employees, 1 could attend to it? or did they forget the 7 digit code (cuz you know, 3 digits arent secure enough for a bathroom door lock to keep out unpaying san diego citizens)
–ambience respectable; appreciate the high ceiling and loft

Great place to get some work down and still be in the mists of it all, Gaslamp. Great location; however, beware. The staff is a bit slow, and I sympathize with the homeless problem in SD but this Starbucks lets them use the bathroom facilities and take up the prime real estate on the patio outside. Last time I checked this was for paying customers at most Starbucks. I would have no problem except they are shirtless, smoking and loitering for hours in end. Hopefully they will do something about this.

Maybe they could invest in a better router. Not a good working location.

I came here on a Thursday around noon just to grab a quick drink.
The Iced Tea was delicious and the barista very nice.
It was just confusing using the restroom, because they would not let me enter it before I order my drink, so I had to order first and then take it with me to the restroom. Kind of weird. Would have loved it the other way around. Using the restroom first and then enjoying my drink but yeah whatever haha
In Germany they print the codes for the restrooms on the receipt and here I had to ask for it but that’s just different countries culture I guess haha
What really made ma wonder was, that there was no free wifi available. Usually there is ALWAYS free wifi at starbucks. My iPhone couldn’t find the wifi hot spot but I was too tired to ask for help since I just came from the doctor’s so I was like «screw that, I’m gonna go home now» haha but overall, it was okay-​ish. Not the best starbucks I’ve ever been to, but not the worst either.

The service and coffee are fine, and the front row seat to the Saturday night freak show on the corner of F and Crazyland is downright hilarious. My problem with this Starbucks is that, at 10:00 on a Saturday night, one of the employees put two chairs to block the loft seating area, and then proceeded to go around and tell everyone they were closing the bathroom. This location closes at 11:00, so why are they closing half the seating and the bathrooms an hour early?
I get that you want to clean it and get all ready so that you can lock the door and run at exactly 11:00, but that’s not the way retail is supposed to work.
Being made to feel that we are in the way and being subtly shooed away an hour before closing really, REALLY irritates me.
But of course I’ll be back because where else can you sit in relative comfort and watch half-​naked girls peddling the bar down the street, groups of men with pink t-​shirts emblazoned with the word «TITTIES,» and a man dressed as a human beer keg? I mean, come on. I love this town.

I usually end up here after a long day of walking around downtown SD and I want my daily dose of iced green tea latte and people watching. There’s so many places to sit (inside, outside, upstairs) and if you get one of the seats inside facing the window, you can totally creep on people walking outside.
I love people watching but what I love even more is watching other people as they people-​watch. The other day I stared at this guy as he checked out all these girls walking by. I’m sucha creep.

This morning Rose was my barista. She smiled as she made my drink, made small talk and gave me an ice cube in my espresso when I asked for it. She was a pleasure.
Before however I was greeted at the counter by Mark with a scowl and «We don’t usually allow bikes in here, but its not very busy so its OK.»

There is Starbucks and then there is URBAN Starbucks.
Is it just me? I know this sounds weird, but Starbucks stores in downtown urban areas always are slightly off. Whether it be damaged furniture and seating, a layer of grime covering everything, a condiment smörgåsbord for the homeless, or spotty and/​or just plain rude service, Urban Starbucks usually have more wear and tear to them than their not-​so-​urban counterparts. Perhaps it’s not just me, it’s them.
I can vouch when other reviewers call the baristas and other employees robots. They go through the script and upsell and want you out of that line so they can help the next person. I have always felt rushed out of the line here compared to other Starbucks. I dont think I could say I ever got sincerely nice service here.
Yes they have a 2^nd floor seating area. Ive only sat up there twice and i didnt like the cleanliness standards they had. (I havent sat up there in quite some time, so it may have changed, but its downtown, so it could have remained the same, too). It seems like a lot of people lock into their seat and never leave for the whole day. The outside patio is nice but Ive heard some horror stories about who sits there and what has happened in those chairs, so, please STEER CLEAR of them for my sake! In the early AM there is usually the same gaggle of transients there who dont look too friendly.
Speaking of friendly, the manager I dealt with a couple of years ago was NOT. My café accidentally was shipped several Starbucks products which I was told I can just give away/​donate to a nearby store. I arrived after calling them beforehand and notifying them of the situation. The manager acted like I was inconveniencing her for giving her free product and acted like I had suspicious ulterior motives. It was freakin’ weird, rude, and uncomfortable and I felt like I had my life energy sucked away from a vampire.
The bathroom situation is also awful due to their urban environment. You have to buy something and be respectable looking because they no doubt have junkies shooting up in the bathroom.
Im torn between 2 and 3 stars.

This is pretty much your standard Starbucks just like any other.
EXCEPT…
.. . it was like I had walked into a crowd of friends.
I am not making this up. At 12:30 PM. Everyone in the store knew the employees and knew each other. They were chatting across the store.
«Central Perk»? «Cheers» for the caffeinated set?

Went to Starbucks today for the 3^rd time in my life and was pleasantly surprised. Upon arrival the employees welcomed me with a «Hello Welcome to Starbucks». I was not sure what I wanted being a new comer and they were more than welcoming and able to assist with helping me decide. I don’t remember exactly what I ordered but it was really good and served quickly. The place is very clean and orderly and even has a really cool loft upstairs which I had to go up to see. There were people doing homework and other busy but quiet work up there. The music was very nice and not overly loud. There is outdoor seating which is also nice to sit out and watch the crowd, cool part is that there is not a bunch of people hanging out in the front that do not belong there. I really enjoyed my time there and would come back. Tomorrow they are running a special called «Buy one get one» I am not sure exactly what that will get you but tomorrow is the day for it. Enjoy! I did take pictures even though they were not very happy about it. SMILE YOUR ON Unilocal!

This was a cute Starbucks for what it’s worth – friendly baristas and all that, but really, one Starbucks is pretty much another to me; the only thing novel was the layout.
I went in with a friend and it was freeeeezing downstairs. We migrated north and found that not only was it much warmer, there is a really cute ambience and layout. Plenty of tables, small and large for studying; a well-​lit nook with a large table; benches along the window; and some comfy (and clean! – this is a mania of mine) couches.

This is a two story Starbucks with a lounge up stairs. Other that it is your typical Starbucks where I ordered my typical Grande Pike’s Roast with a smidgen of room and mini vanilla scone. Everything went without a hitch and the service was friendly and polite. The Wi-​Fi was hit and miss for some reason. Send a Techie to check it out Starbucks.
NIce location and the seating outside is nice for people watching.

Pretty cool location, but spotty WiFi. I had to kill a little time downtown the other day so I scoped out this location with my trust Starbucks app (sorry, Unilocal their app is specialized to give more detail about the location).
I parked out front, unfortunately the meters only allow an hour of time, but no biggie. At first glance I was a little bummed that all of the seats appeared to be taken, but then I saw that there is a second floor. I headed on up the stairs with a skinny caramel latte and my laptop in hand.
Several comfy options, from a large table to a small table to small couches. Nice quiet environment to get some work done. My ONLY complaint is that the Wifi kept popping in and out. It didn’t affect me too much because I was working on some files offline, but good to know in case you are looking for lots of internet time.

I went across the street to this corner Starbucks after my breakfast to get a little treat. I also came here because the breakfast place I went prior, did not allow me to use the lavatory to at least wash my hands. And since I’m buying something, will this busy Starbucks allow me to use the public lavatory?
Well, I got in line and placed my order. I ordered a Grande Low-​fat Latte and a Apple Fritter. My combo treat costs $ 5.10 and my credit card was accepted. (I’m lame and least exciting, I know)!
As my credit card is being processed, also grimacing in pain and holding my bladder, the cute cashier looked at my San Francisco 49er lapel pin on my chest and she asked me, «You’re from San Francisco?»
I replied, «Yes, I am!»
The cashier say, «Well, I’m from Daly City and lived near Westmoor.»
This personal argument sounds all to familiar from a prior review. So I went along with the conversation and said, «Cool, neighbor!»
I asked my new neighbor friend for a token to use the in-​store lavatory and felt relieved and refresh afterward, despite the bathroom is a unisex.
Now I can enjoy my treat.