Starbucks

Although pleasant service, I’ve had too many mediocre experiences and drinks made here which is why my review is just OK. My most recent experience on a Tuesday during the mid-​morning coffee break was another reason why this place is just ok. The line up was long to begin with, with plenty of people also waiting for their drink orders at the other end. By the time I got to the front, I ordered a Soy Chai Latte, Extra Hot, No Water, No Foam. The lady at the till who took my order wrote her lingo on the cup sleeve like normal and asked my name. I also ordered the egg & cheese breakfast sandwich. I waited patiently for my drink for approximately 5 minutes. Before my drink was up, one of the girls taking care of the food section informed me that they were out of the egg & cheese sandwich. I was uninterested in having it replaced with something else, so they offered up a refund. I was a bit alarmed as I didn’t want to, nor did I have time to wait in the long line up again just to get a refund. However, they said they would scootch me in right away to take care of it. Fine. While I was going through my refund process, the barista lady was calling my name. So when I finished the refund, I went back to find that the drink she made was wrong because the lady who took my order scribbled the notes on the sleeve illegibly and therefore confused the barista girl. By this time, I was in a big rush as I had to drive to a meeting in another part of downtown. So I had to wait yet again, while my drink was made. And although I reiterated what my order was, I realized it was still not correct by the time I had my first taste 15 min later. *sigh* Anyways, it’s those little details that can make or break your experience. For me, it was a deal breaker.

I like Starbucks, and I love this location. Unfortunately the concept here is dragging its feet. This is my Starbucks go-​to, due to its convenience for me. I was elated when it opened, and it deserves a trophy for often waking me up in the morning with its dark roast selections. Situated in the beautiful Matrix hotel, with its clean lined design and wrap around windows this coffeehouse has so much potential, in fact it could easily be the best Starbucks in Edmonton, if not one of the best in the entire Starbucks chain… but only if it manages to fix itself. In the 6 years it has been open, the quality of service as well as the consistency of the beverages and the food have been steadily nosediving. It’s a staffing problem. Though every barista behind the counter is exceptionally kind, friendly, and greets each patron with a genuine smile, the dizzying turn over of (evidently unexperienced) staff creates painfully slow service, and beverage and food inconsistencies. I feel for the management faced with this problem, and hope they can find, train, and retain the level of experienced staff that is required for such a high volume location. Again, this spot has so much potential, they have just completed a new Reno that seems to have tripled their seating, and this is THE place in Edmonton for celebrity sightings… from international recording artists, to big name Hollywood actors, the Matrix is where they all stay while passing through town on projects. And this is where they grab their Starbucks coffee.

Starbucks products and service are fine, but I’m lucky to find a place to sit during the morning or afternoon coffee break times. Even with a table, it lacks privacy and you can often hear other conversations around you. The location is a popular one as it’s close to many office buildings and the line up can be so long that it can be to the door or even outside! Best to get your drink and snack to go and enjoy it at the nearby Legislature grounds or back at the office. There’s another Starbucks a couple of blocks away that I find nicer and has more outdoor seating to enjoy on a warm summer day.

I’m not one to travel to a new city and head to Starbucks, but since this location was located literally next door to my hotel (The Matrix), I did visit this store twice during my quick visit to Edmonton. And, I have to say, both of my visits were pleasant. Friendly service, warm atmosphere, free wifi, and a clean bathroom to boot! The only thing I didn’t see were outlets to plug in my laptop, but maybe I didn’t search well enough?
Regardless, if you’re looking for a cup of coffee or tea or a snack of sorts, this Starbucks is just fine to swing by… even if it is a big box retailer!

After going here for more than 2 years, I thing I like most about this Starbucks is familiarity. I’ve seen staff come and go but they’re often replaced by eager and friendly replacements which are a welcome. The core staff are a mature bunch but they also have a sense of youth, exuberance, a jus de vie if you will. They’re not my best friends, but their quick smiles, efficient work ethic and the duty of handing me my prized drink will always leave an impression with me if I ever leave to another Starbucks.
Their chalkboards with the flavor of the month/​season is always a treat to gaze at while I’m waiting for my order. I wish there more coffee stoppers available but I guess we have to do our part to save the environment.
Orders are most often accurate and the taste is as expected from any other Starbucks. The service is what wins me over.

Located on the ground floor of the Matrix Hotel in kind of an off-​the-​beaten-​path area of downtown Edmonton, this Starbucks location is a total Jekyll and Hyde, with two distinct faces. By day, the baristas are constantly trying to defeat an unending lineup that snakes through the entire store, providing what must be the occupants of every cubicle in a four-​block radius, via skinny vanilla lattes and venti bolds, enough caffeine to power the Legislature, Alberta Blue Cross, and the rest of the nearby institutions through another 9 – 5. But by night and weekend, this shop is like a graveyard. Quiet and empty, it’s an excellent place to sit and read, study, or pick up a coffee before a walk through the nearby Legislature grounds.