Peet’s Coffee & Tea

I didn’t intend to publicly complain about Peet’s, but my email to corporate resulted in a generic, cookie-​cutter apology written in PR speak and a note about a potential follow-​up which never materialized (surprise, surprise). So here goes.
I originally complained to corporate back in November 2015. This was my feedback:
«I’ve been to this particular location multiple times (at least 5 times over the course of a month). Last time I was there (which was last week), I was given a feedback request receipt which I completed. So I went to Peet’s this morning to redeem the $ 1 discount. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with my service today.
Firstly, I wasn’t greeted when I entered the store (which is an experience that I’ve become used to at this location because I’ve realized the employees seem very indifferent and unkind save one worker who sadly wasn’t here today).
When I got to the front of the line, the cashier said a half-​hearted „hi“ with a bored-​looking expression (this also didn’t concern me too much since I never expect friendly service here) and took my order. She didn’t even say „thanks“, „have a nice day,“ or „would you like your receipt?“ when I was done swiping my credit card. She just ignored me and moved onto the next person while I awkwardly stood off to the side because I was put off by her lack of customer service – that is, she acted like she was doing me a favor by taking my order.
When my drink came out (which was quickly, so I give them props for that fact), it was supposed to be a Black Tie, which I’ve ordered numerous times. It usually has black cold brew on top and a small layer of condensed milk on the bottom. However, today, my drink was more of a „Brown Tie“ because the barista added milk/​cream to the cold brew, so it already was mixed with cream on top, so that renders the condensed milk at the bottom superfluous. I enjoy mixing the condensed milk into the black coffee to make it taste somewhat similar to Vietnamese coffee, but when the barista already adds milk/​cream to the cold brew, then it’s just a regular cup of coffee (not to mention with extra calories and fat on account of the unnecessary cream).
Even when the barista made my drink incorrectly (and I didn’t bother complaining about my messed up drink because the store was busy and I didn’t want to be a nuisance and slow down the line), I was kind of ok with that. What actually made me really upset was the fact that the beverage was overflowing, so that when I moved my cup toward the area with the lids (one of the baristas told me that the „lids were over there“), the drink spilled. I saw the barista clean up the spill with a rag.
Then when I put the lid on the cup, the liquid leaked out (because the lid pushed down on the top which made the drink spill from the sides) even though some already spilled out beforehand from me moving the cup. I didn’t want to leave the counter messy, so I grabbed some napkins and cleaned up the drink (also to prevent my hands from getting sticky from touching the cup where the drink leaked).
When I tried to stab my straw through the lid, the drink inevitably leaked out of the hole where the straw goes, so I had to use more tissues to clean the lid where a lot of the beverage came out. At the end, I wasted about 5 napkins and my hands were sticky. That was the „last straw“ so to speak, and I regret to inform you that I cannot return to this store because not only is the customer service terrible, but now they can’t even make my favorite drink correctly.
I am incredibly disappointed.»
tl;dr the baristas here are really unfriendly to me (is it because I’m not white? Lol) and messed up my favorite drink. I wrote to corporate and they pretended to care and said they’d follow up with me. But of course, they never contacted me again. I’ve been boycotting Peet’s since this incident and my best friend has joined me.

Came here after picking up some doggie cupcakes at Sprinkles within the same plaza. Was craving a caffeine fix and wanted to get something on the hotter side instead of my typical iced drinks from coffee shops. Picked up a large Hazelnut Caramel Latte since it caught my eye coming in the store.
It wasn’t bad, but then again how can you mess up a latte right? Things were fine until I realized getting a large was a bit of a mistake on my end since within half an hour+ in things started to get cold and it wasn’t as great as it initially was. Another thing to mention is that the closer you get to the bottom, the more of that overwhelming sweet taste sensation you get in your mouth, so make sure you have some water at hand to wash that out of your system. Overall, pretty good drink but I think I’ll stick to my Starbucks and Café Su Das for the most part unless I’m ever out of luck as those two as my main go-​tos.

The scones here are very strange. Got the Triple Berry scone which was closer to a weird jelley sandwich? Also got an Iced Maple Walnut scone; more of a burnt, dry, hockey puck of a biscuit.
The Chi Tea Latte tasted like curdled milk and was overly sweet and the Latte tasted like chocolate milk even with an extra shot.
The traffic flow through the store was awkward, making it impossible to see the disgusting pastries before you ordered them.
Definitely not up to par with Starbucks.

I come everyday and they do it way better then Starbucks! I have not stepped foot in Starbucks for years! PLEASE just try this coffee! They always have a fresh bakery not like others!

Love me some Peet’s! Never a disappointment. No matter what you order, it’s delish and I have full confidence that if you don’t like your order they will remake it.
All the locations I have been to, including this one, have had friendly employess, which is always a nice touch!
Their brewed coffee is flavorful and strong, great for a morning or afternoon pick-​me-​up and their pastries are all very tasty. I also have had every flavor of their tea lattes and they are all good. My favorite is the matcha green tea.
This location in particular has a nice outdoor seating area where my husband and I can enjoy the nice Ocean breeze. There is also great shopping in the complex. And right around the corner is a cupcake joint that goes great with the Peet’s coffee. Enjoy!

My favorite place to get a fresh coffee every morning ;)
Im just waiting for Christmas so they can start adding different flavors

The set up at this Peets is pretty amazing! It’s right near the beach for starters. What’s impressive is the outside seating area around the water fountain. I just wished it was a bit closer to my place so I can relax here all the time. There’s also inside seating but it very small, maybe 4 tables.
The service was fast, it’s clean inside, and also lots of room. There’s also lots of parking in the lot since it is located inside the shopping center. I like that it’s so close to Bristol Farms too, in case I want to grab a bite during a study session.
Definitely one of my favourite Peets locations.

Compared to most Starbucks, yes, this location is preferred; but compared to other Peet’s locations, then this is the worst of the 5 I’ve frequented. The best being on Campus dr. I really, really wanted to like this place, as this was my 3^rd time passing by to the beach and giving it a last try, and yes, last. The outside fountain is nice touch and lounging chairs feels alright, but not inviting wyen surrounded being used my swm who lioks at you like the last piece of meat in earth;
Maybe another star if Unless they change the rickety, broken toilet bowl that makes me feels like it’s gonna sink into the ground;
the cappucino flat, wet version requested was off, not the same as the way the morning barista man makes it on Campus dr; the staff although are wonderful people however, but I’m reviewing the location and drinks. Also not much outlets to charge, but i guess maybe they figured you can head to the huge Newport Beach public library right close by, which makes you think hmmm… Its incredible size is commendable yet, sad the obvious disparity between the classes, neighborhood.

Peet’s has a large following in California. I’ve seen them in smaller cities that try to keep it local, and support mom and pop over chains and corporations (San Luis Obispo).
That being said, I always leave this location with an upbeat and satisfying experience. I love the introduction of their Cold Brew and Black Tie coffees! The dark roasts are great. The staff here has always been super friendly, and strikes up conversation that goes beyond «hi, how are you?»
I’ve come when there is a line going out the door, and they really move fast without compromising the quality of your beverage, AND someone is always cleaning or tidying up. No complaints here :)
A lot of the customers that come here hang out by the fountain and seating right outside, and many times I see groups of cyclists, yoga-​goers, grandmothers with grandchildren, businessmen… there is definitely a sense of community hanging out at this spot!

I’ve so had it with PEET’S. It’s time.
I have walked in a few times in many different locations in Irvine, Newport, Costa Mesa, Ladera and El Toro and have been met with ZERO coffee brewed when I went to buy. They were out!!! Not only that, no one had bothered to check that they were out. It’s unfathomable to NOT have coffee brewing at a COFFEE shop with more than 2 employees… yet it occurs. I communicated these problems with PEET’S district management and the issue was not immediately resolved. Some locations have improved but others not. I think that the leadership within the individual stores is poor and they need better, selected employees.
As a customer you pay for coffee and then are immediately told that the coffee is not brewed and you must wait for it? That is the WORST thing you can do service-​wise. You punish your customer for your poor performance? NO! DO YOUR JOB! NEVER pay for anything unless it is there in front of you. EVER!
Service at some of the places is hit or miss. You can get some zombie working the register with a phoney smile and attitude or a pleasing personality. You will wait forever to order your coffee while 2 – 3 people in front of you are ordering their specialized drinks and pastries. I mean, why NOT have a line SPECIFICALLY FOR COFFEE!!! I suppose the mission of PEET’S is to become PEET’S PASTRIES and COFFEE DRINKS. I have walked out many times over this nonsense.
Lastly and most importantly, the people that work at PEET’S are beyond unhygienic. I have seen attempts by PEETY’S staff to serve coffee to me post wiping their nose, handling trash and a trash can, wiping down the dust/​coffee name board with a filthy rag and TODAY, a gal handling a vacuum cleaner to the interior of the store then quickly returning WITHOUT visibly washing her hands. I have commented on a few occassions about the fact they were proceeding to serve coffee and NOT washing their hands. Sometimes I just refused to buy and walked out. I did this today for the last time.
They have really good coffee when they have it and it isn’t served with a side of filth. I have tried to revist the different locations at different times hoping for a turnaround but to no avail. Though there are 2 OTHER PEET’S locations I have patronized (not listed above) that ARE good, PEET’s OC locations as a whole just suck. I really love the coffee but the service and experience is THE WORST at nearly every location I have visited. Therefore, with immense disappointment, I will go elsewhere.
Disappointed is such an understatement. Caveat emptor

The outdoor seating area surrounding a little fountain in the midst of this bustling center on Avocado has a European quality to it that’s perfect for enjoying a crisp tea and people watching the afternoon away!
Also good for business meetings which alas, is always what seems to bring me here…
They have recently renovated w new marble high tops and giant umbrellas w heaters for those chilly Cali evenings I guess! (LoL)
The service at this Peete’s is always snappy and professional w a smile which I appreciate as much as I enjoy their offerings!
While their cup of joe can be a bit on the bitter side I do enjoy brewing the beans at home where I can slightly weaken the flavor to my liking so usually end up w the English Breakfast here w a dot of half n half or iced green tea…

I LOVE the NPB Avocado Ave Peets.
When I first moved to The OC with my sister awhile back, this was the closest Peets to our apartment. An easy hop skip and jump jaunt off of PCH, you even get to view the ocean on the drive here. Parking can be a challenged in the parking lot during busy times, but that’s always the case in SoCal, so no demerits for that. (It’s not easy being popular, after all, right?)
Clean bathroom, safe to use (Ladies, we care, right?). Nice seating indoors and even lovelier in the outdoor patio seating, which, seeing this is SoCal, is usable just about 99.3% of the time except on those blessed rain days we get, which by the time we do get, we’re so grateful for. Just sip your cappuccino indoors that day.
I have enjoyed arranging to meet family and friends here because it has such great access to Macarthur as well as PCH.
Nice place to meet loads of men on the Sat early AMs, too. Popular venue for cyclists. Keep fit and drink Forte!

Love this location! While the shop itself is extremely small with limits seating, the outside patio area is great!
They have a large fountain in the middle with plenty if covered and open seating around it. They also do have heaters for the winter months.
Staff at this location is always friendly.

Their drinks are always on point and the staff is very friendly. Josh the manager has always been helpful and is on top of things!