The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

I went here during the Tournament of Roses last week. It was über crowded, as were all of the coffee shops that were open. I got a latte and two large dark roast coffees. I expected the drinks to take awhile since there were so many people. The latte took about 15 – 20 minutes which was fine. I asked the barista who took my order about the dark roasts when my latte came out faster than the regular coffees. She said they were going in order of the orders that were placed, so I waited a little longer. Then, I noticed some people were getting their drinks who clearly got there after me, so I asked another barista since mine was busy. The second barista said my drinks would come out as soon as the coffee finished brewing. I left my friend to wait for the coffees since it was getting more and more crowded outside and we didn’t want to lose our spots. After another 10 minutes, my friend still hadn’t come outside so I texted him, asking what was taking so long and he didn’t know. I offered to go back in since I had paid for the drinks, but he finally came outside after a few more minutes. When I texted, he asked a barista about the drinks and she told him that they lost my receipt so no one made the drinks… lame.

I’m so late on posting. I really have enjoyed the service and the some of the politest baristas. I would not say all of them but I’ve never felt they were rude or annoying. The older gentleman that is usually on the evening shift is the most respectful and fast to get your order out.
The only thing I dislike is that THE WINTER DREAM TEA is a seasonal tea.
The parking structure right next door validates enough time to run in and get my coffee.

Just like any other coffee bean but you get to sit outside on the patio. Then again, anyone can sit outside the patio. It’s already quite cramped inside trying to order to even have a few seats. It’s always a good meeting spot when parking in the structure next door.
Such a great idea to let everyone know to call in your order. That way, you don’t have to wait in line and wonder if the person ahead is going to move up in the line or continue texting on their phone. Maybe they don’t even know what they want to order yet. The coffee isn’t that strong for me but always the sweetest coffee drinks. I would order the Black Forest blended drinks with cherries and bits of coffee in it. That gives it a little caffeine kick. It’s not on the menu anymore but if you know what it’s called, it makes it feel like you’re ordering off of the secret menu.
#myaddiction

So I’ve been here a couple of times. First time I was here I had to wait 5 extra minutes after getting my coffee for a bagel that the staff had forgotten about and I had to ask for it. Second time I was here same thing happens again. And this morning I happen to wait until everyone inside this coffee shop got their coffee before my coffee was given (I was basically the 3^rd to first person to order and I was the LAST ONE to receive my order)& to top it off they gave/​put a dirty lid on my coffee. I right away went back inside to ask for a clean one and threw away my coffee outside. That’s just nasty unsanitary. I’ll never EVER be back to this location. What kind of coffee shop has dirty lids. Either this location is DIRTY or the staff was being racists. Honestly the customer service is horrible!

Thank you for always being consistent… Chai Latte with Almond Milk is so good, I savor every spicy drink.

Small place. No much seating inside (4seats). Plenty of seating outside with umbrella in the heat. They brought the my drink to my table was a plus.

Unfriendly service. The customer before us accidentally took our drink (an ice-​blended dark chocolate) so they had to remake ours and we waited longer than the person behind us for my drink order. The employees didn’t apologize or acknowledge us at all for making us wait longer. They didn’t offer us the drink that now had no owner (an ice-​blended black forest, they took it to the back), which I wouldn’t have minded instead of my original order to get out of there quicker. I wouldn’t come back here again.

NO PUBLIC RESTROOMS! Wth? So if you’re hanging out doing some school work drinking a beverage from here, you better pray you don’t have to use the restroom, cuz you’re S.O.L.!!

«Why you gotta be so rude? Don’t you know I’m human, too?»
Let’s be serious for a minute: I understand that your shop closes in 15 minutes. I saw you cleaning up, & I understand that you want to get out of there because it’s a Tuesday night, it’s Cinco DeMayo, and it’s been a long day. But, Mark, when someone walks into your establishment, you don’t just mad dog them, and look at them like some idiot who disrupted closing time. No, «Hi, hello, welcome to cb…» Nothing. What came out of your mouth was, «You don’t know what you want?» Wow.
I’m actually being nice here. I could have given one star but I decided to give two because you did make my iced mocha very well. I get it, I’ve worked retail, I’ve ran a boba café,… When your shift is over, you want your shift to be over. But the fact is you, Mark, had 15 minutes on the clock, the doors were unlocked, and we still had the right to a nice, warm greeting.
Disappointed, this encounter will not stop me from going to a coffee bean.

Location is pretty small but quaint. Great having it so close to the Green Street public parking structure, so makes things very easy for grab-​n-​go trips.
The store itself is very small, so lines can form quickly for ordering and at the condiments station. The crew were pretty happy and the quality of the coffee itself wasn’t that bad. But then the coffee (in this case just drip) wasn’t all that amazing either.
They’ve got open patio seating area that’s quite ample. the usual bakery offerings and are centrally located in Pasadena for quick access to shopping and food.

Delicious as we all know!
Location is in the heart of Old Town… and what I love the most is that on weekends, they’re open until midnight… a BIG plus!

Gah! What’s with the employees here? They are so unfriendly, moody, and SLOW. I’ve come here a few times when I’m on my way to some other store in Old Town. No matter the time of day or day of the week their service has been extremely slow and their employees super unwelcoming. Most of the time it hasn’t even been busy! Today for example, no one in line, I order my ice blended, the cashier who took my order is talking to some other employee and there’s a third guy making the hot drinks. As it turns out this same cashier, who’s been busy talking after taking my order, is supposed to make my drink! Have a lil shame dude! I’m right there in front of you watching you NOT make my drink! I think I’m done with this place. No wonder ppl settle for the mediocrity that is Starbucks, at least they’re friendly and fast there.

Love the drinks, customer services is lacking, or at least inconsistent. I came in this morning to get a drink and there was no warm welcome! Previously at the one I use to go to in Glendale (off Glendale Blvd.) would give me the warmest welcome, like I belonged there! I went there once and they remembered my drink. But I digress, this CBTL not so much, they took my order and that was it. When my drink came out there was no whip. When I asked the girl was like «Oh, I forgot…» Took my drink back then added it and gave it right back to me. No «I’m sorry», no here you go have a nice day, enjoy! Come on folks, consumers don’t care if you’re being fake, just try!
Drink choices: Black tea Lemonade or Ultimate Caramel Ice Blended
Plenty of Parking, Indoor and outdoor seating. I would prefer outdoor, it’s too cramp inside.
Management, improve on your customer services training for your associates. Until then I’ll enjoy my coffee of Starbucks.

Wait, did you just say it’s a coffee shop that had no restroom? What is it the damn sign behind you for? Ah! That’s for employees!
Drink our coffee, but pee somewhere else!

I’ll keep this short and simple:
— Fast service even when there are a ton of people in line
— Staff is always cheerful, friendly, and smiling
— Extremely helpful especially when they search for the pods in different areas of the store
— Perfect coffee and tea (depending what I get) every time even down to my specific request for soy, no whip and the coffee at 130 degrees (yup, I’m one of those people ~_​~)
I love this location because it’s conveniently located in Old Town. They are always consistent with their customer service and drink quality, which are both equally important to me! See you next time CBTL!

just goes to show you how wildly different stores of a single franchise can be. this is nothing about CBTL in general, this review is about this store in particular.
this is a really tiny store.
staff is not friendly.
no restroom to wash your hands, which is seriously suspect since they serve FOOD.
paid $ 2.75 for a tiny cup of sweet tea.
not many seats inside. while sitting outside, be prepared to be accosted by folks looking for change or food or anything.
parking in the garage next door — first 90 min are free. you can consider this a plus or a minus.
the one upside: free wifi.
moral of the story: go to another CBTL. the one on lake ave is MUCH more friendlier, cleaner, better seats.

I’ve recently converted to coffee bean. I love the quality of their drinks and how friendly the service usually is…
So my last visit here I was next in line to order, and I always order the same drink with an occasional pepper jack croissant. As the woman before me steps aside and I get ready to order, in walks a man (a regular I’m assuming) who announces his arrival. Alright, that’s cool. I like when places have «regulars» and the staff has memorized their order, BUT what I didn’t like is that they took his order before mine. Strike one.
Maybe that’s not such a big deal but I personally think it’s rude. After I WAITED MY TURN– AFTER HIM? He must have sensed my frustration and joked that he took the last croissant. The two employees laughed– strike two-​and being a lady that I am, I walked away to wait for my drink and fiddle awkwardly with my phone (I also snapped a pic of the encounter; incase management is interested). Once I got over to sit at a near by table, I overheard the cashier say «guess she can’t take a joke.» STRIKE THREE.
Excuse me? I can take a joke but what I really don’t appreciate is being laughed at by the staff of a place where I’m a paying customer. SO UNPROFESSIONAL and completely rude. Whatever.

A nice little coffee shop in old town Pasadena. As with everything in old town, parking is a hassle. I believe there are parking structures nearby.
Inside the shop is very tiny, with around 3 tiny tables crammed inside for seating. But there is a lot of shaded seating outdoors, which is not a problem at all.
I mainly frequent this place because I work nearby, and I really like their coffee here, a lot more than Starbucks. The plain coffee is not as acidic (but still nothing beats Peet’s). I absolutely love their café mocha! I get it with nonfat milk and sugar free chocolate, and it’s so satisfying… just like chocolate milk. And I’ve always had very good service here, the workers are so friendly and chill!

Parking in the Green St. Parking garage. 90 minutes for free.
There is a huge outdoor seating area, but the inside seating is smaller than ever. Three small tables, so if you’re trying to get some work done on a hot day, dont even bother coming here.
And by the way, no public restrooms. This place is the ultimate fail.
Too small for me. Not enough the tables. I’d rather walk a block away for Copa Vida.

I always forget that this place is here. My first choice is always to go to Intelligentsia, but they close so darn early and Starbucks is just kind of a long walk (haha), so someone reminded me that The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf was right across the street. I was kind of in a hurry so I thought it wouldn’t take that long since it wasn’t that far from where I was already at. There was only 2 people in front of me when I had walked in. I want to say that ordering didn’t take up that much time at all, it was more the wait time for my drink to be made/​called out. All I ordered was a simple shot of espresso, lol… and it seemed like it took over 10 mins… LUCKILY, I was entertained by the variety of teas and merchandise on display along w/​the free wi-​fi to keep me pre-​occupied. The baristas were so nice, but they were really slow at making drinks. :[
PROS:
— free wi-​fi
— indoor/​outdoor seating
— open early/​late
— friendly baristas