Starbucks

I ‘m involuntarily becoming an expert on fast food and coffee shops in train stations. Just missed a train and decided to treat myself to a coffee. I spotted the Starbucks logo from the tube exit and came back down to street level after I bought my ticket.
You almost miss it as it’s hidden behind a McCafe. The latter was crowded while I was pleasantly surprised to find no queue at Starbucks. They obviously didn’t expect any customers as three of the four members of staff had their backs turned. My order was taken by the same guy who proceeded to make it — without being hassled for my name.
By the time my payment was processed my coffee was ready.
A happy ending.

Short and sweet review…
Conveniently placed… With it being in a busy central station in London. However, very busy!!! I came in here because … 1. I needed to kill a bit of time… 2. I needed a coffee… And 3. I NEEDED A COFFEEEEE.
The quality wasn’t too great. Didn’t taste very nice. Very watery and not coffee like.
I’m sat upstairs surrounded by business men and women. Some of which are having job interviews or business meetings. Or, which is unusual. The couple sat next to me, are obviously having an affair. This is clearly their meeting spot before they go to work!!! Not being funny but I’d pick a better place to meet.

As a fan of Starbucks, I decided to call in here to grab a quick coffee before getting a tour of the Houses of Parliament in London, with this store being quite close, just one stop from Westminister on the Tube, and located in Waterloo Station, this is a reasonably small store with 2 floors, with a larger amount of seating on the higher floor.
The seating is spaced out in quite an unusual way, with the large proportion of it upstairs, even the downstairs seats have a few stairs to go up, with one table at the side reserved for wheelchairs and people who couldn’t make that step. It can feel quite sad to be sitting there, as not only are you getting in the way in busy times, it feels like you are an obstacle, especially when they try to dodge you and the queue, to struggle to get deliveries up the step.
The drink ordering situation was also quite tricky, they was a woman coming down the line to take your drinks, which happened before I even got in the store, hence I didn’t like that as it meant they wasn’t much chance to have a look at the menu /​full range and also the guest espresso, and by the time I got to the till, I had to struggle and place my order again, and it began quite confusing, especially not knowing if my drink is ready or not and explaining my drink again, it felt like I was ordering it all over again, so communication needs to be improved.
My coffee was okay, it was a reasonable Starbucks standard, but it still wasn’t a nice experience, as it felt I was getting in the way.
To sum it up, this store is a typical station store with poor staff, it just gets too busy, to the point where it isn’t a nice place to more relax and enjoy a coffee, and simply it isn’t wheelchair accessible, or even accessible to get the delivery up the step, to the point where you feel like you are not wanted, and getting in the way, hence I feel I have to give this store 1 star, which as a big fan of the Starbucks chain is a little upsetting, and I feel that I have been forced to have to complain to Head office too ! (Thumbs up to them for sorting me out with a few free drink vouchers !)

«Tall Americano with Hot soya milk and one pump Caramel Syrup»
Sounds simple enough but no, this particular Starbucks which is my local to work never ceases to fail me on how wrong they can get my drink.
So much so I have resorted to going to the other Starbucks that is located outside of Waterloo Station.

When arriving a tad early for a train why not hang out in Starbucks? Despite the super long line, I ws served in no time at all. There is plenty of seating plus Wifi to wind down the minutes until departure.

Starbucks Waterloo Station store. All the usual amenities although no seating outside there’s plenty of space inside spread over two floors
Usual array of sandwiches, cakes and treats to temp you
Fee wifi, WC
This is not a franchise so they will accept
your SB card

Coffee was ok but extra star for the courteous baristas who served us with a smile during a very busy Christmas for them. The line was wrapped around the door and the baristas were not flustered or rude at all! Finally got to try a flat white as well– yummy!

It’s branches like this that make me forget that Starbucks can sometimes be very good. I’ve been to this busy Waterloo branch about 5 times now and there’s always mass confusion. Drinks orders invariably get made incorrectly (we’re talking basics as well, like talk cappuccino, grande black anericano), and the queuing systems favours people with complicated orders rather than first in line served first. Staff seem stressed (as I would be in their shoes) and management is conspicuous by its absence.
Next time I need my Saturday morning coffee rush at Waterloo I’ll pop into the Costa instead.
Free Wi-​Fi with Starbucks card.

This is a very busy Starbucks in a prime location. It really needs a lot more room or they should open another shop very close by to take some of the pressure off.