This morning I drove from Salinas to the Soledad location and went through the drive-thru to order a kids green apple smoothie with popping pearls for my son.
Typically, when ordering this drink, baristas will put it in a small cup so it can have a lid with a wider mouthpiece, making it possible to actually drink the pearls. Today, the drink was handed to me in a kids cup with popping pearls and no straw, which makes it impossible for a child to drink.
I politely asked if it could be put into a small cup. Instead of listening or asking for clarification, the barista became argumentative and dismissive, repeatedly saying “this is a kids size” without allowing me to explain the issue. I unfortunately did not catch the barista’s name.
Even after it was clear that a straw would be needed, I still had to ask for one, which should have been obvious given the drink and modification.
This is not the first time I’ve experienced poor customer service at a drive-thru, which is why I usually mobile order or walk up. Unfortunately, mobile ordering was unavailable today.
As someone who worked as a barista for over a decade, I know how easy it is to handle situations like this with basic kindness, listening, and professionalism. This location clearly needs retraining in customer service, especially when it comes to tone and active listening.
Driving from Salinas only to have this experience was a waste of both time and gas, and at this point, I’ll be choosing to take my business elsewhere. This was around 9:30am on 1/18/2026 in case management sees this and checks the schedule. Thank you.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Michael Savage
Great for drive through, bad for sitting outside in incremental weather
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Maria Garcia
I typically don’t write reviews, but I feel compelled to address an uncomfortable situation I’ve experienced at this location. On several visits, I have encountered a young lady named Sofia who consistently makes me feel rushed and uneasy. Her facial expressions and demeanor create an atmosphere that detracts from my experience. I wanted to bring this matter to your attention in hopes that it can be resolved, as it has become an ongoing issue for me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Faith Esquivel
I had a bad experience here on Sunday nov 9 I had amazing service with the guy taking my order with the ipad but at the window as I was leaving the employee who handed me my drink, I believe her name was Clarissa, insulted my car, she thought I was pulled away but I still heard what she said. People work hard for what they have and to blatantly disrespect that is actually crazy. This literally threw me off because I always come to this dutch bros and nothing like this has ever happened. I just think this is really wild to say to a customer especially one who comes back to this location repeatedly. I will not be going back to the soledad location anymore after this.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
MARIO GABRIEL
Slow service
David G.
Fast service
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
J B
I got a single large coffee around 4:00 p.m. and not only was my drink really watery and bitter, but the kid who took my order had his phone playing music which made it difficult for us to hear each other when he came to my window. I had to repeat my order twice, and then when I got to the drive-thru window it took quite a bit for my drink to be prepared because the staff were messing around and laughing inside. It's nice to see that they are a happy workforce, but you got to be able to balance doing the job with socializing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Yuna Star (dxlue)
Always a friendly staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chloe Cabrera
My go to!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
KiTE FLYER
Oat milk Coffee - tasty. Efficient, expert staff. Quick and specific at the delivery counter. Loving the flavour and aroma that lingers for long..
Burnt coffee. Service was excellent from both the barista and person taking the order, no issues at all with that. The problem was the coffee, it had a burnt bitter taste which bummed me out because DB is known for their high quality coffee. Maybe more training on how to pull a good shot might do the trick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Gilbert Rivas
Killin competition!! These drinks are next level vibes
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Meghan Middleton
Absolute LOVE the Golden Eagle Freeze! Really wish we had Dutch Brothers in Salinas instead of 18 Starbucks!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cemare King
They had multiple people out there then they went inside so no one was taking orders.We waited in line for 15 minutes without ordering and when he came back he said give him a second then went inside and didn't come back,we end up getting out the line,we were disappointed with service .
This morning I drove from Salinas to the Soledad location and went through the drive-thru to order a kids green apple smoothie with popping pearls for my son.
Typically, when ordering this drink, baristas will put it in a small cup so it can have a lid with a wider mouthpiece, making it possible to actually drink the pearls. Today, the drink was handed to me in a kids cup with popping pearls and no straw, which makes it impossible for a child to drink.
I politely asked if it could be put into a small cup. Instead of listening or asking for clarification, the barista became argumentative and dismissive, repeatedly saying “this is a kids size” without allowing me to explain the issue. I unfortunately did not catch the barista’s name.
Even after it was clear that a straw would be needed, I still had to ask for one, which should have been obvious given the drink and modification.
This is not the first time I’ve experienced poor customer service at a drive-thru, which is why I usually mobile order or walk up. Unfortunately, mobile ordering was unavailable today.
As someone who worked as a barista for over a decade, I know how easy it is to handle situations like this with basic kindness, listening, and professionalism. This location clearly needs retraining in customer service, especially when it comes to tone and active listening.
Driving from Salinas only to have this experience was a waste of both time and gas, and at this point, I’ll be choosing to take my business elsewhere. This was around 9:30am on 1/18/2026 in case management sees this and checks the schedule. Thank you.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Great for drive through, bad for sitting outside in incremental weather
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
I typically don’t write reviews, but I feel compelled to address an uncomfortable situation I’ve experienced at this location. On several visits, I have encountered a young lady named Sofia who consistently makes me feel rushed and uneasy. Her facial expressions and demeanor create an atmosphere that detracts from my experience. I wanted to bring this matter to your attention in hopes that it can be resolved, as it has become an ongoing issue for me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
I had a bad experience here on Sunday nov 9 I had amazing service with the guy taking my order with the ipad but at the window as I was leaving the employee who handed me my drink, I believe her name was Clarissa, insulted my car, she thought I was pulled away but I still heard what she said. People work hard for what they have and to blatantly disrespect that is actually crazy. This literally threw me off because I always come to this dutch bros and nothing like this has ever happened. I just think this is really wild to say to a customer especially one who comes back to this location repeatedly. I will not be going back to the soledad location anymore after this.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Slow service
Fast service
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I got a single large coffee around 4:00 p.m. and not only was my drink really watery and bitter, but the kid who took my order had his phone playing music which made it difficult for us to hear each other when he came to my window. I had to repeat my order twice, and then when I got to the drive-thru window it took quite a bit for my drink to be prepared because the staff were messing around and laughing inside. It's nice to see that they are a happy workforce, but you got to be able to balance doing the job with socializing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Always a friendly staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My go to!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Oat milk Coffee - tasty.
Efficient, expert staff.
Quick and specific at the delivery counter.
Loving the flavour and aroma that lingers for long..
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Burnt coffee. Service was excellent from both the barista and person taking the order, no issues at all with that. The problem was the coffee, it had a burnt bitter taste which bummed me out because DB is known for their high quality coffee. Maybe more training on how to pull a good shot might do the trick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Killin competition!! These drinks are next level vibes
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolute LOVE the Golden Eagle Freeze! Really wish we had Dutch Brothers in Salinas instead of 18 Starbucks!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They had multiple people out there then they went inside so no one was taking orders.We waited in line for 15 minutes without ordering and when he came back he said give him a second then went inside and didn't come back,we end up getting out the line,we were disappointed with service .
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Employees are very helpful and friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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