I typically choose to stop by this Starbucks because it fits conveniently into my work schedule. However, I had a disappointing and frankly discouraging experience during my most recent visit.
What seemed to be the manager called me out when I asked for a cup of water, making a passive-aggressive remark implying I needed to purchase something in order to receive it. This was frustrating and confusing—especially considering that I’ve regularly purchased drinks and items from this location over time.
What made the situation worse was that the store was not busy at the time—there were no long lines inside or in the drive-thru—so the dismissive tone felt unnecessary and unkind. I’m fully aware of Starbucks’ updated policy about requiring a purchase for water, but as mentioned, I am already a paying customer.
Even Starbucks’ own guidelines mention that while the policy aims to streamline service, baristas may still use discretion, especially when the store isn’t overwhelmed. In this case, that discretion felt lacking and the interaction felt unnecessarily unpleasant.
I hope management reflects on how tone and customer rapport matter just as much as policy enforcement. I’d love to keep supporting this location, but not if it means being treated unfairly when I’ve been a frequent customer.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
Brian Miller
Great size Starbucks Coffee Shop. Service baristas were very nice. Thank you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nancy Brandes
Service was fast and quick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tetiana Lozynska
I had one of the worst experiences at Starbucks yesterday, and I’m honestly shocked at how disappointing it was. I asked for an iced cappuccino, only to be told they “can’t make it” and instead was recommended an iced espresso with a splash of milk. What I received was absolutely undrinkable — bitter, watered down, and completely discarded after the first sip. It wasn’t even close to what I asked for.
To make things worse, my partner’s coffee didn’t even come out on time. After waiting far too long, we were told that their printer didn’t print the label, which caused the delay. No apology, no urgency — just excuses.
This visit left a genuinely bad taste in our mouths, both literally and figuratively. Hopefully, I never find myself stepping into this location again.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Alfredo Gomez
Cup of ice with a splash of coffee. Should be illegal.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Mohini
shaken espresso was more ice than coffee
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Francisco Martinez
Wait in line was over 10 minutes by ourselves and drink wasnt fully filled up and not light ice, pretty mid
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Brett Holman
This location in Mundelein was amazing. The three Baristas and the girl at the register were extremely nice and made my Mother's and my coffee exactly the way we like it. I had a grande caramel macchiato (hot) and mom had a sugar free skim latte grande and a vanilla scone. I will certainly make this my regular stop when I go to play 18 holes of golf at Steeplechase!
Cat Wilson
My least favorite Starbucks is this one on Lake St. Staff are too busy with drive thru and I felt like a side burden. I’ve been to a lot of Starbucks In California, Oregon and Washington and where I went the staff gave a few happy moments of acknowledgemen.
Kindest staff! Came in with my Mom and got to try a mini of the new Cherry Chai Latte which was absolutely delicious! Bathrooms and main area were clean, and atmosphere was nice! Thank you so much for the great experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sara GB
Most definitely not customer service friendly! I have encountered quite a few issues that could’ve easily been resolved! I’ve been turned down in returning a merchandise product (within a 60 day Not a 30 day period) reassured it can only be accepted within a 30 day period and if I had a receipt? “which Yall have failed to ever provide one since now you can pay with your starbucks app! Which was no issue since obviously I did pay with my Starbucks card! Moving on to being dissatisfied with my drink “barista promise” if you don’t know about this please look into it!!! If “(for any beverage or food item you purchase that is not received, is not correct, is not filled properly or doesn't taste as you ordered it, we will remake the item at no cost to you until we get it right.) ” Failed!! ..To being asked who you spoke to about this issue, and If I had the drink with me atm, when I stopped @7:30am on my way to work and I’m out at 4:30pm Yes I will conserve that drink for you , next time I will make sure I do! Finally to being asked are you ok with the extra space ( not filled all the way to the top with just ice)??!! Save your money and time!! Maybe it’s time to look around for other coffee places that is worth the ounce of ice🤭😂
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Olivia
This location is always great! Have been going here ever since they built it a few years ago. Staff are always incredibly friendly and polite. :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
V W
If you need to use restroom you need to buy something?! Rally? Go Bankrupt please!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Vincent DeLuca
This is a Venti Matcha Latte. Did they add that much ice on purpose?? I paid for a Venti and got a Grande with tons of ice!! Great way to save on product I guess. This has happened before at this location and not a good way to cheat customers out of product they pay for!!
Light ice means Light ice!
Service: 1
I typically choose to stop by this Starbucks because it fits conveniently into my work schedule. However, I had a disappointing and frankly discouraging experience during my most recent visit.
What seemed to be the manager called me out when I asked for a cup of water, making a passive-aggressive remark implying I needed to purchase something in order to receive it. This was frustrating and confusing—especially considering that I’ve regularly purchased drinks and items from this location over time.
What made the situation worse was that the store was not busy at the time—there were no long lines inside or in the drive-thru—so the dismissive tone felt unnecessary and unkind. I’m fully aware of Starbucks’ updated policy about requiring a purchase for water, but as mentioned, I am already a paying customer.
Even Starbucks’ own guidelines mention that while the policy aims to streamline service, baristas may still use discretion, especially when the store isn’t overwhelmed. In this case, that discretion felt lacking and the interaction felt unnecessarily unpleasant.
I hope management reflects on how tone and customer rapport matter just as much as policy enforcement. I’d love to keep supporting this location, but not if it means being treated unfairly when I’ve been a frequent customer.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 1
Great size Starbucks Coffee Shop. Service baristas were very nice. Thank you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service was fast and quick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had one of the worst experiences at Starbucks yesterday, and I’m honestly shocked at how disappointing it was. I asked for an iced cappuccino, only to be told they “can’t make it” and instead was recommended an iced espresso with a splash of milk. What I received was absolutely undrinkable — bitter, watered down, and completely discarded after the first sip. It wasn’t even close to what I asked for.
To make things worse, my partner’s coffee didn’t even come out on time. After waiting far too long, we were told that their printer didn’t print the label, which caused the delay. No apology, no urgency — just excuses.
This visit left a genuinely bad taste in our mouths, both literally and figuratively. Hopefully, I never find myself stepping into this location again.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Cup of ice with a splash of coffee. Should be illegal.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
shaken espresso was more ice than coffee
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Wait in line was over 10 minutes by ourselves and drink wasnt fully filled up and not light ice, pretty mid
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
This location in Mundelein was amazing. The three Baristas and the girl at the register were extremely nice and made my Mother's and my coffee exactly the way we like it. I had a grande caramel macchiato (hot) and mom had a sugar free skim latte grande and a vanilla scone. I will certainly make this my regular stop when I go to play 18 holes of golf at Steeplechase!
My least favorite Starbucks is this one on Lake St. Staff are too busy with drive thru and I felt like a side burden. I’ve been to a lot of Starbucks In California, Oregon and Washington and where I went the staff gave a few happy moments of acknowledgemen.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Kindest staff! Came in with my Mom and got to try a mini of the new Cherry Chai Latte which was absolutely delicious! Bathrooms and main area were clean, and atmosphere was nice! Thank you so much for the great experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Most definitely not customer service friendly! I have encountered quite a few issues that could’ve easily been resolved! I’ve been turned down in returning a merchandise product (within a 60 day Not a 30 day period) reassured it can only be accepted within a 30 day period and if I had a receipt? “which Yall have failed to ever provide one since now you can pay with your starbucks app! Which was no issue since obviously I did pay with my Starbucks card! Moving on to being dissatisfied with my drink “barista promise” if you don’t know about this please look into it!!! If “(for any beverage or food item you purchase that is not received, is not correct, is not filled properly or doesn't taste as you ordered it, we will remake the item at no cost to you until we get it right.) ” Failed!! ..To being asked who you spoke to about this issue, and If I had the drink with me atm, when I stopped @7:30am on my way to work and I’m out at 4:30pm Yes I will conserve that drink for you , next time I will make sure I do! Finally to being asked are you ok with the extra space ( not filled all the way to the top with just ice)??!!
Save your money and time!! Maybe it’s time to look around for other coffee places that is worth the ounce of ice🤭😂
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
This location is always great! Have been going here ever since they built it a few years ago. Staff are always incredibly friendly and polite. :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you need to use restroom you need to buy something?! Rally? Go Bankrupt please!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This is a Venti Matcha Latte. Did they add that much ice on purpose?? I paid for a Venti and got a Grande with tons of ice!! Great way to save on product I guess. This has happened before at this location and not a good way to cheat customers out of product they pay for!!
Service: 1
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