Starbucks

Elle Mercado

At 8:10 am this morning, I was seated in this Starbucks. A woman (whose name I learned was Lele) with a shopping cart walked in. It is safe to assume this woman is unhoused. A Starbucks employee (whose name tag I could not read) refused to serve the women because of the cart. Demanding she leave her cart outside. This was an incredibly ignorant request. This cart was a similar size as a stroller, this Starbucks is also extremely large, so there was no safety concern with having the cart in the store. Furthermore, the demand to leave her cart outside was ignorant because her belongings were clearly kept in this cart. I, unfortunately, could not read the name tag of the woman doing the most instigation; she was an older white appearing woman with very light blonde hair. She was being aggressive and accusatory and threatened the woman with calling the police to “take her out” for simply being in the Starbucks with a cart. Debbie, the other Starbucks employee, was also involved, still not as harmful as the other worker. The workers never spoke to her calmly, never made their requests calmly. They demanded and instigated. Lele, of course, got defensive, angry, and felt unwelcome. The Starbucks employees' only response was, “We’re going to call the cops,” grabbing the landline to threaten Lele. There is a sizeable unhoused community surrounding this Starbucks. It is highly ignorant to work at this Starbucks, a community coffee shop, and treat these individuals with such prejudice. After the commotion began, I walked over to the woman, ensured she was safe, and de-escalated a situation these Starbucks employees caused. An ignorant store. A disappointment to the area. Upon speaking to Lele for a few moments, the unhoused community feels extremely unsafe and unwelcome at this Starbucks. They have made a reputation for themselves. I have emailed the store manager, Caitlin Folan, in hopes something can be done about the employees' appearing prejudiced.

Jeremy Zucker

Typical Starbucks good friendly service, but I waited almost 20 minutes for two drinks. I hate the lines at this location like some of the others that have been wedged into our neighborhoods all over Chicago, almost like they're put there specifically to mess up traffic for everyone.

C. Del Rosario

If you want coffee with your cream and sugar drink this is the place for you. They have several Frappes on the menu and they all taste the same (I didn't order them, my kid did. He loves this place). However, their app is great. Order ahead and it's ready at the stated time. They have this coffee-to-go down to a science.

Everett Gutierrez Jr

It’s hit or miss with their drive thru. They use to be extremely efficient, but it seems like they are not as fast with their orders and don’t always put the right amount of ingredients in their drinks. They should also consider blocking off one of the entrances to the parking lot as there is always issues with customers trying to get in line and figure out where it starts...this would avoid a lot of confusion. It’s the closest one to our home, I hope their service gets better soon.