Starbucks - San Diego

My experience at this restaurant was marred by extremely rude, disrespectful, and dismissive service from one employee in particular. This individual got my order wrong, laughed at my plant milk request, and acted as though remaking the drink was a significant hassle. This employee, described as a medium height younger African American guy with long curly hair and a big head, clearly lacked respect. Due to this negative service experience, I will NOT be returning.

I'm warning people about this location as it's one of the few drive-throughs still open. The location itself is weird, and the drivers are even weirder. The parking lot is small and cramped, filled with many cars, including double-parked camping vehicles that take up space and aren't paying attention, making it challenging to get to the drive-thru at times. This location seems to attract the worst drivers, including those who have never ordered at Starbucks before. Multiple times, I've been stuck behind cars that literally stop in the parking lot for no reason because they're unfamiliar with a Starbucks drive-through and don't know how to order. I've also witnessed drivers with such poor manners who, after receiving their order, spend five minutes having a private conversation, blocking all the cars behind them. People do this even for two drinks, indicating they aren't checking their order but are being rude and holding up the line. The staff aren't expediting anything. The staff is constantly changing; individually, some are nice and try to be friendly, but overall, they seem checked out. This drive-through is a hassle.

My experience at the restaurant was marked by great service and friendly staff. I would particularly recommend the Linda Vista location if you're in a hurry, as the drive-thru is convenient. The atmosphere was rated 5, service 5, and food 5.

Wow, this Starbucks is absolutely beautiful. It’s honestly one of the biggest and most stunning lobbies I’ve ever seen. I actually traveled just to visit this location because I’d heard so many great things and couldn’t wait to experience it for myself. I was even excited to capture some content of the gorgeous setup, but unfortunately, my experience with Lark really changed the tone of my visit. When I asked for two cups of ice, Lark told me I needed to make a purchase first. I was happy to do so, but after I paid, he didn’t say a single word. He just walked away without handing me my receipt, leaving me standing there at the register until another partner noticed I was waiting. His energy felt cold and unwelcoming, and instead of offering even a simple thank you or acknowledgment, he carried on as if I wasn’t there. What really disappointed me was that the entire interaction felt rushed, dismissive, and honestly rude. There was laughter during the order that didn’t feel friendly—it felt like we were being laughed at, not with. As someone who used to be a Starbucks barista, I know what great service and genuine connection look like, and this wasn’t it. I’ve always loved Starbucks for its warmth, consistency, and community feel. I’m a loyal customer and tumbler collector, and visiting new stores is something I truly enjoy. But this visit made me feel unwelcome in a place that’s supposed to feel like a little home away from home. I left feeling disappointed and bummed that I didn’t even feel comfortable staying to enjoy the beautiful space I’d come to see. This store has so much potential, and I really hope this feedback encourages more kindness, attentiveness, and genuine connection with guests in the future.

My experience at this restaurant was marked by exceptionally slow service. While the food quality was fine, the wait time was consistently three times longer than at the other location down the street. This made for a frustrating experience.