I always come here because I live about a block away in Evanston. In fact, I'm writing this review here right now. I love that there's a mix of Evanston residents and NU students here, and a lot of the residents do too! Just a few moments ago, one man said something along the lines of, "sitting with students makes me feel young again!", and yesterday, a lady told me that she thinks it's cool to be surrounded by people who are working on things she didn't understand (don't worry - of course I assured her that if she had the exposure she'd pick it up easily!). Yes, it's crowded at times, especially on Sundays or during exams week, but it's pretty much adjacent to campus, so what do you expect? I've never seen students being overly loud, rowdy or not cleaning up after themselves. And I doubt the renovation would have happened if it weren't for the huuuge amount of sales that the students bring in. If you don't like students, there's another Starbucks on Chicago/Dempster. There are a lot of outlets (look under the table if you're sitting in the section near the cash registers!), the music is great, the temperature is comfortable, the renovation is stunning. The baristas, especially Natan and Chris, are very warm and friendly (though there are two others that give me a blank expression every time, but I can dig it). They don't always make my drink at the temperature I request, but that's alright. Should I make a food recommendation? Try the madelines! They are really delicious and very filling for such small cakes. You can find them near the bananas. You're welcome.
(5)
emily h.
I love this Starbucks. When you first walk in the line always looks horrible. Don't be discouraged though. The employees work together really well and the long line moves fast. I normally have a drink in my hand in less than 5 minutes. I've only actually sat in the shop once but they have a ton of seating and it is a really comfortable environment. In addition to the pastries and sandwiches that all of the Starbucks serve, this one also has wine and tapas.
(5)
Park R.
Aside from being a gorgeous location with a dedicated staff, this Starbucks is home to the Evanston Go Club every Wednesday night from 6pm to 10pm or later. This is a fascinating, beautiful, complex yet easy-to-learn Asian board game of pure strategy. The club is free, and happy to teach beginners. The place gets one star off for being a part of the Starbucks Corporate Pod Clone Conspiracy. Otherwise, I like!
(4)
Lydia C.
Definitely my favorite place to study between classes. Staff is super friendly, and plenty of seating options and outlets ensure that I always get a comfortable seat for my laid-back study sessions. As an NU student who likes a change in study space every once in a while, I would definitely give it a try! Drink and food quality are also definitely better than the Starbucks on campus.
(5)
Kristin M.
I know it's kind of random to review a Starbucks, but I always enjoy finding good ones around Chicago/Evanston. The 2-story one on Rush/State St. downtown Chicago remains my absolute favorite, but this location has an above average seating arrangement and ambiance, and the line always moves pretty quickly. The staff are also really nice and helpful. Most people are doing work on laptops or having some sort of meeting. Seems like a good place to go to be productive.
(5)
Carol H.
Hmmm....always crowded, as all Starbucks are. But the music is really LOUD. Which is so odd as everyone is working for hours on laptops. Seems the staff enjoys the loudness...me? Not so much. Today's jams were tolerable but last 3 days were jazzy blues yuck that I wouldn't listen to at 3:00 am...
(2)
M P.
I don't know about you but my impression of what a Starbucks should be is quick and reliable. Well this particular Starbucks reliably operates at the pace of a turtle heading towards a colonoscopy. There is ZERO sense of urgency here. On a typical weekday morning at 8:15 there are 5 or 6 employees in the store with never more than 3 of them working to serve the customers (only one of the two registers is ever in operation) in what is always a very long line. The 2 to 3 employees not working toward serving customers are typically fiddling with displays, cleaning the display cases or simply standing around behind the counter not doing a thing and getting in the way. In the realm of the Starbucks universe it's a pretty shocking scene.
(1)
Yanyao N.
This is a perfect example of change being GREAT. The tiny, uncomfortable Starbucks, shifted a few doors down and has grown into a very large and beautiful space. Probably one of the largest ones I have ever visited. I really wish I had this in my neighborhood. This location has a very "green" feel to it, and I'm sure if you looked into it a little, it is probably LEED certified or something, I mean, we are in Evanston. It's got that reclaimed yet modern feel to it - the exposed light bulbs, and tables and chairs. Such a neat space to get some emails written, or to put away a few chapters of a book. As for coffee, it is a Starbucks. They do have a Clover machine that is quite popular with the customers. However, in terms of efficiency, it doesn't really compare to some Loop locations. But I couldn't care less, because compared to the old Starbucks, this place is a DREAM.
(4)
Kate L.
The good: Nice Decor, clover machine, variety of food. The bad: Long lines and LOUD MUSIC. Please turn down your music!!! Not a good place to do business, focus on work, or have a relaxing cup of coffee.
(2)
Sharon S.
So I came back because this is in my neighborhood and I love the day crew people. Here's what I found out. There was a student who was curled up in a chair sleeping and kept sleeping for 30 minutes without anybody coming up about sleeping. Same manager who kicked out the old man for sleeping, and he wasn't asleep for the hour and a half as I sat next to him. That incident included police action. Here's another observation, this is 99% filled with students. It used to be a better mix of students and residents when it was a smaller store. What is upsetting? There is a lovely Starbucks on campus right next to a large seating area which includes a view of the lake and fireplaces. If you fall asleep there, nobody says anything. The library is just across the walkway for those needing to study. Evanston residents cannot go to this Starbucks. Only students. Thankfully Panera is down the street so I do not need to leave my neighborhood for coffee.
(1)
Daniel A.
My wife & I stopped in for a coffee & nib bits and they were flat out rude to us. She's vowed to never return to this location.
(1)
Tian Y.
New store! It's so pretty and the bar/counter is spacious. They've now added more food variety and heated flatbread panini things and the like. Lighting is sliiightly better, and I guess the yellowish lights suit the ambiance, but it's still too dim for productive studying imo. Unfortunately, it's always packed and kind of loud. Unlike some other places, the seating area is tightly packed so a full house is pretty loud/distracting. I still get my drinks to go or just come here to talk maybe. Also, wifi is super slow, even when the store isn't that packed. Drinks have become inconsistent, which is ridiculous to me since it's effing Starbucks and everything is so standardized. Maybe it's new employees or something, I dunno. The store itself is a huge improvement. Is it more study-able? Not for me.
(4)
Honest T.
Great service,great product,equals great review. This is my go to place. The ambiance alone will make you want to stay .
(4)
Jyoans Y.
Ordinarily a good atmosphere but the service is really slow. It's likely due to the number of people staffing the orders and the large volume of customers. I wish they would add more staff during the core hours.
(2)
Christie P.
Unfortunately, this Starbucks is pretty bad. For a prime location, the staff get a lot of drinks wrong, miscommunicate with each other, and are not that friendly. So, service and drinks get two stars. The third star is because this place is GREAT for seating. If I were a student, freelancer or anyone else in need of a place to sit down and plug in for hours at a crack, I would definitely come here.
(3)
steven d.
------------------------------------- ----- update: 3/20/2014 ----- ------------------------------------- the fruit flies are back, both in the store and crawling on the pastries. they addressed the problem for a while but they're here again. this is poor
(2)
Kate S.
I'm late to the party, but the new location is a vast improvement over the previous location - it actually holds more than 3 people now. I love the new industrial ambiance that is very much made for instagram. The staff were very courteous, and pretty quick with our orders. Granted, it's summer and the students aren't back on campus yet to swarm the place, but right now it's definitely one of the better Starbucks I have been to.
(4)
Daphne L.
Newly updated Starbucks, very swanky and much bigger than the original store a few doors down. Try the Clover Press coffee, you won't be sorry.
(4)
Angela S.
Yep, it's a Starbucks, but I knew I liked this place when a guy and his cute kid *rode* through the door. He was walking, but his kiddo was on a training wheels bicycle (grown up stroller). Kid got off bike and parked it inside, proudly approaching the counter. Ha! This location is huge. If it wasn't for the familiar menu, I might have closed my eyes and thought I was at another coffee stop. The vibe here is fantastic. I had a meeting here the other day, and since I typically hold meetings at another spot in town, I'll fully admit to having never been here before and was thrilled when I finally gave it a chance. I always figured it would be too usual, but boy was I wrong. The seating is more than abundant, and though it was pretty crowded, snagging one of the comfy chairs wasn't a problem. The only thing I would change about my entire experience was the disgusting...and I mean gross sweaty workout chic who was standing in front of me with sweat literally dripping off her body onto the floor. Eeeeew, I'm feeling sick just thinking about it. I'm thinking they need a sign that reads *Our iced tea is guaranteed to cool you down, but please leave your dripping sweat at the door*. Fun, urban, and lots of seating. I may have found my new meeting spot in town! I'll be back for sure.
(4)
Maggie S.
I was just curious...aren't there requirements for food storage here in Illinois? The fact that this store has all its pastries sitting out, uncovered seems weird. Not to mention gross. Just today while waiting in line, I watched 3 flies molest a glazed donut. Can't imagine I'm the only person who takes issue with this.
(2)
Tanya V.
A Starbucks is a Starbucks is a Starbucks, right? Wrong. This location has so much space, a 6-foot high sneezeguard-protected spread of food, and every type of seating you could possibly desire. It's really cool. It has levels and fancy word-mirrors and very friendly and fast baristas. It does also have a proximity to campus that guarantees swarms of students, professors and regulars at all times - and I do mean SWAAARMS - but the baristas seem to be handling the heavy business well. I've waited in line twice - lines that looked very worthy of turning away from - and have gotten my drink within 5 minutes or so. Not a place you can go in a rush, but doable if you have a little time. HINT to Starbucks - you could build another location immediately next door and both would be busy. Go ahead. I'm only giving 4 stars because you didn't build two.
(4)
Dana J.
Thank you Natan, for always making me smile every Saturday morning. This staff is incredible, I'm not sure if they realize what an impact they have on their customers. --Dana aka "no no"
(5)
Brett S.
Visited again today - only one type - out of all of the b-fast sandwiches available. Seriously Starbucks: How. Can. You. Be. This. Ineffective? DD anyone...
(1)
Amanda L.
This location is very peculiar. I'm usually there in the morning rush before 9, and the line is either out the door or short. Either way, you're waiting a very long time. This morning I counted seven employees behind the counter. One on the register. One barista. The other five...I couldn't tell you what exactly they were doing. One guy is almost always cleaning the glass partition by the register line right in the middle of everyone. Glass cleaner spraying all over the pastries behind the glass. Very appetizing. I understand that restocking napkins and cleaning needs to be done, but can't this happen BEFORE or AFTER the breakfast rush? And if there are two registers, shouldn't two registers be open to make the line go faster? I've just started working in Evanston, having previously worked at the Merchandise Mart. The Starbucks there is packed from the minute it opens, and the line moves FAST. You're in and out in 5-7 minutes, even during big shows. I feel like this Starbucks needs to be better managed. I will say it's almost always clean and everyone is friendly.
(2)
Stephanie C.
Wonderful remodeling job, great atmosphere.
(4)
Ruby K.
I hardly ever go to Starbucks anymore, there are usually local coffee shops with more character and better/cheaper drinks around. But I've gotta say this is the nicest Starbucks I've ever seen. Industrial chic decor (which is obviously all the rage these days but I still like it), lots of diff kinds of seating, clover machine. I am currently sharing a table with a gentleman who has been talking to himself nonstop for 20 mins but he seems perfectly friendly and polite so 5 full stars!
(5)
Roxie H.
Awesome newer, bigger location. More seating. However, the quality of beverages is rather disappointing. There are days I wish I could go behind the counter & make my own. At least the baristas are friendly.
(2)
Matt B.
Update: The new storefront has added a much-needed improvement in the seating arena. They're also now one of the Starbucks licensed to serve wine after 4pm. If you're the kind of person who wants to drink wine at a Starbucks, well, then, I guess you are in luck. I have to echo steven d's comment about the upcharging--they've tried to pull similar stunts on me, but I fight it. I usually order a blonde roast, black. I tried ordering one around 2pm, and I had this conversation: Me: "Grande blonde roast, please." Sbux Guy: "Um, we don't have any blonde roast brewed. We don't brew any after noon." Me: "Huh, it seems like there should be a sign up that states that. After all, it is on your menu, right there." Sbux Guy: "We can do a pour-over for you. It would just be 40 cents extra." Me: "No, I'd actually like to pay the price that's on the menu. if you have to do a pour-over, that's fine, but I'm paying the price that's posted right there." Sbux Girl (walking up): "We have some blonde roast right here" (points Sbux Guy to carafe behind the counter). Sbux Guy: "Yeah, but that was brewed a while ago." Me: "That'll be just fine. Thanks." I wish I could say I've only had to have this conversation once, but I would be lying, and I like you too much to lie to you.
(3)
Kimberly P.
Yesterday I reviewed the Starbucks that's closest to my home. This is the one I go to instead of that one. Completely opposite that store, at this one you'll almost always find friendly faces. There are a couple of employees who are average, but with most of them being so far above the bar it's not enough to withhold a star. I'm usually here late at night (thank goodness for a store that's open until midnight). That crew I know by name and they know mine. They know my drink preferences and always make me feel welcome. I'm here less often during the day and almost never in the mornings---but still enough to confidently say those crews are a pleasure as well. Even at the busiest times, no matter how long the wait, you'll always see them working together to get everyone served in a reasonable amount of time. And I always leave with a smile on my face--even if I've not entered with one. The parking here can be annoying and it takes twice as long for me to get to (then the location closest to me)...still there's no comparison. There's a reason I happily accept those minor inconveniences to make this my regular location.
(5)
J. J.
Great to have all that seating, but bad management makes this place an unpleasant and erratic experience. 1) Long lines move way too slowly, and SHIFT MGR. REFUSES TO OPEN 2nd REGISTER. When a lady in line complained that she'd already been waiting 15 min., can't they open the other register, shift mgr said no, not his call. When she asked if he could at least give feedback to his store mgr. on this issue, he likewise refused(!), and had the nerve to say it was actually the CUSTOMER's job to initiate change by complaining on the national Starbuck's website. He actually refused to give customer feedback to his own boss about a store-specific issue. 2) Same shift mgr. on another day acted like I was asking for something bizarre when I wanted my drink in a double cup. He was rude enough that my companion asked me what the deal was with that guy. 3) Cashier throws away receipt without asking if you want it. Who does that? 4) I ordered a soy latte and they put whipped cream on it, w/o asking me. Hello, non-dairy order? I didn't have time to wait for a do-over. 5) My high-priced, incorrectly customized latte was also only about 2/3 full, the rest foam. If I wanted a tall sized drink, I wouldn't have ordered a venti. That much foam is not latte, that's cappuccino, and definitely not how it's typically served at other locations. Disappointing, especially at Starbucks prices. 6) Music is way too loud, especially in the upper deck seating area in the back. Seats facing one another along the rail are so far apart that my companion & I practically had to shout over the music to have a not at all private conversation. Not appealing.
(2)
L. D.
I feel badly for giving this just three stars because of all of the money spent remodeling it, but I am not sure who they remodeled it for. The old store was a cramped and wimpy Starbuck's for being so close to a university, but at least the only people who went in there wanted the coffee. Now this place is huge, and I was told it is one of 24 Starbuck's in the country that can serve wine and beer. ¡Great! BUT, who designed this place? By 8am on a Sunday morning, I found all of the two-tops to be filled, each with a single person sitting there working on a laptop/ipad. So there are communal tables where I have sat twice before and been hit on twice before by other customers. The tables are at the wrong height for the chairs if you want to type comfortably. There also don't seem to be any shades for the floor to ceiling windows in the front, so sunshine comes glaring in and nobody sits in the twelve seats in the front during large portions of the day. If you have a stroller, the only place to park it would be at one of the two six-top "communal" tables, which then obstructs movement and disturbs the other customers. The ladies' room has two stalls, which is fine, but I was in there when a woman was changing her baby's diaper, and the space was so small, she had to put the stroller in one of the stalls. So it becomes a one-stall bathroom if there is someone trying to use the changing station. Good idea Starbuck's, but this is a case of not knowing your clientele, or trying to attract a different one, or trying to be everything to everyone and instead, becoming a prime example of form not following function. It's like the architect checked all of the boxes for requirements, but forgot about the people he was designing for. If I wanted a place to have a talk with a friend over a pumpkin spice latte and a cupcake (and leave an hour later in a sugar coma), this is the place. But otherwise, it is off. Also, with all of the redesign and the spread of foods, I don't see why they can't offer at least some reduced fat or lowfat pastries. It seems a shame.
(3)
Heather J.
If you're looking for the friendliest baristas in town, go here. They are always busy, work quickly, and definitely know what they are doing. I have yet to find another Starbucks like this one.
(5)
Mike W.
This should be renamed the Northwestern Starbucks. I guess Northwestern does not have libraries for its students to study. If you are a resident, good luck getting a seat. Several of us have individually tried to get seats at several different times of the day, several different days of the week. It is nearly always infested with students for several hour a day. They hold seats for each and nurse a coffee for several hours while stressfully studying or casually tweeting. The evening bites/alcohol is a joke; students are there in every seat! Where are we going to sit and have a glass of wine? Also, how uncomfortable to be drinking wine next to someone freaking out about an exam or paper! The only good thing about the lack of seats at Starbucks has been my getting to know the other local coffee businesses and also visiting Cosi - which is always empty. Nothing can be done to fix this, so I will just warn all of you to either try your luck and go or avoid coming there altogether. Zero stars.
(1)
Kit G.
This Starbucks just relocated to a bigger space about 3 doors up from the old location. It is the nicest Starbucks I have ever seen. The interior has an industrial chic vibe, and lots of seating. The line moves faster since there are more baristas working now. Huge improvement. Great service.
(5)
Tom H.
It's (now) big, clean, attractive and comfortable. Same coffee and bakery items as every other Starbucks. Close to Evanston's shopping and commercial district as well as to Northwestern University. Nice place to either grab a coffee to go or to sit and hang out with a laptop.
(4)
Christine K.
I love the new interior and set up. It's very modern and chic and comfortable enough to sit down and do homework. Of all the cafes, the newly remodeled Starbucks is the closest thing to your quintessential college coffee shop with a hip vibe. Based on my experience here yesterday, I am pleasantly surprised by the friendly service I received from one of the workers.. If every Starbucks had someone on staff like her, then all of them would receive 5 stars for service. The coffee is not terrible, but it's not the best either. For a Starbucks coffee though, the Americano is acceptable. (Much better than Panera's.)
(4)
Patrick O.
Can never say anything bad about Starbucks. Been to so many of them from coast to coast. Pacific - West - East coast. Always great coffee, great people.
(5)
Jane W.
Don't really go to starbucks much, but am very impressed with the new location. A LOT bigger and the interior is very clean and modern. So far only visited the new location once and bought a maple scone, which was delicious.
(4)
Holly R.
9/21/14 I'm changing my opinion on this place because I moved away and did not realize how incredibly kind the people at this location are. They learn your name and if not, they know your face and order. That means something. I go to other locations and am treated like I am ruining their day for giving them business. Since I wrote this review, they have become much more efficient with the delivery on the back end, too. ***** 6/17/13 The people who take your order seem courteous and try to assist quickly but on the back end, it is very slow. I get an easy drink, too and the employee took forever and then when preparing it, she didn't even shake the drink. Not impressed. They just seem overwhelmed, even when there isn't a crowd. It seems like they could work out a better system to become more efficient with their time and ours.
(4)
Peter M.
This is the slowest Starbucks I have ever been in. There's a ton of staff that move with absolutely no urgency - even with the new location nothing has improved and their lines are absurdly long. I have no idea how they are so inefficient but something has got to change over there
(1)
Manny A.
Feels bad to pan Starbucks but as locations go this was a severe disappointment. The place looked new and was attractively decorated. Unfortunately, the service was inattentive, they got one of the drinks wrong and the place was filthy! The condiment tables had spills, empty containers and an overflowing waste basket. The counter was sticky and smeared and there were wrappers on the floor. I hope this is not an ordinary occurrence. Ok. Time to be fair. I looked around half an hour later and everything had been cleaned up and employees were smiling again. Must have caught them at a bad time, but still....
(3)
Mima W.
This is an update. Can't they do anything about that customer who seems to be there everyday and smells like the bottom of septic tank? If he sits within 20 feet of me, I have to pack up my stuff and move to another table, if there's a spot open. If not, I just leave. It's unbearable. I'm not exaggerating. I like this place, but he's spoiling the experience on a regular basis. Honest to God, if he comes in when I'm there, I always smell him before I see him.
(4)
Mary K W.
Slow wifi, slow employees. Lots of competition on this stretch of Evanston; I'll go elsewhere from now on.
(1)
Priya G.
This is my absolute favorite Starbucks. I come here every weekend and have had amazing customer service every time. The drinks are always consistent, which I cannot say about some other locations. This Starbucks also samples coffee and food so often. Can't ask for more than that!
(5)
Nafeesah A.
I was getting breakfast and the paper the morning I went to this location, but it seems to have a problem keeping the homeless away from harassing the customers. It was clear they had a problem when a homeless guy shaking his cup for change, but what he did next had me floored...he pulls out a cell phone and starts texting and the guy sitting at the far table on the end was totally not seeing what this dillweed was doing. Plus not to mention he had a Starbucks coffee cup next to him...so apparently this guy was pretending to be homeless, but could afford coffee from Starbucks and to pay for a cell phone to text off of. This location was pretty funny in my honest opinion. This location gets 5 stars for service and professionalism.
(5)
David S.
This is a little, odd, small, and cramped Starbucks hugging the Northwestern campus. It is what it is. Don't hate it, just accept it.
(3)
Callie C.
I literally visit this Starbucks every (week) day. The manager is awesome and he greets me by name as soon as I walk in. The only downside to this location is that it is really small and can get super crowded in the morning, but the friendly staff and delicious coffee make up for it!
(5)
Joy M.
I'm really impressed with all the changes made at this location. I used to hate coming here because it seemed dirty and the barista's were rude. The last couple times I've been here it's apparent that they are making a lot of changes.
(4)
Sandeep P.
I've been here a bunch of times (although not as often as some, as I don't have a java addiction.....yet) and my drinks have always been mediocre to OK at best. Service is also sometimes hit or miss...I ordered a tall apple spice, no caramel/whip and he put on caramel before I could say something. Then, when I pointed this out, he hastily made a drink for me that, tasting it down the block, seemed as if he'd just poured the syrup into my cup. Honestly, if you cant even do basic starbucks drinks right, how am I expected to give this a decent rating when compared to the other, far more accommodating and creative, cafes all over Evanston?
(2)
Charles J.
Good coffee. Lines take too long at rush time (why not use the 2nd register?) Also, please stop hiring dudes who look like a Gentle Giant album cover. What happened to all the nice girls?
(4)
Amy K.
If I could give zero I would. I was temporarily living in Evanston for the past week, and, this was the closest one for me to walk to. I am a Starbucks girl, I know Starbucks and have grown to like it BECAUSE of their service. Being that, I have NEVER experienced any more worse service than at this one. They just don't seem to get it. Usually, you have someone taking orders for the line, then the register, then the drink maker. This one had a total knucklehead, instead of taking drink orders, filling up the friggin bakery goods, while there was a line practically out the door. Another day (this is all within just one week), it was my turn to order, the guy at the register, does not even greet me, HE GOES AND WALKS TO THE SUGAR/MILK BAR TO CLEAN IT UP, instead of taking care of me!!!! It took a minute or two for someone to casually walk up and take my order. The first day I went they screwed up my order, since I had a dog outside waiting, I couldn't ask for them to change it since it probably would've added on another 20 minutes to what I had already waited for for the first drink. If I lived in Evanston and this was where I needed to go on a regular basis, I would actually contact the corporate Starbucks. Something was really funky and ajar at this one and needs looking into. And, it wasn't only me. One morning I was there, another gentleman complained to the manager about the drink maker blabbing away while he waited a super long time for his drink. And, the manager did not even apologize. He got frustrated and rude with the customer. The only thing nice about this one is the very sweet homeless man outside.
(1)
Geoff S.
1. The homeless topic. If you know much about the homeless, you know they are people like anyone else. In an area where there are a number of homeless, you want to encourage the right ones outside your establishment to keep the bad ones away. I know the homeless topic is not one everyone likes to get into, but having a friendly person outside the store to open doors is practically security. Not to mention, if you have to park and run inside and don't have change on you, there's always the homeless guy you can borrow from and remember on your way out. However, Starbucks local management needs to always be aware that whoever is the first impression of their store is also part of the image of their company. Selectivity is important. 2. The meat and potatoes (or coffee & milk?). I think management and staff here are friendly. The space can get really cozy really fast. It can be difficult to find space to sit at times. Rarely in the past couple of years have I had a bad drink. I have had the wrong drink a couple of times, but they are really good at making another or just not charging for mistakes if the drink is acceptable. It's easy to make friends with the employees here, so if that's your thing, I encourage it! My biggest complaint comes down to the area where baristas put drinks by the sink and due to their lack of space, pass rinsed or dirty pitchers back and forth over open-topped drinks. Cooks do not make and prepare meals between dishwashers, baristas should keep structure to their work-flow for sanitation.
(4)
Jahnavi W.
I gotta give this place 1 star being a starbucks employee at one time. I get it, that job sucks... but the whole idea of Starbucks is to give great customer service, and no one at this location know how to do that. Especially the dude who thinks frosted tips are still cool.
(1)
Mba S.
I went in this Starbuck's for the first time this afternoon to get away from street repairs in my neighborhood. (I've tried visiting other times but it's been way too crowded.) Newly renovated, it's only been opened a short time. I really liked the layout. The service was very good. I was hoping for something more peaceful in terms of ambiance. I wrote a tip on my iPhone app for Yelp that the music was way too loud. At the time they were playing music for seniors, such as Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. I absolutely could not think. As soon as I finished my beverage, I left. However, toward the end of my visit, they did turn down the volume and switch to a different playlist. I wish they'd play more mellow music that is less overwhelming and intrusive. I usually go to the Main Street Starbucks and have never had a problem with the music there. I've noticed I'm not the only customer who has complained about the music, so I don't feel as bad complaining. (Argo Tea and Barnes & Noble also have terrible music and Panera hasn't been too great lately on the music issue either.)
(4)
Raven J.
This Starbucks has great employees! They are very crowded (but you can still move), but they take EXACTLY enough time to take your order. They are not rushing you or being rude like all busy Chicago bars are, and they are not being slow. This is EXACTLY how a very busy restaurant should function and I have literally never seen a busy restaurant function this way before. It doesn't get a 5 because the place is tiny, and even though it's SEVERELY full at all times so you can't choose where to sit, it doesn't have an electrical outlet at every table, and chairs. And of course because it's still Starbucks so the prices are very expensive and the coffee is TERRIBLE. So with very negative vs very positive, I suppose it should get a 3 - any privately-owned place with such terrible coffe would get a 2 if it had perfect employees and MAYBE a 3 if ot also had bathrooms which are both perfect and individual (and this Starbuck's individual bathrooms are not perfect, though the women's is "fine") and the men's is mostly usuable "if you must"). But then if you're looking at this, you're not really trying to find out whether Starbucks is a good place to buy from are you? That's unlikely now, considering that there's one every block, so if you're reading this on purpose you're trying to see if THIS Starbucks is one you should go to. In that vein, the only thing moving it down is the tiny size, but it still has the comfy chairs (some tiny Starbucks don't have them, and that would be an obvious low rating since most Starbucks do have them. And, you know, because that place would also be a Starbucks - not a corporation you want to voluntarily financially support). The amount of electrical outlets in proportion to tables and chairs would probably be fine if at the same ratio in a place big enough to support all it's - that is if everyone I saw using a laptop was plugged in. And I think the University students are coming here on purpose, because the Student Center on the campus also has a Starbucks, it's probably right in the middle.
Melody Y.
I always come here because I live about a block away in Evanston. In fact, I'm writing this review here right now. I love that there's a mix of Evanston residents and NU students here, and a lot of the residents do too! Just a few moments ago, one man said something along the lines of, "sitting with students makes me feel young again!", and yesterday, a lady told me that she thinks it's cool to be surrounded by people who are working on things she didn't understand (don't worry - of course I assured her that if she had the exposure she'd pick it up easily!). Yes, it's crowded at times, especially on Sundays or during exams week, but it's pretty much adjacent to campus, so what do you expect? I've never seen students being overly loud, rowdy or not cleaning up after themselves. And I doubt the renovation would have happened if it weren't for the huuuge amount of sales that the students bring in. If you don't like students, there's another Starbucks on Chicago/Dempster. There are a lot of outlets (look under the table if you're sitting in the section near the cash registers!), the music is great, the temperature is comfortable, the renovation is stunning. The baristas, especially Natan and Chris, are very warm and friendly (though there are two others that give me a blank expression every time, but I can dig it). They don't always make my drink at the temperature I request, but that's alright. Should I make a food recommendation? Try the madelines! They are really delicious and very filling for such small cakes. You can find them near the bananas. You're welcome.
(5)emily h.
I love this Starbucks. When you first walk in the line always looks horrible. Don't be discouraged though. The employees work together really well and the long line moves fast. I normally have a drink in my hand in less than 5 minutes. I've only actually sat in the shop once but they have a ton of seating and it is a really comfortable environment. In addition to the pastries and sandwiches that all of the Starbucks serve, this one also has wine and tapas.
(5)Park R.
Aside from being a gorgeous location with a dedicated staff, this Starbucks is home to the Evanston Go Club every Wednesday night from 6pm to 10pm or later. This is a fascinating, beautiful, complex yet easy-to-learn Asian board game of pure strategy. The club is free, and happy to teach beginners. The place gets one star off for being a part of the Starbucks Corporate Pod Clone Conspiracy. Otherwise, I like!
(4)Lydia C.
Definitely my favorite place to study between classes. Staff is super friendly, and plenty of seating options and outlets ensure that I always get a comfortable seat for my laid-back study sessions. As an NU student who likes a change in study space every once in a while, I would definitely give it a try! Drink and food quality are also definitely better than the Starbucks on campus.
(5)Kristin M.
I know it's kind of random to review a Starbucks, but I always enjoy finding good ones around Chicago/Evanston. The 2-story one on Rush/State St. downtown Chicago remains my absolute favorite, but this location has an above average seating arrangement and ambiance, and the line always moves pretty quickly. The staff are also really nice and helpful. Most people are doing work on laptops or having some sort of meeting. Seems like a good place to go to be productive.
(5)Carol H.
Hmmm....always crowded, as all Starbucks are. But the music is really LOUD. Which is so odd as everyone is working for hours on laptops. Seems the staff enjoys the loudness...me? Not so much. Today's jams were tolerable but last 3 days were jazzy blues yuck that I wouldn't listen to at 3:00 am...
(2)M P.
I don't know about you but my impression of what a Starbucks should be is quick and reliable. Well this particular Starbucks reliably operates at the pace of a turtle heading towards a colonoscopy. There is ZERO sense of urgency here. On a typical weekday morning at 8:15 there are 5 or 6 employees in the store with never more than 3 of them working to serve the customers (only one of the two registers is ever in operation) in what is always a very long line. The 2 to 3 employees not working toward serving customers are typically fiddling with displays, cleaning the display cases or simply standing around behind the counter not doing a thing and getting in the way. In the realm of the Starbucks universe it's a pretty shocking scene.
(1)Yanyao N.
This is a perfect example of change being GREAT. The tiny, uncomfortable Starbucks, shifted a few doors down and has grown into a very large and beautiful space. Probably one of the largest ones I have ever visited. I really wish I had this in my neighborhood. This location has a very "green" feel to it, and I'm sure if you looked into it a little, it is probably LEED certified or something, I mean, we are in Evanston. It's got that reclaimed yet modern feel to it - the exposed light bulbs, and tables and chairs. Such a neat space to get some emails written, or to put away a few chapters of a book. As for coffee, it is a Starbucks. They do have a Clover machine that is quite popular with the customers. However, in terms of efficiency, it doesn't really compare to some Loop locations. But I couldn't care less, because compared to the old Starbucks, this place is a DREAM.
(4)Kate L.
The good: Nice Decor, clover machine, variety of food. The bad: Long lines and LOUD MUSIC. Please turn down your music!!! Not a good place to do business, focus on work, or have a relaxing cup of coffee.
(2)Sharon S.
So I came back because this is in my neighborhood and I love the day crew people. Here's what I found out. There was a student who was curled up in a chair sleeping and kept sleeping for 30 minutes without anybody coming up about sleeping. Same manager who kicked out the old man for sleeping, and he wasn't asleep for the hour and a half as I sat next to him. That incident included police action. Here's another observation, this is 99% filled with students. It used to be a better mix of students and residents when it was a smaller store. What is upsetting? There is a lovely Starbucks on campus right next to a large seating area which includes a view of the lake and fireplaces. If you fall asleep there, nobody says anything. The library is just across the walkway for those needing to study. Evanston residents cannot go to this Starbucks. Only students. Thankfully Panera is down the street so I do not need to leave my neighborhood for coffee.
(1)Daniel A.
My wife & I stopped in for a coffee & nib bits and they were flat out rude to us. She's vowed to never return to this location.
(1)Tian Y.
New store! It's so pretty and the bar/counter is spacious. They've now added more food variety and heated flatbread panini things and the like. Lighting is sliiightly better, and I guess the yellowish lights suit the ambiance, but it's still too dim for productive studying imo. Unfortunately, it's always packed and kind of loud. Unlike some other places, the seating area is tightly packed so a full house is pretty loud/distracting. I still get my drinks to go or just come here to talk maybe. Also, wifi is super slow, even when the store isn't that packed. Drinks have become inconsistent, which is ridiculous to me since it's effing Starbucks and everything is so standardized. Maybe it's new employees or something, I dunno. The store itself is a huge improvement. Is it more study-able? Not for me.
(4)Honest T.
Great service,great product,equals great review. This is my go to place. The ambiance alone will make you want to stay .
(4)Jyoans Y.
Ordinarily a good atmosphere but the service is really slow. It's likely due to the number of people staffing the orders and the large volume of customers. I wish they would add more staff during the core hours.
(2)Christie P.
Unfortunately, this Starbucks is pretty bad. For a prime location, the staff get a lot of drinks wrong, miscommunicate with each other, and are not that friendly. So, service and drinks get two stars. The third star is because this place is GREAT for seating. If I were a student, freelancer or anyone else in need of a place to sit down and plug in for hours at a crack, I would definitely come here.
(3)steven d.
------------------------------------- ----- update: 3/20/2014 ----- ------------------------------------- the fruit flies are back, both in the store and crawling on the pastries. they addressed the problem for a while but they're here again. this is poor
(2)Kate S.
I'm late to the party, but the new location is a vast improvement over the previous location - it actually holds more than 3 people now. I love the new industrial ambiance that is very much made for instagram. The staff were very courteous, and pretty quick with our orders. Granted, it's summer and the students aren't back on campus yet to swarm the place, but right now it's definitely one of the better Starbucks I have been to.
(4)Daphne L.
Newly updated Starbucks, very swanky and much bigger than the original store a few doors down. Try the Clover Press coffee, you won't be sorry.
(4)Angela S.
Yep, it's a Starbucks, but I knew I liked this place when a guy and his cute kid *rode* through the door. He was walking, but his kiddo was on a training wheels bicycle (grown up stroller). Kid got off bike and parked it inside, proudly approaching the counter. Ha! This location is huge. If it wasn't for the familiar menu, I might have closed my eyes and thought I was at another coffee stop. The vibe here is fantastic. I had a meeting here the other day, and since I typically hold meetings at another spot in town, I'll fully admit to having never been here before and was thrilled when I finally gave it a chance. I always figured it would be too usual, but boy was I wrong. The seating is more than abundant, and though it was pretty crowded, snagging one of the comfy chairs wasn't a problem. The only thing I would change about my entire experience was the disgusting...and I mean gross sweaty workout chic who was standing in front of me with sweat literally dripping off her body onto the floor. Eeeeew, I'm feeling sick just thinking about it. I'm thinking they need a sign that reads *Our iced tea is guaranteed to cool you down, but please leave your dripping sweat at the door*. Fun, urban, and lots of seating. I may have found my new meeting spot in town! I'll be back for sure.
(4)Maggie S.
I was just curious...aren't there requirements for food storage here in Illinois? The fact that this store has all its pastries sitting out, uncovered seems weird. Not to mention gross. Just today while waiting in line, I watched 3 flies molest a glazed donut. Can't imagine I'm the only person who takes issue with this.
(2)Tanya V.
A Starbucks is a Starbucks is a Starbucks, right? Wrong. This location has so much space, a 6-foot high sneezeguard-protected spread of food, and every type of seating you could possibly desire. It's really cool. It has levels and fancy word-mirrors and very friendly and fast baristas. It does also have a proximity to campus that guarantees swarms of students, professors and regulars at all times - and I do mean SWAAARMS - but the baristas seem to be handling the heavy business well. I've waited in line twice - lines that looked very worthy of turning away from - and have gotten my drink within 5 minutes or so. Not a place you can go in a rush, but doable if you have a little time. HINT to Starbucks - you could build another location immediately next door and both would be busy. Go ahead. I'm only giving 4 stars because you didn't build two.
(4)Dana J.
Thank you Natan, for always making me smile every Saturday morning. This staff is incredible, I'm not sure if they realize what an impact they have on their customers. --Dana aka "no no"
(5)Brett S.
Visited again today - only one type - out of all of the b-fast sandwiches available. Seriously Starbucks: How. Can. You. Be. This. Ineffective? DD anyone...
(1)Amanda L.
This location is very peculiar. I'm usually there in the morning rush before 9, and the line is either out the door or short. Either way, you're waiting a very long time. This morning I counted seven employees behind the counter. One on the register. One barista. The other five...I couldn't tell you what exactly they were doing. One guy is almost always cleaning the glass partition by the register line right in the middle of everyone. Glass cleaner spraying all over the pastries behind the glass. Very appetizing. I understand that restocking napkins and cleaning needs to be done, but can't this happen BEFORE or AFTER the breakfast rush? And if there are two registers, shouldn't two registers be open to make the line go faster? I've just started working in Evanston, having previously worked at the Merchandise Mart. The Starbucks there is packed from the minute it opens, and the line moves FAST. You're in and out in 5-7 minutes, even during big shows. I feel like this Starbucks needs to be better managed. I will say it's almost always clean and everyone is friendly.
(2)Stephanie C.
Wonderful remodeling job, great atmosphere.
(4)Ruby K.
I hardly ever go to Starbucks anymore, there are usually local coffee shops with more character and better/cheaper drinks around. But I've gotta say this is the nicest Starbucks I've ever seen. Industrial chic decor (which is obviously all the rage these days but I still like it), lots of diff kinds of seating, clover machine. I am currently sharing a table with a gentleman who has been talking to himself nonstop for 20 mins but he seems perfectly friendly and polite so 5 full stars!
(5)Roxie H.
Awesome newer, bigger location. More seating. However, the quality of beverages is rather disappointing. There are days I wish I could go behind the counter & make my own. At least the baristas are friendly.
(2)Matt B.
Update: The new storefront has added a much-needed improvement in the seating arena. They're also now one of the Starbucks licensed to serve wine after 4pm. If you're the kind of person who wants to drink wine at a Starbucks, well, then, I guess you are in luck. I have to echo steven d's comment about the upcharging--they've tried to pull similar stunts on me, but I fight it. I usually order a blonde roast, black. I tried ordering one around 2pm, and I had this conversation: Me: "Grande blonde roast, please." Sbux Guy: "Um, we don't have any blonde roast brewed. We don't brew any after noon." Me: "Huh, it seems like there should be a sign up that states that. After all, it is on your menu, right there." Sbux Guy: "We can do a pour-over for you. It would just be 40 cents extra." Me: "No, I'd actually like to pay the price that's on the menu. if you have to do a pour-over, that's fine, but I'm paying the price that's posted right there." Sbux Girl (walking up): "We have some blonde roast right here" (points Sbux Guy to carafe behind the counter). Sbux Guy: "Yeah, but that was brewed a while ago." Me: "That'll be just fine. Thanks." I wish I could say I've only had to have this conversation once, but I would be lying, and I like you too much to lie to you.
(3)Kimberly P.
Yesterday I reviewed the Starbucks that's closest to my home. This is the one I go to instead of that one. Completely opposite that store, at this one you'll almost always find friendly faces. There are a couple of employees who are average, but with most of them being so far above the bar it's not enough to withhold a star. I'm usually here late at night (thank goodness for a store that's open until midnight). That crew I know by name and they know mine. They know my drink preferences and always make me feel welcome. I'm here less often during the day and almost never in the mornings---but still enough to confidently say those crews are a pleasure as well. Even at the busiest times, no matter how long the wait, you'll always see them working together to get everyone served in a reasonable amount of time. And I always leave with a smile on my face--even if I've not entered with one. The parking here can be annoying and it takes twice as long for me to get to (then the location closest to me)...still there's no comparison. There's a reason I happily accept those minor inconveniences to make this my regular location.
(5)J. J.
Great to have all that seating, but bad management makes this place an unpleasant and erratic experience. 1) Long lines move way too slowly, and SHIFT MGR. REFUSES TO OPEN 2nd REGISTER. When a lady in line complained that she'd already been waiting 15 min., can't they open the other register, shift mgr said no, not his call. When she asked if he could at least give feedback to his store mgr. on this issue, he likewise refused(!), and had the nerve to say it was actually the CUSTOMER's job to initiate change by complaining on the national Starbuck's website. He actually refused to give customer feedback to his own boss about a store-specific issue. 2) Same shift mgr. on another day acted like I was asking for something bizarre when I wanted my drink in a double cup. He was rude enough that my companion asked me what the deal was with that guy. 3) Cashier throws away receipt without asking if you want it. Who does that? 4) I ordered a soy latte and they put whipped cream on it, w/o asking me. Hello, non-dairy order? I didn't have time to wait for a do-over. 5) My high-priced, incorrectly customized latte was also only about 2/3 full, the rest foam. If I wanted a tall sized drink, I wouldn't have ordered a venti. That much foam is not latte, that's cappuccino, and definitely not how it's typically served at other locations. Disappointing, especially at Starbucks prices. 6) Music is way too loud, especially in the upper deck seating area in the back. Seats facing one another along the rail are so far apart that my companion & I practically had to shout over the music to have a not at all private conversation. Not appealing.
(2)L. D.
I feel badly for giving this just three stars because of all of the money spent remodeling it, but I am not sure who they remodeled it for. The old store was a cramped and wimpy Starbuck's for being so close to a university, but at least the only people who went in there wanted the coffee. Now this place is huge, and I was told it is one of 24 Starbuck's in the country that can serve wine and beer. ¡Great! BUT, who designed this place? By 8am on a Sunday morning, I found all of the two-tops to be filled, each with a single person sitting there working on a laptop/ipad. So there are communal tables where I have sat twice before and been hit on twice before by other customers. The tables are at the wrong height for the chairs if you want to type comfortably. There also don't seem to be any shades for the floor to ceiling windows in the front, so sunshine comes glaring in and nobody sits in the twelve seats in the front during large portions of the day. If you have a stroller, the only place to park it would be at one of the two six-top "communal" tables, which then obstructs movement and disturbs the other customers. The ladies' room has two stalls, which is fine, but I was in there when a woman was changing her baby's diaper, and the space was so small, she had to put the stroller in one of the stalls. So it becomes a one-stall bathroom if there is someone trying to use the changing station. Good idea Starbuck's, but this is a case of not knowing your clientele, or trying to attract a different one, or trying to be everything to everyone and instead, becoming a prime example of form not following function. It's like the architect checked all of the boxes for requirements, but forgot about the people he was designing for. If I wanted a place to have a talk with a friend over a pumpkin spice latte and a cupcake (and leave an hour later in a sugar coma), this is the place. But otherwise, it is off. Also, with all of the redesign and the spread of foods, I don't see why they can't offer at least some reduced fat or lowfat pastries. It seems a shame.
(3)Heather J.
If you're looking for the friendliest baristas in town, go here. They are always busy, work quickly, and definitely know what they are doing. I have yet to find another Starbucks like this one.
(5)Mike W.
This should be renamed the Northwestern Starbucks. I guess Northwestern does not have libraries for its students to study. If you are a resident, good luck getting a seat. Several of us have individually tried to get seats at several different times of the day, several different days of the week. It is nearly always infested with students for several hour a day. They hold seats for each and nurse a coffee for several hours while stressfully studying or casually tweeting. The evening bites/alcohol is a joke; students are there in every seat! Where are we going to sit and have a glass of wine? Also, how uncomfortable to be drinking wine next to someone freaking out about an exam or paper! The only good thing about the lack of seats at Starbucks has been my getting to know the other local coffee businesses and also visiting Cosi - which is always empty. Nothing can be done to fix this, so I will just warn all of you to either try your luck and go or avoid coming there altogether. Zero stars.
(1)Kit G.
This Starbucks just relocated to a bigger space about 3 doors up from the old location. It is the nicest Starbucks I have ever seen. The interior has an industrial chic vibe, and lots of seating. The line moves faster since there are more baristas working now. Huge improvement. Great service.
(5)Tom H.
It's (now) big, clean, attractive and comfortable. Same coffee and bakery items as every other Starbucks. Close to Evanston's shopping and commercial district as well as to Northwestern University. Nice place to either grab a coffee to go or to sit and hang out with a laptop.
(4)Christine K.
I love the new interior and set up. It's very modern and chic and comfortable enough to sit down and do homework. Of all the cafes, the newly remodeled Starbucks is the closest thing to your quintessential college coffee shop with a hip vibe. Based on my experience here yesterday, I am pleasantly surprised by the friendly service I received from one of the workers.. If every Starbucks had someone on staff like her, then all of them would receive 5 stars for service. The coffee is not terrible, but it's not the best either. For a Starbucks coffee though, the Americano is acceptable. (Much better than Panera's.)
(4)Patrick O.
Can never say anything bad about Starbucks. Been to so many of them from coast to coast. Pacific - West - East coast. Always great coffee, great people.
(5)Jane W.
Don't really go to starbucks much, but am very impressed with the new location. A LOT bigger and the interior is very clean and modern. So far only visited the new location once and bought a maple scone, which was delicious.
(4)Holly R.
9/21/14 I'm changing my opinion on this place because I moved away and did not realize how incredibly kind the people at this location are. They learn your name and if not, they know your face and order. That means something. I go to other locations and am treated like I am ruining their day for giving them business. Since I wrote this review, they have become much more efficient with the delivery on the back end, too. ***** 6/17/13 The people who take your order seem courteous and try to assist quickly but on the back end, it is very slow. I get an easy drink, too and the employee took forever and then when preparing it, she didn't even shake the drink. Not impressed. They just seem overwhelmed, even when there isn't a crowd. It seems like they could work out a better system to become more efficient with their time and ours.
(4)Peter M.
This is the slowest Starbucks I have ever been in. There's a ton of staff that move with absolutely no urgency - even with the new location nothing has improved and their lines are absurdly long. I have no idea how they are so inefficient but something has got to change over there
(1)Manny A.
Feels bad to pan Starbucks but as locations go this was a severe disappointment. The place looked new and was attractively decorated. Unfortunately, the service was inattentive, they got one of the drinks wrong and the place was filthy! The condiment tables had spills, empty containers and an overflowing waste basket. The counter was sticky and smeared and there were wrappers on the floor. I hope this is not an ordinary occurrence. Ok. Time to be fair. I looked around half an hour later and everything had been cleaned up and employees were smiling again. Must have caught them at a bad time, but still....
(3)Mima W.
This is an update. Can't they do anything about that customer who seems to be there everyday and smells like the bottom of septic tank? If he sits within 20 feet of me, I have to pack up my stuff and move to another table, if there's a spot open. If not, I just leave. It's unbearable. I'm not exaggerating. I like this place, but he's spoiling the experience on a regular basis. Honest to God, if he comes in when I'm there, I always smell him before I see him.
(4)Mary K W.
Slow wifi, slow employees. Lots of competition on this stretch of Evanston; I'll go elsewhere from now on.
(1)Priya G.
This is my absolute favorite Starbucks. I come here every weekend and have had amazing customer service every time. The drinks are always consistent, which I cannot say about some other locations. This Starbucks also samples coffee and food so often. Can't ask for more than that!
(5)Nafeesah A.
I was getting breakfast and the paper the morning I went to this location, but it seems to have a problem keeping the homeless away from harassing the customers. It was clear they had a problem when a homeless guy shaking his cup for change, but what he did next had me floored...he pulls out a cell phone and starts texting and the guy sitting at the far table on the end was totally not seeing what this dillweed was doing. Plus not to mention he had a Starbucks coffee cup next to him...so apparently this guy was pretending to be homeless, but could afford coffee from Starbucks and to pay for a cell phone to text off of. This location was pretty funny in my honest opinion. This location gets 5 stars for service and professionalism.
(5)David S.
This is a little, odd, small, and cramped Starbucks hugging the Northwestern campus. It is what it is. Don't hate it, just accept it.
(3)Callie C.
I literally visit this Starbucks every (week) day. The manager is awesome and he greets me by name as soon as I walk in. The only downside to this location is that it is really small and can get super crowded in the morning, but the friendly staff and delicious coffee make up for it!
(5)Joy M.
I'm really impressed with all the changes made at this location. I used to hate coming here because it seemed dirty and the barista's were rude. The last couple times I've been here it's apparent that they are making a lot of changes.
(4)Sandeep P.
I've been here a bunch of times (although not as often as some, as I don't have a java addiction.....yet) and my drinks have always been mediocre to OK at best. Service is also sometimes hit or miss...I ordered a tall apple spice, no caramel/whip and he put on caramel before I could say something. Then, when I pointed this out, he hastily made a drink for me that, tasting it down the block, seemed as if he'd just poured the syrup into my cup. Honestly, if you cant even do basic starbucks drinks right, how am I expected to give this a decent rating when compared to the other, far more accommodating and creative, cafes all over Evanston?
(2)Charles J.
Good coffee. Lines take too long at rush time (why not use the 2nd register?) Also, please stop hiring dudes who look like a Gentle Giant album cover. What happened to all the nice girls?
(4)Amy K.
If I could give zero I would. I was temporarily living in Evanston for the past week, and, this was the closest one for me to walk to. I am a Starbucks girl, I know Starbucks and have grown to like it BECAUSE of their service. Being that, I have NEVER experienced any more worse service than at this one. They just don't seem to get it. Usually, you have someone taking orders for the line, then the register, then the drink maker. This one had a total knucklehead, instead of taking drink orders, filling up the friggin bakery goods, while there was a line practically out the door. Another day (this is all within just one week), it was my turn to order, the guy at the register, does not even greet me, HE GOES AND WALKS TO THE SUGAR/MILK BAR TO CLEAN IT UP, instead of taking care of me!!!! It took a minute or two for someone to casually walk up and take my order. The first day I went they screwed up my order, since I had a dog outside waiting, I couldn't ask for them to change it since it probably would've added on another 20 minutes to what I had already waited for for the first drink. If I lived in Evanston and this was where I needed to go on a regular basis, I would actually contact the corporate Starbucks. Something was really funky and ajar at this one and needs looking into. And, it wasn't only me. One morning I was there, another gentleman complained to the manager about the drink maker blabbing away while he waited a super long time for his drink. And, the manager did not even apologize. He got frustrated and rude with the customer. The only thing nice about this one is the very sweet homeless man outside.
(1)Geoff S.
1. The homeless topic. If you know much about the homeless, you know they are people like anyone else. In an area where there are a number of homeless, you want to encourage the right ones outside your establishment to keep the bad ones away. I know the homeless topic is not one everyone likes to get into, but having a friendly person outside the store to open doors is practically security. Not to mention, if you have to park and run inside and don't have change on you, there's always the homeless guy you can borrow from and remember on your way out. However, Starbucks local management needs to always be aware that whoever is the first impression of their store is also part of the image of their company. Selectivity is important. 2. The meat and potatoes (or coffee & milk?). I think management and staff here are friendly. The space can get really cozy really fast. It can be difficult to find space to sit at times. Rarely in the past couple of years have I had a bad drink. I have had the wrong drink a couple of times, but they are really good at making another or just not charging for mistakes if the drink is acceptable. It's easy to make friends with the employees here, so if that's your thing, I encourage it! My biggest complaint comes down to the area where baristas put drinks by the sink and due to their lack of space, pass rinsed or dirty pitchers back and forth over open-topped drinks. Cooks do not make and prepare meals between dishwashers, baristas should keep structure to their work-flow for sanitation.
(4)Jahnavi W.
I gotta give this place 1 star being a starbucks employee at one time. I get it, that job sucks... but the whole idea of Starbucks is to give great customer service, and no one at this location know how to do that. Especially the dude who thinks frosted tips are still cool.
(1)Mba S.
I went in this Starbuck's for the first time this afternoon to get away from street repairs in my neighborhood. (I've tried visiting other times but it's been way too crowded.) Newly renovated, it's only been opened a short time. I really liked the layout. The service was very good. I was hoping for something more peaceful in terms of ambiance. I wrote a tip on my iPhone app for Yelp that the music was way too loud. At the time they were playing music for seniors, such as Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. I absolutely could not think. As soon as I finished my beverage, I left. However, toward the end of my visit, they did turn down the volume and switch to a different playlist. I wish they'd play more mellow music that is less overwhelming and intrusive. I usually go to the Main Street Starbucks and have never had a problem with the music there. I've noticed I'm not the only customer who has complained about the music, so I don't feel as bad complaining. (Argo Tea and Barnes & Noble also have terrible music and Panera hasn't been too great lately on the music issue either.)
(4)Raven J.
This Starbucks has great employees! They are very crowded (but you can still move), but they take EXACTLY enough time to take your order. They are not rushing you or being rude like all busy Chicago bars are, and they are not being slow. This is EXACTLY how a very busy restaurant should function and I have literally never seen a busy restaurant function this way before. It doesn't get a 5 because the place is tiny, and even though it's SEVERELY full at all times so you can't choose where to sit, it doesn't have an electrical outlet at every table, and chairs. And of course because it's still Starbucks so the prices are very expensive and the coffee is TERRIBLE. So with very negative vs very positive, I suppose it should get a 3 - any privately-owned place with such terrible coffe would get a 2 if it had perfect employees and MAYBE a 3 if ot also had bathrooms which are both perfect and individual (and this Starbuck's individual bathrooms are not perfect, though the women's is "fine") and the men's is mostly usuable "if you must"). But then if you're looking at this, you're not really trying to find out whether Starbucks is a good place to buy from are you? That's unlikely now, considering that there's one every block, so if you're reading this on purpose you're trying to see if THIS Starbucks is one you should go to. In that vein, the only thing moving it down is the tiny size, but it still has the comfy chairs (some tiny Starbucks don't have them, and that would be an obvious low rating since most Starbucks do have them. And, you know, because that place would also be a Starbucks - not a corporation you want to voluntarily financially support). The amount of electrical outlets in proportion to tables and chairs would probably be fine if at the same ratio in a place big enough to support all it's - that is if everyone I saw using a laptop was plugged in. And I think the University students are coming here on purpose, because the Student Center on the campus also has a Starbucks, it's probably right in the middle.
(4)