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| - This is a Starbucks. Inside of a Target store. The bar for a happy Jake is usually set pretty low.
That said, this Starbucks went above and beyond!
I stayed with a friend in Fitchburg for a weekend and we jaunted to this Starbucks for our morning coffee two of three mornings. The first was on the morning of a major Saturday UW Football game. Hence, a long line. Like, a REALLY long line. Imagine snaking out of the Starbucks shop and around the corner, still inside Target...but into the grocery and produce departments. The wait time to approach the coffee shop area was easily 20 minutes!
Still, this beau needs their morning coffee, because I don't find very much interesting before 10am.
I waited. Patiently, I might add! Thoroughly impressed with the three person barista team making all the magic happen while appearing to barely break a sweat! Zigging. Zagging. Coffee bean grinding. Beverage blending. It was a well timed sight to behold.
Being the perceptive person I am, and all I really wanted was the coffee, I had payment ready ahead of time, and prepared to greet the register experience with 'here's my order, take my money, thank you' blink of an exchange. The cashier exchanged a genuine smile and happiness, made haste while engaging in a worthwhile two sentence conversation, and to top it off, playing 'test' with the apparently newer-minted barista.
Side bar: I usually order a plain brewed coffee, espresso/doppio, a red eye or a black eye.
The cashier proceeded to test the barista on the difference between an americano, a red eye, a black eye. It was such a smart, fun move! It made the line of people entertained and more calm/happy, and kept the staff as calm as can be in such a tiny, nutty-paced work environment.
My coffee (black eye) was prepared fairly above standard expectations for Starbucks. I always aim low and expect a bland, somewhat burnt flavor and was pleasantly surprised to find some of the lighter caramel-y deliciousness of the espresso floating above and within the brewed coffee. What a great first experience!
The very next morning warranted a shopping trip for Halloween costume pieces, and in order to function at all, coffee must exist near me. Target was on the way to the mall, so my friend and I made the pit stop once again.
This time, significantly less crowd. Still a line, but nothing manageable by a two-person team. However, there was no more than one lonely barista at work. I should really say this barista was at WERK. Taking two orders at a time from the register, making 2-3 beverages within minutes was one of the most impressive barista performances I have encountered, simply from a timing and methodical efficiency standard.
My coffee this time around was more of the typical 'meh' from Starbucks. It takes a unique and over-the-top experience for me to award more than 3 stars to any Starbucks location. GOOD GRAVY, or should I say FOR THE LOVE OF ESPRESSO did this Starbucks deliver!
4 stars well earned. PS - If your barista provides a nice experience or a delicious product, please be sure to tip them well!
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