I live near 99 Ranch in Fremont, CA so I had low expectations coming here, but everything looked nice like a Safeway. I saw an add for Happy Hour special which was iced coffee and free dessert for $1.75. The cashier wasn't very experienced, but it was a slow day anyway, so whatever. But I had to point to the sign. I thought it was going to be one of those times when businesses advertise and then don't deliver until you stand your ground and demand your free Krispy Kreme doughnut on Donut Day. But the younger girl knew what it was and she pulled out packaged desserts that looked one star above economy class Philippine Airline snacks. So I decided to order just a coffee and a slice of peach cake from behind the glass display. When I lifted the cup it felt a little light. It was filled two inches from the top. So I asked for her to top it off, but she couldnt because they were out(1/2 star deduction) and pointed to the coffee dispenser (1/2 star deduction). I thought maybe I could get steamed milk since they wouldnt top off my cup but only cold milk or half and half. Fine. Took a while because the first cashier wasnt familiar with the order. But thats okay. I support workers of all ages. Everyone needs a job. She's lucky there werent any other customers waiting.
I also ordered curry with rice, and Taro boba from next door.
Peach cake was....well lack luster. I was expecting the cake body to be infused with amazing peach flavor. But it's just a 4 layer simple sponge cake with whipped cream layers and one of the middle layers had frozen peach which my sensitive teeth couldn't handle ($3.50).
I don't know what I was thinking. I grew up on 99 Ranch Cake. But it's not the same nostalgia you get like watching your favorite Disney movie. It's the kind of nostalgia when you run-on-tanbark,-fall,-and-spend-10-minutes-pulling-out-splinters-nostalgia.
It doesn't help my boyfriend bakes amazing cakes. You just cant go back to unthawed mediocrity(1 star deduction for the pain induced).